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Guitar player wants to play bass!

AdeptBerry

AdeptBerry

Aug 4, 2020
44
13
#1
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Is this a good bass/site to buy from? Also, what is the smallest amp I can play with? Like a smokey amp but for a bass? Will I need to set it up or will it be good to go out of the box?

I like the simplicity of 2 knobs. I'd rather have 21 frets to make it an even 3 octaves but oh well.

I would primarily be using this instrument to play classical pieces(both solo, arranged for solo, or just whatever section I can find)...Not sure how I would go about doing that because I can't read standard notation and even then it would be a lot of trouble for me to transpose to make sure it fits. So if anyone wants to point me in the right direction or tell me why it wouldn't work I'd appreciate it.

I always wanted to play bass since I got a guitar. I like the lower voicing and didn't realize guitars don't go that low.
 
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#2
Zzounds is a perfectly good and trustworthy site to buy from. In that price range, you might be able to find a higher quality bass and amp if you bought used. The smallest bass amp would be a bass headphone amp like the Vox Amplug. But it would depend on how you want to use the amp. For playing with others? Or just practice alone?
I highly recommend a learning app called Yousician. You can read tablature while learning notation. You can learn many different types of music including classical, as well as study theory. You can try it for Free for 10 minutes a day until you decide if you want to subscribe.
 
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#4
Most any new guitars you buy will need a set up to get it playing the way YOU want it. Depending on which type of strings you'd like. Unless there is a major problem with it, you should be perfectly fine playing it the way it comes, until you gain more experience. Then you'll know if you want to try different strings or something else. If it has a problem like all the frets buzzing or some damage from shipping, you should return it, anyway.
 
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#5
AdeptBerry said:
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.Not sure how I would go about doing that because I can't read standard notation and even then it would be a lot of trouble for me to transpose to make sure it fits. So if anyone wants to point me in the right direction or tell me why it wouldn't work I'd appreciate it.
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Then you've got to use your ear, good luck with that. Chord charts aka fake chord sheet music or tab. Tab is great for working out a fill, run, phrase or something like that, but, for a complete song tab is a dead end, it does not teach you anything about how music thinks so you will not learn how to improvise your own music, you end up just playing, by rote, what tab is telling you to do.

If you want to play classical music standard notation is the way to go.

I always wanted to play bass since I got a guitar. I like the lower voicing and didn't realize guitars don't go that low.
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The move from 6 string guitar to 4 string bass is an easy jump because you still follow the chords, but, instead of strumming the strings you play notes of the chord one note at a time to the beat the song wants. The sheet music you used on guitar will work with the bass. Just follow the chords and play notes of the chord, i.e. Cmaj7 would use the 1-3-5-7 notes of the chord. But just the 1 and 5 will be fine, if you follow the beat the songs is asking for. For example: https://www.cowboylyrics.com/tabs/lovett-lyle/summer-wind-4122.html

Good luck.

P.S. Spend $50 and have your new bass "set up" they seldom come out of the box and be ready. Especially anything under $350. Buy from a local music store. Why? You can ask questions there.
 
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#6
I've had good results with tab so far just that since it's for a guitar it will use all 6 strings.

I'm getting that package for $200 (not sure of there is tax). The store near me does not carry "junk" instruments.

Charles Music Store is Glendale's music store. We are an independently, family owned and operated musical instrument store that has been in business and serving Southern California for over 50 years. Here at Charles Music we take pride in carefully selecting what instruments we stock and avoid stocking "junk". We care for each instrument as our own, so if you buy one (you of course want the one that you try and like) it will still be in new condition. We offer exceptional service with knowledgeable staff members that have been in retail for 20 plus years. We offer lessons for most musical instruments for children and adults. Come in, shop or take a lesson in a nice environment and get great service and prices, but most importantly...
 
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