Major bass guitar chords like all chords are made up of 3 or more notes. For it to be a chord you also have to play all the notes at the same time. If you play them one at a time it's called an Arpeggio.
All the different chords type have a chord formula. These tell you which degree's of the scale make up the chord.
Major Chords formula (1, 3, 5)
Notes of a "A Major Chord" (A, C , E)
Here is a diagrams showing you one way to play an A Major chord. There are many other ways but I like this shape because you can move it easily.
To start with you may finding holding down all 3 string at once a bit tricky. It is good practise to use the correct fingers on the right frets. For this chord I would play the 9th fret G string with my index finger. The 11th fret D string with my third finger ( ring finger) and the 12th fret A string with my little finger.
The great thing about this shape is that you can move it up and down the neck of the bass guitar to make any major chord. All you have to do is move the root note of the chord around. In the above diagram the 12th fret of the A string is the root note. So by moving the root note down the neck 3 frets you would then have a C Major chord.
So now you know the basics why not pick up your bass and have ago. Try moving the chord shape about to make different chords. With a bit of practise you will soon know every major chord on bass.
Top Tip: Bass guitar chords tend to work better higher up the neck. Low down they sound muddy and not too great. They are also a lot harder to play!
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Major Bass Guitar Chords
