Bass guitar

Bass Guitar

The bass guitar (also known as the electric bass) is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb, by plucking, slapping, popping, strumming, tapping, thumping, or picking with a plectrum, often known as a pick. The bass guitar is similar in appearance and construction to an electric guitar, but with a longer neck and scale length, and four to six strings or courses.

History

The bass guitar was invented in the United States in the 1930s as a means of providing a low-pitched sound to accompany the higher-pitched guitar and drums in popular music. The first models were made by the Gibson Guitar Corporation and the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.

Design

The bass guitar is a transposing instrument, as it is notated in bass clef an octave higher than it sounds. It is played primarily with the fingers or thumb, or with a pick. Bass guitars have frets, which are metal strips (usually nickel alloy or stainless steel) embedded along the fretboard and located at exact points that divide the scale length in accordance with a specific mathematical formula.

Types of Bass Guitars

There are several types of bass guitars, including the double bass, the electric upright bass, the fretless bass, and the acoustic bass guitar. Each type has its own unique sound and playing technique.

Playing Techniques

There are several different playing techniques used by bass guitarists, including fingerstyle, picking, and slap and pop. Each technique produces a different sound and requires a different skill set.

Influence on Music

The bass guitar has had a profound influence on popular music since its invention. It is a key component in many genres, including rock music, pop music, country music, and jazz.

See Also

• Guitar
• Electric guitar
• Double bass
• Fretless bass
• Acoustic bass guitar