Fiery new young guy with everything to prove

[FrostByte]

Hi, everyone! I was actually browsing some basses online when I stumbled upon this site, so here I am. <- (awesome smiley by the way) I've been playing for about four months now with an Ibanez GSR205 5-string bass, and it's immensely fun. My only regret is that I started near the beginning of my senior year, so I missed out on all of those years of improving. I've been playing trumpet for about 8 years and decided, kind of on a whim, to pick up bass. I play both trumpet and bass for pep band (all of those years of trumpet really helped out music-wise) and I love it. Seeing as how I've been teaching myself, do any of the experts here have any tips? Should I focus on scales, tabs, etc.? What is the best way to get the most out of practicing? Thank you in advance for anything. This is a great site.

[p-rok]

Hey Frostbyte! Welcome to TB mate. I'm new too, but have been playing for a fairly long time (since 92). I'd say keep going with the tuition and get playing in a live musical situation as quickly as possible! It'll teach you things no one else can ever teach you. And I like what Victor Wooten says when he says "no one can really teach you anything, you teach yourself". I agree with that. Even if you're at college or whatever, you still have to process the information and put your fingers on the neck. So do that and have fun!

[FrostByte]

ha ha good advice- nothing is more fun than playing with friends!