Bass Guitar


Bass guitars are not always classified as guitars, but the electric bass guitar shares many physical similarities with an electric guitar. An electric bass guitar usually has a solid-body construction, though the body is larger and the neck longer than on an electric guitar. The bass guitar has a much lower and deeper sound than a standard electric guitar, as the strings are tuned an octave lower than those of a standard guitar. In addition to this major difference, there are several differences between the electric bass guitar and a standard electric guitar. These differences fall primarily into the categories of tuning (as already mentioned), string count, and pickups, but the biggest difference between an electric bass guitar and a standard guitar is the method of play.

A standard bass guitar has only four strings, as opposed to the typical six strings of an electric guitar. However, there are other string counts possible for a bass guitar. A five string bass guitar adds a string at the lower end of the tuning, which allows for the bass to have an even lower range of notes, and makes these lower notes easier to play. Six string bass guitars are somewhat uncommon, but add a string to each end of the bass range, and are most commonly used for Latin or jazz music. Eight, ten, and twelve string bass guitars are all possible, following the same principle as a twelve string guitar, where the strings are grouped into courses and tuned an octave apart. Of course, electric bass guitars can range from one to fifteen strings, but four and five string bass guitars are the most common.

Electric bass guitars often make use of pickups known as "P" pickups. In an effort to reduce humming, two separate pickups are placed near each other, but offset so that each pickup only receives information from two strings. Electric bass guitars can also be fitted with "J" pickups, which look more similar to an electric guitar's pickups. Many bass players prefer their guitars to be fitted with several pickups or sets of pickups, sometimes utilizing both "P" and "J" pickups, because such a configuration allows for a wider range of tones. Electric bass players also have the option of non-magnetic pickups, such as piezoelectric pickups, which sense the vibration of the strings and the body, or optical pickups, which work similarly to the way the electric eye door opener at stores functions. Both of these types of pickups are less than perfect, but they are interesting options for the electric bass guitar.

It is really in the area of the methods of play that the largest differences between electric guitar and electric bass are apparent. While nearly all electric guitar players will use a pick to strum or pluck the strings of their instrument, there are a larger proportion of bass players who use their fingers rather than a pick. Both methods work for electric bass players, but as more of bass playing is based on plucking individual strings than a strumming motion, using fingers instead of a pick can allow for greater control of the vibrations of the strings.

Many bass players also play their instruments in a way more reminiscent of percussive instruments, with slapping or thumping, popping, and tapping all being common techniques for moving the strings. Larry Graham, bassist for Sly and the Family Stone, originated the use of the "slap and pop" technique in the 1960s and 1970s, and his style of playing is emulated by modern bassists like Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Les Claypool of Primus. This bass technique is easy to pick out in the music of these bands, as it punctuates nearly all of their well known songs. The tapping style is one in which both hands are used to play notes, by tapping the strings against the frets. This method allows for bass players to play more traditional chords with their instruments, and has been used in the past by John Entwistle of The Who.

A list of influential bass players is not limited solely to those mentioned above, but they are among the better known bassists in rock history. Bass players tend to not receive the extensive recognition that is more commonly reserved for lead guitarists and other members of bands. For example, John Paul Jones was the bassist for Led Zeppelin, but his name tends to be overshadowed by the names of all of the other members of that band. Despite the relative obscurity of many great bass players, they provide a crucial role in contributing to the structure of a song. Bands who lack a bass player, such as The Doors, have a different style than those who use the skills of a bassist.