best way to learn the bass guitar

felixnellen · #1 08-11-2011, 04:56 PM

Hello everybody,
I just wanted to ask a few questions about learning the bass guitar. What is the best way to learn yourself how to play the bass guitar?
I read on some other threads and guides that to start off you must start off with scale books and stuff to get your fingers streched to be able to play the bass succesfully? Well i have been playing the cello for 4 years now and just wanted to know if this would also apply to me.
Last thing, Could anyone reccommend a decent bass to buy to start me off with bass guitar playing?
Thank you in advance.

WilliamSandoval · #2 08-11-2011, 04:58 PM

What music do you play?

stingraysvt · #3 08-11-2011, 05:01 PM

Coming from playing in middle school band on sax, I just picked up a bass and started playing along with cd's and found the progressions. You probably already have some books with music you can read I'd just establish a budget for how much you want to spend to get into a bass. I borrowed my bass from my dad until I could afford one.

felixnellen · #4 08-11-2011, 05:02 PM

Like on my cello?, well to be honest, theres not much to choose from when your taking lessons and stuff, I usually play classical from around the time of Henry the 8th and sometimes some folk music

CanadianBass48 · #5 08-11-2011, 05:12 PM

I would like to recommend SX basses. I wish I would have heard of them when I first was shopping for my first bass. I have owned one of their basses and I think that for the money, they are a pretty good deal.

sx bass | eBay

Here is a thread about them from talkbass. If you have anymore questions about the brand specifically then I would bring it up on one of the SX threads that are on talkbass.

SX (essex) Bass Club

I would try and find a bass similar to what your favorite bands bassist plays. This would give you more incentive to practice imo.

Then I would go to a guitar store and play fender or other basses that are similar to SX basses to see if there was anything that I liked. It is kind of hard when you have never played before to know what you want in a bass. But ya, gl and I hope you find one you like.

As far as practicing, when I first started out I went online and found tabs for what some of my favorite bands were playing. I also then joined a worship team at church as well. I am bad for practicing, honestly, but I play mostly as a hobby and just to get involved in church and to get out and meet new people and jam and just have a good time. But ya, I am bad for practicing. I just play what my favorite artist play, or try to, cause at times it is pretty tough... for me anyway.

Reaper Man · #6 08-11-2011, 05:15 PM

I'm a fan of this website among others: Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com

JeffBTZ · #7 08-11-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felixnellen

Like on my cello?, well to be honest, theres not much to choose from when your taking lessons and stuff, I usually play classical from around the time of Henry the 8th and sometimes some folk music

The biggest change for you is going to be going from an instrument tuned in 5ths to one tuned in 4ths. Other than that, you probably learned enough theory with cello to play bass rather well. Once you get YOUR technique down, it's just a matter of practice. What seems to be the best technique for one person might totally not click with you, so keep that in mind. That said, maybe you should try applying the cello fingerings to bass.

mambo4 · #8 08-11-2011, 05:31 PM

An SX Precision or Jazz copy is great for starters. If you want to spend a little more, I'd say still get a an SX and spend the money having it set up.

You can learn a lot form these forums and places like studybass, but you should realize that no amount of self-teaching can compare to seriously following lessons from a good teacher. A good teacher one on one can identify your strengths and weaknesses and help you avoid bad technique habits early. A good teacher can assess your own goals and identify the things you simply would never think of that will help get you there. If you are serious, find a teacher. Even just one or two lessons will pay off in spades when starting out.

felixnellen · #9 08-11-2011, 05:34 PM

Well thanks for all the input everyone

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffBTZ

Once you get YOUR technique down, it's just a matter of practice. What seems to be the best technique for one person might totally not click with you, so keep that in mind. That said, maybe you should try applying the cello fingerings to bass.

And just some more questions, whats do you mean with my cello fingerings to apply them to playing bass?

skychief · #10 08-11-2011, 05:37 PM

One great thing in your favor---Im not certain, but the scale length of a cello is almost identical to a short-scale bass guitar (around 32 inches???), so your left hand should be right at home on a bass.

Have you considered making the quantum leap to double-bass?? ..just asking....

felixnellen · #11 08-11-2011, 05:39 PM

I was asked to play double bass when i moved up to high school because the cello started to get to small for me and the school needed a double bass player. However, i declined because i just thought the cello was better in so many ways, but sometimes i regret not choosing the double base.

felixnellen · #12 08-12-2011, 04:32 AM

Okay so i know a decent bass to buy, How cello playing will help me with my bass playing, but can anyone tell me some of the most effect way to learn to play the bass within a band, most likely a alt rock,rock and punk band?

BassPenguin22 · #13 08-12-2011, 04:48 AM

Jaye?

felixnellen · #14 08-12-2011, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

Jaye?

?

kdiggity · #15 08-12-2011, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felixnellen

Okay so i know a decent bass to buy, How cello playing will help me with my bass playing, but can anyone tell me some of the most effect way to learn to play the bass within a band, most likely a alt rock,rock and punk band?

Check out the Study Bass site that was listed earlier in the thread, it explains a lot about the 'role' of the bass guitar in music (although that can be a whole thread in and of itself).

It'll give you an idea of where your heading when you play - at least for know, until you discover what 'your sound' and 'role' will be in a band setting.

Then, as also mentioned, start playing along to some of your favorite songs, or songs that are similar to what you plan to play. It'll help you get a feel for how other bassists handle their rhythms and sounds in a band setting. It's also a lot of fun.

Getting a teacher for a few introductory lessons isn't a bad idea, as they can help identify strengths and weaknesses (as advised by mambo4). But if that's not in the cards for you, at least read up on proper technique so that you don't develop bad habits which could cost you dearly later in life.

Coming from the cello, I imagine you might already have inherent technique covered (admittedly though, I don't really know much about the cello and it's techniques and if/how they transfer to the bass).

All of this may eventually change as you become more comfortable and discover what kind of music you want to play, and how. But at least it'll get you started. That's the most important thing: start playing, and play often.

HTH,

-K

**Matthew_84** · #16 08-12-2011, 06:37 AM

Didn't have time to read through these all, but I must say to avoid Stagg basses if you're looking for a jazz copy. I don't know anything about SXs or Squires (other than hearing good things), but I have a Stagg bass and truly, I don't think I could've bought a worse bass.

Basshoofd · #17 08-12-2011, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew_84

Didn't have time to read through these all, but I must say to avoid Stagg basses if you're looking for a jazz copy. I don't know anything about SXs or Squires (other than hearing good things), but I have a Stagg bass and truly, I don't think I could've bought a worse bass.

Right, since you have a bad one that means every Stagg is bad. My Stagg jazz bass was a great bass.

The would also recommend visiting studybass.com and start learning how the theory applies to electric bass. You probably understand basic theory already so the only thing to worry about for now is to understand the structure of the electric bass (4ths tuning instead of 5ths)

felixnellen · #18 08-12-2011, 08:06 AM

Okays thanks for all in input again everyone, Just another question. Im reading through the lessons on Studybass and im on the bit about reading bass tab and notation. I mean i can read cello notation well and i know everything there is to know and most cases, this took me 4 years of 2 lessons a week and practicing everyday to reach this level and learn all the positions on the cello and now which note it whiche. I was just wondering is it that difficult on the bass to learn where every note is?

kdiggity · #19 08-13-2011, 12:36 PM

^ Not if you study and memorize (or at least try to) the pattern. Once you get the pattern down it's really quite simple to know where any given note is. Pull up the note printer tool and it'll show you where all the notes are on each string and fret. Study that and you'll notice the pattern.

For example: on any given string, the same note is one string up (which is to say, one string closer to the 'bottom' of the bass), and seven frets up (toward pickups). Also, the same note is two strings up and two frets up (although an octave higher).

Look at the full note map on Study Bass and you'll see the pattern, then it's just a matter of learning it.

I have probably not helped at all, sorry.

I hope my explanation makes sense...

-K

felixnellen · #20 08-13-2011, 03:26 PM

Okay, that was exactly the answer i was looking for actually

Just what i needed to do to learn the bass notes and where they are, thanks very much