Arriving at a live bass show with all gear is not enough to guarantee a successful event. This is because there is more that goes into delivering a memorable performance to the other bands present, the fans, event organizers and the sound guys. It is essential for bassists to learn essential live bass playing tips that will make them succeed in live settings.  

Live Bass Playing Tips

 

The Spare-necessities

It is important to always prepare for the worst but hope for the best with regard to playing the bass guitar in a live setting. This means that you should carry the spares of almost everything. It does not matter the caliber of musician you are, there is some probability that things might go wrong. Carry spare items such as batteries, picks, cables and bass strings.  

Warm up

Every bassist ought to properly warm up prior to playing the bass guitar live. The size of the live shoe should not matter i.e. whether it is a small pub show or a sold-out stadium show. The bassist should get his/her fingers moving on the fretboard. They can utilize a groovy riff, arpeggios or scales. The key is to discover the routine that works well for you.  

Connect with your rig

It is important for every bass musician to understand their gear well. Make a deliberate effort to understand the effect of each dial on the amp, bass guitar or pedalboard. A deep understanding of this will guarantee that you will always get the bass sound right in all environments.  

Use loops

A bass musician should loop their cable through their strap prior to plugging it into the bass. This will prevent the signal from suddenly going dead while jamming and consequently searching for the cable on a dark stage floor. It will save you the embarrassment of attempting to ram it back into the bass while under pressure.  

Bass levels

It is critical for bassists to watch their bass levels. This is because bass has the potential of drowning everything out. It is better to concentrate on balancing your tone by paying attention to bass frequencies, particularly in live venues that are smaller in size.  

Determine the right bass

Selection of the ideal bass is a daunting task but you should aim at finding the bass that you are comfortable playing with. It should be a bass that you can play for hours on end but still be content with. A few options are active, passive, 4 or 5 strings etc.  

Pedal tuner

Live bass shows call for the simplest solutions available. This is why it is advisable to get a pedal tuner to avoid the challenges of tuning on dark stages. Investing in a pedal tuner will allow a bass musician to tune between songs by simply tapping their foot and twisting their fingers.  

Improve on little interlude riffs

Working on little interlude riffs is wise because it helps during the awkward moments when something goes wrong on a live stage such as a technical difficulty or the snapping of a guitar string. It looks more professional and keeps the performance going.  

Be prepared for the damage of your bass guitar

The territory of live shows prevents some harsh realities bassists. The bass will get scratches, bumps, and dings regardless of how careful a musician is on stage. Wear and tear on a bass is inevitable and the sooner you accept the fact, the smoother your live shows will be.  

Network

This is one of the most important live bass playing tips. Strive to network with individuals at live shows i.e. event organizers, sound guys, fans and other bands. It is an excellent way by to pick up some tricks and tips that can improve your bass playing or even live shows. Furthermore, networking provides the opportunity of lining up shows in the future.  

Conclusion

The following insightful bass playing tips should help bassists deliver successful live shows to their fans and event organizers.    

Your Turn to Sound Off!

How many facts did you already know from the five listed above?

Let us know in the comment section below!

   

Other Stories You Might Like ...

[caption id="attachment_7797" align="alignleft" width="150"]active and passive guitar and bass pickups explained Active And Passive Guitar And Bass Pickups Explained[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7533" align="alignleft" width="150"]ba-112 ampeg amp bass Ampeg BA-112 Combo Bass Amp Review[/caption] [caption id="attachment_7108" align="alignleft" width="150"]Genzler Bass Amps Brand Spotlight Brand Spotlight: Genzler Bass Amps[/caption]