Newbie looking for some advice:)

[hall1k]

Hello, I've decided to take up bass playing 'cause I realized I have no real hobbies these days, and I would like some advice from people who know these things...

First I'll explain my situation, I guess. I'll be entering my 2nd year of University for computer science in September, and thats always been my real passion, but lately its more like work than anything. I've honestly never been very musically inclined, but I seem to be doing okay with the bass. Its been a week and I've nailed "blink 182 - whats my age again?", even though thats a very easy song lol.

I'm hoping in september to jam with some friends at school, and I want to be ready when that day comes, but all over the internet everyone really pushes memorization, memorization, memorization. But this really frustrates me because i come from a heavy science background, where memorizing things is the absolute surest way to fail, because it is just impossible to memorize everything you will need to know. Is there any kind of alternative for me? I mean, all this musical theory like scales, keys, etc. are important, i'm sure, or else we wouldnt have them. But are they really critical when playing with a few friends? Its hard to explain, but its just really frustrating because I only ever see music taught in one way, the "brute force" method, but I know how I learn best, and that method really isnt right for me.

I'm sorry for the extremely long post, but i wanted to be sure that you knew where I'm coming from here.

[tmsteph]

you see, theory is not memorizing for information, it is the "rules" of music. just like you have to understand how gravity works before you can do physics. if you get what I mean. i stink at science. so maybe im not the best to answer

[WyrdoBass]

No you won't need theory to jam with a few friends. In my experience, theory can make a jam smoother/easier/more fun, because it lets you articulate your ideas and lets you demonstrate what you want to play with greater ease.

As far as "brute force" learning, just take it easy, learn a little at a time. Let theory become more of a "habit" than reciting from rote memorization. (I would try to explain what i mean in more detail, but I don't know how... memory/theory/recall has always been very easy for me.)

[DeluxeRed]

Learn some classic and fairly easy blues progressions and you'll not only be able to jam with anyone anywhere, you'll also be learning 90% of the rest of the rock-and-roll pantheon, too.

[hall1k]

I see. Thanks for taking the time to reply I guess im just confused and dont know where to start my practicing. Its kind of overwhelming.

[MaxMaps]

Coming from experience I can tell you that, even though you may not need theory to jam with your friends you will need it later to to progress as a player.

The best thing about music is that you can take it anyway you want to go, there are no right answers the result is the same enjoying yourself and rocking like a rocker.

Take it in small doses and learn a little ever time.

[hall1k]

okay. what should I start with? im guessing the notes on the fretboard? i'd like to have a teacher, but sadly thats not an option. The money just isnt there these days

[JimmyM]

If you can't get a teacher, get a book and work through it. There are a lot of beginner bass books out there, and most are pretty good. There is a lot of memorization in the beginning, but there's also a heck of a lot of other stuff involved as well, like feel, sense of rhythm, etc, that ought to keep both cranial hemishperes going.

And don't sell short the value of memorization. Memorization without understanding is no good, but memorization with understanding kicks ass!

[Stumbo]

You might want to take a look at the links in my sig. below for some good information that may help you in learning the bass.

One thing you can do is to start singing some songs. Train your ear to hear the changes.

Keep a list and recordings of all the songs you learn and review them all regularly. When you've learned enough songs you 'll be able to hear the similarities among different songs. Kinda like knowing several computer programming languages.

When you jam and play a note that doesn't fit well in the mix, just move on to something that does sound good. They're called "passing notes". Let anyone that says "that didn't sound that good" know that and you'll be fine.

Also remember that bass is a rhythm instrument as well. You can play the coolest bass line with one or two notes and a varied rhythmic sequence. Check latin/reggae music for a lot of that.

Good luck.

[hall1k]

Thanks for all the good advice, folks On a side note, i seem to have double posted this thread somehow... I'm not sure how to delete the other one, so if a mod stumbles upon this, feel free to delete the other one