| Many bass instruments are played upright, as a | | | | the equivalent sound produced by a performer |
| direct result of the fact that the bass strings are | | | | using just his or her fingers. |
| usually the longest, and therefore the instrument | | | | Of course, it is also true to say that the nature |
| is naturally much longer than standard ones. | | | | of the pick itself makes a huge difference to the |
| However, electric bass guitars are played in | | | | quality and sharpness of the sound, and thicker, |
| exactly the same way as a standard guitar, and | | | | firmer picks will produce a harder, heavier sound, |
| the length of the instrument is roughly the same. | | | | whereas the more flexible lightweight picks will |
| This is of course an advantage achieved through | | | | produce a softer and more gentle tone. For a pick |
| the fact that the actual sound heard is produced | | | | which sounds very similar in tone to using fingers |
| electronically, and the overall tone, pitch and | | | | would be one typically made from felt. |
| frequency of the note can be altered digitally. | | | | In some types of music it is preferable to create |
| The typical method used to play the electric bass | | | | a sound using an electric bass guitar which evokes |
| guitar differs slightly from that used in the playing | | | | an impression more similar to a double bass. This |
| of a standard electric guitar, since the main | | | | double bass sound is achieved not by using a pick |
| method used is pizzicato, or the plucking of | | | | or a plectrum, but by actually plucking the strings. |
| strings. Obviously those players who perform on | | | | This on its own tends to create a note which is |
| standard electric guitars may also pluck the | | | | distinctly longer than that produced by a double |
| strings, but this is only one of a range of | | | | bass, and so the typical technique is to pluck the |
| techniques that can be used. Electric bass | | | | string, and then use the flat of the hand to mute |
| guitarists almost solely use the plucking or | | | | the note. This produces quite a thumpy sound, |
| pizzicato technique throughout their performance. | | | | and is used quite frequently in various styles of |
| Plucking can be achieved quite happily through | | | | music. |
| using the index and middle finger, or in some | | | | Yet another method used by some electric bass |
| cases the thumb and ring finger too, but since the | | | | guitarists is to either slap or pop the strings, |
| strings are steel, some players prefer to use | | | | creating a sound which is reminiscent of funk |
| plectrums or picks. Using a pick can help to | | | | music. This technique literally involves slapping a |
| increase both the speed at which a performer | | | | string with the index finger or middle fingers, |
| can hit the notes, and also the hardness with | | | | creating a flatter sound, or by popping the strings |
| which the string is plucked. Usually the sound | | | | with the same fingers. This slap technique has |
| produced by an electric bass guitarist using a | | | | been popularised in such other styles of music as |
| plectrum or pick is much sharper and harder, than | | | | rock and fusion. |