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Guitarist TEACHING bass - oh no! (Tips+Tricks)

Pick53766

Pick53766

Dec 29, 2023
13
15
EU
#1
Hello,

this is my first post here so please bear with me. I am rather active on TGP but since I have a specific bass problem I thought I might as well appeal to the highest authority. I am sorry for a longish story:

So my girlfriend finds herself in a predicament. She got badly hurt, is waiting for the surgery and cannot walk. So instead of running around - her being a competitive athlete - she is stuck at home.
So she said she finally wants that bass she had been planning on getting for quite some time so that she has something purposeful to do and does not go crazy and murder us both. Since I want to live, she got the bass.

Now the tricky part. I play guitar. Never played bass. But, obviously, I kind of need to teach her, right - she can't leave the house and go to lessons to some proper human as she should.

I am terrified that I will teach her some catastrophic nonsense. (I have seen tennis players play badminton - what an eyesore). Of course, I know what's what on the fretboard. I have spent some time in bands observing bassists. Thanks to my (distant) keyboard past I have solid theoretical background and I have some reasonable ideas as to what the bass should be doing in music.

I find it clear that focusing on getting the basic rhythm, groove, timing, subdivisions right in the right hand is the basic first step. (I hope.) I am very lost with the fretting hand, I don't want to teach her some bastardized guitar anomaly...

So, what is it the guitarists typically do wrong on bass? What should I absolutely avoid? What is very different?

Thank you.

(And yes - off to a teacher she goes when she can at least limp.)
 
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#2
Great idea. I wouldn't be too afraid. Have you considered an online resource such as Talkingbass? This should get your girlfriend off to a solid start. Also, if she's serious then I would suggest she get into reading right away (there's no better way to learn one's fretboard). Jeff Berlin's reading packages are the best I've come across (I recommend the PDF versions).

How to Play Bass Guitar Free Online Bass Lessons - Talkingbass.net

Jeff Berlin Music Group
 
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#3
bass12 said:
Great idea. I wouldn't be too afraid. Have you considered an online resource such as Talkingbass? This should get your girlfriend off to a solid start. Also, if she's serious then I would suggest she get into reading right away (there's no better way to learn one's fretboard). Jeff Berlin's reading packages are the best I've come across (I recommend the PDF versions).

How to Play Bass Guitar Free Online Bass Lessons - Talkingbass.net

Jeff Berlin Music Group
Click to expand...

Cheers. We practice reading a lot. I found that bass is way more reading friendly than guitar since it typically plays individual notes. Also it is something I know I am getting right :)
 
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#5
What do guitarists do wrong on bass? They noodle endlessly without playing "bass".
Do yourself a favor if you can afford it. Spring another $200 for Scotts Bass Lessons or something equivalent.

As a guitarist, you know the fingerboard but not the basis of groove as presented on a string bass instrument.
Heck, an online course could be great for you too. There's nothing better than a guitarist whom can groove like a bassist :)
 
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#6
Lance Bunyon said:
What do guitarists do wrong on bass? They noodle endlessly without playing "bass".
Do yourself a favor if you can afford it. Spring another $200 for Scotts Bass Lessons or something equivalent.

As a guitarist, you know the fingerboard but not the basis of groove as presented on a string bass instrument.
Heck, an online course could be great for you too. There's nothing better than a guitarist whom can groove like a bassist :)
Click to expand...

We grooving' :) I mean, we play Ramones at half speed but I reckon those steady 8th's is exactly what a beginner needs. No need to get all fancy and sloppy.

Cheers for the course suggestion. I will check it out. Having said that, online courses never really worked for me, they seem to be missing the aspect I find crucial in learning - observation and feedback from the teacher. It might have a value for the start until she can walk, leave the house and see a proper teacher.
 
#7
Focus on bass clef reading and theory. Can't do wrong there.

technique wise: use the same technique as classical guitar. Not electric guitar technique.

in the lower regions of the bass use Simandl technique (1-2-4) fingering over three frets. From position 5 and on you can use four finger technique.

these are the most important things to get you going. When she gets better send her to a real bass teacher. Good luck!
 
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#8
Les Fret said:
technique wise: use the same technique as classical guitar. Not electric guitar technique.
in the lower regions of the bass use Simandl technique (1-2-4) fingering over three frets. From position 5 and on you can use four finger technique.
Click to expand...

Very helpful as these are the two things I am most confused about. I am a full grip, slanted hand, hanging thumb over the fretboard player (as most electric guitarists are for a good reason) and I could not help but notice that you guys do not seem to be playing that way, typically, with thumb behind neck being rather prominent.

The same goes for the fingering. Over the years, I have observed bassists in my band and elsewhere doing what appeared to me like "yeah, they just slam a bunch of fingers there, the frets are big, the strings are thick, whatever" technique. I am happy it has a name :) I will look into it.
 
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#9
Pick53766 said:
Very helpful as these are the two things I am most confused about. I am a full grip, slanted hand, hanging thumb over the fretboard player (as most electric guitarists are for a good reason) and I could not help but notice that you guys do not seem to be playing that way, typically, with thumb behind neck being rather prominent.
Click to expand...

Yes, that's exactly what you don't want on bass as a basis for technique. That's why I said follow classical guitar technique not electric. There are always exceptions but for beginners you have to forget these exceptions.
 
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#10
Les Fret said:
Yes, that's exactly what you don't want on bass as a basis for technique. That's why I said follow classical guitar technique not electric. There are always exceptions but for beginners you have to forget these exceptions.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I think I avoided that mistake. Frankly, even on a guitar my thumb goes behind neck from the D string on, so on the bass that would only mean servicing the thin G with the shovel grip which is not worth it anyway.
 
#13
Pick53766 said:
Hello,

this is my first post here so please bear with me. I am rather active on TGP but since I have a specific bass problem I thought I might as well appeal to the highest authority. I am sorry for a longish story:

So my girlfriend finds herself in a predicament. She got badly hurt, is waiting for the surgery and cannot walk. So instead of running around - her being a competitive athlete - she is stuck at home.
So she said she finally wants that bass she had been planning on getting for quite some time so that she has something purposeful to do and does not go crazy and murder us both. Since I want to live, she got the bass.

Now the tricky part. I play guitar. Never played bass. But, obviously, I kind of need to teach her, right - she can't leave the house and go to lessons to some proper human as she should.

I am terrified that I will teach her some catastrophic nonsense. (I have seen tennis players play badminton - what an eyesore). Of course, I know what's what on the fretboard. I have spent some time in bands observing bassists. Thanks to my (distant) keyboard past I have solid theoretical background and I have some reasonable ideas as to what the bass should be doing in music.

I find it clear that focusing on getting the basic rhythm, groove, timing, subdivisions right in the right hand is the basic first step. (I hope.) I am very lost with the fretting hand, I don't want to teach her some bastardized guitar anomaly...

So, what is it the guitarists typically do wrong on bass? What should I absolutely avoid? What is very different?

Thank you.

(And yes - off to a teacher she goes when she can at least limp.)
Click to expand...
Teach her where to find which note and teach her the major scale. This YouTube will help
 
#14
I was formally taught string bass and guitar simultaneously. When my daughter wanted to play violin, I started teaching g her the fundamentals. Once I saw she was serious, I got her serious lessons. She graduated Stetson University and has been an orchestra teacher for 10 years now
 
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