Beginner help

[HeCouldBeBrian]

Hi everyone, I've been a "bass player" for almost 3 hours now. I've wanted to pick up an instrument for a while and the bass seemed appealing. It seemed easy to pick up and I like the sound of it.

Now that I have my bass (here it is - http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ack?sku=516149)
I'm wondering what to do next. I have no idea what to do. I don't read music and don't plan on learning. I'd like to play by tab.

What do you guys recommend I do now? Are there any drills or exercises I should do for practice? Are there any easy basslines I could start to play? What songs are easy to play for beginners?

Any advice is welcome, thanks a lot.

[Infernal Affair]

Look for a teacher and get a couple lessons. It may seem expensive, but if you've already spent some money on a bass then it's the logical next step if you don't know what you're doing yet. You don't have to get regular lessons either. Just one or two to start off and if you really like it continue with lessons.

If you're really adamant about teaching yourself then there's a few books I could recommend like the Hal Leonard Bass Method Complete Collection, but a good teacher will save you way more time in the long run and correct any bad technique. They'll also show you how to read music. Tab is extremely easy to read, but it has big disadvantages, especially since there are many poorly tabbed songs.

But if you want to do something right now, find a song that you really like with a simple bass line and go learn it using your ears and tab if you so wish. Make sure to tune your bass correctly first. Some of the first songs I ever learned were U2 songs, not just because I liked them but because they were easy for a beginner to play.

[onlyclave]

Gratz on your new toy. They're a lot of fun. I play mine all of the time.

Let me give you a preview of what you are going to see in response to your post:

Learn modes
learn arpeggios
learn the circle of fifths
learn modes
learn theory
learn modes
learn major, minor, pentatonic, blues scales
learn your modes
and learn the circle of fifths.

And I would like to say very loudly right now: "SCREW THAT ADVICE".

You just got your new bass and you want to have some fun? I bet you have a favorite CD or radio station. Turn it on, grab your bass and just make some noise along with it. Play the wrong notes. Play out of tune. Who cares?

Then, go down to Barnes and Noble or Borders or whatever and see if you can find a book called "Bass Guitar for Dummies". It's great. It will show you the most basic concepts like what the parts are called, how to tune it, how to wear it with a strap.

Next, turn the radio back on a jam out for a while longer.

Then, go find a teacher. If there is a music store around there I'm sure they have a guy that teaches. Take a few lessons with him, practice religiously what he tells you to do and then don't forget to jam along with the radio and CDs.

I'm going to get flamed to death for this post, but you need to experiment, play around, get some sore fingers and have a good time. Rome was not built in a day so there is no big hurry to memorize all of the scales in the Bass Grimoire.


PM me if you want some pointers.

[doubledog8]

well, I'm probably not the best one to offer advice, as I've been playing only about 4 weeks, but here's my .02...
start taking lessons. I've been taking them since I started, and I believe I've progressed more than I would've otherwise.
even if you don't plan on learning to read music, learn the fingerboard, what notes are where, etc. That has also helped me.
While I don't exactly have an extensive repertoire at this point, here are few songs I found fairly simple to learn:

Comfortably Numb-Pink Floyd
Money-Pink Floyd
Free Falling-Tom Petty
Into the Great Wide Open-Tom Petty
Come Together-Beatles

Good luck

[JehuJava]

Ah...the good ol' days.

Honestly, I say have fun with the new bass for a while. Figure out what kind of crazy sounds it can make. Create weird noises and notes. When I got my first bass, was probably THE most creative and expressive I've ever been. I had no rules at all to follow. I long to achieve that freedom I once had.

When YOU feel your ready (and by this I mean ready to accept all the things the instructor will tell you that will seem dumb) get a teacher. You have to want that though. I'm glad I waited a long while before I got one. Because when I was ready...I was ready. I knew what I wanted and knew how to work with my teacher.

In the mean time just create.

However, google left hand finger permutation exercises. This will at least get your fretting hand in shape. Find some picking hand exercises on the web too...there are a ton of 'em.


***Massive Disclaimer***
Although I waited for instruction, my learning curve was much steaper and I had to unlearn some bad habits. This is just an alternative option and may or may not be the right option for you.

Have fun
Alan

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Then, go down to Barnes and Noble or Borders or whatever and see if you can find a book called "Bass Guitar for Dummies". It's great. It will show you the most basic concepts like what the parts are called, how to tune it, how to wear it with a strap.

+1

Patrick Pfeiffer (the author) is my instructor. Bad ass player and very very knowledgeable. I mean, he has ways of making me understand what the hell I'm doing and why. Many of my lessons are in that book.

Alan

[billm]

+1 on all the suggestions to find a teacher. Even if you only go once a month, you'll still advance faster than you will on your own. A good teacher will spot problems with your technique and help you correct them before they can become permanent.

Also, don't avoid learning to read music. It's not that hard, and it will make learning new material a lot easier in the future. Practice a few minutes a day and it won't be long before you begin to feel comfortable reading.

billm

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Gratz on your new toy. They're a lot of fun. I play mine all of the time.

Let me give you a preview of what you are going to see in response to your post:

Learn modes
learn arpeggios
learn the circle of fifths
learn modes
learn theory
learn modes
learn major, minor, pentatonic, blues scales
learn your modes
and learn the circle of fifths.

And I would like to say very loudly right now: "SCREW THAT ADVICE".

You just got your new bass and you want to have some fun? I bet you have a favorite CD or radio station. Turn it on, grab your bass and just make some noise along with it. Play the wrong notes. Play out of tune. Who cares?

Then, go down to Barnes and Noble or Borders or whatever and see if you can find a book called "Bass Guitar for Dummies". It's great. It will show you the most basic concepts like what the parts are called, how to tune it, how to wear it with a strap.

Next, turn the radio back on a jam out for a while longer.

Then, go find a teacher. If there is a music store around there I'm sure they have a guy that teaches. Take a few lessons with him, practice religiously what he tells you to do and then don't forget to jam along with the radio and CDs.

I'm going to get flamed to death for this post, but you need to experiment, play around, get some sore fingers and have a good time. Rome was not built in a day so there is no big hurry to memorize all of the scales in the Bass Grimoire.


PM me if you want some pointers.

What a genius. Not only do you disrespect people that obviously know better than you, you also give bad advice to people that don't know any better. Keep it up slim. [edit] Let me also take this opportunity to point out an irony here. "Mutediety, you need to resign yourself to the fact that everyone on this post disagrees with you, because they are a small sample of the entire population that disagrees with you." Sound familiar? Ironic how when the shoe is on the other foot popular opinion isn't so important after all, isn't it?

To the OP, I suggest you ignore bad advice like this. If you want to play well get some instruction and learn some relative theory and technique from someone who knows what they are talking about. I also suggest that the last person you should consult is onlyclave.

[HeCouldBeBrian]

Thanks a lot for all the advice. I played along with my brother last night. He's been playing guitar for about 4 months. I just played the at the same speed at the guitar part, and i enjoyed myself. I'm going to look into getting a teacher and also the book "Bass Guitar For Dummies." I'll be sure to try to play some of those songs also.

[Theband]

I would take lessons for sure, everyone needs direction and a teacher can help me staying on track. Try to find some techniques on youtube.com look up victor wooten, larry graham, dave crigger, billy sheehan, mark king, flea, Alexis Sklarevski

[Infernal Affair]

Originally Posted by mutedeity

To the OP, I suggest you ignore bad advice like this. If you want to play well get some instruction and learn some relative theory and technique from someone who knows what they are talking about. I also suggest that the last person you should consult is onlyclave.

I don't think it's bad advice at all. I see several posts in threads that just say "learn theory" when they aren't really receptive to the person, as if theory is going to magically work for them. It just seems like the default answer. When you started out on bass what is the first thing you wanted to do? Play songs of course, not sing intervals or know what an Aeolian mode is.

Of course it's great to learn theory and it will help you in the long run. However, it's a very steep area for an absolute beginner to get into without instruction from a teacher. It becomes VERY frustrating since the rewards are not all that apparent. What's the point of learning theory if you don't even know how to hold a bass and pluck the strings correctly?

You have to learn how to walk before you can run.

[DocBop]

Got some Blues CD's and play alone. Progressions are simple so you can easlly find the roots and get the feel for playing along with the changes. The many have simple bass lines to start working on figuring them out and playing along. Start focusing on listening to the drums and locking in with the beat. Blues is a lot of fun to play and offers a lot to learn. Also easy to find others to jam with on Blues.

Learning Blues will lay a solid foundation to build on no matter what style you like.

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

I don't think it's bad advice at all. I see several posts in threads that just say "learn theory" when they aren't really receptive to the person, as if theory is going to magically work for them. It just seems like the default answer. When you started out on bass what is the first thing you wanted to do? Play songs of course, not sing intervals or know what an Aeolian mode is.

Of course it's great to learn theory and it will help you in the long run. However, it's a very steep area for an absolute beginner to get into without instruction from a teacher. It becomes VERY frustrating since the rewards are not all that apparent. What's the point of learning theory if you don't even know how to hold a bass and pluck the strings correctly?

You have to learn how to walk before you can run.

I agree. I'd say there very few bassists who, after buying their guitar, arrive home from the shop and open a book on modes.


I assume "onlyclave" meant "screw that advice" at this stage. I dont think anyone would deny the benefits of learning theory.

[basskababble]

All things considered, learn songs you really like. Take a band you like very much. Say it's Rage, or RHCP, or whoever. Go out and find posts or websites praising that bassist. I just found some stuff on here praising Interpol's bassist (a band I really like). You can start to appreciate what makes the music that bassist wrote great, and what they add to the songs you like so much. Learn the songs. Once you know the song start to fiddle with it and be creative. If you're going to learn theory, it's much more rewarding to learn the theory behind a particular song. try to get a hold of comprehensive tabs (usually guitarpro tabs) that have the music notation written above the tab as well. Watch for key changes and look at the notes. Try to hear the chord changes (your brother might help you with that since guitar in popular music tends to be more chord driven). I'm a guitarist/keyboardist settling on bass. It's a diferent mentality to be thinking half percussion and one note at a time. You're fortunate to start out with that mentality. It would be really good for you to be able to hear the chord/scale you're playing in (even if you're covering a song)...

^^^^I think the above may be a happy medium between all these disagreeing advisers. Learn songs and then learn the theory behind them. If you don't like learning songs, play C and D's with your brother all day until you can write something you like. (or your ears like) then go back and try to find the reasoning behind what you just made up. You'll find that your ear knows music theory. Theory is just a formulaic approach to define what your ear wants to hear. Once you know theory you can break those rules, but until then train your fingers, ears, then your brain... in that order.

Here are some links that have helped me out in the past couple weeks:

Find your favorite song: (shoot for 4+rated tabs to make sure it's right)
http://www.911tabs.com/

Chrods/Triads (you can read the first very helpful few pages for free)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0793...pt#reader-link

[eedre]

You need an instructor to teach you how to play a bass.

From there, it really depends on your goals. Ask yourself that question first. (Why do you want to play the bass?)

[shooter]

Take a look here. .

http://www.studybass.com/

This will progress you immediately. This guy is a great teacher (communicator) and he puts the stuff into an easy to learn context thru this well constructed website..

I believe that you have to do all sorts of stuff to learn the bass (I am a learner)... and you need to find what works for you.

I think there are three definite things needed : effort, discipline and patience. (and dont expect it to be too easy)

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

I don't think it's bad advice at all. I see several posts in threads that just say "learn theory" when they aren't really receptive to the person, as if theory is going to magically work for them. It just seems like the default answer. When you started out on bass what is the first thing you wanted to do? Play songs of course, not sing intervals or know what an Aeolian mode is.

Of course it's great to learn theory and it will help you in the long run. However, it's a very steep area for an absolute beginner to get into without instruction from a teacher. It becomes VERY frustrating since the rewards are not all that apparent. What's the point of learning theory if you don't even know how to hold a bass and pluck the strings correctly?

You have to learn how to walk before you can run.

+1

It's all about having fun and enjoying and exploring your new instrument. Once you see that it's fun, you can decide how to procede after that. Maybe lessons is not how you want to go, especially if they push you away from your instrument. You'll get a better feel after a little bit of playing. Plenty of info on the internet to get you the basics to begin.

I don't want you to think that I think lessons are a bad idea either, just get to know what YOU want to know about the instrument first.

Alan

[JehuJava]

Originally Posted by eedre

You need an instructor to teach you how to play a bass.

From there, it really depends on your goals. Ask yourself that question first. (Why do you want to play the bass?)

I strongly disagree.

You only need an instructor to teach you how to play the bass profieciently as it generally accepted.

Maybe he'll develop some new technique that everyone adopts because of his lack of "instruction." Don't forget the multitudes of self-taught bassists out there. While they may never be able to sit in on a jazz jam session, but they can rock the hell out of some pop-punk...and that's what the kids like. I rarely see the hip high school kids go, "Damn, did you see that guy play that superimposed G9 arppegio in quarter note triplets!"

Alan

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by Infernal Affair

I don't think it's bad advice at all. I see several posts in threads that just say "learn theory" when they aren't really receptive to the person, as if theory is going to magically work for them. It just seems like the default answer. When you started out on bass what is the first thing you wanted to do? Play songs of course, not sing intervals or know what an Aeolian mode is.

Of course it's great to learn theory and it will help you in the long run. However, it's a very steep area for an absolute beginner to get into without instruction from a teacher. It becomes VERY frustrating since the rewards are not all that apparent. What's the point of learning theory if you don't even know how to hold a bass and pluck the strings correctly?

You have to learn how to walk before you can run.

Put in those terms, I agree. On the other hand you have to look at it from a begginer's point of view, which is how I evaluated it as advice. Imagine someone who has been told to "screw" the advice given to them to learn modes scales and so on going to a teacher and that teacher starts by teaching them a scale and trying to explain how it modulates. This is a very basic and fundamental concept in teaching music. Now, whether they have been told to "screw" learning "the" modes verbatim rather than learning about modality as a concept might make no difference at all. The doubt about the value of learning anything to do with modes and so on has already been planted in the mind of that student, which could cause them to doubt the value of the instruction they receive.

Personally, I agree that it's pointless learning a bunch of scales and triads and so on without understanding the context and concepts behind them.

I also thought it was worth pointing out the ironic attitude onlyclave has to popular opinion.

[mutedeity]

Originally Posted by JehuJava

I strongly disagree.

You only need an instructor to teach you how to play the bass profieciently as it generally accepted.

Maybe he'll develop some new technique that everyone adopts because of his lack of "instruction." Don't forget the multitudes of self-taught bassists out there. While they may never be able to sit in on a jazz jam session, but they can rock the hell out of some pop-punk...and that's what the kids like. I rarely see the hip high school kids go, "Damn, did you see that guy play that superimposed G9 arppegio in quarter note triplets!"

Alan

I think it depends a lot on what the person wants to learn. It's not absolutely necessary to get a teacher, I agree. It is also possible to reach whatever level you want to without a teacher. Usually though, this will mean that you take longer to get to where you want to, since a good teacher can make some concepts more obvious to you that would otherwise take you a while to understand.

Getting a good teacher, who you are comfortable with is the key, though.