Introduction
Playing music is awesome because it’s not just fun, but it opens the door to discovering new tunes, trying out different music styles, and letting your creative side shine. Today, let’s talk about the bass guitar. It’s a bit sad but true that people often don’t notice the bassist much in a band. But being a bassist is a big deal because we’re not just keeping the beat; we’re also holding the song’s rhythm and harmony together.
Sometimes, when we play or try to do a solo, we might feel a bit stuck, and our bass lines might sound a bit basic. In this blog, we’re going to spill the beans on some tricks that the cool bass players use. Learning these tricks can make you sound like a pro too. You Should Learn Pro Bass Techniques to play like a pro. Let’s dive in!
Topics
SlapÂ
TappingÂ
HarmonicsÂ
RakingÂ
Hammer onÂ
Pull offsÂ
GallopÂ
Palm muteÂ
BendingÂ
SlideÂ
Slap
Slap is a super cool technique that not only wows other bass players but also blows away the audience. When you give the string a good hit with your thumb, it produces this awesome booming sound. And when you pop the string, it’s like the sound is dancing straight from your soul. The best part? It works in any music style you can think of. The key is figuring out how to sprinkle it into your playing along with some matching fills. Check out this video to get the hang of the basics of slapping, and don’t forget – practice makes perfect!
Tapping
Tapping might have started with guitar legend Eddie Van Halen, but now it’s rocking the bass world too, especially when you get the hang of it . Tapping isn’t just about a cool feel for your instrument; it adds serious style points when you throw in some tapping fills.
Learning to tap brings a bunch of perks. Imagine using your bass like a piano – that’s the vibe tapping brings. It’s not just about looking good; it opens up a whole new way to explore your instrument. Once you get the hang of, you can dive into playing extended chords and a whole bunch more. Trust me, it’s the secret sauce to sounding like a pro. Check it out!
Harmonics
Now, this one’s a game-changer – Harmonics. It’s not just a must-have skill; it’s one of the most beautiful tricks in a bassist’s tool kit. The sound it adds to a song is like painting with a different palette, and trust me, it’s downright beautiful.
Ever heard Jaco Pastorius’ “Portrait of Tracy”? It’s a must-learn if you want to dive into harmonics. And hey, if you’re interested, we can even do a full blog on harmonics – just let us know!
For now, check out this video link to learn harmonics. The next time you play, you’ll add a touch of beauty like never before. Enjoy making your bass sing!
Raking
Now, raking might sound like something reserved for punk or funk, where dynamics take the spotlight, and there’s plenty of room to unleash a barrage of notes. But guess what? This technique isn’t just about playing; it’s also a fantastic way to give your fingers a breather. That’s why it made the cut for this blog.
So, what’s raking all about? It’s when you kick off playing with the same finger you used first. For example, if you start on the A string with your index finger, when you switch to the E string, you’ll hit it first with your trusty index finger. It’s a nifty technique with more benefits than meets the eye!
Hammer on
Alright, let’s talk about something cool that not everyone talks about – Hammer Ons. It’s like a secret weapon. You might use it when a song already has it, or maybe when someone tells you to. But here’s the thing – it can make your playing sound really nice without messing up the feel of the song.
So, what’s a Hammer On? It’s when you play one note and then hit the next one using only your left hand. It gives a cool wavy effect to the sound, and it sounds great if you do it right. Oh, and in hammer ons, the notes should sound short, like a quick punch. Try it out!
Pull Offs
Alright, let’s talk about another cool move – Pull Offs. They’re like buddies with Hammer Ons. Similar to before, you play one note, then hit the next note using only your left hand. But here’s the cool part – instead of picking the second note, you just lift your finger off. It gives a whole different sound, and it’s pretty fun.
I know it might sound a bit like Hammer Ons, but there’s a sneaky difference. To make things easy, I’ve added a video link so you can see how it’s done. And hey, if you’re into it, drop a comment – we might cook up a whole blog about Pull Offs and Hammer Ons! Have fun trying it out!
Gallop
Gallop is like the secret weapon for bass players. Without this move, playing fast lines non-stop is tough. Once you get the hang of it, you can zip around without getting tired, playing fast and smooth. Gallop means using two or three fingers continuously without too many changes in the song. Check out Iron Maiden songs to get a feel for it!
Palm Mute
You’ve heard about muting with your hands, right? Well, palm muting is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s super handy for sounding like an upright bass instantly. If you know the technique, you can pull off some awesome Motown licks without adding a sponge near the bridge of your bass guitar. Listen to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell to catch the vibe. Try Some Pro Bass Techniques.
Bending
Bending is a classic move used in many string instruments. It gives a note a unique color and a cool vibrating sound when done right. It’s perfect for funk where you have lots of room to play with your rhythm. Just press a note, let it ring, and from your left hand, pull the string downwards or upwards with the feel you like.
Slides
Slides might seem simple, but they feel amazing when used right. You can smoothly switch between two pitches in just a few seconds. Go from the first fret to the last (24th or 21st fret), go up or down, and change the pitch easily. It’s like painting with your bass!
Conclusion:
These techniques are your ticket to sounding like a pro on the bass guitar. They’re not just tricks; they’ll boost your musical vocabulary. By learning these moves, you’re opening up a whole new world of sounds. Let us know what you think about the blog and suggest what you’d like next in our bass series. Enjoy playing!