Having hobbies at home is such an important element in maintaining a happy life balance. If all you do is go to work, then go home to do chores or stare at a screen, then you can’t really relax. After all, you’re not engaging that creative bone in your body! You’re not learning something new, just for you, just for the sake of it.
Picking up a hobby at home means enjoying your time off so much more, engaging with your brain in fun new ways, and, of course, it can help your wellbeing. However, if you have to pick any hobby, always try to learn how to play an instrument.
Music can do wonders for your mental health, and learning how to play it can help keep your mind sharp and your body calm. There’s also no limit to what instrument you can learn or your age. If you’ve always wished you could play the bass, then now is the time, and with this guide, you’ll know exactly how to get started:
Your Gear
To play the bass, you will need a few things:
- Bass guitar: This is a four-string guitar that’s easier to learn than traditional guitar.
- Amplifier: Bass guitars typically need amplifiers in order for you to hear the sounds you are making.
- Tuning tools: Just like guitars, bass guitars also need to be tuned properly. This device can help you until you learn how to tune by ear.
- Picks: Picks help with individual string plucking.
- Strings: You’ll need extra strings on hand in case any of yours breaks.
Skip the Sheet Music & Go with Bass Tabs
The good news is that, just as there are guitar tabs that make learning songs so much easier and faster, there are also bass tabs. Once you learn how to read tabs and connect what you see to how to place your fingers, you’ll be able to start putting together tunes quickly.
To keep things fun, choose songs you truly love. Playing the music you listen to over and over is not only a great way to stay motivated; it actually helps you play it correctly since your mind’s ear knows what it’s supposed to sound like.
Top Skills to Help You Learn the Bass Guitar
To properly learn how to play the bass, you will need to learn how to hold your guitar properly, where to put your hands, and how to pluck. Once you have that down, you can then start learning the notes on your fretboard, chords, and scales.
You can learn and master these skills either by taking one-on-one classes and practicing at home or by going online. There are free online tutorials, tabs so you can quickly start playing new music, and even apps to help you see what you’re supposed to be doing.
How to Make Practice Fun
Practice can become very tenuous if you take it too seriously. That’s why you’ll want to split it up into smaller sessions, so not only do you keep having fun, but you also give yourself a break. It’s also better that you enjoy playing, so stick with songs you love instead of things you feel like you have to learn because that’s the next step in some booklet.
After all, the goal is to have fun at home, so make sure practice is just as fun as learning.
