Beginning bass questions

perdurabo · Jan 9, 2009

I've been practicing bass for about 3-4 months now and 2 of those months were with bass instruction from a teacher. My teacher was confused as to why I or anyone else would want to play bass (as if it were played out of necessity, not desire (poor guitarists)). I stopped having instruction due to the fact that I went to europe on vacation. Is it a wise choice to go back to this instructor or should I look for a new one?

Since I have no instruction as of late I spent most of my time playing around with tuning the bass and playing random songs on guitar pro. Is there something I want to add to this or is this style sufficient? I seem to be getting better I just feel at times that if I had to play the bass solo I wouldn't know what to do (if that makes any sense).

Is there anything I should add to my studies (I'm sure there is) and if so what?

Thanks

derelicte · Jan 9, 2009

your instructor sounds lame.

do you know all the notes on your fretboard? if not start there.
do you know scales? (ie. aeolian, pentatonic, etc) if not start there.
do you have steady rhythm? (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 notes..) if not start there.

i'd say music theory is incredibly crucial to getting better. check out Invalid Link Removed
this site gives a very easy to understand approach to music

work on your chops, learn songs thru youtube, learn fills and octave jumps and improvisations while jamming solo to http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

lots of fun stuff there. you can learn by yourself.. and if all else fails jsut pick up Bass Guitar for Dummies.

Good luck!

phatbass · Jan 9, 2009

So your teacher isn't actually a "Bass" teacher? Sounds like they're a guitarist who is convinced they can teach bass 'coz "it's exactly the same except 2 strings are missing".

I'd find a real bass instructor.

notforrobots · Jan 9, 2009

bad teacher.

Stumbo · Jan 10, 2009

Bass for Dummies book. Good place to start.
Don't worry about soloing right now.
Get to the bassics and go from there.
It will come to you.

Here are a few links that I've collected along the way that I've found enlightening and hope you will as well.

Getting the most out of TB
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Must reads:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429034 If I only knew then...
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434246 Best musical advice
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481465 Things every bassist should know
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500896 "Feel"

Newbies
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489818 Beginners common mistakes/where to start
http://www.google.com/custom?num=10...+2008&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com First "bass" advice
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500040 Tab or not to tab?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=504263 Getting off tabs
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ Introductory Bass Lesson (click on Beginners)
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6776933&postcount=40 Developing musically
http://www.musictheory.net/index.html Xlnt visual Beginning Music Theory (Power Point lessons), ear trainer, chord calc.,
more
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/3000-2133_4-10004005.html Downloadable program for learning the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper

Learning stuff
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79878 How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50170 How to practice bass

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=80043 Creating bass lines
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125536 Creating bass lines - Target Approach
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6770334#post6770334 Creating bass lines for a jam
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491679 Playing behind/ahead of the beat

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498975 Key signatures/Circle of 5ths/Cycle of 4ths
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479401 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479642 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6521582 Improve site reading
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419687 Read bass clef
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485421 Using modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2338584&postcount=4 Learning modes

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519 Intro to scale and chord theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473968 Learning Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99676 Theory Book Links
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761 TB Gen. Instruction Theory links list
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88294 Theory (from the DB side of TB)

Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

Teaching bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493881
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=353486

Finding a bass instructor
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=363909

Software for transcribing/slowing down songs/Looping software/metronome,etc.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142112 Transcribing software
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481448 Slow down software
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23303 Slow down software
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=269168 Free music software thread

History
http://www.jazzstandards.com/history/index.htm Jazz

Styles
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486412 Blues Turn arounds
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/appendix/blues/Bluesprogression.html Blues Progressions explained with samples
http://www.amazon.com/Blues-Bass-Jon-Liebman/dp/0793586682 Blues bass by TB member Jonster
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501425 Learning Latin music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9859 Learning to play jazz
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482544 Jazz Scales

Free online lessons
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481548 Dman has videos
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=490379 Who's the best youtube bass teacher?
http://www.studybass.com/ Complete bass studies including online metronome, fretboard printer, bass clef tutor and more.
http://www.activebass.com/ Tab based lessons by members for members covering all types of bass instruction.
http://www.playbassnow.com with MarlowDK including videos.
http://www.thelibster.com/bass/ includes beginners' guide/lessons, tech advice, fingerboard drills, bass sound files, playing tips, a Q&A, links & more.
Link Removed Online bass course (5 day free trial)
http://www.cliffengel.com/ Free and paid lessons

Books and instructional materials
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Books, DVDs, all styles and methods
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=491293 Looking for the Bass "Bible"
http://playbassnow.com/recommended-learning-materials/ MarlowDK's recommended books
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=498831 "Best" theory/harmony book
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502252 Walking bass lines
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502819 Blues books

Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference dictionary
http://www.good-ear.com/ Ear training
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed] Test your ear

College music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479377 So you want to be a music major in college
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484028 Solfege
http://www.music.vt.edu/musicdictionary/ Virginia Tech Multimedia Music Dictionary (great for music theory terms)

Going "pro"
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6777192&postcount=7 Becoming a session player

Funk it up
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6527889&postcount=10 Funk, groove and R&B bass players
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314342 Funk 101

Band stuff:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494100 Advertising yourself
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=503211 Business cards
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=495628 Covers vs. Originals
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=496467 Playing in a 3 piece
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497571 How "good" do you have to be to play in a band?

Starting/managing a band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6777630&postcount=9 Starting a band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=493356 Starting a cover band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483181 Starting a new band- how to audition
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=494723 Auditioning a new member for your band
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492200 Auditioning: red flag stories
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=501208 Auditioning story
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=477182 Running a band: democracy or dictatorship?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=466534 How to fire a band member
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=425221 Band management books
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=73200 Intro to band management
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=504370 Band "funds", "to be or not to be?"

Band Reheasal/Gigs
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479102 Rehearsal tips
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486490 Rehearsal efficiency
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484615 How often to rehearse?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=492051 To noodle or not to noodle?
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=497067 Being asked to turn down the volume
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=500417 First gig
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=489244 Learning Live Sound mixing

Guitards

makanudo · Jan 10, 2009

Well i take lessons at a guitar class place, hes the best guitarist in town, but his attitude is just priceless, the most chill guy ive ever met, and he just loves music, and since im the best bassist there and judgin by how we get along i can honestly say im one of his favorite if not THE favorite student, but i mean, im going to take lessons, but in my opinion i think self teaching and making up ur own excercises and doing them at your own pace is better, you develop your own style and mentality.. thats just my opinion though, lessons deff help a lot.

And the guy doesnt have the bass is easy if u play guitar mentality, he really studies techniques to teach me, he sees the bass as a totally diff instrument and knows its role..

perdurabo · Jan 10, 2009

phatbass said:
So your teacher isn't actually a "Bass" teacher? Sounds like they're a guitarist who is convinced they can teach bass 'coz "it's exactly the same except 2 strings are missing".

I'd find a real bass instructor.

Well technically 1 since I have a 5 string (I bought a schecter stilleto 5 for $400 couldn't pass that offer by (new)). Only problem is I think I might have to travel to find an actual bass instructor.

perdurabo · Jan 10, 2009

derelicte said:
your instructor sounds lame.

do you know all the notes on your fretboard? if not start there.
do you know scales? (ie. aeolian, pentatonic, etc) if not start there.
do you have steady rhythm? (1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 notes..) if not start there.

i'd say music theory is incredibly crucial to getting better. check out Invalid Link Removed
this site gives a very easy to understand approach to music

work on your chops, learn songs thru youtube, learn fills and octave jumps and improvisations while jamming solo to http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

lots of fun stuff there. you can learn by yourself.. and if all else fails jsut pick up Bass Guitar for Dummies.

Good luck!

Yeah I guess I have to do what you stated. I've been just playing songs through guitarpro for the most part. What I do is learn a song enough to be able to play through it then I move onto another song that is harder for me. When i learn that harder song I go back to the easier one and try to get a feel for the song (seems to make the easier one much more easier).

Quick question. I've been learning tush (zz top) and the tab I have show a section where it will go 3 4 (on A) then jump to 0 (on D). Then the same section pops up again and instead of doing the same it will just go 3 4 5 (on A). I know the 5 is the same as 0 on the higher string but does it make any difference in sound? I'm guessing yes, but I can't notice much of a difference.

Thanks again for the responses.

SmilinBassPlaya · Jan 10, 2009

Totally run from that Teacher, the #1 thing a teacher should do is be supportive.

You have also realized that a bass solo is harder than a guitar solo....because
instead of playing "licks" that fit and color up the song easily.....a bassplayer
has to use a good understanding of scales/color notes/melody/....etc etc.......
You don't play guitar solos or speed licks alone on bass...you play bass solos.......

Like Jaco said on his video.....learn the melodies to songs you learn the bass to.....
Your solos will change dramatically. Ever tried singing a solo to a set of chords
and learning that on your bass? Thats a ball and quite eye opening.

Once you love bass......How can you really love anything else?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As far as Tush goes.......if your fingers are in position, and the note is
available to one of them...grab it.....
Open strings are for certain moments and effects.

Smilin' :hiding:

NoobOnRoad · Jan 10, 2009

SmilinBassPlaya said:
You have also realized that a bass solo is harder than a guitar solo....because
instead of playing "licks" that fit and color up the song easily.....a bassplayer
has to use a good understanding of scales/color notes/melody/....etc etc.......
You don't play guitar solos or speed licks alone on bass...you play bass solos.......

Like Jaco said on his video.....learn the melodies to songs you learn the bass to.....
Your solos will change dramatically. Ever tried singing a solo to a set of chords
and learning that on your bass? Thats a ball and quite eye opening.

That is harsh man. You are completly disrespecting guitars players with a stereotype. :rollno:

Maybe you can do some Jaco like solo like this but sometime the ability to shred some fast lightning solo is important. So guitar and bass solo different... yes but not a lot.

(you know, sometime, a shredding guitarist and a shredding bassist are both amazing IMHO)

MadMan118 · Jan 10, 2009

I see Stumbo already left a copy of the Bassists Guide to the Galaxy .There's some good stuff in there. It should be made into a book.
Your bass 'teacher' should be hung and quartered.
I good teacher will be supportive and push you to improve, but more important than a good teacher, you, practice is just as important as lessons.
I taught my self and in retrospect I really wish i had a teacher. Don't worry about soloing it I'll come to you.

SmilinBassPlaya · Jan 10, 2009

NoobOnRoad said:
That is harsh man. You are completly disrespecting guitars players with a stereotype. Maybe you can do some Jaco like solo like this but sometime the ability to shred some fast lightning solo is important. So guitar and bass solo different... yes but not a lot.

(you know, sometime, a shredding guitarist and a shredding bassist are both amazing IMHO)

C'Mon Man!

That wasn't my point at all.

I didn't cut shredders at all....

I respect all good musicians

I was saying that the guitar has licks and the bass doesn't lend itself that way, .....you know...the Hendrix type
typical licks you can do with the
g-b-& e strings.

Ive written answer here twice and it didn't show up.

I guess I'll just leave this one alone.

Aaah well

Steve :hiding:

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