Bass Guitar Chords

Bass Chords Example Video

2008-01-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

This is an excellent example of how bass chords can be used. By watching what the guy does it's very simple to pick up and learn. Why don't you have a go at playing some of the bass chords played in the video today?

Crazy Bass Guitar

2007-11-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

I saw this and just had to share it with you.

This is a guy called Stig Pedersen and this is one of his crazy two string basses!

How mad is that?

Bass Chords : Major Triad Arpeggios

2007-10-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

This great video really helps show you how to play Major Triad Arpeggios on bass guitar. Arpeggios are the notes of a chord played one at a time.

This is a much more common way of out lining the notes of a chord instead of playing the notes in harmony (together). I hope this video helps you out.

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Major Bass Guitar Chords

2007-08-29T04:21:00.000-07:00

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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Barre Bass Guitar Chords Video

2007-08-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

Barre (sometimes spelt "Bar") chords on bass are a great way to get started. If you already know how to play barre chords on a normal guitar then you should pick this up quickly. If you are totally new to bass guitar chords then don't worry it's something you can learn.

Here is a great short video I found that shows the basics of major and minor barre chords on bass.

Why not give this stuff a try? The only way to learn is by doing. So give it ago today.

I hope this video helped you with understanding bass guitar chords a bit better.

Stay tuned for some more online lessons coming soon to this site...

The Scary World of Bass Guitar Chords

2007-08-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

Sitting in my room I saw those words again. They were everywhere I looked. It's as if they were calling to me. After 2 hours of online bass lessons I had stopped to take a break and there were those scary words. Bass Guitar Chords. I had been avoiding them for years. Every time I saw those words I'd run a mile. I didn't know how to play them... to be honest I didn't really know what they were.

Today was not like the other days. I rolled up my sleeves, took a deep breath and clicked. I sat quietly while I waited for the chord lesson to load. I had finally faced my fear.

I'd always convinced myself that I didn't need chords. They were for jazz players and I was a rocker. My bass only had 4 strings and all the "jazzers" had 5 or 6. My list of excuses for not learning them was longer than my arm.

I then realized I had made a huge mistake.

I soon leant bass guitar chords can be used in all genres' of music. Like a 1000 lb bomb hitting an igloo my old reason for not learning them had been blown to pieces. I had discovered that chords can be played on 4, 5 and 6 string basses. A grin started to appear on my face. I had been telling myself for years " I don't have the money for a new six string... " I couldn't of been more wrong. A chord only has 3 or more notes... My four string was ideal...

It wasn't long before I had leant all sorts of chords and my playing ability increased dramatically. I started putting chords in song I already knew. I even included them in my bands new songs. People were amazed at our gigs. Some had never seen bass guitar chords before. Especially not in a heavy rock band!