How to Play a Bass Note for a C Chord on a Guitar

By Toby Tate, eHow Contributor

updated: June 25, 2010

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The root note and bass note of a chord played on the guitar are often the same thing.

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In music, chords are defined as three or more harmonically related notes played at the same time. There are literally hundreds of chords that can be played on the guitar. Many chords are determined by the first, or root note, that is played when the guitar is strummed. For instance, if the first note you play is on the open E string, that chord is an E chord, or a variation of that chord, such as an E minor. The bass note is often the root note of the chord, but not always. However, it is always the lowest note played or notated within the chord.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar
• Guitar pick
• Guitar strings
• Guitar tuner

1. 1

   Tune the guitar using a guitar tuner. The regular tuning on a guitar, starting from the lowest note or sixth string, is E, A, D, G, B, E.

2. 2

   Locate the fifth string, or "A" string--it's the second string from the top.

3. 3

   Place your third (ring) finger on the third fret of the "A" string, which is the note "C.

4. 4

   Place your second (middle) finger on the second fret of the "D" (third) string.

5. 5

   Place your first finger on the first fret of the "B" (second) string. You have now created the proper fingering for a C chord.

6. 6

   Strum the strings from the top down to play the C chord and its bass note. Begin at the "A" string, which, from Step 3, you are pressing down on the third fret with your third finger to create a "C" note. This "C" note is the bass note (and in this case, the root note) for your C chord.

Read more: How to Play a Bass Note for a C Chord on a Guitar | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6651337_play-bass-chord-guitar.html#ixzz0yrGYOm4s