Playing Bass Guitar – 4 Techniques to Help You Sound Like a Pro

When playing bass guitar there are a few techniques you can use to instantly make you sound more professional. Playing the correct notes at the right time is important, but there is more to being a great bass player than just being able to hit the notes. Although not that difficult to do, it is amazing how many bass players don’t employ these techniques in their playing. Adding these skills to your repertoire will help you to begin developing your own unique playing style.

Hammer-on

This technique causes a note to sound using only the fretting hand. It is done by plucking a string normally and then striking the same string higher up the fretboard with a finger on the fretting hand. The second note will sound smoother as the string is not plucked or picked.

Place the index finger of your fretting hand on any string at the fifth fret and pluck or pick the string. As soon as the note sounds out bring your ring finger down hard on the string just behind the seventh fret. The note should change without any loss in volume. At first you may find it easier to do this on the D or G string. This is a good technique to use when playing a fast bass line.

Pull-off

This is the opposite of a hammer-on. Place your index finger on the 5th fret of any string and your ring finger immediately behind the 7th fret. pluck the string and immediately the note sounds lift your ring finger while keeping your index finger firmly on the 5th fret. Like the hammer-on, the note should change with no noticeable decrease in volume. This will take a little practice and is a little more difficult to master than the hammer on. As your technique begins to improve, rather than lifting the finger off the string, try to pull the string downward slightly, almost as if plucking the string. This technique will be easier if you use only the tip of your finger.

Trill

This is accomplished by rapidly repeating a hammer-on and a pull-off. Do a hammer-on and follow it immediately pull-off. Keep repeating this for as long as you want the effect to last. You may find that the note decays quite quickly at first, but this will improve with practice.

Slide

A slide, or Glissando to give it its proper name, is sliding from one note to another on the same string. This can be done in either direction. Sound a note on any string and then slide your fretting finger up or down two or three frets. Maintain constant pressure on the string while doing this.

So there you have a few simple but effective techniques that will make playing bass guitar more interesting and make you more professional. Here is a great source of  bass guitar lessons that will really help to make your playing come alive.