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punk_bassist24 · #1 03-18-2007, 03:02 PM

ok ive been playing the bass for about two months. i started playing it cuz me n my friends started a band. ive learned a lot and im steadily getting better i can play through a song i know how to read tabs,, but i know somethings missing and im wondering if anyone has any tips.. music is the only thing i can do with my life i love it and i will eventually make it.. i love music and i want people to enjoy listening to my band i dont care about money.. i just want some tips.. they would be much appreciated.. thnx

Lazylion · #2 03-18-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punk_bassist24

ok ive been playing the bass for about two months. i started playing it cuz me n my friends started a band. ive learned a lot and im steadily getting better i can play through a song i know how to read tabs,, but i know somethings missing and im wondering if anyone has any tips.. music is the only thing i can do with my life i love it and i will eventually make it.. i love music and i want people to enjoy listening to my band...

Welcome, brother! From this post I'd say you've got three critical things going for you: a good attitude, lots of desire, and you picked the best instrument! Now you need experience - practice and gig experience. That takes time, so don't be impatient with yourself. There's a lot of good advice and ideas to be had on this forum (and a little BS, lol), so read up when you're not playing or listening to music, and enjoy! See you 'round!

JLW · #3 03-18-2007, 06:17 PM

Play because you love it and for fun. No other reason.

Chili · #4 03-18-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLW

Play because you love it and for fun. No other reason.

exactly, you will always get the people who will try to put you down, either say youll never get anywhere or get very good, probably just people who tryed and failed and dont want to see anyone else do good, but just play what you wonna play and learn what you wonna learn, try and be open and listen to lots of differant bass players and styles of music and dont play or learn styles for anyone else but you, i no most of my family didnt think i would keep playing, exept for my cuzins who were also learning, they thought it was just a phaze, and now i've been playing for 4 year, and love it, and cant imagine not ever playing

GillesUnchained · #5 03-20-2007, 07:36 PM

#1 tip for any musician: Challenge yourself. Learn a part that you thought was beyond your ability. And play in bands with people who are better musicians than you and that demand a lot of you. It will make you a better player.

hec86 · #6 03-20-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GillesUnchained

#1 tip for any musician: Challenge yourself. Learn a part that you thought was beyond your ability. And play in bands with people who are better musicians than you and that demand a lot of you. It will make you a better player.

+100
Only thing I'd add is, it doesn't have be an actual band, jam sessions are just as good.

txbasschik · #7 03-21-2007, 02:10 PM

Welcome!

Scales, scales, scales. You can't go wrong by learning the most commonly-used scales. They open up your hands, and make you really learn the whole neck.

Bass Guitar for Dummies has great scale charts. Most easy-to-understand of all the ones I've seen.

Also, I recommend this book: The Progressive System for Bass, Beginner to Advanced. Once you get past the very-beginning exercises, most of the exercises can be directly applied to most genres in modern music.

Also, play along with cd's at home, and try to learn things that you think are too advanced for you. You'll make mistakes and mess 'em up, but after a while, things will start to click.

Play with your band, and in jams, as much as possible. There is nothing like playing with real people to make you get chops, fast.

When I first started on bass five years ago, I had exactly six weeks to learn to play well enough to play a gig. That first time, I was soooo nervous. My knees were literally shaking. But I kept to the root, and made it through. I've come a long way since then, and you will, too!

Cherie

MakiSupaStar · #8 03-22-2007, 04:48 PM

All great advice. Also develop a routine and some structure to your practice at home. Yes work the scale. Yes work chords and arpeggios, but also give yourself noodle time to.

Additionally playing with people increases your skill exponentially.

scottice · #9 03-22-2007, 04:51 PM

Maybe get a teacher? Good to nip the bad habits out early on.
Learn theory. Practice and jam with friends.

xlows · #10 03-22-2007, 05:04 PM

welcome to the greatest sport humans have ever created: man-hunting. i mean...bass playing. anyways, all good advice before this, and i recommend taking lessons asap with a good teacher. you'll move 300% faster.

punk_bassist24 · #11 03-22-2007, 10:48 PM

I appreciate all the great advice i really need it. I LOVE music and the bass is my new favorite instrument lol. I mean i have beeen playing for about two months and im getting better i can tell tht for sure but i know i have a long way to go and i look forward to all of it ya know.

the_fonz · #12 03-25-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GillesUnchained

#1 tip for any musician: Challenge yourself. Learn a part that you thought was beyond your ability. And play in bands with people who are better musicians than you and that demand a lot of you. It will make you a better player.

my friends always come to me because they heard the tip about playing with better musicians. then i'm like "dude! have you heard me play? my instrument's sound is just its screams of protest!"
they don't know