Bass

Bass instruments bridge the gap between pitch and rhythm in music, connecting drummer with singer and contributing a vital aspect of music.

Bass players therefore need a range of listening skills, broader than most musicians, and each can be developed with dedicated ear training.

Ear Training for Bass Guitar

Bass Ear Training Howto

Bass Ear Training: How To

Bassists need a strong ear in four different areas of music: bass lines, rhythm, playing by ear, and bass tone.Find out why and how to start improving your ear for each in “Bass Ear Training: How To”.

The Bass Tone series explores everything which creates the distinctive sound of the bass. From instrument choice (upright bass and electric bass guitar) to amplifiers, tone controls, and bass audio effects. Find out how to listen critically to the sound of the bass and how to perfect your own bass tone.

Topics Related to Bass Ear Training

rhythm
The bass is a key part of the rhythm section in most bands, and bass players need tight, accurate, reliable timing for every note they play. Rhythm ear training is the key.
playing by ear
Improvising a bass line based on the chords, figuring out a song as you go along when called in for a performance at the last minute, and writing your own music all rely on your ability to play bass by ear. Some playing by ear ear training can considerably improve your abilities.
timbre
To the untrained ear, a low note is a low note—but in fact the sound of the bass guitar is hugely versatile. Use timbre ear training to help you hear the differences and craft your own perfect bass sound.

Free articles about Bass

Bass Tone Podcast 1: Introduction and the Upright Bass

Bass Tone Podcast 2: The Electric Bass and Tone Control

In episode 2 of the Bass Tone podcast, Nick Long introduces Leo Fender’s revolutionary electric bass guitar and talks through the core choices which affect the tone of the bass, including:
• Electric vs. Upright bass
• Pickups: Single-coil and Humbucker
• Blending between pickups
• Active bass guitars and bass/treble boosts and cuts
• The effect of string choice on tone

Bass Tone: Fretless Electric

Bass Tone: Fretless Electric

Now that you’re used to the tones of the upright, and electric basses, and the playing techniques used to achieve different sounds, it’s time to meet a variant on the electric bass: the fretless electric. The fretless electric bass is essentially an...