i feel it's the only thing i can't really do. where should i start?

I keep saying this but the Hal Leonard Bass Method books are a great start.
Also check out www.studybass.com. There is a little bass clef quiz thingy that is pretty fun to do also.

So that is a start at least!

http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm is a good knowledge database. You better just read about the clefs in lesson one and then go to lesson two

Heres a few TB links that may help you out:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419687 Read bass clef
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/3000-2133_4-10004005.html Software-Read bass clef training (recommended- TB member AlphaMale)
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479642 Learn to read music 1 of 2
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479401 2 of 2

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6521582 Improve site reading

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519 Intro to scale and chord theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473968 Learning Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761 TB Gen.Instruction Theory links list
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88294 Theory (from the DB side of TB)

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2338584&postcount=4 Learning "modes"
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=507769 Reason for modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485421 Using modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498975 Key signatures/Circle of 5ths/Cycle of 4ths
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6703697&postcount=22 Circle of 5ths (spreadsheet format)

http://www.teoria.com/ Music Theory. Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference dictionary
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Theory (Power Point lessons), ear trainer, more
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Xlnt visual Beginning Music Theory (Power Point lessons), ear trainer

http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ beginners' guide/lessons, tech advice,drills, bass sound files,tips,Q&A, links/more .
http://www.cyberfretbass.com/index.php For all bassists, videos and more,

now we talking!!! thanks guys.

I can't top Stumbo's list (who could?), but if you can find a beginning snare drum book, it's a great way to start to get your rhythms together independently of all of the pitches.

KO

People really need to start using the search button more here. I have questions all the time but I just use the search and its usually already been asked multiple times.

As mentioned above, it is useful to seperate rhythm studies from pitch. Rhythm to me is by far the harder of the two.
Cliff Engle has some good exerecises for rhythm (http://www.cliffengel.com/bass_lessons/online/free_bass_lessons/sight_reading/rhythm_studies/)alone.

+1 To all above. The Hal Leonard are the books I started with waaaay back.

The only hard concept for me was switching from treble clef to bass clef as saxophone was my first instrument for 8 years before I started playing bass and transposing the notes took me some time.

I can't top Stumbo's list (who could?), but if you can find a beginning snare drum book, it's a great way to start to get your rhythms together independently of all of the pitches.

KO

Great idea. I'll add it to my list of links.

I can't top Stumbo's list (who could?), but if you can find a beginning snare drum book, it's a great way to start to get your rhythms together independently of all of the pitches.

KO

Agreed! This was a major help when my instructor had me do this a few years ago. It's a great way to get familiar with a lot of the rhythm notations before applying them to more complicated lines. Also, it helps you really hammer home your rhythm, which is never a bad thing. :)

Thanks for recommending the Hal Leonard books. I, for one, appreciate the support!

Jon Liebman
www.JonLiebman.com