Going self-taught....what has worked or not for you?

scottder · #1 10-11-2007, 06:01 PM

I am going the self-taught route for learning to play bass, this comes from my personal situation (read time and my work hours).

Yes, lessons would be great, but for now that isn't happening for me.

So my questions for other who have gone this way, what has worked for you. Which Books/DVDs/Websites have you found helpful. Also, what hasn't worked for you, what pitfalls are there to going this way (outside the usual ones of falling into bad habits that will need to be corrected later).

Thanks
Scott

Chili · #2 10-11-2007, 06:16 PM

well i'm self tought, and have been for 5 year, whats helped me, is transcribing songs, when i first started i would use tabs but its much better to scrap tabs and figure out everything by ear, also watching how other people are playing, not just bass, but other instruments, also i have a book which i got last christmas which has proved useful and i got the louis johnson instructional dvd which has helped with my slapping, also people on this site have helped me alot with understanding more on theory.

the bad things for me about teaching myself, is you think youve got something, like when i was figuring out slapping, hitting the string in the right way, nice and relaxed and still get a strong tone, i would think i have it, and play like that for a while, then realize its not quite there from watching someone or just stumbling accross a better way, i have finally got it now tho, still needs practice tho, but if i had someone to just tell me it would have made things alot easier and quicker, and the same thing goes with other techniques/theory

i'm gunna stay self tought on bass, but i'm gunna start getting guitar lessons when i have the money, and mabe someday piano/keyboard lessons

skaliwag66 · #3 10-12-2007, 03:00 AM

I think I will take lessons for a year. There's just too much information and I'd rather go slowly.

**TXLawDawg** · #4 10-12-2007, 03:11 AM

I'm self taught...just picked one up one day when I was 12yo and have been playing the last 17 years that way without a lesson one. I never really got into books and cd's - not saying I didn't buy a few here and there - but it just wasn't for me. I started on gospel and worked my way to other music from there. Just figuring stuff out by ear and then adapting my own way of playing the same song. That worked the best for me - just playing for hours upon hours and listening to all kinds of different music. It's made my ear for music something that would be hard to replicate by strictly taking lessons but nonetheless could still be accomplished. Plus, it may sound stupid, but I love to tell the folks that I talk to at shows that I've never had a lesson and taught myself. They can't believe it. Good luck!

son_of_mogh · #5 10-12-2007, 05:42 AM

I call myself self-taught. I just listen to music on satellite radio or whatever's on TV and play along; no time for a band anymore. I went to teachers as a kid because I wanted to do it the "right way". My first teacher only ever opened up the Mel Bay book. I left that situation right away. My second teacher was a guitarrist and taught me a lot of my favorite rock songs. He was replaced by a multi-instrumentalist who basically told me to listen and transcribe songs. We talked about music, and dissected parts and built up chops. We looked at music and theory, too. He played wierd guitars and basses by off-brands; made his own pickups and wiring and made it all work. He taught my brother guitar in the same way. His name was Mike Newman, out of Monmouth county NJ. I admit I lost touch with him many years ago. Hope things are going well for him.

El Bajo · #6 10-12-2007, 06:00 AM

I'm self taught and been playing for ten years though I had 6 months worth of lessons and it improve by technique and timing dramaticly. The problem i found with books, I feel, is each book has only part of the answer, you need about 3 different books to bring it all togther, especially with Chord/scale theory. I've recentley started learning notation when I realized that although i can play quite well and I can tackle most hard songs (baring virtuoso stuff like Wooten) I couldnt read music, therefore I felt I could not call myself a true musician. I've started learning that now and everything seems to be falling into place (key signatures/scale/chord theory) and its well worth sacrificing a few months of finger exercises which can easily be recuperated to learn sight reading.

threshar · #7 10-12-2007, 06:24 AM

Getting close to 11 years here..

Self taught, with the exception of some videos. I watch the videos to get some technique ideas down, and then I go and learn songs. Learn as many songs as possible. and play play play.

If something doesn't feel right after trying it for a bit, chances are you're doing it wrong.

With the advent of the interpornowebthingy and youtube, it is even easier for a self taught guy to get tips & tricks.

So vids, books and most importantly (even if you have a teacher) - practice!

JimK · #8 10-12-2007, 11:38 AM

Teach yourself HOW TO READ...to the point that you can hear a tune & 'see' the rhythm being played in your head.

Listen to a variety of genres/styles...see if you can deconstruct what is being played; in other words, what makes something sound like Ska? What makes something 'funky' vs. something else that 'swings'.

For the physical/technical part-
Work on finger independence & economy of motion.
What worked for me? "Practicing" both fretting hand & plucking hand exercises while sitting in front of the NFL for hours on each Sunday...I also watched the NHL prior to them shooting themselves in the foot.

Some good books for me were-
Standing In The Shadows Of Motown
Funkifying The Clave For Bass & Drums

DocBop · #9 10-12-2007, 12:58 PM

I started self-taught actually I had played a little guitar first. Then got in a few bands as a bass player. All self taught and picking up bits and pieces of things like triads and what I thought was a scale. That went on for a few years. Then I decided to get serious about music and started taking lessons and music classes at school. I felt it would of been so much easier and I would of progressed so much faster if I had started lessons and classes much sooner. It is harder learning theory and other things later because you are having to relearn something, break some bad habits, and change how you think about some things. Also a bit of ego, because you have been playing and doing okay and now in many ways back to being a rookie. Also if you do it early it is simipler because part of everything your learning as a beginner and not a like a whole extra subject.

So I would say self-taught is fine in early stage learning and deciding if you like the instrument. Once you start wanting to really play even as a hobby worth taking a few lessons to get the basics down.

chasfr · #10 10-12-2007, 02:35 PM

Self-taught, er... let's make that currently self-teaching. (Money and time, mostly.) I've found the book "Bass for Dummies" quite helpful for the very basics, and I also own a couple of Ed Friedland's books, "Building Walking Basslines" and "Blues Bass" which I've learned a lot from. And coming back to music as an adult in the digital age, I've been amazed at how helpful my Macintosh laptop and the GarageBand application have been. Lots of resources online too, like this website. But I think the most helpful thing, with or without a teacher, is trying to play every day. Just pick it up, if that's the best you can do that day.

Have fun, and good luck!
Chas

**Thor** · #11 10-12-2007, 02:53 PM

Ultimately, we are all self taught once we
start taking responsibility for our own growth and
development though my take is that it is nice to get a
lesson every once in a while to refresh.

For example, I've played bass for 32 years. 28 of those years
I played one bass and picked it. When I got my first 34" bass
I decided that I would learn fingerstyle as well. So essentially
I had to take a step back to fundamentals to get two steps
forward. Now I haven't used a pick in 4 years and I thing
I am sounding better than ever. Is till use a pick on acoustic
12 string though, so I haven't lost that skill.

I have gone the VHS/DVD route. A DVD from a famous
professional cost about the same as a lesson in a music store,
and you can watch it over and over.

www.homespuntapes.com has some good material. Check it
out.

I actually called up there when I felt I needed some help
breaking through a right hand plateau I had reached. I spoke
to one of the guitarist's there, explained my problem, and
noted they didn't have any material related to bass right
hand technique. She turned me on to a DVD by Peter
Huttlinger, a National Fingerstyle Guitar champion, a Nashville
first call studio guy who supports Leann Rimes.

Essential Exercises for the Fingerstyle Guitar.

I have been working some of those for over a year. The guy
laid out an incredible program of right hand exercises, it'll take
me years to master those. But they all make great sense
and he has a bunch of great tips. The whole thing translates
perfectly to bass.

Anyway, that's the approach I have been taking lately.

Rattman · #12 10-12-2007, 03:19 PM

Hmmm... I had to answer both "yes" and "no" to be perfectly honest. I regret now not having had more formal training.. because I find myself playing "catch up" way more than I want to (e.g.) having to teach myself the "Nashville Numbering System" this week when I should have had that NAILED good years ago.

And the "yes" being I can find the 'groove' pretty fast and improvise fairly well on both lead guitar and bass from spending years and years learning off of LP's and CD's. Ear training is good, but certainly not broad enough IMHO.

scottder · #13 10-12-2007, 08:44 PM

Thanks to everyone for their input!

Scott

morf · #14 10-13-2007, 06:44 AM

I'm self taught but I've taken lessons to fix little things here and there and to motivate me when I felt I was in a slump. It's always worked to that end, in fact I always progressed faster with a teacher than on my own. Lessons are definitely worth it if you're serious about fine tuning your chops

Dr_Funkdamental · #15 10-13-2007, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXLawDawg

I'm self taught...just picked one up one day when I was 12yo and have been playing the last 17 years that way without a lesson one. I never really got into books and cd's - not saying I didn't buy a few here and there - but it just wasn't for me. I started on gospel and worked my way to other music from there. Just figuring stuff out by ear and then adapting my own way of playing the same song. That worked the best for me - just playing for hours upon hours and listening to all kinds of different music. It's made my ear for music something that would be hard to replicate by strictly taking lessons but nonetheless could still be accomplished. Plus, it may sound stupid, but I love to tell the folks that I talk to at shows that I've never had a lesson and taught myself. They can't believe it. Good luck!

I was about to post, but this is pretty much my story word for word, except I started a little later than 12.

Yngwie 4String · #16 10-13-2007, 10:20 PM

at first just kind of play with the bass, learn how to properly tune and what not, but dont worry about sounding good. Just mess around and get a feel for the instrument. The go buy a book of scales. After that take music theory course. YOU NEED TO LEARN YOUR THEORY PLEASE DO NOT TEACH YOURSELF WITH TABS BECAUSE TABS DONT TEACH YOU ANYTHING.

Spoiled Grape · #17 10-14-2007, 12:29 AM

Just play the bass and play music you like to listen too.

bakeronbass · #18 10-17-2007, 05:33 PM

http://www.studybass.com
Has some really good stuff.
There are alot of lessons or you tube try searching Dave Marks hes got good lessons with the Score.
Dont waste your time on tab. The study bass site has a video game that will teach you how to read just play the name that note game every morning for a half an hour or so. For a couple of months and you'll have it.

scottder · #19 10-17-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bakeronbass

http://www.studybass.com
Has some really good stuff.
There are alot of lessons or you tube try searching Dave Marks hes got good lessons with the Score.
Dont waste your time on tab. The study bass site has a video game that will teach you how to read just play the name that note game every morning for a half an hour or so. For a couple of months and you'll have it.

Very cool! Thanks!

JimK · #20 10-18-2007, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spoiled Grape

Just play the bass and play music you like to listen too.

There is a problem with that.
...if one ever finds their way into a gig, audition, etc that is not what they normally listen to.
Maybe early on, playing what you like is enough. One eventually needs to step out of their comfort zone in order to grow musically. IMO.
In the real world, FME, the musicians that play the most are the chameleons...in other words, don't get stuck looking like a one-trick pony.