What do I need to know before buying a beginner bass guitar?

Bass guitars come in different sizes! Full size bass guitars can be very long so it may well be more comfortable to play a short-scale or ¾ size bass. Bass guitars typically have four strings but it’s not uncommon to see basses with five strings. Five string basses have an extended range and are often used in jazz, metal and fusion styles. If you are interested in learning these styles it may be worth getting a five string bass.

What is the best beginners bass guitar?

The best beginner bass guitar for you might not be the best for someone else. The first thing to consider is the size: bass guitars can be pretty long. It might be worth looking into ‘short-scale’ basses or, even smaller, ¾ size basses to ensure your first bass is comfortable! The next question is ‘what style of music would you like to play?’. If you like metal or hard rock, a bass by Jackson may be best for you, whereas, if you like pop, soul and indie, a Squier bass would suit you better.

What are some easy bass guitar songs for beginners?

There are dozens of brilliant bass lines that are really easy to play. Some favourites include Taxman by the Beatles, Stir it Up by Bob Marley, Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, Psycho Killer by Talking Heads and Time is Running Out by Muse. Learning these songs would be a great start to your bass career!

Is a bass guitar good for beginners?

Yes, bass guitar can be one of the most intuitive stringed instruments to pick up and play.

Should I get a 4 or 5 string bass as a beginner?

Unless you're planning on playing downtuned rock music, a 4 string is the best way to get into playing bass.

What bass is easiest to play?

A 4 string bass is definitely the easiest to play, some players may also find a shorter scale bass easier to work with.

Are basses easier to learn than guitars?

No, but they aren't more difficult either. Although they share some of the same features such as strings, pickups, and amplifiers, the way you play, learn and eventually perform are very different.