A Bass Guitar

Learning Bass Guitar Chords

The standard method of playing the bass guitar is by just using the fingertips or by plucking. However, some musicians may even use the plectrum to create sharp tones out of the thick strings. There are many creative techniques used on the bass guitar such as slapping, pulling, tapping, etc. When it comes to using the fretting hand, you are typically supposed to hold individual notes on the fretboard, unlike chords in the rhythm guitar. However, professional musicians are proficient in the techniques of using chords on the bass guitar. They are done experimenting with bass guitar chords for beginners. If you are thinking of playing chords on the bass guitar, remember that the pattern is similar to how you would be playing barre chords on the last four strings on a rhythm guitar. The following explanation will help you understand the fundamentals of bass guitar chords for beginners.

String Patterns of Rhythm and Bass Guitar

Strings on a Rhythm Guitar

e(1st)-----------------------------
B(2nd)---------------------------
G(3rd)---------------------------
D(4th)---------------------------
A(5th)---------------------------
E(6th)----------------------------

Strings on a Standard Bass Guitar

G(3rd)---------------------------
D(4th)---------------------------
A(5th)---------------------------
E(6th)----------------------------

The notations are shown considering a standard-stringed bass guitar that is one which has four strings. Be informed that the notations on the four strings of the bass guitar are same as the barre chords on the last four strings of the rhythm guitar. Just to brief you about how to read guitar tabs, the numbers on the lines denote the fret on which you are supposed to place the fingertips of the fretting hand. Simply refer to the below tablatures about basic guitar chords for beginners on the rhythm as well as bass guitar.

Bass Guitar Chords for Beginners

'C' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e-------------3-------------------
B------------5-------------------
G------------5-------------------
D------------5-------------------
A------------3-------------------
E------------3-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G-----------5----------------
D-----------5----------------
A-----------3----------------
E----------------------------

'D' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e-------------5-------------------
B------------7-------------------
G------------7-------------------
D------------7-------------------
A------------5-------------------
E------------5-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G------------7---------------
D------------7---------------
A------------5---------------
E----------------------------

'E' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e-------------7-------------------
B------------9-------------------
G------------9-------------------
D------------9-------------------
A------------7-------------------
E------------7-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G------------9---------------
D------------9---------------
A------------7---------------
E------------0----------------

'F' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e-------------1-------------------
B------------1-------------------
G------------2-------------------
D------------3-------------------
A------------3-------------------
E------------1-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G-----------------------------
D-------------3--------------
A-------------3--------------
E-------------1---------------

'G' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e-------------3-------------------
B------------3-------------------
G------------4-------------------
D------------5-------------------
A------------5-------------------
E------------3-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G-----------------------------
D------------5---------------
A------------5---------------
E------------3----------------

'A' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e------------5-------------------
B----------- 5-------------------
G------------6-------------------
D------------7-------------------
A------------7-------------------
E------------5-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G-----------------------------
D------------7---------------
A------------7---------------
E------------5----------------

'B' Chord

Barre Chord on the Rhythm Guitar

e-------------2-------------------
B------------4-------------------
G------------4-------------------
D------------4-------------------
A------------2-------------------
E------------2-------------------

Chord on the Bass Guitar

G------------4---------------
D------------4---------------
A------------2---------------
E-----------------------------

This is just one way of holding bass guitar chords for beginners. You can change the chord positions on other strings as well, provided that the notes are correct and in scale. When chords are played on the bass guitar, the sound output turns out to be very high. This is why the bass guitar amplifiers used should be powerful enough to handle such loud lowest tones. Also remember that playing chords on the bass guitar demands a lot of practice. One who is familiar in playing barre chords on the electric guitar can easily learn to play chords on the bass guitar.