new bassist looking for tips thanks

bassguitar_love · #1 12-26-2009, 05:18 PM

Hey guys

ive had my bass for the past year but i havent really got into it until the last few weeks and now that i have im loving it but i realise i lack alot of skill.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLHZbMuc8no

The link is a quick video of me playing a song any tips to improve would help me alot thanks in advance guys

waleross · #2 12-26-2009, 05:31 PM

When I first started one of my old friends (a guitarist) hit me with a ruler (lightly !) and said a finger to a fret and then he threw an early Mel Bay Bass Book at me and said " see ya in about three months" . the thing is the bass is real easy to get a sound out of it, since its amplified. Therefore in order to be ready to play patterns you must prepare your left hand and try to spread your hand at least 1 finger per fret. If you can get hold of a string bass just for hand position you'd appreciate what I saying......: Also you've got to know at least one guitar player and a bass player . Pick their brains for some instruction.....See ya in about 12 months.....

Randy Warren · #3 12-26-2009, 06:09 PM

songs are great, and you should play something you like to keep up your interest, but nothing will teach you to play bass well and fast than lessons, if nothing else, get Ed Friedland's bass method book, love it and it has taught me a lot in a short period of time, always amazed how much better I got in a relatively short period of time...

xgator4u · #4 12-26-2009, 06:11 PM

Brother, you need a teacher. Some instructional books/videos, and a teacher.

There are more strings on that bass than just the E.
And you do NOT play every note on THAT string by fretting with the same 1 finger.

Best of luck.

kurtd · #5 12-26-2009, 06:20 PM

Become the bass. Learn to play every song you like and play them constantly. Feel the beat.

stratovani · #6 12-26-2009, 08:25 PM

Seek out and learn from the masters of bass. Start with Paul McCartney, then progress to James Jamerson, then John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, Jack Bruce, you get the picture. Listen carefully to what and how they play, then try to play along with them.

NickInMesa · #7 12-26-2009, 08:58 PM

#1 be ready to do a lot of practicing
#2 join a band as soon as you can
#3 get a teacher

The three of them together make for a good bassist: homework, band, teacher.

They complete each other.