Where do I start!?

Andrea84 · #1 01-14-2010, 07:55 PM

This really frustrates me. As a musician, it's good to know how to play a lot of different styles, right? Where do I get started? My main influences are rock/metal but how do you go about learning jazz bass or anything else? I feel so stuck. Where do I begin?? I've been in search for a decent teacher for a good while but to no avail.
I need to learn the basics first that I know I lack-scales, getting away from TAB, I need to learn how to play in time/with a drummer. I need to know how to listen for the bass in songs. Basic stuff!

How do I put all of this together? I am so behind. Any good sites for these things? Books?

BigOldHarry · #2 01-14-2010, 08:03 PM

First thing is to start listening, to get an ear for the music. Jazz takes some time to wrap your head around and, if you're like me, your friends will give you a hard time about listening to "old folks music".

I would avoid the music that passes for jazz on many FM radio stations... "Light Jazz" - Kenny Gorlick / etc -- Go straight to the source (bird/train/miles/cannonball/etc). Learn something about it - Rent Ken Burns great PBS special on jazz - it's great.

The first CD I'd get is "kind of blue" by miles davis. Just listen to it over and over. It is one of the best jazz recordings in the genre, and there is TONS to be learned following what Paul Chambers plays on bass - it's simply brilliant - and it's not frantic or over-the-top sounding the way some bebop can be.

While you are getting your head around that, get your site-reading up to speed. To play jazz well, you should read enough to understand what you're looking at, if not play it at first sight.

I'm sure others will chime in, but that's my 2 cents.

bass_snake · #3 01-14-2010, 08:04 PM

Just listen to different types of music and play along with it by ear.

Fred

tobie · #4 01-15-2010, 01:03 AM

In addition to the previous advice, browse through some of the bass trainer online websites (thelibsterbass.com, studybass.com, adamnitti.com, playbassnow.com, cyberfretbass.com, cliffengel.com, howtoplaybass.co.uk, etc). That will identify your needs & help you plan your first steps in conquering this giant.

Oh, and stay with TB and ask questions ... and ask questions!

JimmyM · #5 01-15-2010, 01:56 AM

i find it hard to believe you can't find a good teacher in maryland. call your local college and ask for the music dept and try to get a recommendation.

kr0n · #6 01-15-2010, 01:16 PM

More you delve yourself into the music, theory, history and practice, you will realize how much more there is, theory, history and practice. It's a never ending hobby, a profession filled with incompetence and sudden Heureka moments.

If you already know what you lack, improve those things. Isn't that obvious?
Listen to the older players. There's a lot more to learn in music what you cannot teach from a tab or on a forum.
When you feel frustrated, try something completely different. When you feel you have mastered something, challenge yourself and make it more difficult. Topping yourself is a big boost for your ego and confidence is a key aspect in performing.

And above else, it's about fun. Keep it fun.

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