Hi ... I am a 40 year old librarian from the capital of Vermont. I have two kids, David, 6 and Maria, 4. I began playing bass in November as part of my ongoing midlife crisis. Made some progress but still have along way to go. I like books, reading most kinds of music and the Boston Red Sox
Here are a few links that I've collected along the way that I've found enlightening and hope you will as well. GET THE MOST OUT OF TB Read all the the FAQ's in each forum. Fill out your User Profile. Become a supporting member. 1. MUST READS If I only knew then... Best musical advice Every bassist should know Save your hearing 2. NEWBIES ~Basics Intro/History of Bass guitar First bass advice First amp advice Metronome info Where to start Beginners mistakes Online bass tuning 2 starter books Find a teacher How "good" do you have to be to be in a band? Guitarist switch to bass The musician's life ~Learning Bass trainers/practice w/o amps Pick/not to Pick? Developing musically "Go slow" practice method What are charts? Tips for writing sheet music Tab website Tab/not to tab? Getting off tabs Sight read standard notation(SN)? Nashville Number System (NNS) Book NNS chart example NNS online tutorial ~Theory Easy understanding of chords Music Theory for Practical People book Online Visual Beginning Theory, ear trainer Beginner's Bass Clef tips "Name that note" online SN game Downloadable read "bass clef" software Online bass clef audio/visual trainer print bass clef flashcards/staff paper ~Rhythm 1 Learn rhythm 2 ~On-line Dmanlamius' beginner's site 1st bass lesson (click on Beginners) Intro bass-learn songs,videos Tab based (w/audio) lessons 3. LEARNING ~Practicing Technique forum 1 How to practice 2 Singing and Playing bass Protecting your voice Bassist's guide to singing Odd time sigs Headphone amps/mixers/trainers "Band-in-a Box" software for practicing 1 Good headphones 2 Help! My wrist/fingers are sore/tingling Carpal Tunnel Repairing cuts on your fingers ~Backing Tracks & Drum Machines 1 Drum Machines 2 3 Free, full-use,downloadable drumtrack software Drum Tracks Free backing tracks Different methods to play drum tracks Build your own backing tracks ~Instructional materials Over 100 DVDs/books Books, DVDs, all styles/ methods Looking for the Bass "Bible" MarlowDK's recommended books "Best" theory/harmony book TB Book Links TB member Jon Liebman's books and more Books, DVD's, equipment, accessories, etc. (by style) ~Online lessons Who's the best Youtube teacher? MarlowDK- videos & more Read music,lessons, online metronome,bass clef tutor & more Victor's metronome lesson Sound files/tab/standard notation based lessons..more Tech advice,drills, bass sound files & more Videos & more Lessons, backing tracks, articles and more. Xlnt site ~Software: Transcribe, Slow Down, Loop, Record, Metronome,Utilities 1 Slow down 2 3 BestPractice-free, easy to use, slow downer/pitch shifter/looper/vocal remover/bass backing track maker Transcribing Transcribe/read transcriptions free online Chord charts w/lyrics Metronome-odd time sigs. Let the computer transcribe your played notes Free music software Cheap/good recording software Computer utilities/software ~Ear training Goodear.com Test your ear Free downloadable ear trainer (basic/advanced) Solfege. Great program Free downloadable sing/learn treble/bass clef program Trainers/tutorials. Music theory, ear training, read music, chords, intervals, etc. Discussion of Solfege Taking transcribing to the next level ~Sight Reading 1 Learning 2 Improving Practicing Transcriptions to practice;many with .mp3 files ~Theory Learning basic theory Intro scale & chord theory 3rds & 7ths? Theory links list Theory (from the DB side of TB) Learning "modes" Reason for modes Using modes Key signatures/Circle of 5ths/Cycle of 4ths Circle/Cycle of 5ths/4ths (spreadsheet format) ~Getting creative Where does creativity come from? Creating bass lines Target Approach Walking bass line examples Ed Friedland on walking bass lines For a jam Jammin' Playing scales Playing behind/ahead of the beat "Feel" Playing "in the pocket" ~Going "pro" Becoming a session player Going pro Expectations ~Teaching Bass 1 Teaching ideas 2 4.COLLEGE MUSIC So you want to be a music major? Virginia Tech Music Theory Dictionary Auditioning for jazz band Audition dilemma Classical sheet music (free) 5. STYLES ~Blues Blues progressions explained w/ audio samples Basic lessons/free backing tracks Slow blues blues jam terms/progressions Getting into the blues ii-V-I more blues Abersole's 35 blues variations Improving the blues 1 First jam 2 3 Gig coming up Blues bass player's club\ Influential musicians (mostly) pre-1959 History and styles 20 important blues recordings & more "Blues Bass" by TB member Jon Liebman Ed Friedland's Essential Styles and Techniques Blues books "Complete Rhythm Guitar Guide for Blues Bands" by Larry McCabe "101 Blues Bass Patterns by Larry McCabe Turn arounds book for blues/jazz ~Funk, Slap, Groove, R&B Links to over 20 funk,groove and R&B bassists TB's Funk 101 list of funk tunes Funk 102 TB's Old School Funk tunes suggestions Muted Grooves by Joaquin des Pres Classic Funk and R&B by Joaquin des Pres Bass Grooves by TB member Jon Liebman Funk Bass " Funk/Fusion Bass " R&B/Funk book "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" James Jamerson book/CD Funk Bass Bible New funk groups Modern Funk bassists The late, great, James Jamerson 1 Get that dead flatwound string sound 2 TB slap bass references/links Over 60 slap/funk lessons by MarlowDK Video lessons w/Dmanlamius Books/Videos from F. R. Prestia/Tower of Power Anthony Vitti Alex Sklarevski Bill Dickens Tony Oppenheim Larry Graham ~Latin Learning Latin music "The Latin Bass Book" by Oscar Stagnaro/Chuck Sher ~Jazz 1 Learning 2 Improvization Primer (Book/Online) Theory, soloing, videos by Ethans1980 website Walking bass lines examples Walking bass lines books Jazz Scales History of Jazz website ~Metal Play Metal bass Demystifying metal styles Tuning your bass for metal discussion How to scream/growl ~Hip-Hop 1 Hip-Hop bass 2 Hip-hop bands with instruments ~Reggae Reggae bass Aston Barrett ~Urban Gospel Examples of songs Gospel/PW basses/rigs/strings ~Sixties/ Essential 60's songs
BEING IN A BAND ~Band management Intro Books First band How to handle a big band Playing in a band w/o rehearsing If your significant other is a non-musician Democracy/dictatorship? Band "funds"? Why many bands don't last Originals Band "paying dues" Is playing for "free" really "free"? Getting gigs The "art" of closing the deal Gig pay Advertising yourself Business cards ~Band names Real band names Infamous band names Changing band name Bandnamemaker.com 1728.com ~Starting Playing in a 3 piece band New band Cover band Cover band setlists Covers vs. Originals Tribute band Advertising for new member(s) ~Joining a new band Finding a new band Questions to ask before joining a band ~Auditioning 1 For new band 2 Getting back in the game 1 A new member 2 1 Red flag stories Hilarious/Scary/Bizarre Audition Stories "Never got to audition" story ~Replacing a band member Firing a band member ~Leaving the band Quitting Giving notice Getting fired ~Reheasals Protect your hearing! Wear ear plugs! Band rehearsal/headphones Learning a band set list 1 Rehearsal tips 2 -efficiency 3 -how often? 1 Sound proofing/reduction 2-w/ room pics 3-w/ room pics Drummerworld.com Building a Recording Studio by Jeff Cooper - great for pros or DIY'rs Gigs 1 Moving equipment 2 3 Coiling cables What's in your gig bag? In-ear monitors Going wireless Music stands on stage? Designing/Managing your sets Managing sound on stage Directing the band on stage-hand signals 1 On-stage Banter 2 Being asked to turn down the VOLUME To noodle/not to noodle? Overcoming gig anxiety 1 First gig 2 3 What to do when you don't know a song or forget your part ~PA/Lighting First 1 What size? 2 Configuring DIY monitors 1 Upgrading 2 Low cost lighting ~Mixing/Recording rehearsals/gigs Recording rehearsals/practice/gigs Recording/Mixing Recording software recommendations Cheap but good studio mics Learn live sound mixing Frequency ranges of band instruments EQ primer (all instruments) FOH vs. on-stage sound COOL RIGS, EQUIPMENT, INFO Upgrade bass/amp first? Polishing/cleaning bass Setup a bass Strings: Flatwound vs. Roundwound Bass stands 1 Buying cables 2 3 4 High end vs. low end 1 Comfortable strap 2 3 Amp FAQs How many watts do you gig with?(poll) Amp "watts" vs. cab "watts" Benefits of vertical speaker cabs >30 light-weight cabs,amps, combos 1 Buying a combo 2 Opinions/experiences-great small combo amps The ultimate custom built combo? Combos vs Head/Cab Pre-amp/Power Amp vs Head/Cab or Combo "I want a monster amp!" Powerful,reliable rack amps 1 10s v. 12s v. 15s v. 18s 2 4x10 vs. 2x10/1x15 Using a full range cab (Carvin LS1503) 1x15/6.5 custom cab Big cabs 1 Happy with my rig 2 Micro-rigs of doom Mini-rigs of doom Rigs of doom Cheap rigs of doom Ulitmate fantasy rig Benefits of compression Compressor FAQ's and reviews 1 Benefits of a rumble filter 2 Gear insurance thread Isolating Head/Cabs from stage/each other BUILDING/FIXIN' STUFF 1 Upgrading/changing speakers 2 3 4 Cabs fEarful 15/6(plans included) + discussion fEarful pre-cut kit assembly discussion Bill Fitzmaurice cabs Cab coatings explained Fiberglass cab Building a tube amp Learning to fix tube amps Sunn 2000s amp How to turn on/off a tube amp Tube amp techs- recommendations Speaker reconer recommendations TB's Luthier's Corner Custom bass pickups/pots Bass Setup and Repair Fix stripped neck/strap lock holes Getting your bass refinished Digital music "stand" OTHER INSTRUMENTS Buying/learning harmonica Best guitar forums Visual guitar automatic chord finder website OTHER ~Tips 'n Tricks Packing a bass Shipping a bass Shipping/packing bass/amps Gadgets/Gizmos Instructions on how to do a whole bunch of stuff Tips for living How to save $ Improving your sleep Lose weight the TB way Flashlights discussion Spruce up TB posts with animated gifs. Use img brackets to view. Monster gifs