Considering a bass guitar

Txranger · #1 02-16-2011, 10:20 PM

I am considering getting a bass guitar - I have very limited musical experience/knowledge, and my problem is this: I work out of town and would only be able to practice 3 days a week (my three days off are together.) Am I going down a path that is too much to handle considering my limited time?
Thanks for any input/advice.

Muzoid · #2 02-16-2011, 10:23 PM

Any Bass time...is time well spent.

Go for it!

MalcolmAmos · #3 02-17-2011, 06:10 AM

Take the bass with you. You do not need to amp up to practice. Even if you can not take the bass on your business trips use the time in the motel to learn about music. Costs very little to give it a try.

Have fun.

HosMan · #4 02-18-2011, 02:19 AM

I agree with MalcolmAmos and Muzoid on this one,Txranger, and think that you will be surprised at just how many little "hidden" practice opportunties that will present themselves--even during the workday or out-of-town business.

You will be surprised at just how much useful and positive practice can be crammed into even a 5 or 10 minute "mini-practice" session.Especially for us beginners,Txranger,since you`re often learning more from less (i.e. correct hand/wrist technique,becoming familiar with the instrument,correct posture,etc.).I honestly believe that each and every time you pick up,hold,fret etc. you become a little bit more familar and comfortable with your instrument.I`ve also found that a productive 5-10min. episode can be some insane motivation for you to practice/play even more and makes you think bass.

Heck! Even at 3x per week of decent practicing you can make some excellent progress,my friend,so don`t even fret about that.

Best of luck to you!
HosMan

primesuspect · #5 02-18-2011, 02:23 AM

Three days a week is quite a good amount of practice for a beginner. It'll be fine!

AcidFripp · #6 02-18-2011, 07:52 PM

I'd say go for it!
Maybe get an acoustic/electric bass so you don't ALWAYS have to have an amplifier with you, but can still choose to use one! That might work rather well!

FretlessMainly · #7 02-18-2011, 08:10 PM

Looking at things objectively, you'll likely not regularly play the bass all three of your days off, but as has been said, any bass time is good. Do you fly for work or drive and stay in a hotel/motel? A good 60% of my rehearsal is unplugged, which you can do anywhere you can get the bass.

Another option is a Fender Ashbory bass, which is portable, but is fretless (I think they all are), so that's an extra hurdle. But, with no preconceived notions about bass, you may never know what you're missing with those dratted metal bars folks put on their bass fingerboards.

You could probably come up with a multitude of reasons not to play bass, or obstacles to learning, but there's only one question to ask yourself:

Do you want to do it? If so, do it.

centrefold · #8 02-19-2011, 02:09 AM

Another big thing is that - like others here will tell you - playing too much as a begginer can actually hurt you. Your technique isn't 100% and your body isn't used to doing repetitive motions, something you'll do with guitar. At first this will be a benefit in case you LOVE it you won't over do it for the most part.

3 Times a week is great. I say go for it as it is a very fun instrument to play.

PrinceJ · #9 02-19-2011, 07:48 PM

Yea, I feel your pain, I take my bass with me to school, to work, and when I hang out with friends. Because sometimes I have to just sit somewhere and wait, I just take out bass and start practicing, Been playing for 3 weeks now and I just learned the bass line that got me into playing bass.

Waterpilot · #10 02-19-2011, 08:47 PM

I would! Everything takes a little time and practice so just make sure your goals are realistic with the time you're able to spend practicing.

Ben Wilkie · #11 02-20-2011, 03:58 AM

Go for it!

They say you shouldn't play much more than half an hour a day at most to begin with. Even if you have twenty minutes to spare on your three days off, that's enough to improve steadily.

If you go down to a local music store, or get onto an online store like Musicians Friend, you can get yourself kitted out with a decent starter bass and a small practice amplifier for a (usually) very reasonable price. Many of the big brands do starter packages, with a bass, amp, picks, leads, strap, and sometimes an instructional book. Look out for Squier and Ibanez beginner packs - I can't see anyone disagreeing with me in saying they are both very reliable brands for a beginning bass player.

If you catch the bass-bug and want to take your bass away with you, there are many options, including these great little boxes that you plug into your bass that enable you to then plug headphones in and play. They're made by Vox. Most practice amplifiers come with a headphone output, too. Otherwise, practice without an amp - I used to do a lot of practice acoustically, without the aid of an amplifier.

Good luck and have fun!

Calamity_John · #12 02-20-2011, 08:09 PM

the taking the bass with you idea is good .. especially for a beginner I think often consistency (nearly every day) is far more important than hours ..

fdeck · #13 02-20-2011, 08:43 PM

Go for it. Practice unplugged. An electric bass will produce a surprising amount of acoustic sound by itself. I practiced that way for years while in college, to avoid annoying my house mates.

If you're taking it on the road a lot, I suggest making sure you keep it well concealed when it's in your car.

Txranger · #14 02-21-2011, 10:14 PM

Well, I went ahead and got an Ibanez starter pack used. So I practiced with it this past weekend and am looking forward to learing and playing this instrument. I do have to leave it home, but thats okay because my 14 yr old is going to play it also. He alread knows guitar so he is already enjoying the bass. Thanks for all the advice/encouragement!

shadow_FIX · #15 02-25-2011, 01:51 PM

Keep an eye on that 14 year old. He may find that he gets more gigs on bass...and might end up jimmyjacking your gear! You have been warned!

Stumbo · #16 02-26-2011, 07:11 PM

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Billnc · #17 02-26-2011, 07:50 PM

I'd concentrate on the blues. The genre is relatively easy, can be a lot of fun and does not require the hours of practice jazz, fusion etc do. Keep it simple and you'll soon be playing with others. The beauty of bass is many CAN play it. Virtuosity is as difficult as any other instrument, but lets face it, our lines can sometimes be simple even while a virtuoso is wailing away on a country tune or rock thing on another instrument.

kr0n · #18 02-27-2011, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Txranger

Well, I went ahead and got an Ibanez starter pack used. So I practiced with it this past weekend and am looking forward to learing and playing this instrument. I do have to leave it home, but thats okay because my 14 yr old is going to play it also. He alread knows guitar so he is already enjoying the bass. Thanks for all the advice/encouragement!

Yeah, nice! Remember to have fun after the tedious woodshedding and remember, advancement comes in jumps... suddenly you realize you actually know how to play!

AcidFripp · #19 02-27-2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billnc

Virtuosity is as difficult as any other instrument, but lets face it, our lines can sometimes be simple even while a virtuoso is wailing away on a country tune or rock thing on another instrument.

Yeah, but they wouldn't be able to wail away if we weren't their to support them along the way! No way their wailing would sound as good if we weren't playing well to back it.

HosMan · #20 03-02-2011, 09:31 AM

Very cool,Txranger! That is what I started on 11/12 yrs ago.It was the Ibanez Rumble Pack and had a GSR190/200,anemic 15watt amp,strap,cord and vhs tape.

You`ll soon learn just how LOUD a piddling 15watts can be,Txranger,when in the hands of a teenager! LOL

Cool!