I may have joined too soon

[Icy_Rae]

I'm possibly a bit premature in my membership here. I joined the same day I ordered my first Bass. I have never even read Bass Cleff music before and now that I've received my beautiful/shiny/innocent bass guitar (10 hours ago), I have learned page one of the manual so I know the names of the strings. I didn't join for any actual questions, just to surround myself with a community of people who feel the sensory thrill of being near and associating with the Bass Guitar.

Oh yeah, I'm Rae. I'm 32 and proving to myself that I'm not too old to learn something new.

[fenderhutz]

Some members on here don't even play bass anymore. Never too soon. Welcome to the forums. You will gain knowledge and spend money you thought you didn't have.

[Icy_Rae]

Ohhh I know I'm spending plenty of "Potential Money" --- Guitar Center overestimated me. LOL. Thanks for the welcome

[golddog]

I am 48 and will be starting to learn when I get my first bass for Christmas. How did you get interested in playing base? By the way, keep you ear to this forum. You will learn a lot about how to play just by reading the experiences of others. Welcome and let me know how you are doing!

[Icy_Rae]

I work for Best Buy, opening new stores around the nation. I had the opportunity to visit the new BBY music store they opened recently in Minnesota and reached out and TOUCHED a bass --- wanted it immediately, but opted to not purhase it that abruptly. I came home, did my homework, chose my instructor before I ordered the guitar, got my sweet lil Squier and I very nearly slept with it --- the case came late, so I'm keeping it in its box next to my bed. I'm more excited than I was about my first car or my first gun..

[IotaNet]

Originally Posted by Icy_Rae

I work for Best Buy, opening new stores around the nation...

Best Buy Music Store???

I LIVE in Minnesota -- tell me more about that!!!

[NUTT]

Originally Posted by Icy_Rae

I'm more excited than I was about my first car or my first gun.

I'm sorry... but that is just blasphemy!!

Welcome to another expensive addiction.

[Icy_Rae]

Originally Posted by IotaNet

Best Buy Music Store???

I LIVE in Minnesota -- tell me more about that!!!

It's in a town called Richfield. From what I've read since then, it's a bit of a copy on a small format Guitar Center. It's a store within a store, meaning that you actually enter a real Best Buy store and go to the back left hand corner where it takes up a few hundred square feet. It does have a few soundproof chambers, and I saw about 45 guitars and basses on display. There is actually another one in California, but I haven't heard how well they're doing, lately.

Rae

[Icy_Rae]

Originally Posted by NUTT

I'm sorry... but that is just blasphemy!!

Welcome to another expensive addiction.

Thanks NUTT --- at least I didn't sell the gun to buy the bass!!!!!

[fenderhutz]

That's funny, I was one of the first Double Agents for Geek Squad when they rolled that out in April-May 2004 for store 146. I was there two years.

Best Buy is pure evil.

Do you like your job?

[IotaNet]

Originally Posted by Icy_Rae

It's in a town called Richfield. From what I've read since then, it's a bit of a copy on a small format Guitar Center. It's a store within a store, meaning that you actually enter a real Best Buy store and go to the back left hand corner where it takes up a few hundred square feet. It does have a few soundproof chambers, and I saw about 45 guitars and basses on display. There is actually another one in California, but I haven't heard how well they're doing, lately.

Rae

I know the BBY Richfield store very well -- it's just down the road from your corporate headquarters. More importantly, it's about 3 minutes from my office!

I'll be checking it out tomorrow!

[Icy_Rae]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

That's funny, I was one of the first Double Agents for Geek Squad when they rolled that out in April-May 2004 for store 146. I was there two years.

Best Buy is pure evil.

Do you like your job?

I actually enjoy it --- I'm Project Team and get to spend the Winter season volunteering with whichever store which needs me... awesome fun. The rest of the year, I'm traveling across the country doing new store openings and remodel jobs. Great Fun!!

Rae

[GregC]

Hi Rae,

No such thing as joining TB too soon! There's a ton of good information to soak up here, whether you're actually playing at the moment or not. I suggest checking out the FAQs on the home page and at the top of the Bass and Amp forums, for starters, and just doing lots of reading here in general. Welcome!

[HEIST]

Don't worry, when I first joined I knew absolutely nothing. Every thread I read was gibberish to me. A lot of them still are. But just by lurking around here you learn a lot. I'm just waiting for the day when I actually have something to give back to the community ;DV

But man is it expensive.

[Icy_Rae]

I had my first lesson, and now have my first homework. I was told to not practice the scale he assigned me for more than 7 minutes, and thought that was really ODD, but after 2 days, my arms really do feel the burn, so I'm glad I was warned.

I came home from my first lesson higher than ever before and immediately jumped into the biggest argument ever with my hubby who finally realized how much it was going to cost to support me -- fortunately I've got the leverage -- he owns every game system known to mankind and has a pretty hefty gaming habit --- I WIN!!!


My instructor also told me that a LOT of Bass players have three things in common --- affinity for reptiles (I run a reptile rescue), former career in teaching (3rd grade in Colorado for me) and also a liking for one on one style fighting like karate or judo... that's the only one I've never even considered doing...

[chuck stardust]

Cool Rae! Glad you are getting into Bass playing. Welcome! You will love it. I play the guitar, Bass, mandolin. banjo and some violin (Fiddle!!) and I find the FUNNEST is the Bass. I love my guitars, but in a band setting, I can dance around and have the best time! Don't get discouraged...it may take a little while to pick up some stuff. This tip MIGHT help you (it helped me a lot). Find some OLD music in the style you like, because back in the day, people played less complicated music. Work up from there and when you get to playing the Rush and Chili Peppers stuff, well, you made the big time! Those cats are just INSANE! Also, learn how to tune your Bass and always play in tune. Play along to records and develop your timing so that when you play with a drummer, you can lock in with them. This is sometimes the HARDEST thing in the world. I have to constantly hold myself back from rushing because I get so excited!

Good luck, and if I can help, let me know.
Charlie G

[Madlister]

Originally Posted by Icy_Rae

I came home from my first lesson higher than ever before and immediately jumped into the biggest argument ever with my hubby who finally realized how much it was going to cost to support me -- fortunately I've got the leverage -- he owns every game system known to mankind and has a pretty hefty gaming habit --- I WIN!!!

Pfft - you're the woman, so you win by default.

I came to that realization long ago. It works out better on all sides that way. With my fiancee, I can take the long road (argue) or the short road (just let it be) - but both always end up in the same place anyway. =P

I'm with you on the new to bass, bit. Absolutely loving it so far. It's everything I always seemed to know that playing regular guitar was missing.

[Icy_Rae]

Fourth lesson this week -- learned one song and I'm developing a good selection of scales and exercises --- turns out I have a weak pinky -- my top sounds suffer so I'm working on a proscribed list of scales that involve really strengthening it --- I'm hoping it helps cuz I'm loving all the sounds I'm getting out of my sweet bass except what the pinky does. (I keep apologizing to my instructor -- too worried about offending him with raucous sounds - I suppose)

But I'm still loving it -- and gettin the money out of the old man, so it's all GOOD.

Rae

[geordiebassnut]

hey!! if you think your premature i dont even have a bass or even touched one!! i am totally obsessed with bass tho and can't wait to get going!!

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by geordiebassnut

hey!! if you think your premature i dont even have a bass or even touched one!! i am totally obsessed with bass tho and can't wait to get going!!

Get one asap!!