Welcome new bass players to the bass forum. In this post you will find helpful tips on where to start on the bass. If I miss some stuff and you think it should be added just hit me up and I will modify the post.
The most common types of bass are 4,5,and 6 string basses.
The strings on a 4 string from top to bottom would be E-A-D-G.
The strings on a 5 string from top to bottom would be B-E-A-D-G
The strings on a 6 string from top to bottom would be B-E-A-D-G-C
The first thing you want to learn is your bass.
You want to get your fingers use to playing. I started by just plucking the strings. In my right hand I used my index and middle finger. I would do a count 1-2-3-4, then go to the next string and keep doing it until I had done all strings. This will help your fingers start to develope speed in your plucking fingers
After learning that now you can start to learn the notes. Since most people start on a four string I will show the notes on a 4 string bass.
E string A String D String G String
Open is E Open is A Open is D Open is G
1st fret is F 1st fret is Bb 1st fret is Eb 1st fret is Ab
2nd fret is F# 2nd fret is B 2nd fret is E 2nd fret is A
3rd fret is G 3rd fret is C 3rd fret is F 3rd fret is Bb
4th fret is Ab 4th fret is C# 4th fret is F# 4th fret is B
5th fret is A 5th fret is D 5th fret is G 5th fret is C
6th fret is Bb 6th fret is Eb 6th fret is Ab 6th fret is C#
7th fret is B 7th fret is E 7th fret is A 7th fret is D
8th fret is C 8th fret is F 8th fret is Bb 8th fret is Eb
9th fret is C# 9th fret is F# 9th fret is B 9th fret is E
10th fret is D 10th fret is G 10th fret is C 10th fret is F
11th fret is Eb 11th fret is Ab 11th fret is C# 11th fret is F#
12th fret is E 12th fret is A 12th fret is D 12th fret is G
Most basses have 24 fret, 13-24 are just a higher octave(Basically the notes repeat themselves all over again).
Once you get the idea of what your notes are I would suggest then practicing your scales.
All scales have a pattern which is: Whole Whole Half Whole Whole Whole Half
Lets do the scale of C.
C-D=Whole D-E=Whole E-F=Half F-G= Whole G-A=Whole A-B=Whole B-C= Half
On the bass there is a easy pattern to playing the scales.
If playing in the Key of C the scale would be C,D,E,F,G,A,B,C.
The pattern would be:
C=1,D=3,E=5,F=1,G=3,A=5,B=2,C=3
That pattern 1-3-5,1-3-5,2-3 will work on any scale.
*Please note the 1,3,5 are not the fret numbers but the pattern*Also this pattern is for the Major scalesI hope all of the above information helps. Below are some helpful links that will also help on the bass.
www.uriahsmusic.com www.gospelbasslines.comhttp://www.studybass.com/I also suggest praying before practice. When doing that the Lord really blessed me to learn it fast.
Be blessed.
