Before starting to play bass

Dosed_Mind · #1 05-21-2006, 09:39 AM

Hi everybody at talkbass (hope this is the right forum...)!

Im a 16 year old boy from Denmark(Europe if your wondering...). In a few months(because of summer holidays and whatnot) im gonna start taking bass lessons, but thing is, i dont own a bass at the moment. This is because you are able to borrow instruments from the place im taking lessons for a year, so going out and purchasing a bass would be kinda stupid, if i somehow should lose interest during the first year. But, im really psyched right now, and i would like to do some things that would "prepare" me for starting to play (other than reading this forum ;D), and this is where i need your help.
I was thinking something along the lines of excersises that would improve my "fingerstretch" abilities or something like that. I also have access to two guitars(one old acoustic and a cheap electric) so do you know of any "basslike" parts that i can play on them? I was also wondering if there are any places on the net where you can learn to read sheet music, and if that would help me(havent played an instrument before btw)

Ok, thats a whole lot of questions, but basically, do you know any thing that would help my future bass playing?

Hope you guys can help, and thanks in advance!

d8g3jdh · #2 05-21-2006, 10:10 AM

I would say just learn to fingerpick on the acoustic, as well as some chords for callouses sake.

sinophysiker · #3 05-21-2006, 08:24 PM

buy the john patitucci video. lots of useful excersises and groove.

slythe_bassist · #4 05-22-2006, 02:02 PM

In my opinion, don't start out messing about on a guitar, because when you come to playing bass, you'll be like, "why are the frets so big"!
You're better off waiting until you get the bass and then starting with all the excersises and stuff. If you want something to do before then, learn the guitar seperately and then when you get the bass, learn that!
Hope I've helped. Have fun!

Herb_me420 · #5 05-22-2006, 02:09 PM

you could alawys look aroudn for cheap bass since you have all summer, ive come to conclusion you really only get better when i sit with the bass and play for a lenghty time. of course, im sure people learn other ways. but thats just me.

Herb_me420 · #6 05-22-2006, 02:10 PM

and i mean the cheapest you can buy like at a pond shop or something. to some people cheapbasses are like 200-450.

d8g3jdh · #7 05-22-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slythe_bassist

In my opinion, don't start out messing about on a guitar, because when you come to playing bass, you'll be like, "why are the frets so big"!
You're better off waiting until you get the bass and then starting with all the excersises and stuff. If you want something to do before then, learn the guitar seperately and then when you get the bass, learn that!
Hope I've helped. Have fun!

Good advice, but at least getting callouses is a good idea, it will save you some pain when you get your bass. Plus, fingerpicking is kinda transferable.

irjason · #8 05-22-2006, 04:37 PM

I think playing the guitar would help out. He's got to get his fingers used to doing what he tells them to do. For me mastering control of my fingers was one of the hardest things to do when I was a beginner. I see it in a lot of my friends if they pick up one of my basses. It's like they don't know why thier fingers aren't behaving.

BuffaloBass · #9 05-23-2006, 01:29 PM

Well, scales are the same on either instrument, so learn one, using positions, play it up the E string. Why not!?

Listen, listen, listen....

I even listen when I do my "real" job, running money. a TB'er just turned me onto this link... elevator music...??
http://www.oldschool.nl/

Naw baby, FUNK! Something, in my opinion, EVERY bassist should listen to.

Yes , " Roundabout" is a nice bassline to listen to ( unless you heard it 1,000,000 X like many of us older folks have)...

Get a few basslines in your head that really move you, and work on them... listen, play, have fun!

Dosed_Mind · #10 05-23-2006, 02:38 PM

Thanks for the replies guys!(your really a helpsome bunch

)

I'll continue messing about on the guitar, but i dont really understand that whole scale thing yet, you know of any place that will tell me more?

Anyways, im looking forward to getting my first bass, and becoming an active member of this great forum in the future!

tZer · #11 05-23-2006, 03:05 PM

And keep coming back here reading articles and lessons and participate in the Forum! Ever since I have been coming here my interested in bass has doubled! I have learned tons from all the good folks here AND I even ended up with a really great bass that I love through a trade with one of our fellow TB'ers... Talk about a place to keep your buzz going...

--tz

Herb_me420 · #12 05-23-2006, 03:09 PM

its true, just going through the forums in hear you learn allllot of stuff. there's also a great lesson on the intro to music theory. id check it out if i were you. teaches you from beginning