Switching from guitar to bass

[isky]

I've been playing the guitar for about 7-8 years (remaining completely illiterate theory-wise), now I picked a bass.
What should I start with?
The main problem is I can't think very low notes at the moment. When I hear a beat or some chord progression I come up with some guitarish kind of solo not a bass line. How can I develop the low notes hearing and thinking?
Hope you understand what I mean.

[DudeistMonk]

The main problem is I can't think very low notes at the moment. When I hear a beat or some chord progression I come up with some guitarish kind of solo not a bass line. How can I develop the low notes hearing and thinking?

Listen to/play some really bassy stuff it should help you develop your groove and make it easier to hear the bass in less bass heavy tunes. I highly recommend FUNK for this, check out The Meters, James Brown, Parliament, RHCP... Also reggae has so easy to hear(and play) prominent bass lines that are very groovy, and the guitar is very muted and out of the way so its easy to follow the bass.

Other than that I tend to think of guitar like a singing instrument that you would want to sing along with and bass like a dancing instrument that you want to move your feet too. If it makes you want to tap your foot and move around then you are onto a bassline.

Switching from guitar to bass
I've been playing the guitar for about 7-8 years (remaining completely illiterate theory-wise), now I picked a bass.
What should I start with?

I'm sure you know your scales already, so practice arpeggios in time with a metronome, using different progressions and stuff. They are the building blocks of strong basslines.

[Dogbertday]

learn anything you can where the guitar isn't prominent, or the bass is just easy to figure out. Vampire Weekend's album has a very good mix where you can pretty easily pick out bass, guitar, drums, vocals, aux percussion, strings, harpsichord (though it's synthesized), and anything else they've added. It's gotta be one of my favorite albums right now

[lomo]

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

I tend to think of guitar like a singing instrument that you would want to sing along with and bass like a dancing instrument that you want to move your feet too. If it makes you want to tap your foot and move around then you are onto a bassline.

Wisdom and clarity, that is!

[kraigo]

I'd get "Standing in the Shadows of Motown". I've gone years just listening to the creative lines that Jamerson came up with.

In some styles, the repetitive becomes trance inducing. Listen to some James Brown, or Bob Marley.

It really depends on the style you're pursuing. I try to make the most out of the root, the fifth and the flat 7th. Those three notes can get you a long, long way. Next up are the notes that will get you in trouble, the major and minor thirds and the major and minor sixths. You got a 50/50 chance of sounding awful with those tones - you're odds improve the more you know your theory and apply it successfully in real time. Seconds and fourths are usually bes left for passing tones on the bass. Then you get to chromatic tones, which can be good for tension but usually need a good resolution to a very consonant tone, usually the root.

I'd say that most of my playing revolves around the root, fifth and minor seventh of the chord of the moment and trying to tie the chords together in some sort of meaningful way. It isn't the most interesting in the world, but it fulfills the role that most people want from the bass. You can get a lot of mileage out of those three notes with their octaves.

KO

[lomo]

Start by playing the root of each chord, then the arpeggio, then try and link them up if you like. Then learn the modes and harmonic theory!

[dvh]

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

Other than that I tend to think of guitar like a singing instrument that you would want to sing along with and bass like a dancing instrument that you want to move your feet too. If it makes you want to tap your foot and move around then you are onto a bassline.

I prefer to think of it as moving the pelvis to. I think "sexy" to inspire much of my playing

[isky]

THANKS!
Now I know what to start with!

[lexxmexx]

strum it