I've got my bass.....Now what?

lordlogan · #1 02-27-2011, 03:45 PM

So i have just got my first bass, What do i do?
I have very little musical experience

Marginal Tom · #2 02-27-2011, 03:46 PM

Find a good teacher, and get to work!

BassMan4Him · #3 02-27-2011, 03:46 PM

PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

lordlogan · #4 02-27-2011, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassMan4Him

PRACTICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm asking what to practice

MalcolmAmos · #5 02-27-2011, 04:21 PM

Go here http://www.studybass.com/study-guide/ and proceed as indicated.

Have fun.

Huey(not him) · #6 02-27-2011, 04:56 PM

Hal Leonard is a WAY helpful guy! He has a 3 book system (all in one) and it has helped me to really understand the bass. I started about a year ago (at 57) not knowing ANYTHING and now I can read music, albeit slowly, and can play along with the lessons and it is fun.

bassalo · #7 02-27-2011, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

Go here http://www.studybass.com/study-guide/ and proceed as indicated.

Have fun.

+1. Along with this:

http://www.amazon.com/presents-Essen.../dp/0786677368

lordlogan · #8 02-28-2011, 02:31 PM

anything else, preferably free a bit poor right now, but if there is a cost and its absouletly amazingly helpful i'll consider it

thanks so much so far evry one

chokeslam512 · #9 02-28-2011, 02:33 PM

Check youtube for beginning lessons. There are some good, some bad, so look around for a while. Those are all free. You can also look at some tablature websites if you want to get playing some covers of some of you favorite songs.

Already In Use · #10 02-28-2011, 03:47 PM

studybass is free. Between that site and guidance from this site you can learn to play your bass. I did just that with very few lessons over the last 15 months or so.

lordlogan · #11 02-28-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Already In Use

studybass is free. Between that site and guidance from this site you can learn to play your bass. I did just that with very few lessons over the last 15 months or so.

alright thank you very much

any advice is still welcome though

oniman7 · #12 02-28-2011, 05:56 PM

I'd hire a teacher, or at least get a friend/teacher to help you out. I hated all the new technique I had to learn when switching from guitar to bass, and I hated my teacher drilling it into me and not letting up, but I wouldn't play at a fraction of my current skill without being forced to learn that technique. Now I do it without thinking.

Pupiit · #13 02-28-2011, 06:16 PM

+1 to a teacher. If not that then there are plenty of great websites out there - studybass has already been mentioned. Be sure to practice every day, ideally an hour or two a day. Don't just practice scales and other 'boring stuff.' Have fun with it! I'd recommend for every 30-ish minutes spend practicing, 10 minutes should be noodling / fun.

Many music books will have you play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' 100 times, changing key every so often. Needless to say, that's boring. Have fun, learn songs you like, and don't get burned out.

prd004 · #14 02-28-2011, 06:20 PM

Even if you can't afford to take lessons, scrape up some cash and take a lesson or two so you begin with the correct technique. How you hold your bass, the way you position your hands, how you pluck the strings is all VERY IMPORTANT! And bad habbits are difficult to break later, take a couple lessons!

BassLife77 · #15 02-28-2011, 07:16 PM

practice at least 30 minutes everyday and don't give up if you think you suck. your brain has to make the wiring to coordinate the tendons and muscles in your arms and hands.

elshunko · #16 02-28-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prd004

Even if you can't afford to take lessons, scrape up some cash and take a lesson or two so you begin with the correct technique. How you hold your bass, the way you position your hands, how you pluck the strings is all VERY IMPORTANT! And bad habbits are difficult to break later, take a couple lessons!

+1

There is no replacement for a real life human being giving you instruction. Books and websites are great tools, but I do not believe they are a good place to start. When you are with your instructor you will be able to communicate with them, more than just verbally. Music is a language and just like a young child learns from their parents, you will learn from your first teachers. Ask around, find a good and qualified instructor, and begin the journey. It is worth it.

Enjoy,
elshunko

pica · #17 02-28-2011, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elshunko

There is no replacement for a real life human being giving you instruction. Books and websites are great tools, but I do not believe they are a good place to start. When you are with your instructor you will be able to communicate with them, more than just verbally. Music is a language and just like a young child learns from their parents, you will learn from your first teachers. Ask around, find a good and qualified instructor, and begin the journey. It is worth it.

He said it all right there. Can't say much after that. A instructor is a great place to start. Even if you can only go once or twice a month. It's worth it.

theduke1 · #18 02-28-2011, 07:32 PM

Play scales all good bass lines start with good scales

theduke1 · #19 02-28-2011, 07:38 PM

+1 A good teacher, my First teacher said son I can't teach you how to play left handed, if you want to learn from me you have to play right handed. The rest is history, I'm told that I am a good player in part becacue my strong hand (left) is on the neck. the only draw back I have is I am not very good at using a pick, but I like the sound of fingers anyway! Learn your scales, but find some one to teach you a song or two. My first song Kansas City I still play it today 40+ years later. As someone said the journey starts with the first step.

oi_pride · #20 02-28-2011, 07:44 PM

get "bass guitar for dummies" it helps a lot. it goes through like you've never played bass before.

i would say lay off a teacher for a little while and just study the bass. when you feel like you've gotten a really good grasp then seek out a teacher.