Hey guys, new to playing the bass guitar and first time posting on any forum. I've been playing for a couple weeks and I've been just getting comfortable with the instrument. Stat with me please... I've learned a couple songs from RHCP, alice and chains, and just now learning a little nirvana, trying to get a feel for different bass styles. But what gets me is I understand how to read tabs but learning specific notes and scales gets me real overwhelmed. Should I continue to get comfortable on the bass guitar and learn a couple different songs to practice and get a feel for style to start?? Or should I start with notes and scales and get comfortable with that to start? Please let me know!
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Beginner Questions
- Thread starter Justin Billmair
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You'll likely get pages of responses on this, but here's my take:
Do both. Eventually your ears will be so good, you can listen to a song and just play it. "Learn by ear".
It's hard at first, learning via TAB is quick and fun...rewarding. I learned basic playing that way. I also took lessons, music theory, and continue to learn about music today.
One thing about TAB's online -- they are wrong A LOT! Ear training and basic scales/keys would be a great thing to study.
Do both. Eventually your ears will be so good, you can listen to a song and just play it. "Learn by ear".
It's hard at first, learning via TAB is quick and fun...rewarding. I learned basic playing that way. I also took lessons, music theory, and continue to learn about music today.
One thing about TAB's online -- they are wrong A LOT! Ear training and basic scales/keys would be a great thing to study.
You have been playing for only 2 weeks and can play RHCP and AIC? Pretty impressive.
Learn the notes on your fretboard especially all the notes up to the 7th fret.
Are you capable of picking out bass lines/notes by ear? If you are only using tab then try to learn by ear. It seems like you are on the way to becoming a pretty decent musician. Scales come later. Striking the string with your right hand and fretting consecutively is paramount in developing your muscle memory.
Learn the notes on your fretboard especially all the notes up to the 7th fret.
Are you capable of picking out bass lines/notes by ear? If you are only using tab then try to learn by ear. It seems like you are on the way to becoming a pretty decent musician. Scales come later. Striking the string with your right hand and fretting consecutively is paramount in developing your muscle memory.
I recommend learning both at the same time. Pick music that is challenging to play and that you like. Practice that 75% of your time or less if you need to work on a particular technique.
The other 25% practice abstract things like scales. I'm a fan of trying to learn to read and write music on staff also. Scales are useful for honing your technique. Reading is helpful for quickly figuring out where the notes are on the neck.
I recommend practicing scales shifting up the neck across as many octaves as possible (mostly 3 octaves per scale). There may be a scale system others use specific to bass, but I practice a modified version of Segovia's scales. I practice all 24 scales (major and melodic minor for each of twelve root notes).
The other 25% practice abstract things like scales. I'm a fan of trying to learn to read and write music on staff also. Scales are useful for honing your technique. Reading is helpful for quickly figuring out where the notes are on the neck.
I recommend practicing scales shifting up the neck across as many octaves as possible (mostly 3 octaves per scale). There may be a scale system others use specific to bass, but I practice a modified version of Segovia's scales. I practice all 24 scales (major and melodic minor for each of twelve root notes).
Tabs are quick and easy, but, have you learned any thing that can help you play Happy birthday? My point we bass guys play notes of the active chord. Do you know the chord progression used in Happy Birthday?
If not Google can find it for you if you use these search words; Chords, Happy Birthday.
Ok now just using root notes see what you can do.
Happy trails.
If not Google can find it for you if you use these search words; Chords, Happy Birthday.
Ok now just using root notes see what you can do.
Happy trails.
Hi and welcome to TB. 
My main advice is to not get too caught up in tabs. Instead learn songs by ear using trial and error. This approach will pay dividends in the long run. Well worth the time and effort.
Here is the link to the "How To Get Started" thread. Loads of useful information in here.
How to get started?
Here is a set of lessons that start very basic and progress from there. Take your time and work your way through them.
Learn Bass Guitar - YouTube
My main advice is to not get too caught up in tabs. Instead learn songs by ear using trial and error. This approach will pay dividends in the long run. Well worth the time and effort.
Here is the link to the "How To Get Started" thread. Loads of useful information in here.
How to get started?
Here is a set of lessons that start very basic and progress from there. Take your time and work your way through them.
Learn Bass Guitar - YouTube
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I'll second the learning by ear. Consider a small investment in a Spotify account and The Amazing Slow Downer app. These really help with play-along and picking out the bass part accurately.
Finally, I strongly encourage you to learn standard musical notation. The earlier you start the less painful it is. You'll thank me later.
Finally, I strongly encourage you to learn standard musical notation. The earlier you start the less painful it is. You'll thank me later.
It really depends on what your ultimate goal is. Do you want to learn cover tunes to play along with the recording in your bedroom? Do you want to play in a cover band? Do you want to write songs? Do you want to play in an originals band?? The best answer will vary depending on your goals.
