Brand new bass player... help please!

Rob87 · #1 08-06-2010, 02:40 PM

Hey guys,

I am new to playing the bass (bought my first one today) and was hoping for some help with learning ways to play. I have been playing the guitar for a few years so I know my way around the fretboard, i just need help with my right hand technique.

I am wanting to learn Right on Time by RHCP (Vid below, see it at 1:10). My question is, during the chorus, would you alternate the first two fingers REALLY quickly or is there some other technique i'm missing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJW8PGGYPwk

Any way to practice this?

Many thanks for any help!!

Progtastic · #2 08-06-2010, 02:45 PM

It looks like he's using the 3 finger technique. It's a little weird at first to get used to. There's a million and one videos on how to do said technique that could explain it better and faster than I could.

ThoDamned · #3 08-06-2010, 03:55 PM

he's doing some octaves at that part i belive. Like disco http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUQ6O3Cg7zw Just lots faster and different rythm.

But heck, i'm not sure. Not really familiar with RHCPs music

MalcolmAmos · #4 08-06-2010, 04:48 PM

If you just got your bass today. I'd suggest some time spent finding the notes or intervals on your fretboard. We play chord tones so finding the intervals of the chord becomes kinda important.

www.studybass.com is a good source of information.

The following is my normal cut and paste on how to use the major scale box pattern on your bass.

Good luck.

Quote:

Finding sheet music for the music I play, pop, rock and country is very easy if I use a fake chord or lead sheet format, however, finding sheet music for those styles - with the bass clef shown is hard to come by. http://www.wikifonia.org/node/6450 So I rely upon the chord name as shown on those fake chord and lead sheets and make my own bass lines from that. I use the major scale "box" as a visual aid and then relate the box to the chord tones. Chord in question is C OK what do I do with that. Well a bunch of roots (C's) will work. R-5 will work better, R-3-5-8 will work even better, however, will I need all that for this song? Good question metal will use a bunch of roots only, Country will use a bunch of R-5 with some chromatic walks to the next chord, Jazz may or may not get fancy. The bass line you end up using will normally be what you think will work best. Find the notes on your fretboard and then study how to compose a bass line next. Long journey, but a lot of fun.

Be aware - this takes you down a road governed by interval numbers i.e. R-3-5-b7 and note names become secondary. As you will not be playing by rote - theory will enter the picture, i.e. you will be given the name of a chord and you have to know what notes are in that chord. http://www.smithfowler.org/music/Chord_Formulas.htm Yes we have to know our fretboard, however, we first have to identify what we are looking for, i.e. notes or intervals. Reading standard notation you need to find the note, reading fake chord or lead sheet music you need to find the intervals that make up the chord or scale you will be playing. If that did not sink in read it again.

You will be needing this:

Back to the "box".
Major scale box with note names shown
G-|----|--A-|----|--B-|--C-|----|----|
D-|----|--E-|----|-F#-|--G-|----|----|
A-|----|--B-|--C-|----|--D-|----|----|
E-|----|-----|--G-|----|--A-|----|----|

Major scale box with interval numbers shown
G-|----|--2-|----|--3-|--4-|----|----|
D-|----|--6-|----|--7-|--8-|----|----|
A-|----|--3-|--4-|----|--5-|----|----|
E-|----|-----|-R-|----|--2-|----|----|

Key of G place the root on the E string 3rd fret.
Where is your 2? Two frets up the neck - same string.
Where is your 3? Up a string and back one fret.
Where is your 4? Up a string same fret.
Where is your 5? Up a string and over two frets.
Where is your 6? Up two strings and back one fret, over the 3.
Where is your 7? Up two strings and over one fret.
Where is your 8? Up two strings and over two frets. Right over the 5. Look how R-5-8-5 becomes a piece of cake.

Place the root then those intervals are always in the same spot within the box and the box can be moved all over your fretboard. Yes, you need to put where they are within the box to memory.

Place your Root:
G root at the 4th string 3rd fret and you have G major scale notes waiting on you.
A root at the 4th string 5th fret and you have A major scale notes waiting on you. .
B root at the 4th string 7th fret yep, same thing.
C root at the 4th string 8th fret.
D root at the 4th string 10th fret.

Or use the 3rd string for the root. Move the whole pattern up intact from the 4th string to the 3rd string.
And your intervals are in the same spots relative to the root. Plus the Root is now on the 3rd string, the 4 is right above it on the 2nd string and the 5 is right below it on the 4th string. Is that neat or what. I IV V becomes very easy. You will find that some bass lines work best with the root on the 3rd string and others work best with the root on the 4th string. Sorry too much information.....

Again -- Be aware - this takes you down a road governed by interval numbers i.e. R-3-5-b7 and note names become secondary. Which begs the question; what kind of sheet music do you use. Are you looking for note names or intervals? If notes will you use first position or tonic root/scale location?

As always, have fun.

fearceol · #5 08-07-2010, 07:37 AM

As you have just got your bass today, don't expect too much too soon. You can be sure that Flea was not able to play like that, on the day he got his first bass.

Take MalcolmAmos' advice and start at the beginning. Learn your fretboard, chords and intervals first. Try plucking with two fingers first, you can always move on to three fingers later if you wish. Trying to play more advanced material at this stage will only frustrate you.

I know you that this is not the information you were looking for, but IMO, starting at the start and being patient, will pay dividends in the long run.

Best of luck with it.

Rob87 · #6 08-07-2010, 01:12 PM

Hey guys, thanks for all the info.

As I said before, I do know the fret board quite well as I have been playing guitar for many years. It's just the right hand technique I'm struggling with as I only know how to play with a pick from the guitar. I tell you one thing, it hits the fingers hard! My right index is already blistered from popping!!

MRDOOM · #7 08-07-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob87

Hey guys, thanks for all the info.

As I said before, I do know the fret board quite well as I have been playing guitar for many years. It's just the right hand technique I'm struggling with as I only know how to play with a pick from the guitar. I tell you one thing, it hits the fingers hard! My right index is already blistered from popping!!

The blisters will go away after you've been playing for a while, and you'll be left with Calluses that are darn near bulletproof.

Icculus · #8 08-07-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob87

Hey guys, thanks for all the info.

As I said before, I do know the fret board quite well as I have been playing guitar for many years. It's just the right hand technique I'm struggling with as I only know how to play with a pick from the guitar. I tell you one thing, it hits the fingers hard! My right index is already blistered from popping!!

You could always play bass with a pick, but I'd definitely learn with the fingers and be able to use both.

MalcolmAmos · #9 08-08-2010, 07:04 AM

Taking your rhythm guitar stuff to the bass....... Put some foam or a sponge under the strings at the bridge - deadens the sustain - and gives a stand up bass sound. Then use your thumb pick and have fun.

No it's not the best way, but, it'll do. Lot of 6 string come over guys/gals use the pick. Call up some Beatles video look at what Sir Paul is doing.