Just starting out (sort of)

MikeyGrizzle · #1 12-05-2006, 01:06 PM

I have been "playing" Bass Guitar for about 6months now. I've been struggling through alot. I bought a book called Serious Electric Bass by Joel Di Bartolo. It seems to be pretty good. I can't take lessons right now, but I would like to get another book, one geared more towards a novice level. To give an idea where my skill level is at; just a little bit of info on my playing: I've played Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, and Sousaphone/Tuba in my H.S. band and the Bari in Jazz Band. I taught myself to play all of them (Bass is my latest challenge). I'm not in a band right now. I'm a little rusty when it comes to rhythm anymore (I haven't read sheet music in a couple years). I'm not interested in slap bass or tapping or anything advanced. I use my fingers (only 2 right now, working on 3) and not a pick. I just want to get a real solid base to build from. Like I said, I like the book I have, but having been away from music for so long, it is a bit too advanced.

So any suggestions?

p.s.- Don't limit suggestions to just books, any ideas on finding a teacher, or practicing tips, or anything. I take music seriously and I am willing to bust my ass to get good at this instrument.

chasfr · #2 12-05-2006, 02:07 PM

Hey, welcome aboard. For a basic book, I had pretty good results with "Bass for Dummies" (in spite of the title). Walks you through the basics, gives you a pretty good overview of a lot of musical styles. I've also gotten good stuff from a couple of Ed Friedland's books, "Building Walking Bass Lines" and "Blues Bass".

Enjoy!

Chas

tZer · #3 12-05-2006, 02:07 PM

1) A good teacher. As for finding one, I would check your online/paper classifieds - music stores - ask around... Find one who specializes in bass and is not necessarily a "guitar/piano/accordian/bass" teacher - not to say there isn't one of those multi-teachers out there who is great, but...
2) Get the books your teacher recommends and follow the teacher's instructions. Get a solid practice routine going - every day/night, if you can.
3) Practice your scales and arpeggios with a metronome or drum machine and always start much slower then you want and slowly work your way up in speed. Don't permit yourself to move up in speed until you have absolutely conquered the exercise you are on.
4) Learn songs you like from recordings. Learn how to listen to a CD and hear your part.
5) Sit down and transcribe some lines that you like and get used to making short-hand transcriptions. This will be very helpful when someone comes up and says, "Hey, could you fill in with my band next week?" and you have to learn 40 or so songs in a hurry!

Otherwise, it sounds like your head is on straight. The important thing is not to develop any bad habits early on which is why a teacher is so important.

jvbjr · #4 12-05-2006, 05:53 PM

Go to www.activebass.com , there is a decades worth of material there for free.

There is also:

http://www.wholenote.com/

http://www.ibreathemusic.com/

http://members.tripod.com/~johncomino/

Amogst many others

iplaybassguitar · #5 12-05-2006, 06:43 PM

sounds like your a veteran to being the bass...and a no0b at the bass guitar....same game different uniform.

MikeyGrizzle · #6 12-06-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chasfr

Hey, welcome aboard. For a basic book, I had pretty good results with "Bass for Dummies" (in spite of the title). Walks you through the basics, gives you a pretty good overview of a lot of musical styles. I've also gotten good stuff from a couple of Ed Friedland's books, "Building Walking Bass Lines" and "Blues Bass".

Enjoy!

Chas

I was at the bookstore just yesterday and ran across "Bass for Dummies", I was flipping through it and it looked like a decent book, I was actually going to buy it, but saw Don Quixote which I've always wanted to read (my limit is one book purchase a week, or else I would have an entire room filled with books and an entire bank account filled with cobwebs). Now I will probably go to pick it up today.

Thank you everyone for your help and responses, I really appreciate it. I will certainly take all of your advice Tzer, especially the part about getting a teacher.

Thanks again everyone.

BassChuck · #7 12-06-2006, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeyGrizzle

I was at the bookstore just yesterday and ran across "Bass for Dummies", I was flipping through it and it looked like a decent book, I was actually going to buy it, but saw Don Quixote which I've always wanted to read.

That's great. I had to smile at the thought of comparing playing bass to the life of Don Quixote. Seems like we're all going after something elusive.

Can we learn more about bass playing from Cervantes than Jaco?

chasfr · #8 12-06-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassChuck

That's great. I had to smile at the thought of comparing playing bass to the life of Don Quixote. Seems like we're all going after something elusive.

Can we learn more about bass playing from Cervantes than Jaco?

Isn't the singer or guitarist always Don Q? We bassists tend to be the Sancho Panza in the band...

Chas

Johnny Crab · #9 12-06-2006, 05:54 PM

Met the man in the 70's, bought an SG from him then as well, & have 3 of these(one for me, one for son, one for daughter). The one I had when Vol 1 came out....has long since vanished.

http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?Pr...40&mode=author

While still available in two separate volumes (93234 and 93235) Roger Filiberto's widely-used beginning bass method is now available in one comprehensive book! Includes handy arpeggio charts featuring major, minor, augmented, diminished, and dominant seventh chords, plus their upper harmonic extensions. Applicable to any style of music, this method has gained widespread acceptance as the foundational text for electric bass study! Includes a CD and DVD.