Bass basics

Strings and tuning

A standard bass has four strings tuned E A D G, from lowest to highest. These are the same notes as the four lowest guitar strings, but one octave lower. A five-string bass adds a low B.

Reading bass music

Bass music is written in the bass clef. It sounds an octave lower than written.

Finding notes

Count semitones from the open string, as on guitar. On the A string, the note C is at the 3rd fret.

The bass in a band

The bass links the drums and the chords. It locks in with the rhythm while naming the harmony. A bass player usually starts with the root of each chord.