Recent content by Telenic

This is pretty close to what I would add to this conversation. IMO - the essence of a bass player is be able to lay down a bass line for whatever chord progression is being played. As simple as that sounds it takes everything mentioned in this thread to be able to do that well including theory...

The Detroit Craigslist is also completely insane, with some prices double or more, and the gear isn't selling.

You'd probably only have to do it a couple of times before you get it.

I learned the notes by learning to read music. After getting somewhat competent at reading in every position, I realized I knew all the notes on the fretboard. That was a bonus I didn't expect.

I've played older EB basses and newer SG basses for 40 plus years and have never seen nor heard of a broken headstock on one of these. If you've seen more repaired headstock's on Gibson's than other basses it could be because the owner felt it was worth repairing, and you can't simply bolt on a...

There will be a day when you'll loose a gig because you can't read, and it will be one that you really wanted. It's interesting that the percentage of guitar players that don't read seems to be much much higher than bass players. If this thread were on a guitar forum most of the responses...

I'm relatively new to the bass and I keep coming across opportunities to join classic rock / rock blues bands. I'm hesitant to jump into this because I don't know any songs. I figure if I can get at least 10 songs in my repertoire it would be a good start. Can anyone recommend which 10 songs...

One of the side benefits to learning to read is that you learn every note on the bass. This is extremely helpful no matter what you end up doing.

You need to have more respect for teachers. They earn every penny they can get.

I played an EB-0 in the late 60's and early 70's. Gave up playing when life got serious and cannot remember how I disposed of that bass. Several months ago I bought a P Bass and it just killed my left hand. After a few weeks I couldn't play at all. Then I saw a SG Bass on Craig's List for $700...

You absolutely must ditch the tabs. If you are peeking at the tabs there is no way you are going to learn to read. When I started I taped over the tab so I couldn't see it. Otherwise it is a long haul and requires a lot of practice to get it. But once it starts to gel in your head it gets...