Need help getting started

Akerfeldt · #1 02-09-2008, 10:39 AM

I got my bass guitar about 2 months ago, Christmas day. Its a cheap bass guitar, the brand name is "Tradition". It didn't cost very much, I can tell by its quality but it gets the job done. My father got it for me. Told me, he'll buy me something better when I show dedication, and I am dedicated. Which brings me to my questions.

1)I'm having a difficult time learning on this bass. No, not because I can't figure out tabs. I'm fine with tabs. In fact, I taught myself a few songs. No, the problem is the quality. Its frustrating.

Currently, my equipment is...(from what I can tell...)
The guitar is a "Tradition". No idea what model, but...thats the brand name. I've never heard of that brand name, so...I'm gonna go out on a limb and say it must be a low-end brand.

The amp I'm using is a Stagg 20 watt. Again, don't know the model name...cause it was all a gift.

The pick ups, are generic. They came with the guitar. Here is where my main problems lay. It seems when I play too hard...it seems to **** up the pick ups...and goes into a fuzzy, over-active mode...picking up the tiniest of string noise, making it unbearable to play. It even gave me a headache once!

The strings, came with the guitar...though, I plan on going over to the music store to get some new ones on Monday.

So, the question is...what can I do to solve this issue? I don't want to turn to my dad and say "Well, you wasted money...gotta get something better". That'd be rude. Would new pickups help? Should I save up for a new Bass altogether? What do you recommend? I really want to learn bass, and I wanna get off on the right foot. This is just frustrating me. When I have to stop playing, and let the pick ups reset, its not helping my frustration.

2)I'm having a hard time finding a teacher to take lessons from. My last resort is taking lessons from the music store down the block...but I'm a bit turned off by the idea of taking lessons in a store, by somebody who for all I know, could be playing for only a few years.

Every "find a Bass teacher" website I've been too, has shown no luck. I've emailed a few teachers, but for all I could tell, the postings could be years old...so they could be dead for all I know.

What do you recommend I do? I personally wanna take lessons from a Jazz teacher, because everybody I've talked to says 9 times out of 10, the Jazz teacher knows much more about Music Theory, and Scales, Harmony, etc (pardon if my terminology is wrong...after all, I'm new to bass playing). I wanna play Prog rock, such as Opeth, Dream Theater, Agalloch. I also wanna be able to play prog bass lines in other genres, especially Thrash Metal.

Are their any "decent" websites I can go to, to find a bass teacher on Staten Island? or should I just go with the teacher in-store?

Thanks in advance!

Dogbertday · #2 02-09-2008, 11:03 AM

Well welcome to the bass world... now to answer a few of your questions to the best of my ability...

As for your equiptment problems... starting on a low end bass is something most of us here have done.. are the strings high enough to not buzz on the frets?.. if not then going down to the music store down your street and getting a set-up might solve your problems. also don't get down about your equiptment. it's your instrument and therefor your voice. you should take this oppertunity to try and make your hands get the best tone possible from the equiptment you have. having just started you most likely don't have the finger strength/control to really get the sound you want. just keep working at it. also mess with the EQ on your amp... might help you get those overtones out if you roll off the high end and boost the lows

Now finding a teacher is deffinately the first step to gaining technique (which will also help your sound). Technique is probbably the main focus in 99% of peoples starting off lessons (usually based off of the styles you wish to play no matter the teacher)... and there is absolutely nothing wrong with taking lessons in a store.. you can ask the teacher before you start what their background is and how much music based education they've gone through. Also this site has an outstanding population of teachers from all over for most styles.. try doing a search here

and good luck starting out. just let yourself have fun, don't put too much emphasis on your gear and did i mention that fun is important?...

meev992 · #3 02-09-2008, 11:35 AM

Don't worry newcomer, we all probably started out on pretty weak gear.

A setup and a string change can make a cheap bass into a slap-happy machine. Definitely worth the money.

Or, find a bass playing friend. If he/she does their own setups, ask for one.

ryco · #4 02-09-2008, 11:44 AM

+1 on getting your bass as well set up as possible, and experimenting with the EQ on amp and tone controls on the instrument.
Play this bass until you have saved/earned up enough money to buy a better one.

About teachers: go ahead and interview a few before choosing a teacher.
Find one that feels right for you. Find one who teaches the styles you want to learn. Find one you feel comfortable communicating with.
Ask other local bass players if they have any recommendations as far as who's a good teacher in your area.

Akerfeldt · #5 02-09-2008, 12:00 PM

Thank you all for the posts so far!

Right now, taking in your advice, I'm gonna head over to the store and pick up a new set of strings on Monday...possibly tomorrow. While I'm there, I'm gonna ask about their teachers and what not.

Are their any online videos showing how to string your bass, and other adjusting string height, etc on your own? I know learning from a professional is my best bet...just curious, because I'd enjoy watching such instructional videos.

meev992 · #6 02-09-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akerfeldt

Are their any online videos showing how to string your bass, and other adjusting string height, etc on your own? I know learning from a professional is my best bet...just curious, because I'd enjoy watching such instructional videos.

I think expertvillage.com is your best bet. There are loads of videos on there I've watched that have taught me a few things.

Chipsonfire · #7 02-09-2008, 01:09 PM

I'm self taught and, though I'm not great, I'm satisfied with what I know given the effort I've put in. I got the book "Bass for Dummies" and its got a lot of good info including basic theory that wasn't covered in my intro to theory class I took a few semesters ago (college mind you, not HS).

Dogbertday · #8 02-09-2008, 01:18 PM

+1 on bass for dummies... that thing really helps to fill in the gaps of basic knowledge you might not know you needed... i'm not sure but i think it goes through basic setup proceedures as well as other instrument care and amp settings as well.. might have seen those in a similar book though

Bulletr0k · #9 02-09-2008, 01:29 PM

I with you, bro. Try adjusting the truss rod if it's got a big bow, or raiding the saddles.
As for the amp, Mine does the same, so I turn the volume/tone down on my bass so the sound goes away. Otherwise, I'm self taught, going off bass tabs, improv, and "Bass Guitar for Dummies". Been playing since november.

Akerfeldt · #10 02-09-2008, 01:44 PM

My main problem with online videos is...they usually say stuff like "Well, this is a C Major" or "This is a Minor" but, they never explain why? What makes it what it is? How come?

Will this book help explain that?

Chipsonfire · #11 02-09-2008, 02:14 PM

You can usually ask those kinds of questions on here or search for them would be a better idea now that I think about it. A major scale is a set of notes that have a set pattern when going up. Ie whole step, whole step, half step, whole step, whole step, whole step, half step. Thus, the C major scale is C D E F G A B C because the half steps occur between the notes E and F, and B and C. If you start on a different note, say D, you would get D E F# G A B C# D because the pattern never changes. Minor scale uses a similar idea, but the pattern is whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole, whole. It has a different, more somber or some might say sad feel. And yes, the for Dummies book covers this

Bulletr0k · #12 02-09-2008, 02:21 PM

The book explains a lot, and it shows chords/scales/etc.

ryco · #13 02-09-2008, 04:15 PM

A good "how to" book for set ups and a myriad of other stuff is 101 Bass Tips (Stuff All the Pros Know and Use) by Gary Willis; Hal Leonard Publishers.
I got it for Christmas.

Has suggestions and ideas about equipment, maintenence, performance, practice, techniques, etc. A little bit of practical theory.
A complete guide on set-ups and truss rod adjustment.

I don't agree with everything (don't slap on a fretless), but he has a LOT of GREAT info for all levels.
Wish it had been out when I started! Written in a very easy style.

Akerfeldt · #14 02-09-2008, 07:58 PM

Well, just a few hours ago I went out on a limb, and bought "Bass Guitars for Dummies". I did some research, and read some reviews and all of them sounded pretty positive, so I went over to Barnes & Nobles, and bought a copy. It was on sale. $18, marked down from $25, so I managed to save some money!

Anyway, I just started reading the book, and I gotta be honest with you, it seems pretty good. Its simple, easy to understand, and the author has a nice sense of humor, which keeps me from getting bored and makes this feel more like a hobby, as it should feel, as oppose to a job.

I'll keep ya posted on how my reading goes, and how my new strings feel.

meev992 · #15 02-09-2008, 08:38 PM

I learned a great deal of my setup knowledge (and playing knowledge) when I was still on guitar (Total Guitar by Terry Burrows, good book with plenty of chords and scales and history). The other half was just practicing on many basses, and talking to the shop owner about what he knew about different odds and ends about equipment.

Akerfeldt · #16 02-11-2008, 02:54 PM

So far the book is very good. Some parts are confusing, but I'm sure if I go over them and do some research I'll figure them out. Nothing in particular at this moment, but if I get stuck I'll be sure to ask.

I've been really sick lately, so I'm only up to page 80-something.

The only part of the book I don't like, is his way of writing grids. I don't like how he uses arrows. Why not just use regularly Tabs or sheet music?