Bass Guitar Strings Explained: Layout, Notes, and How It Compares to Piano

If you're new to bass or switching from guitar, one of the first things to understand is how bass guitar strings work. Whether you're learning your first electric bass guitar 4 string or curious about extended-range models, this guide breaks down everything from tuning and note layout to how the bass compares to the piano. You’ll also find visuals, a helpful video, product recommendations, and answers to common questions like how many strings does a bass have, is bass easier than guitar, and more.

Table of Contents

• Bass Guitar Strings: The Basics
• Bass Fretboard vs Piano Keyboard
• Octave Explained: Piano vs Bass
• Whole Steps and Skipping Frets
• Helpful Bass Learning Tools
• FAQ: Bass Guitar Basics

Bass Guitar Strings: The Basics

When you pluck a bass string, it creates a sound with a specific pitch. Pressing a fret raises that pitch. Together, frets and strings allow you to build bass lines, scales, and grooves.

What are the four strings on a bass guitar? In standard tuning for a 4-string bass, they are:

• 4th string (E) – the thickest, lowest-sounding string
• 3rd string (A)
• 2nd string (D)
• 1st string (G) – the thinnest, highest-sounding string

If you're wondering how many strings does a bass have, the standard is 4, but extended models include 5-string (adding a low B) and 6-string (adding a high C) variations.

Need help memorizing string names? Use this mnemonic: "Every Amp Does Growl" (E-A-D-G).

Bass Fretboard vs Piano Keyboard

Let’s compare the bass fretboard to the piano. On a piano, notes move left to right in a single, linear direction. Bass notes repeat across strings, making the fretboard more complex to memorize.

Each string on your bass is like its own keyboard, but arranged vertically. Notes repeat across strings every 5 frets. If you’re transitioning from bass to guitar or vice versa, understanding this structure is key.

Octave Explained: Piano vs Bass

On the piano, moving from one A to the next spans 12 half steps (including black keys). The same applies on bass. For example, playing an open A string and then fretting it at the 12th fret both produce A notes—an octave apart.

If you want to dive deeper into intervals and octave spacing, check out our blog post: Understanding Intervals in Music Theory.

Whole Steps and Skipping Frets

On bass, each fret is a half step. Two frets equal a whole step. If you’re wondering why some notes have gaps between them, that’s because of how the musical alphabet works—B to C and E to F are only a half step apart.

This is essential to understanding bass guitar scales. By mastering whole and half step movement, you’ll be able to build major, minor, and pentatonic scales on any string.

Helpful Bass Learning Tools

• Bass Theory Simplified Book – Learn scales, notes, modes, and more with diagrams and QR tutorials
• Bass Theory Cheat Sheet Mousepad – A quick reference with scales, formulas, and intervals

FAQ: Bass Guitar Basics

How many strings does a bass have?

The standard bass has 4 strings. However, many basses also come with 5 strings (adding a low B) or 6 strings (adding a high C).

What are the four strings on a bass guitar?

From lowest to highest: E, A, D, G.

How often should you change bass strings?

For regular players, every 3–6 months is ideal. If you play heavily or want a consistently bright tone, consider changing them more frequently.

Is bass easier than guitar?

Bass can be easier to begin with—fewer strings and simpler patterns—but it requires strong rhythm and precision. Both instruments have unique challenges.

How do I transition from bass to guitar?

Many skills carry over, like timing and note knowledge. You’ll need to learn chords and get used to more strings.

What are bass guitar scales?

Scales are note patterns used in solos, riffs, and basslines. Learning major and minor scales is a great starting point. Check out: How to Play Scales on Guitar (applies to bass too).