If you know just a few open chords like G, C, and D, you already have everything you need to start adding bass lines to your playing. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll never go back to boring strumming.
Start with the Root Note
The most important bass note for any chord is the root. That’s the note the chord is named after.
G Major
The root is on the 6th string, 3rd fret. That low G is your anchor.
C Major
The root is on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Sometimes I’ll cheat and play the low G on the 6th string instead—it’s in related harmony and sounds great.
D Major
The root is the open 4th string. Simple.
Bass Note First, Then Strum
The basic technique: pick the bass note, then strum the chord. Don’t do them at the same time. Let that bass note ring out and blend with the strum—that’s what creates that full, rich sound.
Think of the bass note as an enhancement to your strumming, not a replacement. You’re substituting one stroke of your strum pattern with a single bass note.
Alternating Bass Lines
Once you’re comfortable with root notes, try alternating between two bass notes on each chord. My rule: always start with the root, then add a second note.
For the G chord, alternate between the 6th string (G) and the 5th string (B). For C, you can alternate between the 5th string root and the 4th string. For D, try open D then open A—here’s a cool thing: if you strum a D chord and hit all five strings it sounds kind of drony. But when you pick the notes separately, that A works really well.
A Quick Tip for D Chords
The low A string can sound muddy when strummed with the D chord. But when you pick it individually as a bass note, it actually sounds great. That’s the key—what sounds bad strummed together might sound perfect when picked separately.
For more on using open chords creatively, check out the other lessons in this series. Learn how slash chords use specific bass notes to create walking bass lines, or add color with chord embellishments and thumb techniques.
For more lessons, visit our main Guitar Chords section.