I've decided to start bass seriously now, and while the thread about Books did give me a few ideas on what I should look for, I've noticed that I'm a visual learner. As of right now though, I have absolutely no time for lessons. My job is a night job, from 4 PM until a late time that changes depending on the work load daily (usually midnight or later), and I'm not a morning person by any standards, so I wouldn't be able to fit lessons in my schedule. I figured that I could teach myself at night after work, because I have a long wind down period after work (6 hours or so) before I can even consider falling asleep. Normally I just spend everyday reading before I go to bed, but I'd like to fill a lot of my time with learning the bass now. I think that I'd like to go have some lessons eventually, it's just not a viable option for me now.

So, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend me a really good, easy to understand instructional DVD for bass beginners. While I used to play sparingly about 5 years ago (mostly just simple punk covers with a pick and a Squier Jazz none of my friends and I could ever get 100% into tune), I would really just like to start again with a clean slate. I'm hoping I can get a few opinions on instructional DVD's that show things like beginning exercises, maybe how to play scales, or things like that. Thank you in advance for all of your time. I really appreciate any advice that I can be given.

PS: If you do have any other advice in regards to beginning bass, please let me know! Things like other books, gear, DVD's, techniques, practice ideas, anything I'd like advice on. I'm currently looking through threads on TalkBass and saving information that I think would really help me playing bass. But I don't think you can ever really have too much advice.

i don't want to seem unhelpful or dickish, but youtube is a pretty good tool for learning bass.

I quite like Billy Sheehans books and dvds.
IMHO its easy to get into unlike other books, its very laid back. If thats what you're looking for.

Thanks for the input. I honestly didn't know youtube had all that kind of stuff, because I'm not a guy who ever goes to youtube. And I'll check for those books. Anyone else? I've just gotten my bass, and it's really fun! Right now I'm just trying to do scales though. I have to start small anyway. So any more info in this topic would be highly appreciated.

What i find is, Videos and DVDS are actually made because books may not be able to express the lesson as well as a visual formed lesson may.

For example, you mentioned scales. I really don't think they're needed in videos as such, as they can be easily expressed through notation or TAB form. The only bass related dvd i own is Bass Extremes (Victor Wooten/Steve Bailey) and even now i still don't comprehend what they talk about.

I could be wrong. I say +1 to youtube. Look around. Search for specifics (after all, it is the internet)

Did i answer your query?
Sorry if i was real vague. anyway we'll be happy to keep answering.

if its for slap u should check out the louis johnson slap lessons video. it gets u going.

No, I just want to get the basics down right now pretty much. Thanks very much for the information. Anyway, since people are posting, are there any things you guys recommend to do during practice? Or things I should focus on? I don't see myself trying out slapping or anything like that for at least a year from now. I really want to build up my finger speed, and basically play a lot of rock styles that don't require more of the difficult bass techniques.

stay in time, practice with a metronome =)

Norm Stockton's Grooving for Heaven DVD series. Also John Patitucci's Complete Electric Bass DVD is excellent. While it's not a DVD, Patrick Pfeiffer's book Bass Guitar for Dummies is also excellent and comes with an audio CD.


A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste! :cool:

+ 1 on bass guitar for dummies. It is the best book for a beginner.

I'm going to look around for some of this stuff later today. Thanks for all of your help guys.

EDIT: What do you guys think of Ed Friedland's books? He was mentioned in another topic of mine, so I did a bit of research. It seems to be what I'm looking for, The Bass Method series. I'm gonna grab the first one on Wednesday, but if anyone has read them, I'd like your input if you had the time.