what is the best way to learn on my own?

[skyline014]

im starting to pick up bass, i have wanted to for a few years now, and i really don't know where to start. i cant really afford lessons right now so im looking for some alternatives. im 17 years old and have played trumpet for about 5 years, i play mostly jazz, so i know the basics of theory and some progression stuff. im really just looking for a really good book that will teach me what i need to know. any suggestions?

[shatterd]

They have some very good online lessons at www.workshoplive.com

You can subscribe to the site for around 19 bucks a month. That's a heckuva lot cheaper than what a live teacher will cost ya. They have some awesome teachers over there!!!

Also, get a drum machine of some sort, and start jamming with drum patterns and loops. I have a Zoom HD8 multitrack that has a built in drum machine(500 patterns)....so that is what I use. If you are on a budget, get one of those cheap casio or Yamaha keyboards that has built in drum patterns. That'll work.

You might also want to go to a local music store and pick up a few of those book/CD combos on bass.

Play along with your favorite tunes on your iPod or whatever.

Get as much as you can free from youtube, and online etc.

Jam with other musicians...as soon as possible, and as often as possible.

If you have the desire, you will find a way.

Get busy. Be focused and dedicated.



Listen to a lot of music and pay attention to the bass lines.

[chris.gotfunk]

Originally Posted by skyline014

im starting to pick up bass, i have wanted to for a few years now, and i really don't know where to start. i cant really afford lessons right now so im looking for some alternatives. im 17 years old and have played trumpet for about 5 years, i play mostly jazz, so i know the basics of theory and some progression stuff. im really just looking for a really good book that will teach me what i need to know. any suggestions?

Isn't you asking us voiding you learning on your own?

Kidding!!!!

[Bassmickeyd]

I'd suggest, going online, youtubes full of great suggestions on bass playing.
But as far a technic goes:
LH: Try to keep you thumb in the center of the back of the neck. (not hooked over the top)
LH: Play one finger per fret.
LH: Place you fretting finger as close to the fret as possible.

RH: Playing with your fingers, use your first and second.
RH: Alternate the two fingers as you pluck.
Practice scales.
Major Scale fingering over three strings:
E-string: 2 & 4
A-String: 1, 2, & 4
D-String: 1, 3, & 4
That fingering works everywhere on the neck.

Practice slowly keeping you tempo even.
You build speed as you're playing improves.
Stand in front of the mirror to practice:
It's the easiest way to correct bad fingering and posture.
Good luck
PS: Practice, practice, practice.
PSS: One more thing....... Practice.

[fearceol]

All good advice so far. IMO you should work on your technique first. That way you avoid bad habits from the start. "Bassmickeyd" pretty well covered the basic technique above. One of my favourite sites for (free) lessons is :

www.studybass.com

[dhemstra]

Get you basic theory down I like
http://www.cyberfretbass.com

Check out other players as far as technique goes,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUkETBD8Qag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W40RX_t1ZO0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBR5GTzZIJY

Transcribe anything you like, play in a band and just listen!

Good luck!

[solidsneak]

I've really found youtube very useful in practising alone.

Especially watching other bass players play along to their favorite tunes - it really helps to see how they're playing a particular riff, and their own amplifier helps to bring the bassline to the front of the song so you can hear the lines more clearly.

[Gabriel51]

Or you could learn to read Bass clef! I did in the 60's and it was never used again. All the guys I met in the studio used the # system, same with the bands. What a waist of time that was!! I had to learn Morse code and exhibit a proficiency of 13 words a minute once also. the last time I used that was in the cold war with the Russians. I have never used that again either.
I like the advice the folks posted before this one.

[Kitschead]

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

I'd suggest, going online, youtubes full of great suggestions on bass playing.

But be careful on youtube because there is also a lot of idiots giving people bad advice. Especially on expert village.

[deckard]

Best advice I can give you is get Todd Johnson's "Technique Builders" DVD.

I have several instructional VHS tapes and DVDs, and Todd's is by far the best at helping you build your technique.

(He also has others specific to jazz-style walking bass, but as I already have a fair proficiency at that I can't tell you about those because I haven't purchased and used them.)

"Technique Builders" is my bread-and-butter/go-to source for working on technique, and Todd's on-camera manner is relaxed, supportive & kind of like having a pal guiding you along.

Regardless of your preferred style, this DVD is for anyone who wants to... well, build their technique.

He also has his own forum here on TalkBass over at "Ask A Pro" and is quite generous about answering questions...

JMHO

(end of infomercial)



p.s. - for building sight-reading skills in bass clef, I suggest Ron Velosky's "Sight Reading for Bass", available at BassBooks.com...

[SpectorBass308]

Go to Youtube and look for beginner lessons, there is a lot of good stuff out there. Most importantly for you is that you start out with good technique and don't develop any bad habits.

[Bass301]

Ed Freidland's book/cd instructional series.

Song books of your favorite band. See Hal Leonard Online for a list of song books, or just type something like "Pearl Jam bass book" into a Google search.

Also get Guitar Pro software so you can use the tablatures at 911Tabs.com