PDF scores for bass guitar
Here you can find my arrangements for bass guitar with sheet music and tablature notation. I have concentrated on arranging melodies to play for bass guitar. I have found that playing melodies on bass guitar is a good way to practice correct fingerings and dexterity.
Easy melodies
Popular songs written to be played as easy bass guitar solos with notes and tabs. Including Amazing Grace, Love Me Tender and Happy Birthday To You.
Christmas carols
Music scores with tablature for bass with easy Christmas songs including Silent Night, O Holy Night, Jingle Bells and We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
Patterns
Common bass guitar patterns often used in songs and melodies. Written with traditional scores and tablature notation.
Playing Bass Guitar For Beginners
By Tom Combs
To learn bass guitar means you want to be part of the driving force of
a band. Playing bass guitar can be easy to learn but can be harder to master,
it all depends on where you want to go with it. The bass guitar is fairly
easy to get started on and most people can pick up the basics and start
playing right away but to learn bass guitar can also be very advanced because
it is the kind of instrument that starts off easy and can go to almost endless
possibilities.
The first question you ask yourself, "Is playing bass
guitar what I want to play?" That is the most important thing because as
everyone knows when you want to get started in something it is going to
be a small investment. With today's economy nobody wants to waste money
on something they are not sure they should do. I did not start out to learn
bass guitar, I started on acoustic guitar and played that for quite a few
years, then began playing with a few friends and then it got a little serious
and we formed a small three piece acoustic band. As the band grew, we then
needed a bass guitar player so I put down the acoustic and started playing
bass guitar. The point is that I had put out the cash to get set up in two
different things, now that is OK if that is your plan to play two different
instruments.
The next thing you should think about is your musical
talent and if you are ready to put in the time to learn bass guitar, because
when I say it is easy to learn, it is, if you put in the time. Following
are my suggestions for all you'll need to do to start playing the bass:
1. Place to practice, where you can play without distractions and
practice every day.
2. Purchase a bass. If you want to play an acoustic
bass, be sure that is what you want to play because acoustic basses are
more expensive than electric basses. It all depends on your own taste and
what kind of music and who you are going to play with. Start with a cheaper,
but good quality bass.
3. Start playing the guitar, just to get the
feel, it doesn't matter if you have never played before, you are just taking
the first step to get the feel, because every bass guitar player has his
or her own style and with playing bass guitar you will soon develop your
own style.
4. Purchase an online lesson program, for the basics to
learn bass guitar. Playing the bass with an online program is the best way
to learn on your own without costing as much as private lessons, see get
started with online bass guitar lessons. Try not to learn from a friend
because it can lead you to a style that is not yours, work on creating your
own style. That is why I recommend playing bass guitar from a lesson program.
5. Picks or fingers, If you want to learn with a pick, buy a bass pick because
there is a difference between a bass pick and a guitar pick. If you are
after that natural sound then use your fingers. The choice is totally up
to you and the kind of sound you want to play. Again, this all fits in with
your type of style to learn bass guitar.
6. Number of strings, 4,
5 or 6 but being a beginner I would recommend a classic four string bass.
The four string is easier to learn from the obvious fact that it has only
four strings.
7. The notes, Try to learn all the notes on the neck.
This will be an ongoing learning lesson as you get more comfortable with
the guitar, and always remember every time your playing bass guitar you
will be improving your style. With a bass guitar lesson program you will
be able to learn on your own, in your own time.
8. Learn the notes
to play, there are two things in most bands, to help with the rhythm and
to emphasize the root notes for the punch that the band needs to create
the depth.
9. The scales. Your scales are the start of all your bass
lines and patterns and you will use them to create new things all the time.
When you are trying to learn bass guitar you should always keep experimenting
with new things. 10. The musicians. You need to listen to the band as a
whole, not just other bassists. Listen to the drummer who keeps the time
and rhythm and play along with him. 11. The techniques. Play around with
different things as you get better, chords, notes and other patterns when
you get comfortable with the basics.
12. Learn the rhythm. Playing bass guitar requires you to have rhythm,
so practice with your favorite song or bass player. Playing along with the
song is one of the easiest ways to learn the rhythm.
13. Listen to
the song. To learn bass guitar, listening to a song can be a great lesson
in itself. When you listen, try to pick out all the different parts and
instruments and it will help you pick up the rhythm and feel so you can
play along.
14. Familiar songs. Start with playing along with songs
that you know because it will help you with the timing and rhythm. This
is a great way for a beginner to get started.
15. Play with people.
Playing bass guitar with other people can also be one of the best learning
techniques. Whether you're a beginner or not, playing with a group or just
one person is a great way to work on your style and learn to play with other
instruments.
16. The practice. Don't let it get to you if you do
not progress like you wanted, it will come. Sometime you might have to stop
and take a break for a little while just to reflect and digest it all. But
make sure you come back because this is why you started in the first place.
Playing bass guitar can be self taught and with practice you will be playing
in no time. Always remember to start with the basics and take as long as
you need.
The big question is, "Can I really teach myself?" and the
answer is "Yes!" to learn bass guitar from online lessons with a little
time and practice, you can teach yourself just about anything. You have
to ask yourself, "What direction do I want to go?", "Do I want to just play
by myself?", or "Do I want to play in a band or just jam with friends?"
Playing music is fun, but there is a price to pay and that is time and
patience. You need to practice. The following guideline below is a good
start for a beginner's practice session, but can be anything you want, just
don't get burned out.
1. Warm up with anything (5 minutes) helps
loosen up your fingers.
2. The scales (5 minutes) helps with memory
( brain to fingers).
3. Pattern exercises (10 minutes) helps with
dexterity.
4. The song itself (10 minutes+) this is what everyone
wants to get to.
5. Cool down (2 minutes) play anything (could be
scales again).
Most everybody wants to play a song right away, but
in order to do so, you need to get the first three steps down first, or
at least have a start on them. If playing bass guitar is your goal, you
will succeed and with online bass guitar lessons, you will learn all the
techniques needed to reach your goal.
But always remember to learn
bass guitar does not have to be complicated. For example, listen to the
Beatles or any number of bass players that just play basic bass parts, but
what they have is feel and the groove of the song. If you can play with
the feel and get the groove and the timing you've reached your goal, for
now, advanced stuff will come later. When you practice, play with a metronome
(it is a small device that helps you keep time just as the drummer keeps
time in a band).
This article was written by Tommy "fatfingers"
Combs
my blog
http://playbasseasy.blogspot.com/