I suck

[Big Ox]

When I play I can hear a noise of the strings pressing down on the fret sort of like a metal on metal sound, obviously Im doing something wrong but what?

[JacoLesFlea]

Thats not a player issue thats an instrument issue...mabey the actions off.

[PSPookie]

Is is more of a clicking sound or a buzzing sound?

Clicking can be fixed with technique and EQ. Buzzing is usually a setup issue unless you are plucking particularly hard.

[Big Ox]

Definitely a clickling sound, Im just beginning so my technique is not gonna be very good.

[dmusic148]

Don't worry- at some point, every one of us sucked....
Keep practicing, you'll get it.

[fearceol]

This should be of some help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w

[tom once dead]

when I first started, I played way too hard. Try hitting the strings a little softer and see what happens.

[lowendblues]

Try rolling off your highs a little.

[bassman_al]

fearceol, this is an excellent video for beginners! I wish I had access to it when I first started 20 years ago!

I see you are a flatwound member. I am a recent convert, and it has enabled me to finally get that tone that I have been looking for! My P-bass and J-bass both sound like the basses of my favorite bassists!

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by bassman_al

fearceol, this is an excellent video for beginners! I wish I had access to it when I first started 20 years ago!

I see you are a flatwound member. I am a recent convert, and it has enabled me to finally get that tone that I have been looking for! My P-bass and J-bass both sound like the basses of my favorite bassists!

Hi Al,

Yeah, it is a good video, and lasts for more than the average one minute, for bass instruction clips on You Tube !!

I started using flats about three years ago (TI Jazz flats), and have never looked back I do have another bass strung with rounds, but it does not get played half as much. IMO precision basses and flats were made for each other. Glad you have found your tone.