1B. The Open Strings

The illustration above visualizes the open string layout on the fretboard of a four-string bass. We’ll use these "boxes" quite often so here’s a brief explanation. Looking down at the fretboard the biggest string (E) is next to you. This is the bottom line in the box. The smallest string is the furthest away from you (G) and the top line of the box. Dots on the four box lines indicate the fretting fingers and note position.

The open strings of your bass each have their individual sounds and names. They’re called E, A, D, and G, and they denote different pitches. Pitch is indicated by the note position in the staff: the higher the position the higher the pitch. In notation, the open strings are written like this:

Memorize the open string positions in the staff. Notice that they’re alternately written on lines and spaces. E is the lowest note on a four-string bass. It is written on a ledger line below the staff.

The remaining notes are also easy to memorize. D is on the center line, A is on the bottom space where the musical alphabet begins, and G is on the top space.

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