Music is written on what is called a staff, which consists of 
5 lines and the 4 spaces between those lines.

Notes are written either on the line or in a space.
           

Music for bass is written in what is called bass clef. It is also sometimes referred to as F Clef. 

This is because the symbol itself looks like the letter F, and 
also the 2 dots in the clef surround the F note on the staff.

Notes that are outside of the range of the staff's lines and 
spaces use and extension of the staff called a <i><b>ledger line.

Music is divided into sections called measures by vertical lines called bar lines.

A final double bar line is used indicates the end of a piece of music.

A repeat sign is used to play a section of music again. Looks the same as a final double bar line only with 2 dots.

Here are the cheesy little sayings to help remember the 
names of the notes on the staff. The lines are Good, Boys, Do, Fine, Always, and the spaces are All, Cows, Eat, Grass.

            
              
Hope this simple lesson will get you on your way to reading music on the bass!

Until next time,

Brian Calloway