Help with new student

[Introvox]

I have this new bass student that started today...

15 y/o girl...When I asked her what she listens to, it was Metallica, Maiden etc...

So, a little out of range for a beginner...

I need some fun and easy metal for her, just while she's getting the feel for it.

Any Ideas?

[metalguy2]

Judas Priest?
If she listens to any modern heavy metal tell her to bring it in. Most of it is pretty groove orientated.

Or how about simplifying the lines for her so she can play them. I wish I had more idea's for you dude. Most of the metal I listen to is pretty difficult. Either that or totally not listenable unless you have an ear for it.
Try Unearth or something.

[Incognitus]

If she's into Metallica show her Enter Sandman. It's a pretty easy and fun bassline with a little bit of challenge for a beginner bass player. Some of the other little riffs are pretty simple too.

My Friend of Misery is really good and simple too.

Also, their is an instructional book "Learn Bass With Metallica" It features some of their signature licks and riffs.

[RoMeRz]

For whom the bell tolls is quite good aswell

[Fridge123]

I learnt bass to Iron Maiden, some of the songs are pretty easy, although the speed may get her. I'll see what I can do to find some easy stuff

[tzadik]

Perhaps have her pick a tune. Then, to learn it, just slow it way down. Focus ona teeeny little bit at once, like two or three notes, and speed them up verry slowly over a few weeks or however long she needs.

It's not like she asked you to learn some Jaco stuff... go ahead with the Metallica, the challenge will be good for her. Just break it down into bite sized portions and charge forth.

[tZer]

Is there any way to 'turn her on' to other stuff too (first)? One of my biggest personal regrets was the years (from age 17 to 20) spent playing metal. I feel that that was black hole in my development, musically. Sure, my fingers got faster, but my lines got really rudamental - honestly, metal bass is 75% to 80% 'flash and dazzle'. Of course, that could just be ME and how I got metal... But I served lots of time at the alter of Iron Maiden, Anthrax, Megadeath, Faith No More, and so on... yeah, fun on a certain level, but really nothing to carry with you unless you are going to be a metalhead only.

Just my opinion, and I know there are a lot of metalheads here, I feel like most of the metal basslines from yesterday and today are not really conducive to learning to play bass. They are great exercises in stamina and speed - guitar parts on a bass, but as for being able to take that and use it in other areas - blues rock, RnB, funk, hell - just about any other music - Maiden, Priest, Metallica, so on... not really transferrable.

Not in the same way learning lets say some JPJ would go the other way. You learn some really good Zeppelin and you can step into a metal band and hang - you learn Maiden and try to step into a Zepp-style band, you are really not armed for that.

Sorry - outta place - I agree that Judas Priest and some (not all) some Black Sabbath stuff would be a little less 'speed' dependent.

[Godheads_Lament]

Glam/Hair metal, if she likes it. Its generally really easy and is still fun to play. Other than that i'm not sure most of it is abit to fast for a beginner. Maybe some Sabbath or even AC/DC.

[Introvox]

Thanks everyone


Great list so far...keep em comin...

[bradjonesbass]

AC/DC is pretty "easy", but will teach her some important fundamentals. It's not so easy to keep those 8th notes rock steady, especially for a beginner.

I have a student about the same age who's into the same music - funny that it's coming back en vogue again, eh? Anyway, we work on scales and then right-hand, open string exercises (1/2 notes, 1/4 notes, 1/8 notes and even 1/16 notes with the metronome) for the first 1/2 of each lesson, then work on learning songs the second 1/2. That keeps it fun, but also stresses some fundamentals.