5 Tips on How to Sound Better on Bass Guitar

Free tip: Tune your guitar every time you play it!

Tip #1: Play with a clean sound

Make sure you mute your strings properly with the thumb and perhaps with other fingers

Tip #2: Control the length of your notes

Long notes, short notes, staccato, muted notes - it’s all in the fingers. Be creative and change a bass-line just by using different lengths!

Tip #3: Change your strings

Don’t play on rusty strings! Change your strings every 6 months on average if you gig regularly. Don’t change your strings a day before the gig -- try to aim for a week before.

Tip #4: Play (super, super, SUPER) in time

Don’t underestimate any groove, even the simplest. You think 4/4 is too easy for you? You've got it wrong! It’s never too easy.  Turn all your attention to where the beat is and be as accurate as possible. That makes the simplest bass lines shine through.

Tip #5: Learn different techniques, and use them sparingly (or when required).

This includes muting, playing with a pick, slapping, tapping, hammering on, pulling off, etc. It adds some spice to you playing, but be careful and don’t over use it when inappropriate! 

Download the pdf file with the notation here: [lfassetembed]18360[/lfassetembed]

Listen and play along to the backing track:

Check out the full video below:

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