Open String Notes
The following fretboard diagram illustrates the four open string notes of the bass guitar.
Here are the four notes in music and tablature notation.
Play each of these notes with a downward pick motion, indicated thus: V
The two numbers immediately after the clef are referred to as the time signature. The time signature indicates the number of beats per bar (the top number) and the type of note receiving one beat ( the bottom number).
Time Signatures
This number indicates four beats per bar. This number indicates that each beat is worth a quarter note.
The Common Time Signatures
* is the most common time signature and is sometimes represented by this symbol called common time.
A quarter note (sometimes called a crotchet) 3 has the value of one beat, and four quarter notes are needed for one bar in * time, i.e., a quarter note is played on each beat.
In the last bar a whole note (or semibreve) ` is used. The whole note is worth four counts and is played on the first beat and held for the remainder of the bar. It is equivalent to four quarter notes.
*Chords are played by a rhythm guitarist or keyboard player. A is a shorthand method of writing A major. It applies to all major chords.
