Bass Guitar
The instrument that connects rhythm and harmony — easier to start than guitar and always in demand in bands.
At a Glance
Category
Cost to Start
Difficulty
Time Commitment
Space Needed
Physical Intensity
Solo or Social
Overview
Bass sits between the drums and the harmony, locking the groove together. Its beginner curve is gentler than guitar since most parts are single notes rather than chords.
Bassists are also perpetually in short supply, so a competent beginner bassist finds people to play with faster than almost any other instrument.
Getting Started
Buy a beginner bass and a small practice amp, or use a headphone amp for quiet practice.
Learn to play with your fingers rather than only a pick — it is the more versatile default technique.
Lock in with a drum machine or metronome constantly. Timing is the entire job.
Learn root notes and simple bass lines to real songs before studying scales in depth.
