Electric bass
The electric bass is the lowest instrument of the guitar family and belongs to the rhythm section. It is tuned like the double bass, E1 – A1 – D2 – G2, an octave below the four lowest strings of the guitar. Like the guitar and the double bass, it is written an octave higher than it sounds. A pickup converts the vibration of the strings into an electrical signal, which is amplified.
- Family
- electrically amplified plucked instrument
- Frets
- usually 20 to 24; there are also fretless basses
- Five-string bass
- with an additional low B string
The bass of the guitar family
The electric bass is a plucked instrument and part of the rhythm section. Like the electric guitar, it has to be amplified because its own sound is too quiet: an electromagnetic pickup converts the vibrations of the strings into electrical signals. Fender’s Precision Bass came onto the market in 1951; it was the first electric bass with a solid wooden body to be mass-produced industrially.
Tuning and notation
The standard tuning of the four-string electric bass is E1 – A1 – D2 – G2. It matches the tuning of the double bass and lies an octave below the four lowest strings of the guitar. Like the guitar and the double bass, the electric bass is a transposing instrument: the notes are written an octave higher than the bass sounds.
The four open strings (as they sound)
This is how the strings sound: E1, A1, D2 and G2, each a fourth apart.
The same strings as they are written
In music for electric bass the notes are written an octave higher. This line is for looking at; when played, it sounds like the first.
| Instrument | Open strings (sounding) | Written |
|---|---|---|
| Electric bass (four-string) | E1 – A1 – D2 – G2 | an octave higher, bass clef |
| Double bass | E1 – A1 – D2 – G2 | an octave higher, bass clef |
| Guitar, four lowest strings | E2 – A2 – D3 – G3 | an octave higher, treble clef |
Frets, strings, playing techniques
The fingerboard usually has 20 to 24 frets set into it, a semitone apart; but there are also fretless basses. Besides the four-string bass, five-string basses with a low B string are common. It is played with the fingers, with a plectrum or in slap technique, in which the thumb strikes the strings and the index or middle finger pulls them.
Common mistakes
- Reading electric bass music at sounding pitch: Music for electric bass is written an octave higher than it sounds.
- Tuning the electric bass like the guitar: It has the tuning of the four lowest guitar strings, but an octave lower.
- Looking for the B string of a five-string bass at the top: It is the lowest string, below the E.
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Related terms
Double bassElectric guitarGuitarBass clefOpen stringBassDrop D tuningFingerboardPlectrum
Editor: Maik Krohm · reviewed on 4 October 2026
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