Beginner bassist, what should I expect?

Poetic Maggot · #1 03-21-2011, 07:14 PM

Hello guys,

I am new to these forums, but I can tell you it looks great

Oh, and I had no idea which forum to post this in, but I hope this is the right one

OK, so I am a guitarist

Been playing for about a year and am still doing it, however I also wanna pick up the bass now. I have wanted to play the bass for many years, but focused on my guitar playing. Now my playing has reached a point where I feel comfortable enough to start playing another instrument as well.

I am not in any way a bass hater. I love the bass guitar, love the tone, and I hate it when people say that bass is nothing more than a failed guitarists excuse to still be able to go up on stage and rock

But yeah, any advice you guys have for me? I play jazz, blues, rock, and metal, including modern metal. Any tips on slapping, popping, fingering, etc? Also, what are some common or not so common mistakes I should watch out for since I'm a guitarist?

Thanks!

ghostsontheroad · #2 03-21-2011, 07:18 PM

...no respect. That's what I tell any new bass player. Yeah, expect that.

azfryguy · #3 03-21-2011, 07:21 PM

Expect a life of poverty and sorrow. Seriously though I could write a book on how to play bass what to and not to do. Just look on YouTube and on Talkbass for specific answers to you question. Also if anyone tells you what you do is "wrong" tell them to shut up! If Quinton Barry can play bass like he does, i'm pretty sure there is not a "wrong way" to play bass. Hope this website is kind to you, be careful what you post though because when I first started it seemed like everyone what throw rocks at me.

MalcolmAmos · #4 03-22-2011, 06:16 AM

Coming from 6 string guitar to electric bass is a small learning curve. We do not strum the chords, we sound individual notes of the chord. Which ones? The root, five, eight and the correct 3 will play a lot of bass.

The major scale box pattern is a friend. Notes on the fretboard, cheaters?
www.studybass.com is also a friend.
Put the 3rd and 4th string to memory. http://www.guitarhangout.com/wp-cont...itar-notes.jpg
Using the box and placing the root on the 3rd string helps. Look where C-F-G and D-G-A are located, piece of cake.
Getting some generic bass lines into muscle memory helps. What's a bass line? R-5-R-5 or R-3-5-8 are two friends. http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/
http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bas...7th/exercises/
Knowing where the notes are on the fretboard helps.
How to sound the beast and how to mute the beast will be a priority.
Deciding on pick, fingers or thumb will be something you will have to work out.
Coming from 6 string you will have a tendency to fill your bass lines too full. Chord tones when laying down the beat and scales when taking lead breaks. You mentioned Metal - Just roots and changing with the chord changes works fine with Metal. If the rhythm guitar is using power cords, just roots will work great. See what Sir Paul does with just roots. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obFcsEtFIKA
Right at first you will not be getting lead breaks so concentrate on chord tones. Get your favorite generic bass lines for major chords, minor chords, dominant chords and diminished chords into muscle memory. See a chord name and pull up the bass line for that specific chord. Now that may be just roots, knowing how many of the chord's tones fit what you are playing now is half the battle, i.e should I use R-R-8-8 or R-R-3-3-5-5-6-5 your decision. http://www.smithfowler.org/music/Chord_Formulas.htm
Getting the groove going, providing a steady beat, and leading the band to the next chord change is our primary job. Chromatic run to the next chord is perhaps the easiest way to lead the band to the next chord. Target the next root note - miss it - and walk up or back to it being on the root for the 4th beat. R-5-R-5 with chromatic runs to the next chord will also play a lot of bass.
Bass Guitar for Dummies is a well written, little bit of everything book that your public library will probably have. Time well spent. The visual aids, charts, etc. are great. http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...eat-sheet.html

Ask questions here. Get some fake chord on your favorite songs and see what you can do.

Good luck.

Russell L · #5 03-22-2011, 06:30 AM

Just make sure you don't play "lead bass." No band likes that. Play the bass part, good and solid, and simple. less is often more. Work on articulation.

Poetic Maggot · #6 03-22-2011, 02:05 PM

Thanks all! That was all very helpful. And MalcolmAmos, thanks for taking the time to type all of that up, it is very helpful. You guys rock.

JimmyM · #7 03-22-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Just make sure you don't play "lead bass." No band likes that. Play the bass part, good and solid, and simple. less is often more. Work on articulation.

that all depends on what type of music you play. i've heard lead bass absolutely kill and i've heard it absolutely suck. time and a place for everything...no need to impose your tastes on everyone.

BigOldHarry · #8 03-22-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostsontheroad

...no respect. That's what I tell any new bass player. Yeah, expect that.

And leftovers. You know, "leftovers". That's what you'll get.

Ah heck, ask one of the other guys about "Leftovers". I don't have the heart to tell you...

Poetic Maggot · #9 03-22-2011, 05:39 PM

Oh dear, what is a "leftover"? ._.

taphappy · #10 03-22-2011, 05:56 PM

Hint: Bass players are the members of the band who are most commonly referred to as having a "great personality".

BigOldHarry · #11 03-22-2011, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poetic Maggot

Oh dear, what is a "leftover"? ._.

Puzzle it out, grasshopper. Puzzle it out...

SteveC · #12 03-22-2011, 06:01 PM

I met my wife playing bass. Beat out the 2 guitar players and a drummer. I'm 10+ years older than all of them -including my wife. Hardly leftovers.

BigOldHarry · #13 03-22-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveC

I met my wife playing bass. Beat out the 2 guitar players and a drummer. I'm 10+ years older than all of them -including my wife. Hardly leftovers.

To all rules, there are exceptions.

I met my ex-wife while playing bass. 'nuff said.

Poetic Maggot · #14 03-22-2011, 06:30 PM

*scratches head*

mambo4 · #15 03-23-2011, 01:57 PM

"leftovers" = leftover groupies

As for the no respect thing: my experience is that it's a bit of a myth, at least among musicians.
Some audience members don't know bass from guitar, but every group I've played in has been happy to have a bassist and quite respectful of my role in the music.
Tho friendly ribbing and jokes abound...

+1 to Malcom's post

I think the most common mistake for guitarists who "end up" on bass is a failure to grasp the true value of rhythm , including silence.
Guitar can get away with a lot more looseness in rhythm, a bass must absolutely nail the rhythm to be effective.
Guitar riffs and phrases tend to float on top of basic rhythm of a genre/style; the bass and drums pretty much define most styles.
My Advice : start learning to read rhythm: quarter , eighth and sixteenth notes as well as rests and ties -and larger groups of rhythmic phrases.
Reading is an uphill struggle (I'm still struggling) but the rhythmic awareness and precision you gain is immeasurable.

--------------healthy technique vids-----------------

HAVIC5-Safe Left HandTechnique
YouTube - Developing Safe Left Hand Technique for Bass Guitar

HAVIC5-Safe Righthand Technique
YouTube - Developing Safe Right Hand Technique for Bass Guitar

GARY WILLIS -how hard to fret:
YouTube - Gary Willis On Finger Pressure

-----------the role of bass, rhythm--------------

How Music Works Part 4 Bass
Part1: YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 1
Part2: YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 2
Part3: YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 3
Part4: YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 4
Part5: YouTube - How Music Works 4 - Bass - Part 5

How Music Works Part 2: Rhythm
Part1: YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 1
Part2: YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 2
Part3: YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 3
Part4: YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 4
Part5: YouTube - How Music Works 2 - Rhythm - Part 5

-------------------------------------------

Be sure to take everyones opinion with a grain o salt here , too (me included)

funkinbottom · #16 03-23-2011, 02:03 PM

Expect the worst and prepare for the best

kdiggity · #17 03-23-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

And leftovers. You know, "leftovers". That's what you'll get.

Ah heck, ask one of the other guys about "Leftovers". I don't have the heart to tell you...

HAHAHA

I almost spilled my beer, reading this.

Well done.

-kdiggity

HolmeBass · #18 03-23-2011, 02:54 PM

You should expect a much heavier amplifier and more expensive strings. The good news is you might not have to change your strings for quite a while, maybe even for years, depending on tonal preferences and musical style.

Poetic Maggot · #19 03-23-2011, 03:18 PM

Oh wow thanks again!!! and thanks for the explanation mambo4. And jeez, thanks for taking the time to make that large post. Cheers every1!! The info in this thread is going to be so valuable!

rtslinger · #20 03-23-2011, 03:24 PM

I think you should expect to continue to learn something new every day and accept the fact that you may never get to the level you would like to reach in your life time with that I say Welcome to the bottom where you play second fiddle to guitarist, Where you can expect little respect even from some of your follow frustrated bass players who have second thoughts about their choice of an unpopular instrument but, somehow are always draw back into the depths we all call home RTS 40+ years rocking the bottom