Beginning bass - can you start with punk?

futbol1097 · #1 02-21-2007, 02:27 PM

I play some guitar and am picking up the bass for the first time. I already have a bass (Schecter Elite-4) to practice on. I'm hoping to play predominantly punk-style bass and was wondering if there are beginner learning resources out there (instructional DVD's or the like) that teach that style of playing? I definitely need something for beginners though since I will need help on the basics of playing bass guitar. Should I start with a generic "Bass guitar 101" video/book and then gravitate to punk/ska later on, or can I start on punk right away? Any learning resource recommendations would be greatly appreciated

- Reid

the_fonz · #2 02-21-2007, 03:10 PM

i think the whole point of punk music is going against the grain and rejecting what you're taught. so i kinda think punk lessons are oxymoronic

Tony G · #3 02-21-2007, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futbol1097

I play some guitar and am picking up the bass for the first time. I already have a bass (Schecter Elite-4) to practice on. I'm hoping to play predominantly punk-style bass and was wondering if there are beginner learning resources out there (instructional DVD's or the like) that teach that style of playing? I definitely need something for beginners though since I will need help on the basics of playing bass guitar. Should I start with a generic "Bass guitar 101" video/book and then gravitate to punk/ska later on, or can I start on punk right away? Any learning resource recommendations would be greatly appreciated

- Reid

You answered your own question as far as I'm concerned. It doesn't matter what style of music you want to play. Just learn the basic proper technique and fundamentals of playing bass and have fun playing whatever style of music you want.

Silver Hammer · #4 02-21-2007, 03:15 PM

Also a lot of punk is just repeated root notes played with a pick (not all though there are definitely finger style players and bands with more complex bass lines) so if thats the kind of punk you want to play all you really need to know is guitar basics (which I'm guessing you know) and some stage presence.

Ostinato · #5 02-21-2007, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_fonz

i think the whole point of punk music is going against the grain and rejecting what you're taught. so i kinda think punk lessons are oxymoronic

Punk DVDs...what would be some good tpoics?

Bleeding Blisters and what to doabout them
How to Play Diagonally With a Pick
Strap adjustment
Knife Carving 101

spindizzy · #6 02-21-2007, 03:19 PM

Ostinato - Don't forget:

Broken glass (walking on, rolling in and digestion)

futbol1097 · #7 02-21-2007, 04:21 PM

Thanks for the help. Sounds like I need to start with the basics first. Anyone know any good DVD's to start out with? I did some quick research on Musican's Friend and came across these two - ever heard of these?

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...DVD?sku=946519
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...DVD?sku=941559
http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-M...129167-8754429

Robynator · #8 02-22-2007, 12:13 AM

I started by learning punk--with my friend's brother's P-Bass and a bunch of Social Distortion cds. Listen to your favorite bands and start trying to play along. I'm willing to bet the majority of well-known punk bassists haven't had lessons and have managed just fine. If you want to take lessons, however, there's no problem with that either.

mkettner · #9 02-24-2007, 07:03 PM

You can pretty much start where you want to start and where you need to start. That is the great thing about bass, easy to pick up challenging to master.

BassJunkie730 · #10 02-27-2007, 02:35 PM

I recommend listening to reggae then when comfortable double or triple the time of what you know. - That'll get you where you want to be.

powellmacaque · #11 03-04-2007, 07:01 PM

I play a lot of reggae, punk, ska, hardcore, and the likes. I started out actually playing a lot of 80s rock and Goldfinger... BUT in my opinion, you should really start learning your basic blues lines, because punk is VERY blues-riff orientated (just like any other kind of rock). Don't believe me? Listen to "Journey to the End of Eastbay" by Rancid... that is a common blues intro (Matt Freeman is probably THE best punk bassist in todays music, and in my opinion, he could even stand up to Flea, listen to Maxwell Murder)...

cowsgomoo · #12 03-05-2007, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by futbol1097

I play some guitar and am picking up the bass for the first time. I already have a bass (Schecter Elite-4) to practice on. I'm hoping to play predominantly punk-style bass and was wondering if there are beginner learning resources out there

your best learning resources are your favorite punk rock records, your bass and your ear... play em loud and play along to them working out what's going on (often, not much

)

sitting down with a book and reading about how to play any sort of music is a bit like reading how to ski... you might get some good pointers but the real learning is when you actually go and DO it.. especially with something as basic as punk rock music

eedre · #13 03-07-2007, 06:56 PM

you know guitar, so you know your scales. That's about all you need to know theory-wise for punk (i know i played it for years). There is a certain wrist oscillation that works great when playing with a pick -- see if you can find some live video clips of Alkaline Trio's Dan Adriano. Picking on a bass is so much different than a guitar, so seriously -- don't play it like one. The play style is almost all in the wrist versus full arm "rock out" -slamming on power chords on a guitar. Also, make sure the bass rests on your lower abdomen or higher... waist level is usually too low for most bassists to take advantage of the neck length (it's longer than a guitar you know).
Picks: medium stiffness to rigid.... floppy picks don't last long or strike the string with enough force.

You can play with your fingers too -- which is challenging and a lot more fun imo. The tone is not as "punkish" but the speed at which you can hit notes and mobility up and down the fingerboard is so much better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

(Matt Freeman is probably THE best punk bassist.....

Maxwell Murder is always a fun one to play.... I've given up picking out his solo though.... I just make my own up every time I play it hahah

MammaryVest · #14 03-09-2007, 12:50 PM

I've never really come across a bass teacher who was one-hundred percent willing to teach you what you want to learn, and nothing else. Especially if what you want to learn is punk. The best way to learn is by listening to and watching videos on youtube of all the best punk bands. I mean the REAL punk bands, not like Rancid and Greenday, and Good Charlette. I'm talking about Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Black Flag, SSD, Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags, and T.S.O.L. All you really have to do is just "soak up" the sound and style of bands like them, and you'll be golden.

Jeramaya · #15 03-09-2007, 06:19 PM

I'd also recommend expanding out a bit, too, and learning some stuff from bands like Gang of Four, early Wire, NoMeansNo, the Minutemen, the Ex, and Joy Division. Punk music can be basic and it usually hits you in the gut, but it *can* be musical and the boundaries should be stretched. Play it like you're trying to escape from your own body. DVD's are not going to really help with playing punk bass, since punk has everything to do with DIY. Develop your own style, right? At least that's the way I look at it.

jsbass · #16 03-09-2007, 09:02 PM

Don't just learn punk... I can't stress this enough. Try to also dip into other styles of music -- beleive me it will help you in the long run, you will learn so much more by being open to many different styles.