How To Play Bass Guitar

Asked by a beginner how to play bass guitar generally I want to know his motivation why he wants to learn to play the bass. For me this is essential because it is the initial reason that predicts if someone will make progress and get good, struggles or will quit quite soon.

Playing an instrument first of all is something you do only for your own pleasure.

There will be times when you are bored and frustrated but you will keep on playing if you gain satisfaction from it.

Without this experience there is no joy and without joy you won’t get any passion for your instrument. To become a good bass player you need to have a deep desire to play because it is one way to express yourself. In other words: you follow your passion without looking for the outcome, just for the playing.

With time the technical and musical skills will come and you will improve continuously.

Like any other musician, the outstanding bass players, your idols, grew to what they are because of their deep love for music and their desire to express their personality with their instrument.

If you have passion for your instrument you will have motivation.If you have motivation you will have the discipline to practice because you want to.

Imagine to be able to play your favored music, your best loved song, the very same notes that your idol is playing! What does that make you feel like? Would you name this feeling satisfaction?

If your honest answer is “YES” than your chances are good to reach your goal and to keep the motivation during the different phases of the learning process.

Grab your bass and forget about scales, chords, techniques or sounds. Just close your eyes, listen to the song that deeply touches your heart (no matter what kind of music) – tune into the music.

Then start to play along the music. Don´t think about figuring out the notes. You don’t have to. You’re not rated. You’re doing it for the fun.

Just find yourself the first tone that fits. Try to catch some notes that are in harmony with the music. Then again play along the same song. Just enjoy when it sounds right.

Eventually you will be able to play a little sequence. No hurry – it will happen. Don´t stress anything.

Only experience your first success: You got a few notes right! You became part of your best loved song!

You got a taste of the feeling and the satisfaction “real” musicians gain from music. I want you to have this basic experience as early as possible – before any other lessons. You will get motivated to continue due to this first little success.

With this motivation you can keep the will to practice. With your practice you have more and more little successes. The little successes become bigger. You have created a satisfaction based learning cycle that can get you very far. With satisfaction from the beginning you will have the drive to learn how to play bass guitar.