So...6 months in...play everyday...but tabs and friends...im not getting better...i need to improve. Fast. Ideas? Suggestions?
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I've been playing about a year and have had lessons once or twice a month for 11 months of that time. I have 2 small kids a full time job and am studying for my masters part time so practice is limited. My point is that 6 months self study could mean you are already better than someone who has a teacher. It all depends on you and how much you put into it. I would say a teacher will fill in the gaps in your learning and I would recommend it. The 1:1 feedback on technique alone is worth it. But, and it is a big but (and I cannot lie 
from what most have said to me (especially on here) is that playing with others will raise your game faster than anything else. The question is do you feel you are making enough progress with what you have been doing so far? It's never too early or too late to get a teacher.
from what most have said to me (especially on here) is that playing with others will raise your game faster than anything else. The question is do you feel you are making enough progress with what you have been doing so far? It's never too early or too late to get a teacher.
try the free lessons from scott's bass lessons
BEGINNERS - YouTube
there are also recommendations for several other free online bass lessons plus some paid lessons - just search the board to find the ones people are getting good results with.
BEGINNERS - YouTube
there are also recommendations for several other free online bass lessons plus some paid lessons - just search the board to find the ones people are getting good results with.
First suggestion...slow down and have patience.
Six months is no time at all to be playing. What's the hurry ? Learning an instrument to the best of your ability is a life long journey. So relax and enjoy. Don't get too hung up on your progress. It's akin to trying to monitor the growth of your hair. You don't notice anything for a long time, then one morning you look in the mirror and realise you need a haircut. 
As for ideas : Yes, a teacher would be the best idea. Tutorial sites that I'd recommend are : www.talkingbass.net and www.studybass.com
A good book (I'd recommend getting the three volume spiral edition) is :
Hal Leonard Bass Method - Complete Edition: Books 1, 2 and 3 Bound Together in One Easy-to-Use Volume!: Ed Friedland: 0073999950748: Amazon.com: Books
Some more suggestions...avoid tabs. They are a crutch. Instead, develop your ear by working out bass lines to songs yourself using trial and error. IMO, this is one of the single most beneficial things you can do. Continue to jam with your friends. Don't neglect technique. Using safe technique will contribute to you having many enjoyable and injury free years of playing.
Also check out the "How To Get Started" sticky at the top of the forum.
Best of luck with it.
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If you can handle the expense go with a teacher. Now you do not have to take on the care and feeding of that teacher. Four lessons and then sit out and catch up on all the stuff s/he will have given you. Then go back for another four lessons. Back when I was taking lessons that is the way I did it and it seemed to work out OK.
Once you connect with a band and start playing with others, the others can guide you to what is needed. At this point taking lessons on technique from someone that plays the way you would like to play like is in order.
Knee to knee is always best. How you go about that can vary.
Once you connect with a band and start playing with others, the others can guide you to what is needed. At this point taking lessons on technique from someone that plays the way you would like to play like is in order.
Knee to knee is always best. How you go about that can vary.
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I will always recommend a private instructor. Self taught is nothing more than trial and error. As beginners we are in no position to teach anyone yet, especially not ourselves. It's a crapshoot--maybe you luck out and discover good technique, but more likely to develop bad habits.
One-on-one time spent with an experienced player/teacher is 100 to 1000 times more productive.
Short bursts of instruction is not a bad idea, either, as previously suggested.
Also, try different instructors throughout your career. There is always someone better you can learn from.
One-on-one time spent with an experienced player/teacher is 100 to 1000 times more productive.
Short bursts of instruction is not a bad idea, either, as previously suggested.
Also, try different instructors throughout your career. There is always someone better you can learn from.
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First suggestion...slow down and have patience.
As for ideas : Yes, a teacher would be the best idea. Tutorial sites that I'd recommend are : www.talkingbass.net and www.studybass.com
A good book (I'd recommend getting the three volume spiral edition) is :
Hal Leonard Bass Method - Complete Edition: Books 1, 2 and 3 Bound Together in One Easy-to-Use Volume!: Ed Friedland: 0073999950748: Amazon.com: Books
Some more suggestions...avoid tabs. They are a crutch. Instead, develop your ear by working out bass lines to songs yourself using trial and error. IMO, this is one of the single most beneficial things you can do. Continue to jam with your friends. Don't neglect technique. Using safe technique will contribute to you having many enjoyable and injury free years of playing.
Also check out the "How To Get Started" sticky at the top of the forum.
Best of luck with it.
As an Amazon Associate, TalkBass may receive commissions from qualifying purchases made via links on this site.
First off...that was extremely well written and a good boost. Thank you for taking the time to respond! Youre 100 % correct ...technique and injury free. And ditching the tabs may be the thing to do!
just curious about why you need to do this "fast."
in all 'learning curves', we experience plateaus.
Learn and understand the 12-bar blues. And get comfortable enough to play it in any key.
When I was first getting started, someone in my neighborhood gave me a book & cassette method for beginners. In it, the 12-bar blues was laid out.
As I look back, it's the best bass instruction I've ever received... and I've studied with private instructors, teachers in college, online classes and taken part in countless jams with folks that are better than me.
To quote Brad from Fast Times, learn it... know it... live it.
When I was first getting started, someone in my neighborhood gave me a book & cassette method for beginners. In it, the 12-bar blues was laid out.
As I look back, it's the best bass instruction I've ever received... and I've studied with private instructors, teachers in college, online classes and taken part in countless jams with folks that are better than me.
To quote Brad from Fast Times, learn it... know it... live it.
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1. You're probably getting better and don't realize it. We're always the last to see how much we've improved and progressed.
2. Lessons will come with their own unique set of challenges and learning curves.
Either way, patience and determination win the day. No one ever stays static or regresses with effort. Lessons are a good call if it's a good fit for the individual.
Good luck.
2. Lessons will come with their own unique set of challenges and learning curves.
Either way, patience and determination win the day. No one ever stays static or regresses with effort. Lessons are a good call if it's a good fit for the individual.
Good luck.
I've been taking lessons for a year now and if nothing else lessons keep me on track and gives me a direction. I'm also interested in learning some theory so she teaches to that. For me without lessons I would be just running in circles and jumping from one thing to another. I still struggle mightily but it is a slow process and a my age I wish it wasn't. I agree with fearceol stay off the tabs, learn to read music instead you'll be much further ahead. I would recommend "Music Theory for the Bass Player" by Ariane Cap. She's an excellent teacher also. One more thing, if you do take lessons make sure it's from a "bass player" not just someone who knows how to play a guitar. Good luck.
When i first started, i took lessons for a year. It was very beneficial in learning not only proper technique but also a good foundation in theory. I've certainly gone my own way since then but my teacher's instruction is the basis of that.
