New and eager

[woken2reason]

I'll into my self by saying my name is not important, but I want the music I play to be important. I have started playing bass for just over a month and a half. My timing is getting tighter and I am about to lurn my first song “Millen Colin - Vulcan Ears”. Oh and I am getting lessons. My questions are…
Jam sessions… who is best to play with?…. Am I the only person who wants to play in time?… where can I find people willing to jam?…. Will jamming help?

Also I’m on a mission to get a fender standard jazz bass 4-string…. Would this be a good choice for a progression guitar??… Should I save more to get a 5 string??

Also…
- I want to play punk/metal/rock
- I am 20
- I work too much

Cheers
Dylan

[Noonan768]

Jamming with others usually does help. Work on your notes... not tabs.. Throw some scales in there.. and then get out and jam with other capable musicians. It will open your range up if they are at different levels and play different styles than you.

As for your bass choice.. I'm not a big fender fan. Play around. Find the bass that sounds good to you and feels right. Go to a GC and plug into a similar bass rig and see how they sound.

Hope that helps.

[fearceol]

Jamming with other musicians is a great way to learn. It is also a big plus, that you are getting lessons.

As for your choice of bass, the fender jazz is a nice bass. As Noonan768 says, try out as many basses as you can. The one that feels and sounds right to you is your bass. Four or five (or even six) strings is an entirely personal choice. I personally prefer four.

Hope this helps.

[woken2reason]

Thanks for the advice. I was judging the fender off bass player magazine. It was voted number 1 for basses under $700. I also learn only from notes. Also my main problem with finding a bass for myself is the fact I am left handed.... One left handed guitar per music store sucks massively.

[Noonan768]

Ahh.. Yes, the lefty thing will get in the way at a music store. If you can bare to flip them over, you can at least get a feel for the neck and body weight. .. and the basics of the sound.. Then leave and order a lefty online and hope the set up is close.

Good luck.

[Jim Campbell]

Originally Posted by woken2reason

I'll into my self by saying my name is not important, but I want the music I play to be important. I have started playing bass for just over a month and a half. My timing is getting tighter and I am about to lurn my first song “Millen Colin - Vulcan Ears”. Oh and I am getting lessons. My questions are…
Jam sessions… who is best to play with?…. Am I the only person who wants to play in time?… where can I find people willing to jam?…. Will jamming help?

Also I’m on a mission to get a fender standard jazz bass 4-string…. Would this be a good choice for a progression guitar??… Should I save more to get a 5 string??

Also…
- I want to play punk/metal/rock
- I am 20
- I work too much

Cheers
Dylan

a month and a half might be a tad soon to be jamming...try playing along with some youtube vids and cd's for a while....a decent used fender j will usually sell for what you paid....try the classifieds here......i'd go with a four for now and take some time to try a bunch of different basses until you find one you like

[caeman]

Keep an open mind. There is something to be learned from every musician you see/hear and every song you play. Tab is just another tool. Try to learn to use all the tools as you progress. Be patient with your learning. Keep your practice sessions focused and goal-oriented.

[MalcolmAmos]

IMHO the bass is to be played with other instruments. So yes jamm. Here are some backing tracks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xABie...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Isl1Lk_-yw8

Why blues, that ole basic 12 bar blues progression is an easy way to hear the chord changes.
http://www.bobbrozman.com/tip_evol12bar.html

Have fun.