Difference Between Ordinary Guitar Player and Bass Guitar Player

The "mindset" of a real bass player is completely different than that of a guitar player. Whereas, the guitar player is focused on rhythmical patterns based on melodies, as well as solos - the bass player (in a band situation) is responsible, along with the drummer, for carrying the "bottom end" of the music. This is a huge difference.
. The bass player often plays single notes, usually based on the root note of the chord being played by the guitar or keyboard. Conversely, the guitarist will often be playing or strumming multi note chords.
. Musically speaking, bass lines serve as the foundation of the song. The bass player works in close conjunction with the drummer to lay a solid foundation, and bass lines often follow the "kick" drum to solidify that foundation.
Simply put, the guitar could be considered the "icing on the cake" - while the bass might be considered "the cake".
. Bass guitar requires a different course of study in terms of music theory and notation.
. The equipment that the bassist uses is different than that of a guitarist. Bass guitars generally have less strings (4 or 5 in most cases), and the strings are a much heavier gauge than a standard guitar. This is what produces the low pitch bass sound.
Because of the low frequencies that a bass produces, a bass guitar should be played through a bass amplifier that is designed to handle the load. These amps typically are of a higher wattage than most guitar amps, and have speakers designed to handle bass frequencies.

Guitar Tricks Learning

he Guitar Tricks Core Learning System is our third-generation guitar lesson system geared toward the first-time student and those returning to guitar after some time. This program of eight full-length courses is divided into two sections, Guitar Fundamentals and Intermediate Style Courses. Each self-paced course runs between one and eight weeks, and combined they take you from pure basics such as learning to identify the B string - to playing all the major full chord shapes music - all the way to playing guitar at an advanced intermediate level in Blues, Country and Rock.

Since each guitar style requires different techniques, each Style Course will carefully walk you through the learning process for the techniques applicable to that style. Additionally, we explain how each style requires different gear, different amplifier settings, and different tone. This section is particularly useful with tips many advanced players missed in their early education.

Free Introductory Lessons For Beginners

We're passionate about your playing development because we know you have the desire and potential to play the guitar. Allow us to be your personal guitar instructor; guiding you step-by-step through our lessons and then toward your dream of becoming an impressive guitarist!
In this lesson series you're going to learn how to play some new chords and rhythm patterns, and by the end of the course, you will be able to play the song, 'The Midnight Special' with the Jamorama band.

Warm Up/Work Out

Hello there fellow music lovers! I would like to welcome you to my second article for ActiveBass.com. I hope you all had a chance to check out my first article "Hand Coordination Exercise" and found it helpful. This time I would like to share an exercise I have been using in my regular practice routine for some time now.
One of the coolest things, I thought my first year in college, was the fact that you were allowed to smoke cigarettes in school. I have long since kicked the habit, but of course back then I would always show up early to hang out in front of the Jazz Class with all the guitar players who were "warming up" before class and have a smoke or two.
I would watch as these guys would run through their lightning fast scales, impossible looking stretches and the newest two handed tapping licks, all in supposed preparation for comping clean chords over "Autumn Leaves." But there was always this one guy who really caught my interest. Sitting alone with his guitar, not out to impress anyone, he would simply hold down one note.

Some Tips Learned Over The Years

• Avoid nylon or "smooth" straps. With the weight of the bass and movement onstage, the strap will uncomfortably slide all up and down your shoulder, and all night long it'll feel like you've been pulling up your pants onstage. Not a very comfortable feeling.
• If your strings ever break mysteriously at the bridge, check your saddles. If there are any string "bite" marks, snags or burrs on the saddles, it means that they are wearing down your strings and the constant vibration of the strings makes the burrs act like little saws on the windings of the string. Eventually the core gives in - and POW, there goes a string - and possibly an eyeball.
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• It's not always the guitar cord that is shorting out. Check your wiring and your connection into the bass. It could need cleaning, adjusting, or maybe there's a damaged or loose wire.
• Never wear sunglasses on stage. You can't see. You WILL trip on a cable, guaranteed, and the audience will think that you're trying to be a rock star. Sunglasses and stage don't mix.
• NEVER suggest to the band on how great of an idea it would be for you to do a bass solo. First off, you're showing off. Second, you'll look silly if you screw up, and finally, don't rob the time from your band unless they all agree to it.
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• Always clean your fretboard when changing out strings. Good time for a serious maintenance look-over. Check to see if the neck needs to be adjusted. Check the nut, make sure it's not cracked or loose. Look for burrs in your saddles.
• Stage layout - always a good idea to make sure no one is standing to your left if you are a right-handed bass player. I once knocked our keyboard player offstage with the neck of my bass guitar. He didn't speak to me for a week, poor guy.
• NEVER SING if you feel uncomfortable about it. NEVER HARMONIZE if you're not sure what notes to hit with the lead singer. Avoid "falsetto vocals" if at all possible. Falsetto only belongs when you are driving in the car, ALONE, and with your favorite CD playing.
• You can allow the "other" bass player in the "other" band to use your bass amp. But NEVER loan out your axe.

Want to Learn Guitar? It is Easier Than You Think

Learning to play guitar is not difficult.  The good news is that nearly anyone can learn a few chord shapes and how to put them together.  With some practice, they can learn to pick through the notes in a chord to provide some melody to their strumming.  In fact, most people start with “cowboy chords”, simple and melodic shapes that are so versatile that you can play several hundred songs using them!  It’s not hard to learn guitar basics and be able to chord through some basic songs.There is no best way to learn guitar.  Just as there’s no best way to teach everyone basic mathematics, people respond differently to a variety of methods.  I myself learned best with an instructor, back in the days when the internet was in its infancy.  Now, there are many different options for someone who wants to learn the guitar.  You can have a friend teach you, hire an instructor, take lessons off the internet or a combination of all three. The best online guitar lessons that i recommend is: click here

Which Learning Method is Best for Me?

Before you decide on the best course or method for you to learn how to play guitar you have to fully understand your goals and objectives in learning guitar. Only then, will you be able to apply that knowledge to finding the right course for you. Here are a few of the types guitar lessons that are available:
-For those who don’t mind sitting in front of a computer, need video lessons to more easily understand the content, and don’t always need that one-on-one time with an instructor
-For those who prefer to watch their video lessons on the couch in front of the TV you can get a full years worth of lessons or more in a good DVD course.
-Some of us just have to have the one on one lessons and feedback. While this is great for getting started, it can quickly get quite expensive at up to $40US per lesson so you probably will still want to go get online lessons once you are feeling more confident in your learning ability. The best place I have found to get a good guitar lesson instructor in your area is Take Lessons. If an instructor is on this site then they have already made it through a strict screening process.