Beginning Bass Player

[JeremieJ]

I'm just learning to play bass and I wanted to ask a question to some experienced bass players. I purchased an instructional book that came with some CDs. It's pretty good, but I'm wondering if it’s better to just get some tabs and start trying to play them. I did play guitar for a bit and learned a few songs through tablatures, but never got to the point where I could just jam.

I really enjoy playing the bass, but I don't want to end up like I did with the guitar. I have been thinking about lessons, but not right now since money is tight with the holidays and all. I'm just wondering if anyone recommends any material whether it be videos/website/books that will benefit a beginning bass player. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated!

[Johnny StingRay]

Try www.carolkaye.com and go to her catalog. Order her learning to play bass stuff. It is inexpensive and a great way to start. She will get you started in the right direction and playing quickly. She has good materials for learning how to read easily, she hates tabs, so do I!!! And you will learn some good theory, too. But look into other things, too. All I know is that she teaches bass the right way and she will give you a solid foundation to work from.
Wishing you success and Merry Christmas, Johnny StingRay

[JeremieJ]

Thank you Johnny!! I am going to check her out right away. I was watching YouTube videos of Wooten, Claypool, Bootsy, and Jaco all day at work hehe. I'm really excited and ready to learn some bass!

[Basshappi]

Congrats and welcome to the wide world of bass!

IMHO tabs can be a useful tool, but you will be better served by developing your ear and learning standard notation. It's worth spending a part of each practice session working through a method book or some other structured material (Carol Kaye's site is a good suggestion and as a former student of Ed Friedland I would recommend his "Building Walking Basslines" books as well.) A remember to keep it fun! Put on your favorite CD's and try picking out the basslines by ear. There are even devices and software programs that will allow you to slow songs down without changing the pitch, these make it easier.

Definitely get yourself a metronome or even better a simple drum machine. This will not only help you to develop a better sense of timekeeping but it's a lot of fun to just jam with the various programs as well as learning to program your own beats.

When you can afford it, find a good BASS teacher even if you can only take lessons for a few weeks or months you will learn alot and a teacher can help you to avoid bad habits and improve your technique.

Above all try to jam with other musicians, especially those more skilled than you. You'll be surprised how quickly you will improve when you do.

Have fun, and all the best!


Cheers!