Welcome to TB.
Here are a few links that I've collected along the way that I've found enlightening and hope you will as well. Good luck!
Getting the most out of TB
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Read as many of the FAQ's as you can. Lots of good info there.
If you haven't already, fill out your "User Profile", especially the equipment you own. Many TB'rs will check out your equipment list and music influences before posting an answer to a thread you create.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.ph...#faq_faq_slang Slang/abbreviations, forum usage, TB maint., posting.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/faq.php TB rules, Website questions, Membership, Terms of Use
**Note: On TB, GAS means Gear Aquisition Syndrome.
Searching TB
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So many topics have already been covered on TB, that it is always suggested that you try a search before you create a new thread. The internal search feature of TB is limited to words 3 characters or more. There is always the Google search option that utilizes Google search features. One of the best ways to search Talkbass.com is to use Google's Advanced Search parameters. Putting the year in your search terms is one way to limit the number of responses to a search. You can check it out at Google.com.
Subscribing to TB threads
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Note: in your "MyTalkBass" control panel, there is a menu selection "Edit Options". When you click on "Edit Options", one of the choices is for "Default Thread Subscription Mode".
I find it usefull to choose "Daily email notification" mode. What this does is to send you an email for each thread you post a reply to so you can follow subsequent replies without having to log on to TB. You can susbscribe to individual threads manually as you come across info that interests you but doing it manually takes time.
For threads that interest you for which you don't want to post a reply, post a reply with "subscribed" in the reply box. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Receiving email notification of Private Messages
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Also within the "Edit Options" page, you can setup TB to send you an email when you receive a Private Message (PM). This is very helpful if you don't log on regularly. I've received replies to a PM I sent months later just because of this situation.
Must reads:
If only I knew then what I know now... If I only knew then
Best musical advice you ever got Best musical advice
Things every bassist should know? Things every bassist should know
Most common mistakes? Beginners common mistakes/where to start
http://www.google.com/custom?num=100...w.talkbass.com First bass advice
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ Introductory Bass Lesson (click on Beginners)
Learning stuff
Practice Practice Practice How to practice bass
Pacman's sure-fire scale practice method How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/creating-bass-lines-8154/#post80043 Creating bass lines
Bass Line Construction: Target Approach Creating bass lines - Target Approach
what is in front of/behind the beat? Playing behind/ahead of the beat
Circle of Fifths Question Key signatures/Circle of 5ths/Cycle of 4ths
Reading Music Learn to read music
I need to learn how to read music for bass, how do i do it? Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/sight-reading-486398-post6521582/ Improve site reading
Need help reading bass clef Read bass clef
Modes...How to use them practically in music. Using modes
Newbie learning modes! Learning modes
Introduction to Scale and Chord Theory Intro to scale and chord theory
I need basic music theory help... Learning Theory
Book list for GI Theory Links Theory Book Links
Music Theory/General Instruction Links TB Gen. Instruction Theory links list
Knuckleheaded question of the day Learning to play jazz
jazz scales? not played bass in over a year Jazz Scales
Theory Forum FAQ and Links Theory (from the DB side of TB)
Blues Turnarounds Blues Turn arounds
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdiction...ogression.html Blues Progressions explained with samples
Free online lessons
A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me! Dman has videos
Who do you think has the best lessons on youtube? Who's the best youtube bass teacher?
http://www.studybass.com/ Complete bass studies including online metronome, fretboard printer, bass clef tutor and more.
http://www.activebass.com/ Tab based lessons by members for members covering all types of bass instruction.
http://www.playbassnow.com with MarlowDK including videos.
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ bass guitar site includes lessons, arrangements, transcriptions, a beginners' guide, technical advice, solo pieces, fingerboard familiarity drills, bass oriented sound files, playing tips, a Q&A section, links and much more.
http://www.musicdojo.com/index.asp Online bass course (5 day free trial)
http://www.cliffengel.com/ Free and paid lessons
Books and instructional materials
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/default.asp Books, DVDs, all styles and methods
looking for "the bass guitar bible!" Looking for the Bass "Bible"
http://playbassnow.com/recommended-learning-materials/ MarlowDK's recommended books
Best Theroy book "Best" theory/harmony book
Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference dictionary
http://www.good-ear.com/ Ear training
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...lineScreen.swf Test your ear
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Excellent visual Beginning Music Theory (Power Point type lessons), ear trainer, chord calculator, more
College music
Colleges? So you want to be a music major in college
Solfege - What's the Point? Solfege
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/ Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary
Learning the bass clef
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...-10004005.html Downloadable program for learning the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper
Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html
Teaching bass
Lesson Plan for Bass Teachers To teach or not to teach
Finding a bass instructor
For bass teachers, and students seeking them
Software for transcribing/slowing down songs/Looping software/metronome,etc.
Software for Transcribing? Transcribing software
A way to slow down MP3s without altering the pitch? Slow down software
I need software to slow down a song so its easier to learn Slow down software
The Big Free Music Related Software Thread Free music software thread
Funk it up
Old School funk song suggestions... Funk, groove and R&B bass players
Funk 101 Funk 101
Band stuff:
Aspiring band newbie seeks craigslist ad advice Advertising yourself.
Need help in the world of cover bands! Covers vs. Originals
Power Trio Playing in a 3 piece
How good do you have to be to be in a band How "good" do you have to be to play in a band?
Starting/managing a band
Starting a "Top 40" type band. some questions Starting a cover band
Starting a cover/tribute band from scratch Starting a new band- how to audition
How to run Guitarist Auditions? Auditioning a new member for your band
Getting Suckered Auditioning: red flag stories
Is your band a democracy? or the opposite? Running a band: democracy or dictatorship?
How to fire someone from a band How to fire a band member
Band Reheasal/Gigs
Band Practice Tips? Rehearsal tips
Band practice efficiency Rehearsal efficiency
How often does your band rehearse? How often to rehearse?
Noodling/Showing-off between songs To noodle or not to noodle?
Bar Manager Refused to Pay Us! Now what? Being asked to turn down the volume
Band names
Coolest and Dumbest band names you've played under... Best/worst real band names
The Infamous Band Name Thread Infamouse band name thread
http://www.bandnamemaker.com/ http://www.1728.com/bandname.htm
Guitards '-)
Guitar players as bass players...... Guitar players switching to bass
Other bass forums
http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthr...w_Down_Lowdown http://basschat.co.uk http://www.thestringnetwork.com/ http://www.bassgear.com
Cool rigs, equipment and info
Portable amps, cabs and combos Light weight cabs,amps, combos
The "I love my rig" Club Happy with my rig.
happy with my rig Happy with my rig
Your Ultimate Rig (with sort of a twist) Ulitmate fantasy rig
Mini Rigs of Doom-Let's see 'em!l Mini rigs of doom
RIGS OF DOOM - Ch. 3 Rigs of doom
Building Stuff
bass cabinet plans? cabs
DIY Lightweight Composite Cab Build light weight cab
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...76#post5176976 cab dolly
Great gig dolly cab dolly
how do you move gear with a bad back? cab dolly
Accessories
Light for fretboard Lights for your fretboard.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/can-anyone-recommend-good-headphone-amp-494539-post6634274/ Headphone amps/mixers/trainers
Need advice on best headphones Recommendations for good headphones
Upgrading
Which would you upgrade first? An amp or a bass? Upgrade bass or amp first?
Aging guitars/basses
http://www.grguitars.com/pick%20guards.html http://www.grguitars.com/parts_5bass.htm http://rchildsrelics.com How to make a bass look old and well used?
For fun
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showth...=480666&page=1 Gadgets and Gizmos
Tips/tricks for living, what are some you've found over the years? Tips for living
Ways to save money that you know. Ways to save money
Learning Live Sound mixing
Anyone know of beginners books for live sound?
