Just started playing bass, but the velocity and rhythm of my playing is awful

[Captain47]

I've been playing guitar for 4 years, I was never formally trained, just taught myself by using YouTube videos and other online resources.

So yesterday my first bass came in the mail (Squier VM P-Bass) and the only other time I ever played bass in my life was at GC a few weeks ago for like 20 minutes. I'm overall pretty good in the aspect that I've been playing guitar for 4 years, so I picked it up easy. But I'm still getting used to the whole physicality of the instrument.

I'm having two problems right now, I can't keep a rhythm too good on a bass, and the velocity of each note I play is just awful. There'll be loud notes then soft notes, it's just a mess. It didn't sound like too much of a problem until I was attempting to record with it and I felt embarrassed just to listen to it alone.

So how can I improve this? I got a bass not only to learn and to record with, but also because I've always had a problem with keeping rhythm on guitar (I was always just sliiiightly off), so I felt like a bass could help. All the while being a bit harder to play than guitar (Strength and dexterity-wise) so I felt like it would also help with my guitar playing.

[Zegie]

See

Emily Remler: Bebop and Swing Guitar pt.1 - YouTube

It might help. The rythym/groove/swing is around half way through.

Good luck.

Z.

[gumbynotpokey]

Play with a metronome. Play only one single note, but alternate fingers of your right hand every time. Go for accuracy, not speed. Slow the rhythm until you can play correctly, or slightly slower than your ability. Build slowly from there.

[NightTripper]

Do you like Talking Heads? If you just hate the band, then disregard this altogether.

I have learned, and continue to learn a lot of their songs. They are very rhythmic and often simple enough for a total beginner, but they have a melodic quality to them as well. They really helped me improve my timing when I was starting out.

Also, as someone said, a metronome is useful.

[Spectrum]

If you hate Talking Heads, try some AC/DC. Root notes played at dead rock steady timing. Or, as suggested, use a metronome. It might sound boring but it works.

The thing about timing and rythm is that you have to feel the groove. Imagine dancing to the song, tap your foot to it. Then make your plucking fingers do like your feet. Then when your confidence is up, add some swing to it. If you can't afford lessons, then find a friend who's got a good sense of rythm to show you.

Part of the problem also seems to be that you're not used to the bigger strings and longer stretching from fret to fret, and the extra strength needed to fret notes. This will come with practice; no other way around that. But one thing that may help is to make sure your neck and bridge are set up properly. That can be the difference between an easy-to-play bass and an unwieldy beast.

[Crazyeelboy]

Captain47- it looks like you need to work on timing in general. Do you play with a band or jam with others? Try to do that as much as possible. That will help all aspects of your playing ( ok, maybe not reading), including timing.

[mikedyermusic]

Start with playing simple scales in time with a metronome. I've been playing bass about 10 years now and I still practice my scales and finger technique daily. I made a video of part of my routine here...
Electric Bass Technique Practice - Thirds Exercise - YouTube