New to the bass

highandlow · #1 12-15-2011, 09:45 PM

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I didn't see any other section. My name is Devin and I am a sophomore in college. I had been debating buying a bass for about a month and finally decided to pull the trigger. I bought a Fender Vintage Modified Jaguar full scale bass and a 15w Fender rumble amp. I used to play guitar but after a while it just slipped away from me and I've tried to get back into it. I don't know what it is about the bass but it really appeals to me and I think I am much better prepared to learn am instrument at this point in my life. Ironically I also play the harmonica fairly frequently and that's why I chose the name highandlow. I just wanted to say hi and look forward to using these forums. If anyone has some starting advice than I will gladly give it a read.

-highandlow

MalcolmAmos · #2 12-16-2011, 05:46 AM

I've never seen a bassist with a harmonica hung around their neck. IMO strumming the harmony while playing the melody is not that big a chore, however, we do not strum, so playing a bass line of individual notes and playing melody on the harmonica - all at the same time - good luck. That out of the way.......

Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com and the book Bass Guitar for Dummies are both good starting points.

http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bas...e-of-the-bass/

Spend some time here. http://www.studybass.com/lessons/com...bass-patterns/

Welcome to our World.

fearceol · #3 12-16-2011, 07:03 AM

Dont forget that good technique is best nailed at the very start. Apart from playing to a high standard, you will avoid possible physical problems at a later stage. Check out the clips below.

Beginner Bass Guitar Lesson: Left Hand Technique - YouTube

Developing Safe Left Hand Technique for Bass Guitar - YouTube

Todd Johnson Bass Guitar : Floating thumb technique - YouTube

highandlow · #4 12-16-2011, 09:43 AM

I viewed those videos that you linked and I had a quick question. I have heard a lot of different right hand techniques being described, and I don't quite understand which one to use, say floating thumb vs. fixed anchor or something. Any suggestions and if I like one should I just stick with it?

parmezans · #5 12-16-2011, 02:08 PM

I'd just like to add that you made a great choice with the Jaguar and the amp. Those will last you for a loooong time. The Jag is a great bass. The manufacturing, however, is not consistent with big companies like Fender (Squier) so I hope you got a good one.

Those links above are very good starting points and you won't need more for now.
Ask anything that's on your mind, this is a very friendly forum, I am a beginner myself and this forum makes me a better player.
One piece of advice I can give you from my personal experience; wear your strap while you play standing up AND seated. Adjust it so that your bass is at the same place when you stand up and when you seat, that way your technique won't suffer. Also, when you play seated, DON'T lean over the fretboard and play. Play with a straight back. This will help you play less awkward when you stand up at first because you'll get used to playing with your eyes on the top part of the neck.

kraigo · #6 12-16-2011, 02:16 PM

Good luck. My best advice is to put the iPod on shuffle or play along to the radio every now and then. Try to learn as much of the song as you can while it's playing, then move on to the next song. It's great for ear training and it's a valuable skill to learn for when you start playing with people.

There's something to be said for learning things properly, front to back, but there's also value in learning to fake things well.

KO

MalcolmAmos · #7 12-17-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highandlow

I viewed those videos that you linked and I had a quick question. I have heard a lot of different right hand techniques being described, and I don't quite understand which one to use, say floating thumb vs. fixed anchor or something. Any suggestions and if I like one should I just stick with it?

I come to the bass from 6 string guitar and had the same thought. The pick is familiar so I started using a pick. Carol Kaye was an early influence. Carol uses a pick, good enough for Carol good enough for me. BTW Carol has, on her site, 100 tips http://www.carolkaye.com/www/education/tips1.htm well worth your time.

It became apparent that each way has a distinct sound. I liked the sound of the thumb over the pick so I switched to using my thumb and palm mute. This is what I use in public now. However, at home I'm beginning to use my fingers and the floating thumb method.

I'm now thinking there is a time and a place for all three depending on the sound you think is needed and then the song itself will dictate which is correct. So, IMO proceed with which ever one you find comfortable right now, but give all three a try.

Now that and $1.67 will get you a cup of coffee in East Texas.

Happy trails.

Groove Doctor · #8 12-17-2011, 04:48 PM

I've played harmonica while playing Fretless bass... and singing harmonies in between... Darn hard!!
I learn to play the two lines on piano and just think of that... my head can get it easier.

Advice? Don't grab the neck with left hand, gently place thumb on back of neck as a reference point or guide.

Listen to a lot of solid bass lines, they don't have to be fancy or solos. Learn to appreciate simple and understated, how it fits the song/band well. Easy to play and quick to learn.
eg. Credence Clearwater Revival, Rolling Stones.

Learn in full half a dozen songs your friends know so you can start jamming ASAP.

repoman · #9 12-17-2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highandlow

Hello everyone,

Sorry if this is the wrong place for this but I didn't see any other section. My name is Devin and I am a sophomore in college. I had been debating buying a bass for about a month and finally decided to pull the trigger. I bought a Fender Vintage Modified Jaguar full scale bass and a 15w Fender rumble amp. I used to play guitar but after a while it just slipped away from me and I've tried to get back into it. I don't know what it is about the bass but it really appeals to me and I think I am much better prepared to learn am instrument at this point in my life. Ironically I also play the harmonica fairly frequently and that's why I chose the name highandlow. I just wanted to say hi and look forward to using these forums. If anyone has some starting advice than I will gladly give it a read.

-highandlow

Hey, I have a harmonica slung around my neck, too! As someone already noted trying to play bass and harmonica at the same time is a bit of a task, that's why I play my harp in between bass lines and rests. If you use your musical senses you can always blow a few seconds of notes , hell, if your timing is good you can do it any time you're not moving your fingers, when you are just ringing ..... it works best when playing blues.If you watch old footage of Dylan he wasn't always strumming when he played his harp....

highandlow · #10 12-17-2011, 09:57 PM

Thanks for all the tips. I am going to really start some nitty gritty practice tomorrow after just messing around a bit today. Coming from guitar all of the techniques you have to pay attention to are so overwhelming. I always want to just pluck with one finger rather than alternating so I am trying to break that habit. I have started getting used to play 1 finger per fret which is a little bit of a stretch for the lower notes but I have decent finger strength. I am curious, some people say that the stretching of the hand is a bad thing on the low frets because of the space between them, but I can't see me not using all 4 fingers and still being effective later on. Any thoughts?

fearceol · #11 12-18-2011, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highandlow

I don't quite understand which one to use, say floating thumb vs. fixed anchor or something. Any suggestions and if I like one should I just stick with it?

Use what ever method is comfortable and works for you. It is generally accepted that keeping both wrists as straight as possible will help prevent possible physical problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by highandlow

I am curious, some people say that the stretching of the hand is a bad thing on the low frets because of the space between them, but I can't see me not using all 4 fingers and still being effective later on. Any thoughts?

Yes, some people do find that OFPF is too much of a stretch on the lower frets. There is no need to over stretch if you use your thumb as a pivot as shown in the clip below (starts at 06.38 ) that I also posted earlier. Also, once you have played a note with say, the index finger, there is no need to keep it down on the fret, if you are going to play the next note with the pinkie. If you feel any discomfort or pain with OFPF on the lower frets.....CEASE OPERATIONS !!

Video Clip :

Beginner Bass Guitar Lesson: Left Hand Technique - YouTube

highandlow · #12 12-18-2011, 03:04 PM

Thanks fearceol for the tips, they are very useful. I am following everyone's advice and trying to start right before developing bad technique.

MalcolmAmos · #13 12-18-2011, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highandlow

......... I have started getting used to play 1 finger per fret which is a little bit of a stretch for the lower notes but I have decent finger strength. I am curious, some people say that the stretching of the hand is a bad thing on the low frets because of the space between them, but I can't see me not using all 4 fingers and still being effective later on. Any thoughts?

Yes, I brought one fret per finger over from the 6 string and this seems to be OK for electric bass. Sure I slide a little, but, no one is keeping score.

DMBassNVox · #14 12-18-2011, 07:36 PM

Never..ever....ever...quit. It's rough at first. I know I thought that when I got my first bass I'd plug it in the amp and sound immediately like Tool. BOY was I wrong...yet I stuck with it. I can honestly say that playing bass has changed my life...I quit playing video games once I started getting better. To this day I barely play video games....my free time consists of me with my bass in my hand playing along with my favorite songs or attempting to learn more about thoery. Well that...and girlies. Girlies are nice. But not girlies from being in a band...the military takes too much time for me to be in a band these days lol