I haven't played any instrument in my life and i would like to learn bass guitar. I would like to know if i can do it auto didactically, if so what book is the best for me? Do I have to learn to read music first and then start and learn how to play?

I'd like to learn to play jazz mostly and I'm a huge fan of jaco pastorius so i don't know if i should start learning on a fretless or fretted jazz bass. Well, i'd really appreciate some orientation.

Thanks for your time!

auto didactically?

i mean to learn by myself without a teacher, using books, videos...

That's how I learned the basics, then I learned from there by playing with people. I was one of those bass players who had their first gig before they knew all the names of the notes on the fret board. Luckily I've come along way.............at least I think I have.:ninja:

the problem isn't teaching oneself to play guitar or bass...

the problem is, not having any prior musical training. Even though piano isn't such a fun instrument (as it doesn't appeal to everyone), even a year on piano, and some time in a school band, teaches an individual A LOT about playing music.

since I'm assuming you've had no prior experience to playing any musical instrument, a teacher is recommended.

Get a double bass, and learn classical technique. Once you've studied that for a few years, you'll basically (bassically) be able to do anything else, because your theoretical and technical arsenal will be so developed.

Get a double bass, and learn classical technique. Once you've studied that for a few years, you'll basically (bassically) be able to do anything else, because your theoretical and technical arsenal will be so developed.

Need a teacher for double bass to get the proper technique or can get into a world of hurt.

Quite a range of advice you're getting here! :eek: If you're just planning on playing bass guitar as a hobby, you may indeed be able to teach yourself quite a lot with the many resources now available online and in books. However.....I would strongly recommend taking at least a few lessons with an experienced bassist in the beginning to establish proper technique habits. You can hurt yourself physically and hinder your progress musically by playing the bass with bad technique. Of course, a good teacher can also help facilitate comprehension of theory and style concepts, and also sometimes provide a needed kick in the behind or needed encouragement. Good luck!

Forgot to mention that I would recommend starting on fretted bass before tackling fretless.

Forgot to mention that I would recommend starting on fretted bass before tackling fretless.

That never stopped Violinists / cellists / violists /.....

any other instruments I forgot :rolleyes:

Go to a music store, test basses, fretted, fretless, varying scale lengths, different necks, pickups/electronics, and pick the one that is most comfortable to you while still sounding decent to your ears. Start there, and in a year or two, when you have a clearer idea of what you want, make the jump.

That never stopped Violinists / cellists / violists /.....

Have you ever heard how badly out of tune beginning violinists play? I'm not discouraging anyone from playing fretless, but to start on fretless is just giving yourself one extra handicap on top of all the other technical challenges of beginning to learn the bass. :(

Go buy a bass for $100 or however cheap you Americans get your gear, and just play around with it. Pick or fingers, however you feel comfy. Listern to songs that you like over and over and pick out the bassline, and then play them by ear. Because you know the song so well, you'll know when you're playing it wrong.

If you get a few months down the line and you think you wanna carry it on, go for lessons.

Ive had a bass for bout 18months, although playing time doesnt add upto much. But I definately know im getting better, can make out more basslines by ear etc. When I move back home im gonna go for lessons.

Have you ever heard how badly out of tune beginning violinists play? I'm not discouraging anyone from playing fretless, but to start on fretless is just giving yourself one extra handicap on top of all the other technical challenges of beginning to learn the bass. :(

true.

was being facetious , btw ;)

"Mel Bay Presents the Electric Bass" might be a good starting point for you. An inexpensive electric tuner is also a worthwhile investment...

Start with the fretted bass and then work your way to fretless. Baby steps...

That never stopped Violinists / cellists / violists /.....

any other instruments I forgot :rolleyes:


They dont have any choice in the matter. Have you ever seen a fretted violin. :rollno:

Get a double bass, and learn classical technique. Once you've studied that for a few years, you'll basically (bassically) be able to do anything else, because your theoretical and technical arsenal will be so developed.

Uh, why would a beginner want to spend $1500 or 2K on a budget double bass (that probably needs an expensive set up to play well) when he could get a good bass guitar, maybe even an excellent one and an amplifier, for a fraction of that? Add to that, strings only cost $18 and up for bg, rather than $175 for budget double bass strings. Unless he were seriously wanting to learn double bass, that is. I think the original poster wants a bass guitar.

They dont have any choice in the matter. Have you ever seen a fretted violin. :rollno:

http://www.woodviolins.com/images/BIGViperWhitenew.jpg

btw, that's a seven string, fretted, electric violin

Mark Wood rules!!!
I apologize for going off topic.

Take a look at the lessons here under Instruction... or maybe the online lessons at www.studybass.com

Mark Wood rules!!!
I apologize for going off topic.

:bassist::bassist::bassist:

The man is a genius...basically making the "torzal twist bass" of the violin world. I think any musician can appreciate the ingenuity of his design, not to mention, his virtuosity with Violin.

btw, that's a seven string, fretted, electric violin


Ok .Point taken ......... and cellists, and violists ?? I'm waiting for pics of these !! :p

I began teaching myself....hours with a cd and tabs....learning song after song...then I began taken private instruction at my local music store, theory and all that. I still cant read music...but its not really needed for the mess I play...I still just sit down with a cd if I cant pick it out by ear......

Ok .Point taken ......... and cellists, and violists ?? I'm waiting for pics of these !! :p

http://www.woodviolins.com/images/vipercello6redblackSM.jpg

here's a six string, fretted, electric cello.

you caught me on the Violists, i'm just going to assume, that nobody cares to make an electric Viola ;)

Ok I admit I was wrong :crying:

Though you must admit that you 're not likely to see them in your average symphony orchestra. ;)


OP : Sorry for going off topic - I know this is of no help to you.

Take a look at the lessons here under Instruction... or maybe the online lessons at www.studybass.com

You beat me to it! That is really a great website!

Save up your money and buy a plane ticket to Africa...leave the city and wander out into the bush...listen for the drum...find the source and intertwine your heart and soul with it. Return to the land of your birth and follow the path where it leads. If there is no path learn a trade...electricians and plumbers always work.

Save up your money and buy a plane ticket to Africa...leave the city and wander out into the bush...listen for the drum...find the source and intertwine your heart and soul with it. Return to the land of your birth and follow the path where it leads. If there is no path learn a trade...electricians and plumbers always work.

LMAO!!!!

Save up your money and buy a plane ticket to Africa...leave the city and wander out into the bush...listen for the drum...find the source and intertwine your heart and soul with it. Return to the land of your birth and follow the path where it leads. If there is no path learn a trade...electricians and plumbers always work.


YOU MADE ME LAFF HOARD WITH THIS!

:p

Get a Cort Action and sit down with a Bass Book for Beginners and learn to play from that. You'll quickly get the hang of it. Once you've done that you'll be playing 12-bar blues and such for a few weeks. Try to figure out Happy Birthday on your bass. Learn Come as You Are by Nirvana (acoustic version, if you don't like rock). Once you've finished the book, get an intermediate bass book. Ask someone you know, who plays bass, about your technique. Get a teacher once you know you actually want to play bass and you feel like the books are no longer taking you any further.

The idea of getting a Cort Action and a beginner's teaching book is that that way you'll be able to gauge whether or not the bass is actually something you want to be playing. You'll find out mighty soon.

If you're artistic, or someone you know is, get them to paint your Cort. It makes you feel special... One of my friends did it. She painted a colourful bird ontop of a tribal pattern on my bass. It made it look absolutely beautiful; it made the Cort sound better, too. Hehe... =)

I think you would be best served getting a teacher so you get off on the right foot!
I agree fretted over fretless!
You Must feel the bass to see if it woll work for you. Many popular brands are't comfortable for every one.
There is a wealth of information online as well!

Good luck!

Ok I admit I was wrong :crying:

Though you must admit that you 're not likely to see them in your average symphony orchestra. ;)


OP : Sorry for going off topic - I know this is of no help to you.

:cool:

:)

Thank you all for the help, i think i will try some books and some free lessons online and starting next year i will take some private lessons to improve technique. I will start learning to read music, maybe with books or as a university elective class. Another thing, i still don't know which bass is good for a start... i like fender, the sound of the jazz bass and the neck fits better for me, but the fender standard is expensive for me at this moment and for a start i think is too much maybe, so I still don't know if i should buy the squier affinity J-Bass package or the standard squier J-Bass with a small amp or just plug in to my laptop. Which beginner basses is the best quality vs. sound vs. value? Lots of people tell me that i should buy the cheapest bass and then move to a good bass, but others tell me to buy a decent, intermediate bass. What should i do?

If you are serious about learning bass, buy a decent, intermediate bass. The one thing you don't want to do is spend money on something you will be fighting all the time. Cheap basses have cheap tuners, crappy electronics and horrible build quality. It is in your best interest to save and get something you will be happy with for at least a year. See if you can find a good quality instrument used here in the classifieds.

If you are serious about learning bass, buy a decent, intermediate bass. The one thing you don't want to do is spend money on something you will be fighting all the time. Cheap basses have cheap tuners, crappy electronics and horrible build quality. It is in your best interest to save and get something you will be happy with for at least a year. See if you can find a good quality instrument used here in the classifieds.

So, which bass do you think will do a decent job for learning? a new Squier, maybe standard?

I was think in these ones...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Vintage-Modified-70s-Jazz-Bass?sku=519639

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Standard-Jazz-Bass-?sku=510627

or the affinity series

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Squier-Affinity-Series-J-Bass?sku=519631

What do you think?
I'll try classifieds also.

Thanks!

Worst mistake i made while learning was thinking i could do it all on my own... don't get me wrong some people can but i spent about 2 years with no lessons just going off stuff off the net... then i would watch other bassists play and realise my technique was totally wrong and i had wasted a LOT of time, and then had to waste MORE time letting my right hand catch up with my left hand!!

Seriously man just get 3 or 4 lessons to begin with to get your technique straight and make sure you dont have any bad habits.. doesnt make you a lesser player to have had lessons.