UpComing Bassist Alot of Questions !

[MNRJ]

I've been playing bass for a month now, and not sounding cocky, my teacher does say i play much better than the sixthformers that have been playing for a while now.
=]

ive jus started out playing bass now. i'd say a month give or take.
i've now started to take it much more seriously than i did before, as i have decided i want to become a music teacher when I fininsh A Levels Uni etc.
My questions are :

When reading music unlike tabs, how do i know whihc fret to play on as in number ... ? This is because i get the concept of the letters of the musical alphabet, but which frets are supposed to be played .. ?
Also i've bought a wesfield bass guitar which i want to upgrade to. which bass would suit me, i like all the funky jazz stuff. not much of a rocker, more of someone who plays Jamerson Basslines. A P bass or J bass ?
Also which one would be better if bought Squire Bass or Jaguar Bass ... ?
Im looking for something cheap around 200 quid the most

Lastly, how would i improvise to my favourite basslines. i mean ive learnt major minor pentatonic and arpeggios now. i wonder how to improvise PROPERLY. this is becuasue when i play i do add my own things in and they do sound great but i want to know do i have to follow the major or minor scale or something like that ?

Thanks Guys

[WMV2]

Each fret is a note (E F F#) etc.

Either bass would work, play them both then decide. I, myself, am a P bass fan, but it is all subjective to what you want out of your instrument.

Again, the jag vs the squire is relative too. Play them both and get whatever bass speaks to you. Play as many basses as you can, chances are it might not even be one of your main choices, but you will find "the" bass.

And hey, don't get caught up on all the technical music stuff, at the end of the day if it sounds good, it is good. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[MNRJ]

i know each one is a musical note, but on the e string there is an A and also on the g string there is an A so how do u recognise where to play as in in the middle or futher up the fretboard. ?

[tangentmusic]

Play the note/fret that is easiest to get to your next note/fret in the scale.
Chose higher or lower octave, depending on the groove or run you're on. Use your ears as much as your eyes 'n hands

[Deathblade Eric]

Originally Posted by MNRJ

i know each one is a musical note, but on the e string there is an A and also on the g string there is an A so how do u recognise where to play as in in the middle or futher up the fretboard. ?

Well, for starters those two As are an octave apart, so the notation will tell you which one you need.

However... if it's the higher one, that occurs four times on the neck (E-17, A-12, D-7 & G-2). Which one of those four you actually need will be dictated by what notes precede & follow it. e.g if it was followed by a high D, then that would rule out the instance on the G string & probably the one on the E as well.

From your OP, it sounds like a Jazz Bass is in your future at some point, but I'd stick with the Westy for the moment 'til you've got the basics sorted.

As to the Future... Teaching can be a great job, but it's one that I classify as a 'Vocation' - i.e. some people are born to it & not everyone can teach. A key ingredient isn't a formal qualification, or a load of book-learning but actual hands-on experience of being a musician. Qualifications are really only important if you want to teach in the public sector; in the private sector it's less of an issue, but experience in writing, recording and performance really are essential, along with the ability to get the concepts across to a student. That last point is the hardest.

Have a back-up plan (Business Studies, CompTIA, Accountancy or whatever) as well. The more things you can do, the better placed you'll be.

FWIW, personally I wouldn't even think of using a tutor under the age of 30 (or thereabouts) as I'd harbour doubts about their knowledge.

Pete.

[JimmyM]

the beauty of notation is YOU choose where to put your fingers. as long as you hit the right note, it really doesn't matter. with a little practice, you'll learn how to recognize where best to put your fingers to play certain passages. but for now, don't worry about it.

[solutionbassist]

On the improvising note, music teachers will make it sound really difficult, but it's really not. When given chords, you can play any notes as long as you fit them within the chord. If you want a note that's not in the chord, do a hammer-on or a pull-off to one that is. If you are playing jazz walking-style bass lines, don't forget a leading tone [a note one half step (one fret above or below) the note you are going to.] And another note that is good to know for all styles, start every new chord with the root so the band knows whats going on. As for improvising properly, remind yourself that if you are following a list of rules and constraints, you aren't improvising. Play something that fits, doesn't confuse the band, and sounds good, and your done.