Lost...Just started playing bass

[Bigpigmy]

Hello , For some time now i been learning bass, 4-string yamaha bass, its really fun ! I have some friends who play guitar and thus i came along with the bass. Now, I am learning bass from a local music academy thing ( once a week), but the teacher, you know, is good, but she is more of a guitar player, and i find that i am missing some advice from other bass players. I learned some songs, and i know 2, i forgot the names :/, places where the are notes ( like A,B,C,D,E,F,G). I have a couple of questions , How important is it to learn how to use the index/middle finger rotation, on my right hand (playing standard) instead of using the Thumb ? I am also thinking about buying a distortion pedal, is it really worth it ? And any idea about the price i should pay for a good one ? and Finally, Any advice ? because i dont have the feeling that i am advancing really fast.

thx a lot for the responses

P.S : yeah i know, practice, practice and practice

[dontcallmeQRACK]

Hey man, it is a necessity to learn to play with your "rotating fingers", some songs may even use more than 2 fingers in a rotation, John Myung of Dream Theater uses all 4 fingers on his right hand (omitting the thumb) for most of his lines. It may seem like a bummer now, but you need to learn that unless your intentions are to use a pick.

As far as the pedal, it's all opinionated. It's not like you need one, but hey they are fun!

[Bigpigmy]

A kool thx, ya lol it really is annoying ( well im not really used to it) i try to practice, but it seems so slow... i guess i just have to get used to it

thx for the help !

[CerealKiller]

I would suggest taking lessons from an actual bassist.

You may want to take a gander here too.....

Music Theory/General Instruction Links

[dontcallmeQRACK]

I know how it feels at first, I'm home taught myself, w/o books and all, youtube has great tutorials, just type in "Slap bass lesson" or something general for example.

[DocBop]

To play bass seriously you need to learn all the right hand techniques. The most used is finger-style using your two fingers. Then slap is another technique. Then old school or pop Palm muting, where you mute your strings lightly with palm of your right hand and pluck with your thumb. There are variations on all of these and then playing with a pick. Over time if you get serious with bass you will learn them all and use which is necessary for the song.

IMO play slap only is too limiting not enough variation in timbre. Finger-style is most versatile especially once you learn to do right hand muting and shift where you pluck the string to control your tone.

You have a long road ahead of you be patient and remember to have fun playing.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Bigpigmy

1) How important is it to learn how to use the index/middle finger rotation, on my right hand (playing standard) instead of using the Thumb ?

2) I am also thinking about buying a distortion pedal, is it really worth it ? And any idea about the price i should pay for a good one ?

3) Finally, Any advice ? because i dont have the feeling that i am advancing really fast.

1) Playing with index/middle finger is pretty much standard for finger playing. Playing with only the thumb probably won't serve you well in the long run. You can usually play faster with the more fingers you use. Also, slap bass requires multiple fingers.

I played with a pick for many years in several bands, so, it kinda depends on you. I've recently been upgrading my index/middle finger skills to learn slap.

Are you using only down strokes with your thumb? or up and down? It's probably best in the long run to learn i/m finger playing.

2) IMO , dont worry about adding distortion to your bass. It won't help your playing. Concentrate on learning.

3) The more time you spend practicing the more you learn. Part of learning the bass is a physical skill, so training your fingers takes time. The musical part also takes time. I suggest that you practice singing and learning melodies.
Don't get discouraged. If you love music and bass is your chosen instrument, it's a life long learning process. Do it for yourself. Remember that practicing is a non-social activ

Good luck.

Here's some links that might help:

NEWBIES
**************************************************
Most common mistakes? Beginners common mistakes/where to start
Guitar players as bass players...... Guitar players switching to bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/advice-first-bass-506102-post6817723/ First "bass" advice
Which would you upgrade first? An amp or a bass? Upgrade bass or amp first?
Tabs or music Tab or not to tab?
When Did You Get Off Tabs? Getting off tabs
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ Introductory Bass Lesson (click on Beginners)
The 'feel' Developing musically
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Xlnt visual Beginning Music Theory (Power Point lessons), ear trainer, chord calcs
Newbie learning modes! Learning modes
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...-10004005.html Download program-learning bass clef(as recommended by TB member AlphaMale)
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper
For bass teachers, and students seeking them Find a bass teacher



LESSONS, BOOKS, MUSIC THEORY, EAR TRAINING, JAM TRACKS
************************************************** *
Practicing
Practice Practice Practice How to practice bass
Pacman's sure-fire scale practice method How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/can-anyone-recommend-good-headphone-amp-494539-post6634274/ Headphone amps/mixers/trainers
Need advice on best headphones Recommendations for good headphones

Getting creative
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/creating-bass-lines-8154/#post80043 Creating bass lines
Bass Line Construction: Target Approach Creating bass lines - Target Approach
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/what-good-ways-approach-playing-over-chords-503344/#post6770334 Creating bass lines for a jam
what is in front of/behind the beat? Playing behind/ahead of the beat
The 'feel' "Feel"

Free online lessons
A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me! TB member Dmanlamius has free video lessons
Who do you think has the best lessons on youtube? Who's the best youtube bass teacher?
http://www.studybass.com/ Bass studies,online metronome, fretboard printer, bass clef tutor,more.
http://www.activebass.com/ Tab based lessons by members for members covering all types of bass instruction.
http://www.playbassnow.com with MarlowDK including videos.
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ beginners' guide/lessons, tech advice,drills, bass sound files,tips,Q&A, links/more .
http://www.musicdojo.com/index.asp Online bass course (5 day free trial)
http://www.cliffengel.com/ Free and paid lessons

Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

Books and instructional materials
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/default.asp Books, DVDs, all styles and methods
looking for "the bass guitar bible!" Looking for the Bass "Bible"
http://playbassnow.com/recommended-learning-materials/ MarlowDK's recommended books
Best Theroy book "Best" theory/harmony book
Book list for GI Theory Links TB Book Links - all styles,levels and techniques

[Dmanlamius]

Stumbo....that list is Godly...

[Bigpigmy]

Omg thank you all so much for the advice ya that list of links is incredable:
-Ya will to use the finger technique all the time a practice/play so in the long run i will become used to it
-I will review my bass lessons, probably will look in some books i have and look on the web, for some time and then learn more advanced stuff from a teacher
-I think i will buy a distortion pedal, i mean its not really usefull right now, but its always fun, and adds some thing more

Thx a lot again, to everyone who replied.

[DudeistMonk]

check out the BassPod XT-live... I was never much into FX but I wanted to play with some and I bought one...Its got a few different distortions and overdrives and whatnot and it models amps, which I find to be really useful for exploring tone, and at the end of that day that's what effects are all about anyway.

Yeah you need to learn how to alternate fingers, there is just no way to play fast enough with 1/your thumb.

If you want real advice on a pedal you should ask in the FX forum.

[Bigpigmy]

ok kool gonna check it out, i am also going to check at the local guitar/music store, Steves ( is its name), and going to ask about pedals, ya i dont really want anything fancy, just something you know, simple, easy to use, etc. , but i am far away for knowing about it lol XD

thx.

P.S : i am a little overwhelmed by what i still have to accomplish lol XD but going to be patient on this one, and going to practice ( even though i practice far less than i should)

[Les_Paul_972]

I also just started and i dont think the rotating fingers is a big deal i just play i dont know notes either i just learn tablature

[oldrookie]

Originally Posted by Les_Paul_972

I also just started and i dont think the rotating fingers is a big deal i just play i dont know notes either i just learn tablature

If you just started...are you really in a position to decide that "rotating fingers" is not a big deal?

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Dmanlamius

Stumbo....that list is Godly...

Thanks. I actually reduced the number of links that I had to the ones that I thought applied to the OP.

If you're interested, here's a link to my "full" post:
New to bass and TB

[Bigpigmy]

Got another question here ,i have some Friends who are learning to play guitars ( 2-3) and 1 learning the drums ( not yet but pretty soon and one who wants to play keyboard . Right now, we are all beginers but one day we will be ready to Jam, and maybe create a band . I was just thinking if anyone had some tips on playing with a guitare, to play with it, because i have been playing mostly Alone ? Can't wait to be actually able to play with my Friends and jam .

thx

[DudeistMonk]

First off if your all just starting you should start jamming yesterday... The sooner you start playing with other people the sooner stuff starts to click (this goes double for bass) I was a bassment hero for a long time and as soon as I worked up the nerve to get out and play with other people my musical abilities skyrocketed (and many on here have similar stories)

I guess it really depends on what they know and what you know. For my band when we want to jam we decide on a simple chord progression (usually 2 or 3 chords) and one of us starts it up and the rest come in.

It's important to know what chords your guitarist is playing and then to focus on locking in with the drummer. I tried to jam with a few guitarist early on and I didn't really get my roll until I started playing with a drummer.

Actually I would start by calling up your drummer friend and playing with just you and him a few times...This is cool for a few reasons:

1) you don't have to worry about what notes you play as long as they sound good (pick a key and just go to town), since there is no guitarist/keyboardist/horn/vocalist to harmonize with.

2) you can concentrate on understanding your rhythmic roll (which I would consider primary to being a successful bassist).

3) Its ridiculously fun. I did this with my current drummer for 2 months before we auditioned guitarists...I still listen to some of our jam recordings. You also get a chance to be melodic/play like a guitar player if you want to, because there is nobody filling that roll, just tons of freedom and sonic space to fill up.


One more tip: Throw a drum track from the internet (stumbo's jam tracks link) or from garage band, or from a drum machine, or where ever. Once you can play along with something like this playing with a live drummer will be easier (IMHO) because he'll compensate for you in terms of tempo and timing, and can catch you with a little fill here and there if you loose the beat (if he is good enough to do so) and his drum line will evolve as your bass line does.

[Bigpigmy]

Ahh sweet , ya can't wait to play, the only problem is that they just started, well i its not that bad, caus we will learn at the same time, so at least i guess we will be similar, in where we are at.So ya i need to play more with people ( duh lol XD), caus i will never, be able to be used to the rythm and stuff if i am alone

thx for the advice

[Dertygen]

Stumbo... I don't think the OP wants to be overwhelmed! By god even I am at this point!

Lol, BigPigmy as many mentioned, try a bassit teacher. Guitar teachers... usually (in general) teach the bass student incorrectly (either theory or fingering).

[Sadozaster]

Oi! mate! Im in a band just like u mate, but im with douches, lol just kidding. We are learning and my buddy, a bass playa like you, was talking bout some jamming sessions, likue you. i think ill give it a try and ask him like if we could go like at his house and jam a little.:ninja :sry for the ninja mate, i just wanted some cover.

BTW, im a guitar player and i just want to say jump around





hope i helped:hel p: