Hey!

[duquen550]

First of all hi, I'm new to the forum and to bass. I recently got my first bass and I being looking how to start but I don't know from where.
So anyone can give me some feedback
Ty
Duque

[S. Katz]

StudyBass.com is a great place to start. But nothing takes the place of a good teacher. When looking for one, take an introductory lesson from a variety of teachers to see who you are most comfortable with. And be extra careful of guitar teachers who also teach bass. There are some very good teachers for both, but a lot more guitar teachers who noodle around on bass but shouldn't be teaching it. One good sign (but not necessarily a prerequisite) is if a bass teacher also gives lessons/plays the upright bass. If they teach or play upright, the odds are pretty good they are bassist first and foremost.

Good luck.

[Johnny Crab]

Welcome Ty!

The above is great advice especially the guitarist teaching bass advice.
In addition to formal training, the following are suggestions:

Learn(by ear or sheet music) from bassists who have gone before. Recordings of James Jamerson(http://www.ricksuchow.com/press.html), Ray Brown(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Brown_(musician) ), Bob Moore(http://www.myspace.com/bobmooremusic), and hundreds of others help you develop a great sense of timing, feel, and expand your musical knowledge and the role bassists have served. The "place" of a bassist is usually the glue of a song although it can also be forefront(RUSH). Your choice although mostly determined by musical setting you are in.

Learn music YOU like whether it is country, disco, metal, trance, pop, gospel, anything. It is your time(limited resource in life) and life.

Learn odd, humorous bass fun for and entertainment(http://www.youtube.com/user/amimbari).

Learn "covers". http://www.youtube.com/user/BillyMegaWatt

The ultimate goal, IMO, of ear training yourself is to allow you to play anything you hear(in your head or with your ears). It also allows you to play songs "on the fly"(example: in a band setting a song is called out you've never played BUT you can hear it/remember it in your head). Keeps you sharp and allows you to play music without being stuck on tabs or sheet music. Written music has its place and so does playing without it.

Above all, HAVE FUN.
Music is an amazing gift and pleasure.
Treasure it, keep the passion for it alive, and it will keep you company for life.

Again, Welcome TY!

PS: Read this and understand it. GREAT advice. The rest of the article is at the link.

"When you go on a gig, you have to remember that it's a privilege to play any kind of music -- even sitting in your house by yourself. Music is this wonderful, universal language. It's meditative and spiritual. A lot of people get caught up in the frustrations, and they lose it, the way a preacher loses the calling. When you pick up an instrument, realize how blessed you are. It doesn't matter whether you're playing for 50,000 people or by yourself. I'm not saying I'm a guru of this stuff. It's just that when I pick up a bass, I'm conscious of how much it has given me, and I try to take that onstage with me wherever I go." http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-80.html

[rosanne]

Originally Posted by Johnny Crab

Welcome Ty!


"When you go on a gig, you have to remember that it's a privilege to play any kind of music -- even sitting in your house by yourself. Music is this wonderful, universal language. It's meditative and spiritual. A lot of people get caught up in the frustrations, and they lose it, the way a preacher loses the calling. When you pick up an instrument, realize how blessed you are. It doesn't matter whether you're playing for 50,000 people or by yourself. I'm not saying I'm a guru of this stuff. It's just that when I pick up a bass, I'm conscious of how much it has given me, and I try to take that onstage with me wherever I go." http://www.ricksuchow.com/press-group-80.html

What a great quote! Thanks!

[Eminentbass]

Hey! Welcome. I think Johnny Crab pretty much said what I would say. I just want to echo the bit about about not getting stuck on tab and developing your ear/hearing music in your head. To paraphrase Abe Laboriel(I think) - music is a journey, not a race. Try acquire new information but most of all be patient and realise that it's a process that will bring you much enjoyment and maybe some frustration from time to time but have fun with it. BE INQUISITIVE. By that I mean that if you take lessons, take time out from that material to learn songs not prescribed by your teacher. It will do wonders for your ear. Good luck.