need help with reading music

[sir bluntar]

i need to learn symbols for bass... i got a book but it just shows tabs and says play, so i need to no stuff like the 9: thing, and next to it it has vertical "4"s. i dont know what any of the squigles mean. so i was wondering about sites that have free demonstrations and stuff, i cant buy the internet tabs and i feel that i could get good if i could just start. ANYONE who can HELP me, i would be very very grateful.... by the way, if anyone knows how many strings the Grateful Dead's bass player used i would like to know.

[Funkbass796]

http://www.musictheory.net/

use the lessons

Start with the staffs, clefs, ect. one and work your way from there.

[sir bluntar]

thanks... it doesnt explain everything to me but ill figure it out eventually. if i need more help ill just post..