Where should I start?

[loldrummer]

Hey guys! I'll try to make it as short as possible haha:
So I've been playing drums for almost about 3 years now (I know that's not a long time) and I've been wanting to play bass also for quite a long time now. I've talked to other amazing drummers on other awesome forums and all of them said to just GO for it.
And I wanted to ask you a few questions since I am going for it like What bass should I buy? what's best for a beginner? Which amplifier? etc. My dad is going to the USA soon and he wants to buy me bass guitar there. Trust me it's much cheaper in the USA then here xD. I think the cheapest stuff should do the trick for the start .

also, I am not going to take any lessons for bass guitars maybe only from my friends and ofcourse CD's and internet help because I already pay to drumming lessons from a musical school, Music Theory lessons and jamming with friends on that musical school so I guess it's really too much and I don't have much choice.

So, Do you think it's a good idea or I am underestimating the bass too much xD.

I really like the bass, It's my favorite instrument after drums because it's more into the rhythm and it's a really close instrument to the drums. I think it's a beautiful instrument.


Thank you very much for your help, I extremely appreciate it . I am really sorry if this wasn't short enough xD. Thanks very much!

[MalcolmAmos]

Find a starter kit on the Internet. Tell your Dad the make and model numbers, etc.

Shipping could be a problem. Check that out.

The internet site Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com and the book "Bass Guitar for Dummies" will get you started.

File the following away and drag it out when you get your instrument. Most of it comes from the Dummies book. Don't expect it to make since right now, but, after you've been to those two sites it should click.

Bass Patterns based upon the Major Scale box.

Major Scale Box. 

G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string

Place the root (R) on the C note 4th string 8th fret and the C major scale await you.
Place the root (R) on the C note and play the R-3-5 and you have just played the notes of the C major chord aka C arpeggio. Chord progression for this song is G-C-D. Place your box root on a G on the 3rd string. Where is your C? Where is the D? The next song's progression is C-F-G. Place your box root on a C on the 3rd string. Where is your F? Where is your G? Yep, piece of cake.

Basic Chords
Major Triad = R-3-5
Minor Triad = R-b3-5
Diminished Chord = R-b3-b5

7th Chords
Maj7 = R-3-5-7
Minor 7 = R-b3-5-b7
Dominant 7 = R-3-5-b7
½ diminished = R-b3-b5-b7
Full diminished = R-b3-b5-bb7

Scales
Major Scale = R-2-3-4-5-6-7
Major Pentatonic = R-2-3-5-6 Major scale without the 4 & 7
Major Bebop = R-2-3-4-5-b6-6-7 Major scale with a b6 added
Major Dominant Bebop = R-2-3-4-5-6-b7-7 Major scale with both b7 and 7
Natural Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-b7 Major scale with the 3, 6 & 7 flatted
Minor Pentatonic = R-b3-4-5-b7 Natural minor scale without the 2 & 6
Blues = R-b3-4-b5-5-b7 Minor pentatonic with the b5 blue note added
Harmonic Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-b6-7 Natural minor scale with a natural 7
Melodic Minor Scale = R-2-b3-4-5-6-7 Major scale with a b3
Minor Bebop = R-2-b3-3-4-5-6-b7 Dorian with a natural 3 added
That’s enough to get you going.



Major modes
Ionian same as the Major Scale.
Lydian use the major scale and sharp the 4 - yes, it’s that simple.
Mixolydian use the major scale and flat the 7.

Minor Modes
Aeolian same as the Natural Minor scale.
Dorian use the Natural Minor scale and sharp the b6 back to a natural 6.
Phrygian use the Natural Minor scale and flat the 2.
Locrian use the Natural Minor scale and flat the 2 and the 5.

Generic Notes to use in your bass lines.
The root, five and eight are generic and fit most any chord. Remember the diminished has a flatted 5.
The 3 is generic to all major chords. See a major chord R-3-5-8 is a generic bass line that will work.
The b3 is generic to all minor chords. See a minor chord R-b3-5-8 is a generic bass line that will work.
The 7 is generic to all maj7 chords. R-3-5-7.
The b7 is generic to all dominant seventh and minor seventh chords. R-3-5-b7 or R-b3-5-b7.
The 6 is neutral and adds color, help yourself to 6’s. I like R-3-5-6 for major chords. Has a great sound.
The 2 and 4 make good passing notes. Don’t linger on them or stop on them, keep them passing.
In making your bass line help yourself to those notes, just use them correctly.
Remember roots, fives, eights and the correct 3 will play a lot of bass.

Have fun.

[helterschecter]

I know it you first bass,but I wouldn't go really cheap on your bass. It won't be long and you will be wishing you got a better bass. Don't buy a bass kit. I can't really recommend anything for you with out knowing your budget..but remember one thing, you get what you pay for...good luck, happy hunting....p.s I would love to get me a dean spire bass..in red of coarse

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by helterschecter

but remember one thing, you get what you pay for

+1. Having said that, it is possible to get a reasonably good bass at a reasonably cheap price. Try out as many basses as you can within your budget. See which one feels and sounds right to you, regardless of the name on the headstock.

As for where to start, I would recommend working on good technique for both hands.

[Stumbo]

Check out the >500 link in my sig. below. Lots of great TB info there that may help you out?

What's your budget?

Since it's a second instrument and you're in music school, I would consider learning more keyboards to apply your music theory.

[chadhargis]

I'm a relatively new player having played less than 2 years. The biggest help to me was ear training. Learning where that "sound" is on the bass. For the first year and a half I played, I didn't know where the notes were on the fretboard, but I knew where the sounds were. If I heard a note or a series of notes, I could begin playing them in very short order because I spent lots of time playing and memorizing the sounds of scales. Not only in order (1-2-3-4-5-6-7), but also skipping around and in relation to the 1 (1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5...).

I'm not a prolific player, but there isn't much that's out of my reach if I can listen to the song and learn how to "sing" the bass line. Once I know that, I can apply it to the bass. This is really only a handicap with uber complex bass lines like some of the stuff James Jamerson played where there is little repetition.

Being a drummer, you will already be aware of time and rhythm. The bass takes these a step further. Pick up a DVD with Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington called "Groove Workshop". What I discovered after attending a clinic with Victor and watching the DVD is that while I was playing the correct notes, it's HOW I was playing them that was wrong. I spend a lot of time working on my "groove". Playing fewer notes, but making the ones I do play "tell a story" as Victor would say.

[loldrummer]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Check out the >500 link in my sig. below. Lots of great TB info there that may help you out?

What's your budget?

Since it's a second instrument and you're in music school, I would consider learning more keyboards to apply your music theory.

Thanks a lot for the help. Also, When I said music school I ment a school that teaches me private lessons that comes to my house. I don't go there and learn theory and stuff. I go to a regular school daily haha. And I do know a lot of basics on keyboards such as about intervals, Chords, Scales and ETC and I learn music theory on my regular school I spent 2-3 more hours a week when I go there.

Originally Posted by chadhargis

I'm a relatively new player having played less than 2 years. The biggest help to me was ear training. Learning where that "sound" is on the bass. For the first year and a half I played, I didn't know where the notes were on the fretboard, but I knew where the sounds were. If I heard a note or a series of notes, I could begin playing them in very short order because I spent lots of time playing and memorizing the sounds of scales. Not only in order (1-2-3-4-5-6-7), but also skipping around and in relation to the 1 (1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5...).

I'm not a prolific player, but there isn't much that's out of my reach if I can listen to the song and learn how to "sing" the bass line. Once I know that, I can apply it to the bass. This is really only a handicap with uber complex bass lines like some of the stuff James Jamerson played where there is little repetition.

Being a drummer, you will already be aware of time and rhythm. The bass takes these a step further. Pick up a DVD with Victor Wooten and Anthony Wellington called "Groove Workshop". What I discovered after attending a clinic with Victor and watching the DVD is that while I was playing the correct notes, it's HOW I was playing them that was wrong. I spend a lot of time working on my "groove". Playing fewer notes, but making the ones I do play "tell a story" as Victor would say.

Thanks a lot man and yeah I do have sense of rhythm and aware of time since I am a drummer. I'ma go search for dvd's.

Thanks a lot guys but, Which bass should I get as a beginner? my budget is about until 500$ includes a case and amplifier (optional). What do you think? Is it possible?