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Bass on acoustic guitar + other Q's...

Discussion in 'General Instruction [BG]' started by Cyne, Jul 1, 2008.

  1. Jul 1, 2008 #1
    Cyne

    Cyne

    Jul 1, 2008
    I would like to start playing the bass. The problem is that at the moment my budget as well as current housing situation doesn't allow me to buy one.
    I do, however, have an acoustic guitar. I used to play a little, but never made it really far.
    I used to play the guitar righty-style, but I could never really get the strumming down. Like... I couldn't feel it.. I figured it's because I was using my right hand and therefore switched around the strings so I could start practicing playing lefty style... So far it feels a bit strange to me, but I think it's just because I'm not used to it being "the other way around" yet.

    ANYWAY, before I get too off topic, I wanted to ask, if it's possible to start out learning to play the bass on an acoustic guitar?
    What are some things I should be aware of/be careful of etc etc?

    Just for the record, I'm thinking that I'll buy a bass in about 3 months time...

    FURTHER MORE, what are some good beginnerbeginner bass exercises. Like as basic as building up calluses, strength and dexterity etc. as well as actual playing exercises.
    Where is it good to start when wanting to play the bass (esp. when one doesn't really know anything about playing the bass)? Scales? Easy songs?? Music theory....?
    I'm sure there are countless threads on this already so if you don't want to answer my Q's (again), just point me in direction of some of those threads and I'll TRY to figure it out from there... ehehe...

    Thanks:bassist:
     
  2. Jul 1, 2008 #2
    winstonthecat

    winstonthecat

    May 21, 2007
    Bay Area, CA
    I am not a teacher or anything, but I have played both acoustic guitar and now bass, so I'll toss in my 2 cents.

    Because the size of the instrument, the size of the strings, and the string spacing are different, it is hard to develop proper bass technique with an acoustic guitar. What you can do is start learning the fretboard, scales, modes, and all the fun theory stuff. Combine that with learning some simple bass lines by ear, and you could probably fill up three months worth of practice time.

    Everything you learn in terms of theory and ear training should all translate to bass.
     
  3. Jul 1, 2008 #3
    Toto_Chan

    Toto_Chan

    Nov 22, 2007
    South Carolina
    i had to do that too,
    but i finally got a bass
    i just found bass excersises to do
    and also, tried at some tabs on guitar pro
    but its good to practice with until you get the real thing
    =D

    here's a site i went to ,

    studybass.com

    that i learned everything about bass
    its role, music theory, etc.
    ^^
     
  4. Jul 1, 2008 #4
    DocBop

    DocBop

    Feb 22, 2007
    Los Angeles, CA
    Music is music and BG is a close relative to guitar so start working on playing your guitar. Learn basic scale patterns (ignore the B & E strings if you like), learn basic theory, work on your ear. You could even start working on reading bass clef on the guitar sure it will be sound an octave up but where the notes are will be the same. You won't be the first person to start learning bass on a the low four strings of a guitar.
     
  5. Jul 2, 2008 #5
    thehangingmist

    thehangingmist

    Dec 14, 2007
    New Delhi, India
    yes checkout studybass.com
     
  6. Jul 2, 2008 #6
    Cyne

    Cyne

    Jul 1, 2008
    sorry to ask this but what kind of bass exercises are good to begin with??
     
  7. Jul 2, 2008 #7
    DudeistMonk

    DudeistMonk

    Apr 13, 2008
    Newark, NJ
    Follow studybass.com it'll get you started, there is enough material on there to last you a long time and he explains it better than anyone here can in a little post.