The Right Hand
To play the notes on the bass you can either:
- Use the fingers of your right hand to play the strings, or,
- Use a pick (which is a piece of plastic shaped like a triangle held in the right hand) to play the strings.
Most bass players use the right hand fingers to play the strings. Some Rock bass players prefer using a pick because it gives a crisper sound.
Using Your Fingers
The fingers of the right hand are named as shown in the diagram opposite. Use the m and i fingers to play the strings. The thumb (T) is used to support your right hand by resting it on the bass pickup as shown in the photograph.
Most modern bass guitars have two pickups. One close to the fretboard and a second one nearer the bridge. In the early stages of playing, it may be easier to place your thumb on the front pickup as the string tension is not quite as "hard" as on the back pickup. The tone will also sound fuller and heavier, and it will also be easier for your right hand fingers to play the strings.
You should also experiment by playing with your thumb resting on the back pickup as the sound is clearer and has more attack and "bite.
The Rest Stroke
When playing notes with your fingers, the rest stroke is used. The rest stroke involves the finger playing the string and then coming to rest on the next string. The following photos illustrate the movement of the index finger when playing the rest stroke.
Single Finger Stroke
Anchor your thumb on a pick-up and play the open third string with your right hand index finger (i). You are playing an A note using what is called the single stroke technique.
The Quarter Note
This is a quarter note worth one count.
There are four quarter notes in one bar of* time.
Example 1 uses the single finger stroke on the open A string played by the right hand index finger ( I ).
Repeat the previous example using your right hand middle finger (M).
The next three examples use the right hand single stroke technique on the three remaining open strings. You can use either your index or middle finger.
