Beginner Lady Bass Player from Texas

TXArchitect · #1 08-24-2010, 10:11 AM

Weird story, but I decided to learn the bass because I KILL playing bass on Rockband. Before you scoff, let me assure you that I KNOW it is NOT THE SAME...my husband has been playing and collecting guitars for years, has a weekend band, and I actually played baritone horn back in school, so I realise that flipping a lever and punching buttons is a little different than playing a stringed instrument.

But, I love music, and I have, unfortunately, suffered rather severe hearing loss requiring surgery and hearing aids, and I don't "have" much of the higher frequencies, but it turns out I CAN STILL HEAR THE BASS LINE. If we had not bought a PS3 and Rockband, and since my husband claimed the lead guitar, and our daughter sings, I was assigned the bass, and was amazed that it "worked" for me, despite my hearing issues. I don't think I would ever have realized my affinity for the low, if not for PS3/Rockband.

So, after much discussion with the spouse, and, surprisingly, with his encouragement, I have decided to JUST DO IT. In fact, I have a bid right now on a Warwick Corvette Swamp Ash Std. and, if I'm lucky, may actually own it in a few hours...if not, then maybe an Ibanez SR500. I'm 5'-10" so I don't think I need a particulary small bass. The amp will be a SWR Workingman's 10 Combo. I am blessed that DH knows his gear (okay, he's a snob) and insisted that I get good stuff to start.

In discussing how to learn to play, it has been very interesting to realize how different I am from my husband. He has absolute pitch and plays only by ear, never ever using tab or sheet music, which, in fact, he does not understand at all, and at 56, isn't about to learn.

I, OTOH, learned music theory as a girl, fortunately played an instrument that resided in the BASS CLEFT and have been reading ELECTRIC BASS course books for the last month while waiting for the right instrument to come my way. I'm pretty sure I have the note locations on the fretboard in my head already as I have been "practicing" on the GDAE strings of one of my husband's lesser guitars - toughning up my left-hand fingers and practicing rythym by strumming with alternating index and middle fingers to a metronome. I am itching to actually start.

This board is wonderful, and I have been reading threads on topics such as "how to learn," looking for advise on which strap to buy (there are significant "girl" issues, of course - but have not found an "answer" to that!) and we studied the reviews carefully before making our short-list for bass and amp.

So, as it usually is when one finds a new interest, it is wonderful to find a source of like-minded enthusiasts. I look forward to learning from your experience and sharing your love of the bass.

**pacojas** · #2 08-24-2010, 10:15 AM

cheers!!!

TobyBass55 · #3 08-24-2010, 10:21 AM

Hey welcome. I'm a beginner lady bass player too.

I'm sure you are excited to get your bass and start playing. Check out the "girl bass player club" thread if you haven't already too.

"Girl Bass Player Club" here!

TXArchitect · #4 08-24-2010, 10:35 AM

Wow, Toby thanks! I will read it later tonight, and I am thrilled that there is a thread just for us!

Jack Clark · #5 08-24-2010, 12:13 PM

I'm ignorant, but curious. What problems do female bass guitar players encounter that are different from those encountered by a small-sized man, for example? Or is that what the problem is--finding a good, slightly-shorter scale instrument?

In any case, I know you'll find a lot of useful information from the pros here at TB. I certainly have, even for my odd, super-short-scale bass.

FritoBandito · #6 08-24-2010, 12:40 PM

Good luck, and most of all.....have fun!

**Staccato** · #7 08-24-2010, 12:43 PM

Welcome! I've got some hearing loss due to jet engines, and loud noises that started slowly taking their toll since youth...

You'll be amazed at the topics stored in the TB archives!

TXArchitect · #8 08-24-2010, 02:54 PM

Jack, If I hold the Bass behind my hip like most do when sitting, my right breast spills over the curve and literally touches the strings and/or my strumming fingers interferring with playing and completely obscuring my view of the pickup area. If I move the bass to the left so that the end rests on my inner thigh, then my left breast is impaled by the horn (I almost went w/ a Beatles bass for just this reason) and is smooshed by the strap.

I know this is quite a problem to have (heh) and I'm sure I will find a work-around like I did when I took up golf which required an Over/under set up and ultimately didn't hurt me any as my drives exceed 260 yards regularly off the women's tees which makes me VERY POPULAR in mixed scrambles. ha!

I am glad to report that I won the auction and am now the proud owner of a 2006 German-made Warwick Corvette! Can't wait for delivery....

Jack Clark · #9 08-24-2010, 05:55 PM

Well, congrats, TXA! Hope you enjoy your bass to the max. I never would've thunk of those particular problems. (Just don't let that work-around you're looking for involve surgery.

) And you're certainly right about the mixed scrambles. I'll bet you give yourself and your partner a lot of wedges on par fours and eagle putts on par fives.

TXArchitect · #10 08-25-2010, 07:46 AM

Woot! We "won" the auction for a SWR Workingman's 10 Bass Combo too so I am really blessed with a great setup to start out!

I had to sell two guns from my late Army Colonel father's collection (Luger and Mauser P38) to get my bass, etc., but I really want to get going and start my new musical habit.

If any of you could point me to the best threads on how to start learning, that would be wonderful. This is a huge site and I've spent HOURS already looking around.

Elwood Garrett · #11 08-26-2010, 09:32 PM

Welcome to Talk Bass!

countrybass007 · #12 09-05-2010, 07:56 PM

Lots of great lady bass players out there, Talking Heads is a good place to start. Welcome to the wonderful world of bass players. The discussions us "old Timers" get into should be both interesting and confusing. (That cab won't work with this cab, tubes are better than solid state, a bass cab has to weigh two tons to sound good, etc. etc.) Hope you enjoy TalkBass.

Gintaras · #13 09-05-2010, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXArchitect

If any of you could point me to the best threads on how to start learning, that would be wonderful. This is a huge site and I've spent HOURS already looking around.

here is a nice site for learning...
http://scottsbasslessons.com/

also find a good teacher. Don't be afraid to try a few till you find one that fits you. I have been with the same instructor for 3 years and go once a month. I always walk away with something that has improved my playing and get excited by what I learn. I am a hobbyist bassist and jam once in a while. Lessons keep me fresh.

Snazzy Jazzy · #14 01-08-2011, 07:33 PM

That is actually why I started playing as well! What a coincidence! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has done that! And, yes you should definitely join the girl bass player club!