beginner tips

Don't be scared of the theory. It will help you understand what you are doing on the bass, which will in turn help you understand why you are doing it. That, to me, is just as important as technique.

 

Instruction is always a good thing. Practice too.

 

I suggest learning to play finger-style first, instead of learning to play with a pick, which is what I did when I started playing. It is so much easier to go from playing with your fingers to playing with a pick than to playing with a pick to playing with your fingers, in my opinion.

 

Avoid tabs, if you want to learn a song learn it by ear

 

So many times (and not just bass) I'd read about something that I had no clue what they were talking about, but when someone explained and demonstrated it to me, I instantly got it. Meaning there's no substitute for a good teacher.

 

Get a tescher, i got a book and tried to learn bass but decided to go to a teacher of a month of going nowhere, what i tried to learn in a month i learned in a week

 

+ 1 on the previous two posts.

 

All you have to do is pick up the bass and just play. doesn't matter what it sounds like, just as long as you can make some noise, you are on the right track. Then when you know what sounds like what, then just try to piece things together. it's all in your ear. play "Bad To The Bone" by George Thoroughgood. Easy song to pick up by ear; only 3 notes, and that will give you a good groove to play with.

here's a challenge: try to play the same notes somewhere else on the neck. (Hint: Octaves)

 

Same here. I'm back in instruction and as I expected, my learning rate has increased again compared to going it alone.

 

I got bass guitar for dummies, because my schedule didn't allow for an instructor.

If you can go instructor route, it sounds like most people highly recommend it.

Remember people learn differently, so experiement with what works for you.

Also if you have any questions about concepts in the book feel free to contact me. I'm still fairly new, but if I can answer your questions I would be more than happy, to do so.

 

BUY A BOOK OF SCALES. Start with C major. LEARN IT. The more you learn scales the better you will become, and your technique will be forced to improve. Its also rewarding to learn scales because once you learn one you can freestyle within that scale, and create music that is in that key which means it will sound good no matter what. Also try to learn standard notation.

C major

E: 8, 10; A:8, 9, 11; D:8, 10, 11 (Then play it in reverse evenly).

 

Whoa there - you are scared when reading a book?

If that is the case you need to work on that part. There's nothing to be scared of. It's just a book. Read it and learn it at your own pace. There is no deadline or pressure to have it done.

If you have questions you can ask here on TB but be prepared for many conflicting answers.

 

+1 The book you already have is a very good resource. Slow down, and learn the scale patterns. Like mentioned above, One at a time.

The book has a bunch of great play-a-longs that re-enforce the concepts. Play them slowly as well until you get them down.

 

Work with a metronome while practicing your major and minor scales. Playing in time is almost more important than playing the "right" notes.

 

+100. And, like thadg, I've noticed that books don't respond to questions very well; they just lie there like, well, books. So ask here. And don't forget that there are other books for beginners, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. What one explains poorly another does well. (I have the Dummies book, and I've checked out The Complete Idiot's Guide from the library. Unlike real life, when the dummy doesn't help the idiot does.)

If you can get a teacher,you'll amaze yourself with your progress. Really.

And Torch7 is right. Be patient. Accuracy and precision are worth much much more than speed, especially here in the beginning.

If you've got the time and inclination, you might try a theory class at the local JC.

And don't forget to have fun!

 

Learn standard notation, I just started to learn it myself, and its not that tough. The benifits are well worth the work. I will say this though, learning to play an instrument well takes a lot of work and time. If you are not willing to put in a lot of time and work, then take your bass back to the store, and get your money back. Im not being a jerk Im just telling you the truth. If you do not have determination and desire then youve got nothing. I hate going to ppls houses, and they got a guitar or bass they nvver learned how to play, it ******** me off, dont be one of those people.

Ill help you learn in any way that I can, send me a message on myspace (my page is linked below). I get a computer for 1 hour a day during the week, and I have nothing else to do, so Ill help ya out.

 

Before learning the scales, it's best for you to learn the patterns. Then once you have a scale pattern down, you can literally play in that scale in any key you choose to.