How To Play Alternating Bass Guitar Chords

Playing Alternating Bass Note Chord Patterns::

In this exercise, we will get your feet wet into what is called alternating bass notes and showing you how they can be combined with chords.

Not only is this a bit more of a challenge for you, it takes quite a bit of finesse to pull it off (not too much for the beginner though).

Not only will this technique make you a more diverse guitar player, it will open the doors to more music genera s for you to explore.

Alternating Bass – The Definition

By using the alternating bass you no longer just play straight strumming chords. Basically you alternate every other chord with a bass note. In other words bass note, chord, bass note chord – read on for examples:

If you would play 4 beats per measure with straight strumming chords you would play one for each beat or a total of 4 chord strums.

Example 1 - Straight Strumming Pattern

Example #1:

Beat #1: Play a Chord Strum
Beat #2: Play a Chord Strum
Beat #3: Play a Chord Strum
Beat #4: Play a Chord Strum

Example 2 - Alternating Bass Chord (C Major)

Example #2:

Beat #1: Play a Bass Note
Beat #2: Play a Chord Strum
Beat #3: Play a Bass Note
Beat #4: Play a Chord Strum

Refer to the following diagram to see how this is illustrated in standard notation and TAB notation for all of the 15 basic easy guitar chords. These chords were covered in an earlier lesson – The 15 Basic Easy Guitar Chords you should learn.

You will note that there are chord diagrams shown above each chord change to help guide you through the different fingering that is required to apply the bass notes to the rhythm chord changes.

Also for your conveniences each of these chords are shown in both Standard Notation format as well as TAB notation format. This will help you visualize the chords and how to change between them.