What's up? (I'm new! :))

AmyThiel2012 · #1 05-29-2009, 01:49 PM

Hey! I'm Amy, and I'm like super new to the bass! I'm actually a drummer, but my cousin needs a bassist for his band, and I figured that I could give it a shot! Stringed instruments are totally not my thing. I tried the guitar and I totally sucked.

So, basically, I figured the best place to start would on a bass forum! As you know, I have no idea how to play the bass, and I was wondering what advice you guys(and gals) have for me?

What material would you recommend to a beginner?

Mr wiggl3s · #2 05-29-2009, 02:06 PM

How seriously are you going to want to play bass? Just a few cover songs, or something more in-depth?

Dogbertday · #3 05-29-2009, 02:10 PM

Take a few lessons (at least) to make sure you learn some sort of technique..

aside from that try to learn music by ear. this means listening to songs and playing the bassline or just figuring out melodies that are in your head (twinkle twinkle, mary had a littel lamb, etc etc.)

dmusic148 · #4 05-29-2009, 02:13 PM

Hi Amy, welcome. I would suggest you get, like, some lessons.

BigOldHarry · #5 05-29-2009, 02:14 PM

If you are *serious* about this, start right away by learning to sight read. If not, play with MP3s and have fun.

My old-guy teacher advice to a n00b would also be: No pick, use your fingers... Keep the thumb on your fretting hand squarely behind the neck and your fingers parallel to the frets... And learn you the old pentatonic scale. You get those things down and you'll be in good shape for some fun rock.

Cary713 · #6 05-29-2009, 02:24 PM

http://studybass.com
...helped me get a great start. Not sure I'd have stuck with it if not for this site -

...but now I know the low end is my home...

fearceol · #7 05-29-2009, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigOldHarry

If you are *serious* about this, start right away by learning to sight read. If not, play with MP3s and have fun.

My old-guy teacher advice to a n00b would also be: No pick, use your fingers...

I have an old -guy teacher also, who has been a session bassist for the last thirty years and he advised me to use what I'm most comfortable with, and even better, to try to master both.

Jimmy Bones · #8 05-29-2009, 03:26 PM

To paraphrase a relatively hated fellow:

A bass is nothing but a handheld drum.

Keep in that philosophy and ignore the people who try to debunk a good groove for guitar style play, and it shouldn't be a huge jump from one rhythm role to this one.

Rudreax · #9 05-29-2009, 05:55 PM

Go through the forums on this site, and read through as many sticky topic as you can. If you see a poster around here named Stumbo, click on the links in his signature and read some of the topics he has archived.

Check out the following site: www.studybass.com , www.musictheory.net

And, of course, have fun! Make sure you only do stuff you love on the bass. Try out as many different things as you can, whenever you can. And again, have fun while you're doing it.

bThumper38 · #10 05-29-2009, 06:08 PM

Hola=) welcome to the dark-side. Well for starters the best bass players I know of started as drummers, the rest is up to you to practice your arse off till your fingers bleed. invest in crazy glue, and keep on playing, and playing, and playing, and playing, and playing, and in a couple years it'll start making sense. good luck...brian

Stumbo · #11 05-29-2009, 06:26 PM

Hi Amy,
Here's a couple of links you may want to start with:

http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ First bass lesson (click on Beginners)
A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me! Dman's beginner's bass intro links.

You might want to check out the links in my sig. below for more information. There's some good TB info available that may help you out.

AmyThiel2012 · #12 05-30-2009, 07:08 AM

Thanks for the advice guys!

As much as I'd like to take lessons, they're expensive.. Besides, I taught myself to play the drums... So, I figured I could teach myself to play the bass!

My ultimate goal is to be semi-good by the end of the summer..