Newbie from Australia, saying G'Day!

[GrumpyBastard]

G'day All,

A quick introduction and my very first post on TB.

I have been lurking for a little while now, so only polite to introduce myself.

Damn! where do i start? ... Okay here goes...

Turning 39 in August last year and being bored i set myself 3x difficult challenges to do before i turned 40. I couldn't afford the sports car, or the young women for my mid life crisis

So these where my goals-
1. Learn to dance (no progress on this yet)
2. Be a better kisser, this hasn't progressed much either, primarily due to the lack of volunteers to practice with and my wife was none impressed when i did find people to practice with!
3. Finally to learn bass

I have always wanted to play bass, ever since i was a kid, i remember even back then my favourite songs were the ones where the bass line was up front and drove the song along and still is to this day.

So after much umming and ahhing, i took the leap and my wife bought me for my Birthday a Yamaha RBX170, a practice amp and i found somewhere local for lessons.

And i have enjoyed every minute of owning the bass since!

I am still appallingly bad, because I have the worlds most appalling finger dexterity! (I have worked in IT for over 20 years and still cant type!)
But at least i have progressed from staring at my fingers trying to will them to move! And moving my fingers with my other hand and saying "you go there, you there and you there" To me it felt like i was trying to wiggle my ears!

I don't kid myself that im ever going to be good, but im having fun trying non the less.

Cheers
Matt (aka GB)

[bassteban]

Hey, Grumpy- welcome to TB. Hang in there, the most basic(& often the best, IMO)bass playing is the simplest, & may not be as tough as you think. Relax, read/learn a lot but also play w/better players- that will grow you.

[diehard70]

welcome to the party, Grumpy. Always room for more

[Chris K]

G'day to you, mate... Boronia... I've got familiy in Traralgon I visitred last year. Gonno go there again in July.

Starting bass, make sure you read about health issues:
http://chriskeuken.nl/health.html

[EdHunter]

Good to have you around, hope you pick up playing quicker than I have!

Oh, and I must just quickly say,

[hrodbert696]

Welcome Grumpy. I started at the same age (a little over a year ago), and there are lots of others around here who did the same thing. Listen to ChrisK! At our age it's easier to wind up straining something or getting carpal tunnel if you're not careful about technique, so go slowly and be careful about your hands. Bass is huge fun, you're going to be addicted.

[Evil Undead]

Welcome Grumpy! Hope you enjoy the forum, and the bass even more

[Slaine01]

Good to see another Aussie on the forum..

Remember - no matter how bad things get in the big bad world we always have,,,,,,,,,,

[Dubista]

Hey mate, good to see another Ozzie pick up the bass.

Just practice and you'll start groovin' before you know it.

On a side note, you might want to join www.ozbassforum.com It's similar to TB, but local to the land down under. They have a nice classified section too.

[Slaine01]

If you ever need to talk bass stuff - check out Guy at Bass Centre there in Melbourne
http://www.basscentre.com.au/
or in Sydney
http://www.basspeople.com.au/

Awesome people and always available to just chat about anything you may need or questions you may need to ask.

Between them and Talkbass I reckon you have just about all your "Basses" covered

[champbassist]

Originally Posted by EdHunter

If he weren't a new member, I'm sure OP would respond by reminding you of the tidings of the ODI series concluded today

Time to bump the cricket thread in OT with the upcoming WC, what say?

[GrumpyBastard]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

I notice no one mentions the greatest of all health risks ..... your partner! ..."For God sake! would you stop that clacking!" "Take those headphones off! Im talking to you!" etc Being the considerate bloke that i am, i bought her a pair of safety ear muffs for Xmas! (it amused me!)

Seriously tho, i have been very considered in my technique, when you have to "will" every finger to move it gives you plenty of time to consider economy of motion and technique...

Addicted!?! Funny you should say that, on a couple of levels... because...well....

Currently having a "Dry Feb" (no Alcohol for a month, Feb is the shortest month of the year). Decided also a good time to try to quit smoking again. Its been 57 hours since my last smoke!

Every time i feel like a smoke i pick the bass up and practice, it takes 100% of my concentration and after 10-15mins the craving has passed.

I have also put a deposit on a black Yamaha BB414, if i can stop smoking for 10 weeks, the money saved will pay for the new bass.... that's my motivation to quit.

As for addicted to the bass? To late! It comes on holidays with us! I just wish i had more free time to practice, it sits in the lounge room and i grab it whenever i can. Whilst watching TV, waiting for dinner to cook, whilst the kids are in the bath, any small snatch of time i will have it in my hands.

My first bass lesson for this year is tomorrow night and i feel i haven't achieved much in the last 8 weeks, since my last lesson. Nothing like lessons to make you want to lift your game so you dont look like a complete tossa! I feel the need to spend a couple of hours cramming tonight!

I currently have 3 songs on the go at the moment.
MJ Billie Jean (4 weeks on this and still cant nail it 100%) and why does everyone on youtube play it wrong?
Police - Beds to big without you (Damn that 2nd riff is played fast)
Police - Bring on the night (stand a good chance of nailing this one soon, maybe?)

Feel the need to smoke... the bass calls me!

[EdHunter]

Originally Posted by champbassist

If he weren't a new member, I'm sure OP would respond by reminding you of the tidings of the ODI series concluded today

Time to bump the cricket thread in OT with the upcoming WC, what say?

Injuries/fatigue/pointless series...

But yeah, let's get that up and running again

[GrumpyBastard]

Originally Posted by EdHunter

Injuries/fatigue/pointless series...

But yeah, let's get that up and running again

Hmmm i don't do cricket.

Never been into blokes rubbing their red balls

But each to there own i guess! ... hehehe

[bass_snake]

Congrats on picking up the bass. Practice whenever you can.

I gave up two other things in my life. Which are sports/ working out and collecting exotic animals. Other than family. Bass playing keeps me alive.

Welcome to TalkBass!

Fred

[Buxtehude]

Originally Posted by Slaine01

Good to see another Aussie on the forum..

Remember - no matter how bad things get in the big bad world we always have,,,,,,,,,,

And good weather, and awesome bassplayers. Aussies are all over this forum.

[s_mcsleazy]

ok i am english (live in scotland though) so ill try to keep any jokes to a minimum

it takes time. start off slow and you will get better..... also mullets dont equal good bass playing AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[Buxtehude]

Originally Posted by s_mcsleazy

ok i am english (live in scotland though) so ill try to keep any jokes to a minimum

it takes time. start off slow and you will get better..... also mullets dont equal good bass playing AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

My list of famous Scottish bassplayers:


As you can see it's extensive. We have Tal Wilkenfeld, shower regularly and have great tolerance, including scottish herberts

[magic papa]

Originally Posted by Slaine01

If you ever need to talk bass stuff - check out Guy at Bass Centre there in Melbourne
bass guitar, bass guitars, bass amps, fender bass, musicman bass, rickenbacker
or in Sydney
Bass People Home Page

Awesome people and always available to just chat about anything you may need or questions you may need to ask.

Between them and Talkbass I reckon you have just about all your "Basses" covered

+1 to Bass Centre

I've just got a new bass from these guys. By the looks of things it's waiting for me at TNT depot

(and I'm stuck at work )

[mixtapelove]

The best cold beer is Vic. Carn the Dons... oh wait, they're out. Um.. go Cats?