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- 1). Listen to bluegrass music. This is one of the best ways to become familiar with the specific role of an upright bass in bluegrass music. Bluegrass bass lines are typically simple and easy to hear. Listening to just a few bluegrass tunes will give you the feel. If you can observe a bluegrass bass player, then so much the better.
- 2). Get comfortable with your bass. Decide whether you want to sit or stand. The upright bass can be played either way. Play a couple of basic two-note patterns based on the first and fifth notes of major chords.
- 3). Pluck the two-note patterns by grasping and pulling the string sharply away from the neck and letting it slap back against the neck. Count your pattern in your head as you play it: 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2 and so on, with the one representing the higher of the two notes and the two representing the lower. This is the basic pattern you'll play. Mute each note as soon as you play it.
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