Guitar » bass guitar

The Bass Guitar and Why it Rocks

admin — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:31:34 +0000

This post will introduce you to the bass guitar, touch on its history, its evolution and mention some of the amazing bass players that have graced the instrument. Read on to learn more about the bass guitar.

Welcome to the world of the bass guitar; if you’re reading this then you’ve taken an interest in the electric bass and have decided to pursue it further. Maybe this post will reaffirms your decision to play bass guitar, or perhaps it will be the final argument for you to start playing the bass yourself.

The bass guitar is a pretty cool instrument. It may not be as flashy as a drum kit, or command as much attention as a pimped out electric guitar, but it has a subdued, laid-back vibe all its own. A standard bass guitar has four strings and is tuned E-A-D-G; an octave below the lowest strings on a guitar to provide a sonic foundation for the melody to build upon.

While you may give up the fame and glory of the spotlight when you choose to become a bass player, you gain full control of the key of the music, and full dominion over the bass frequencies.

Bass Guitar Frequencies Move People

This is almost a mystical power that most people won’t even realize that you have. Many won’t even realize that it is the bass player and the way he chooses to play certain notes, leave others out, and the space and rhythms in between these that are hypnotizing them into dancing. It is a great responsibility that you take on – called the groove – without it; any music you play will be lame.

So besides this, why take on the bass guitar? What is it about the bass guitar that is cool, or should be attractive to someone just starting out that just wants to play SOMETHING? Well, getting up and running with a bass guitar is much easier than most other instruments. You don’t have to have four-way independence as with drums, you don’t have to memorize all the chord fingering patterns like you would with a guitar, and you don’t have to spend years to get a sound that doesn’t sound like a cat being tortured as you would with a violin. You can pick up a bass guitar and start playing bass lines almost immediately – the good news is that the easier it is to play an instrument along to music you like when you’re starting out, the more likely you’ll stay with the instrument for good.

Another great reason why the bass guitar is cool is that EVERYONE needs a bass player. You make the other band members sound good, and there are many styles of music out there that use the bass guitar. That means that if you’re a good bass player, you’re willing to work hard, learn and you have a great attitude –you’re going to have many more job opportunities than many other musicians would have.

Being a bassist is as much a state of mind as it is a position in the band. You need to put the song and the other musicians before yourself. You are the glue between the rhythm and the melody – you straddle the line between the drummer and the guitarist, giving the music that third dimension that makes music so exciting. If you’re willing to put your ego on the back burner, you can become a truly great bassist that is in demand.

Is playing the bass guitar easier? Yes it is. But to master any instrument is virtually impossible. Playing bass guitar is initially much easier than guitar; you can outline chords one finger at a time as opposed to learning the fingerings for each chord. You also have fewer strings to change than the guitarist, but keep in mind that bass guitar strings are thicker – so in some ways, playing the bass guitar is more difficult because you need to play just as fast as the guitarists but with thicker strings. This means that you’re moving more mass in the same amount of time or energy.

What you may not know about the bass guitar is:

There is something to be said for a simple bass line that does what it’s supposed to do, get some asses out of the chairs at the bar.

Bass guitars can be beautiful and expensive, they can break your heart and if you get used to playing them – playing bass guitar can indeed be habit forming!

The electric bass guitar was responsible for making rock n’ roll music come to life in the fifties – the bass could now be heard (as well as felt!) and helped to drive the new-fangled rock n roll bands mercilessly into the spotlight.

The electric bass guitar started out with 4 strings and remained that way for several decades, before evolving to 5, 6, 8 and even 12 stringed versions beginning in the mid-70s. These multi-stringed basses owe a large debt of thanks to Anthony Jackson who helped open the door to more than 4 string basses by commissioning the first six string bass guitar to be built in the 1970s!

Some famous bass guitarists include Paul McCartney, Sting, Geddy Lee, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Flea, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan, Stanley Clarke and John Entwistle.

You can get started with a bass guitar kit that includes a bass guitar, a bass guitar amp, a guitar strap, an bass guitar instrument cable and a tuner for around $250 or you can even rent a bass guitar from many major music instrument retailers. Even if you don’t know of any teachers in your town, you can surf Youtube and find plenty of lessons for free that can get you started. There’s no good reason to sit on the fence anymore, playing bass guitar can be an affordable hobby that can actually make you some extra money if you choose to play out in bands.

Choosing to play the bass guitar has given me plenty of opportunity to learn and grow as a human being. It’s allowed me to experience the thrill of performing in front of large audiences while sharing the stage with some amazing bands and meet terrific people. Playing bass guitar is a great way to be creative, relieve stress and have fun!

So what are you waiting for? Get out there, find a bass guitar and start playing today!

Michael Ippersiel has been playing and performing on bass guitar for over 18 years and writes about it frequently. He also gives advice for Indie Bands about the music business.

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The Bass Guitar and Why it Rocks

Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package, Liquid Black -SSLB11PK-BK

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:14:05 +0000

Bass guitar package with everything you need to control the rhytm
Includes BAXs bass amp, digital tuner, instructional DVD, strings, strap, picks, cable, gig bag
Liquid black Revolver LB11 bass guitar offers comfortable balance, warm resonance, and fat tone
BAXs bass amp with 10-watt RMS power, 6.5-inch speaker, 4-band EQ
Guitar backed by limited lifetime warranty

Product Description
The Silvertone Bass Guitar Package is loaded with everything you need to bang out some serious bottom. Featuring the Silvertone SSLB-11 "Precision" style 4 - string bass (34" long scale, 20 fret maple neck with Rosewood fretboard, 1 split "P" style pickup, 1 volume and 1 tone control, chrome die-cast enclosed tuning machines, fully adjustable chrome bridge). The Silvertone Bass Guitar Package also includes the BA-10 bass amp (10 watts RMS, 7" bass driver, 3-band EQ, headphone jack), GT-8 tuner, gig bag, strap, cable, pickpack, and instructional DVD. Liquid BlackAmazon.com Product Description
Get everything you need to play the bass guitar with this special package from Silvertone, which includes the LB11 electric bass, 20-watt amplifier, padded gig bag, and instructional DVD. Classic style and tone. Click to enlarge. Includes tuner, gig bag, guitar strap, cable, guitar picks, strings, and an ... Click Here For More Info >>

Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package, Liquid Black -SSLB11PK-BK

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Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package, Liquid Black -SSLB11PK-BK

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Bass Guitar

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 02:34:18 +0000

ISBN13: 9780470048504

Condition: USED - VERY GOOD

Notes:

Product Description
Do you learn faster by seeing and doing than by wading through tedious instructions? Then pick up a bass guitar and start plucking! With Teach Yourself VISUALLY Bass Guitar, you'll quickly progress from playing notes to experimenting with plucking and slap-and-pop techniques. You'll learn about tuning, fretboard fingerings, alternate fingerings, down picking, palm muting, and more. The bass usually sets the tempo, so you'll learn basic note values plus common popular rhythms from straight rock to syncopated reggae. Downloadable MP3 files on wiley.com complement the book and let you hear exactly how things are supposed to sound as you play. Concise two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review Each skill or technique is defined and described Step-by-step instructions accompany each photo Detailed color photos demonstrate each step Helpful tips provide additional guidance ... Click For Great Discounts >>

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Bass Guitar

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Teach Yourself VISUALLY Bass Guitar

Austin Bazaar 43″ Zebra Stripe Electric Bass Guitar with Accessories and Guitar Stand

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:33:37 +0000

Famous Double Cutaway Design

Basswood Body

Pickups : Split P-B P/U

Includes Gig Bag & Carrying Strap

Great looking zebra stripes design

Product Description
This Electric Bass is ideal for musicians of any age! Whether you need another Guitar to add to your collection or just need a little something for jam sessions in your garage, this Bass is for you! It has 20 Frets and a great looking Basswood Body. It also includes a Gig Bag and Carrying Strap. This guitar makes a great gift!... Click For Great Discounts >>

Austin Bazaar 43" Zebra Stripe Electric Bass Guitar with Accessories and Guitar Stand

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Austin Bazaar 43″ Zebra Stripe Electric Bass Guitar with Accessories and Guitar Stand

Dean Bass Guitar Starter Pack with EVOXM Natural, 10 Watt Amp, Gig Bag, Cord, Strap, Picks

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:33:09 +0000

complete electric guitar kit

mahogany EVOXM guitar w/ 2 humbuckers

10 watt clean to dirty guitar amp

includes gig bag

inludes cord ,strap ,picks and tuner

Product Description
Natural mahogany EVOXM guitar pack with gig bag ,amplifyer,cord,and strapAmazon.com Product Description
An entire guitar rig with everything you need to get rolling! The Dean EVOXM and Amp Pack includes the Dean EVOXM Guitar, Dean M10 Guitar Amp, gig bag, tuner, cord, strap, and picks. An ideal guitar the beginning guitarist. Click to enlarge. Compact 10-watt practice amp with plenty of gain. Click to enlarge. Dean EVO XM Guitar
The EVO XM is a perfect blend of vintage design, old world craftsmanship and decades of guitar building technology. This affordable yet stylish axe has a lightweight basswood body in a mahogany stain for a "high-end" look, with a maple neck and 22-fret rosewood fingerboard. A set of Dean high-output humbuckers deliver the sonic goods, while the adjustable TOM-style bridge keeps you in tune for the length of the gig. Great for players of any le... Click For Great Discounts >>

Dean Bass Guitar Starter Pack with EVOXM Natural, 10 Watt Amp, Gig Bag, Cord, Strap, Picks

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Dean Bass Guitar Starter Pack with EVOXM Natural, 10 Watt Amp, Gig Bag, Cord, Strap, Picks

B.C. Rich Bronze Warlock Electric Bass Guitar, Black

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:38:40 +0000

Bolt-on Construction

Sealed B.C. Rich Tuners

24 Jumbo frets

Dot Inlays

Pointed Headstock

Product Description
The B.C. Rich Bronze Warlock Bass digs deep with an agathis body, 34"-scale bolt-on maple neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, and B.C. Rich split-coil pickup. Chrome-finish hardware includes an adjustable bridge and B.C. Rich die-cast machine heads.... Click For Great Discounts >>

B.C. Rich Bronze Warlock Electric Bass Guitar, Black

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B.C. Rich Bronze Warlock Electric Bass Guitar, Black

New Electric Acoustic Bass Guitar W/ Equalizer & Accessories

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:45:12 +0000

Bass 4 Band Equalizer

Super slim comfortable neck, with adjustable truss rod

22 Frets, Comes with Cord to hook up to Amp

Product Description
You are viewing an auction for a Brand New Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitar. It has all of the features and quality of top dollar bass guitar. Comes with the attractive cutaway design for easy access to the upper notes. We guarantee you the best quality for the price or your money back.Features: Full SizeBass 4 Band EqualizerBeautiful Inlay.Mahogany Back & SidesRosewood fingerboard 22 FretsDie cast (Schaller Style) CHROME MACHINE HEAD Super slim comfortable neck, with adjustable truss rodNatural High gloss FinishAbsolutely Brand New in Retail PackingComes with Cord to hook up to Amp.Super low prices. Save over 50% off retail... Click For Great Discounts >>

New Electric Acoustic Bass Guitar W/ Equalizer & Accessories

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New Electric Acoustic Bass Guitar W/ Equalizer & Accessories

Austin Bazaar 43″ Black Electric Bass Guitar with Accessories

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 17:30:47 +0000

Classic Double Cutaway Design

Basswood Body

Pickups : Split P-B P/U

Includes Gig Bag & Carrying Strap

Ideal for the beginning student

Product Description
This Electric Bass is ideal for musicians of any age! Whether you need another Guitar to add to your collection or just need a little something for jam sessions in your garage, this Bass is for you! It has 20 Frets and a great looking Basswood Body. And the best part is, it includes a Gig Bag and Carrying Strap. This guitar makes a great gift!... Click For Great Discounts >>

Austin Bazaar 43" Black Electric Bass Guitar with Accessories

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Austin Bazaar 43″ Black Electric Bass Guitar with Accessories

Peavey Presents Play It All on Bass Guitar DVD

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 02:34:03 +0000

The Play It All series are Tutorial DVD's presented in association with respected amplification and instrument manufacturers Peavey. This is a complete Beginner programme for learning Rock, Metal, Funk, Blues and Reggae on acoustic guitar. Learn octaves, fifths, basic slap and pop exercises and much more with master instructor Chris McCarvill. With a huge resource of tips and tricks, easy to f

Product Description
The °Play It All° series are tutorial DVDs presented in association with respected amplification and instrument manufacturer Peavey. This is a complete beginner program for learning rock, metal, funk, blues and reggae on bass. Learn octaves, fifths, basic slap and pop exercises and much more with master instructor Chris McCarvill. With a huge resource of tips and tricks, easy to follow close-ups and a step-by-step approach, this is a fantastic place for novices to start and progress to higher levels. Features include: a CD or °Rock House Jam Disc° with drum, bass and guitar backing tracks, free lifetime membership for online lesson support, authored for Zone 0 and more. 1 hour... Click For Great Discounts >>

Peavey Presents Play It All on Bass Guitar DVD

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Peavey Presents Play It All on Bass Guitar DVD

D’Addario EXL170TP Twin Pack Bass Guitar Strings , 2 sets

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:36:59 +0000

XL Nickel Round Wound

World famous for their distinctive bright tone, precise intonation, and unparalleled consistency, XL strings deliver excellent magnetic output while providing a smooth, comfortable surface that reduces premature fret wear.

Product Description
2 Set of Bass Strings gauge 45-100... Click For Great Discounts >>

D'Addario EXL170TP Twin Pack Bass Guitar Strings , 2 sets

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D’Addario EXL170TP Twin Pack Bass Guitar Strings , 2 sets

John Entwistle: Bass Guitar Master Class

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:33:47 +0000

Entwistle demonstrates his unique fingering, licks, chords, hammer-ons, pull-offs, picking techniques, harmonics, soloing concepts, bass lines, phrasing and more. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSIC DVD Rating: NR Age: 752187437833 UPC: 752187437833 Manufacturer No: HOT106

Product Description
The Who's legendary John Entwistle gives a personal bass lesson that covers fingering, licks, octave style, chords, hammer-ons, pull-offs, picking techniques, harmonics, soloing concepts, walking bass lines, string-bending and phrasing all in the famous Entwistle style. Here is a unique chance to learn from the man who wrote the book when it comes to rock 'n' roll electric bass.... Click For Great Discounts >>

John Entwistle: Bass Guitar Master Class

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John Entwistle: Bass Guitar Master Class

World Tour BG20D Deluxe 20mm Bass Guitar Gig Bag

admin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:46:11 +0000

Extra Thick 20mm High Density Padding

Water Resistant PVC backed Cordura Material

Traditional and Back-Pack Style Transport

Heavy-Duty 10mm Zippers with Oversize Pulls

Triple Gusseted Storage Pockets

Product Description
World Tour's Deluxe 20mm Series of Guitar Gig Bags are their top-of-the-line, professional quality bags designed and built for the rigors of the road. The bags feature 20mm of high density padding on all sides, covered with a water resistant, PVC backed Cordura exterior material and fine scratch-proof Cordura interior. Other features include- gusseted triple pocket storage, traditional handle, rear handle and back-pack style transport attachment, interior neck tuner and bridge patches to prevent tearing, heavy-duty 10mm zippers with oversize pulls, rubber base feet and a 5 Year Warranty.... Click For Great Discounts >>

World Tour BG20D Deluxe 20mm Bass Guitar Gig Bag

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World Tour BG20D Deluxe 20mm Bass Guitar Gig Bag

Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package, Liquid Black

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:24:50 +0000

Bass guitar package with everything you need to control the rhytm

Includes BAXs bass amp, digital tuner, instructional DVD, strings, strap, picks, cable, gig bag

Liquid black Revolver LB11 bass guitar offers comfortable balance, warm resonance, and fat tone

BAXs bass amp with 10-watt RMS power, 6.5-inch speaker, 4-band EQ

Guitar backed by limited lifetime warranty

Product Description
The Silvertone Bass Guitar Package is loaded with everything you need to bang out some serious bottom. Featuring the Silvertone SSLB-11 "Precision" style 4 - string bass (34" long scale, 20 fret maple neck with Rosewood fretboard, 1 split "P" style pickup, 1 volume and 1 tone control, chrome die-cast enclosed tuning machines, fully adjustable chrome bridge). The Silvertone Bass Guitar Package also includes the BA-10 bass amp (10 watts RMS, 7" bass driver, 3-band EQ, headphone jack), GT-8 tuner, gig bag, strap, cable, pickpack, and instructional DVD. Liquid BlackAmazon.com Product Description
Get everything you need to play the bass guitar with this special package from Silvertone, which includes the LB11 electric bass, 20-watt amplifier, padded gig bag, and instructional DVD. Classic style and tone. Click to enlarge. Includes tuner, gig bag, guitar strap, cable, guitar picks, strings, and an ... Click For Great Discounts >>

Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package, Liquid Black

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Silvertone LB11 Bass Guitar and Amp Package, Liquid Black

Lean Electric Guitar- Free Lessons

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:59:26 +0000

With the increased pressure to'go electric,' many artists who played the guitar at the height of the Rock n Roll movement switched their acoustic instruments to electrical versions. Unlike basses, which can often be modified into electrical basses, an only electric guitar will not produce melodic sounds without the help of an amplifier which carries the tune produced through an electronic current. Electrical guitars also permit the player to partly manipulate the sound coming to the amplifier thru equalizing, twisting, and other methods.

Click here to learn electric guitar online for free!

If you'd like to learn electric guitar, you are going to first have to select which type you need to play. Selecting this route will permit you to select a five-, six-, seven-, or even twelve-stringed instrument. Similar to a regular bass or acoustic guitar, the electrical guitar comes in diverse styles with different string options.

This will enable you to read sheet music, even if you have not heard the music before. While this is a slower process, the foundation you are laying for future guitar success is bigger because you will have already mastered reading music. Many guitar enthusiasts, who simply want to learn the electric version for fun almost never choose to learn how to read music. Instead, they typically learn the four-stringed electronic guitar in chords, which lets them'play by ear'. A four-stringed instrument is made up of regular note progressions, and switching in and out of different chords as well as training your left hand to switch and hold a chord in a certain fret as you strum in rhythm to the track of your choosing is a lot simpler.

The electric guitar is a great choice for those who want to play rock and roll, jazz, blues, and even modern versions of classical or up to date music. If you haven't purchased an electrical guitar yet, then you'll need to consider what version you'd like. Some models have hollow bodies, while others are solid in their make up. A regular solid electrical guitar emits the sound without any kind of resonation before it hits the amplifier.
When you learn electric guitar its as fun as learning how to play a regular bass guitar. For those needing to learn the basics of guitar playing then an instructor could be the most suitable option. But , if you simply want to learn for fun, practice using a four-stringed instrument by learning how to play in chords and strum according to what you hear. Best of luck as you learn electric guitar!

Free Lessons to Learn Electric Guitar
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Dana is the author and owner of dozens of research sites. She spends much of her time researching products and posting results for all the viewers.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/lean-electric-guitar-free-lessons-1406196.html

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Lean Electric Guitar- Free Lessons

How To Play A Bass Guitar

admin — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:59:09 +0000

There are several types of guitars. The most commonly known are the electric and acoustic guitars, but their lesser known cousin, the bass, is a very rewarding choice, as well.

Bass Guitar For Beginners

The bass guitar is the easiest type of guitar to learn. Beginner bass guitar players are urged to learn individual notes, one by one, to avoid confusion. Also, you do not use chords when playing the bass guitar, so the notes are all you need.

If you are an absolute beginner, you should definitely use a fretted bass. This will make it much easier for you to learn the notes, and their position on the fret board.

When you first decide to learn how to play bass guitar, you will not even need an instrument. Before you pick up a bass, you must concentrate on finger exercises, since the bass guitar takes a great deal of hand strength to play. Bass guitar can be played by both right and left handed people, so use the hand that is most comfortable to play the frets. Start by relaxing your fingers, then lift your hand so it creates a 90 degree angle with the floor. Once you are in this position, lift your fingers, one by one, making sure that it is in rapid succession.

After some practice with these finger exercises, you are ready to begin using your instrument. Place the guitar on your thigh, with the strings opposite your body. The body of most bass guitars are sloped, but if yours is not, you can adjust the guitar's position with your forearm. The neck of the guitar should be supported by the hand that you have chosen as your fret hand.

When a beginner wants to learn to play bass guitar, the most daunting challenge they may face is finding bass guitar instruction. There are several options to choose from, including private instruction, which can become costly. There are also DVD programs and books. If you are looking for an inexpensive, or even free way to begin learning, online bass lessons are always available, if you do a little searching.

As with anything else, it is always easier to learn bass guitar at an early age. If you have kids that are interested in the bass, you should definitely get them started right away. However, it is never too late to start, so adults should never be discouraged from learning to play the bass guitar. Just make sure that you have the motivation, confidence, and patience to succeed. Also, make sure that you have the time to spend on your lessons. You can't learn overnight.

Once you have some practice, it is always fun to play guitar with others. It can help you relax, and even meet new people. If you know how to play the bass guitar, you can get together with acoustic and electric guitarists and compliment each other's sounds. Start with the basics, then start learning some advanced notes. Eventually, you will be able to lay down a bass line that others will be happy to follow.

(ArticlesBase ID #1188016)

Liam Gibson of LearnGuitar-User-Reviews.com, specializes in helping aspiring guitarists get the info that they need to make the right choices. Liam, a stage guitarist himself, leads his team of guitar experts to constantly review new courses and products in the market and make sure you get the best value products that work for you. Check out actual user reviews and feedback of the most popular guitar courses at LearnGuitar-User-Reviews.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/music-articles/how-to-play-a-bass-guitar-1188016.html

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How To Play A Bass Guitar