chris, i started playing bass about a year ago. since i was already a piano player and know a lot of theory, it came fairly quickly to me. nonetheless, i latched on to a few excellent books which really accelerated things for me.
try glenn letsch, "bass for beginners". very clear explanations of scales and theory, etc. (see amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bass-Beginners...964158-7110365). concentrate on chords as well. you would be surprised how many notes in songs focus around the root, fifth and octave, as well as the notes of the major 7th, dominant 7 and minor 7 chords. if you know these, you will be able to play notes in almost any key that sound decent, even if you don't know the natural minor scale for example.
if you really want to be strong playing in different keys, repeat a certain chord or scale all the way around the circle of fifths. you will become a master of transposition and never be intimidated by playing something in a new key.
there is no fast way to learn this stuff. just a lot of daily repetition. but if you stick to it, it will surely develop. i have a daily routine where i make myself do some theory before i just start playing the songs i like. this is probably a good habit as well.
by the way, there is nothing like a good teacher. get someone who knows jazz, they are generally strongest on theory. i have played all kinds of music, but jazz is the most demanding. maybe you live somewhere near a music school, try to get a student in his / her 3rd or 4th year, much cheaper than a professional and you will still learn a lot.
good luck. basskopf
