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Help me keep going

Way1994

Way1994

Jun 3, 2012
40
4
SW New Hampshire
#1
Hello,

I am new to bass guitar. As one of my bucket list items I have always enjoyed bass lines in music, so I decided it was time for me to learn to play bass. I purchased a used Fender Jazz bass and a old Peavey Combo 115 amp. I have had both for a short period of time, 3 weeks. I also purchased a book to get me started, Bass Guitar for dummies and a tab book of tunes.

Here is were I need some encouragement. My fingers just will not move. I know I am a older person learning, 61 years young, but is this normal and as I continue doing finger exercises will I overcome this or is it a constant battle? Yes, I do expect a lot from myself. Any advise would be helpful.
 
#2
I wouldn't worry, as you progress things will become easier for you. You could try playing a lot of hammer-ons, Check out Marlowe dk's videos on YouTube. They're very helpful, and I found that the slap ones definitely helped with left-hand technique. Hope this helps :D
 
#4
How high is the action on your bass? If it has a poor setup, which is a possibility, then take it in to a local music shop and ask them to get the action set nice and low for you (or even better, if you're a hands-on kinda guy, learn to do it yourself. It's a great skill to have). If your bass isn't set up right, it's going to be a severe hinderance to your playing.

As a side note, Bass Guitar for dummies is probably the easiest bass book to follow that I've ever seen. I've actually been considering getting a copy for myself after 6 years of playing!
 
#6
Way1994 said:
Hello,

I am new to bass guitar. As one of my bucket list items I have always enjoyed bass lines in music, so I decided it was time for me to learn to play bass. I purchased a used Fender Jazz bass and a old Peavey Combo 115 amp. I have had both for a short period of time, 3 weeks. I also purchased a book to get me started, Bass Guitar for dummies and a tab book of tunes.

Here is were I need some encouragement. My fingers just will not move. I know I am a older person learning, 61 years young, but is this normal and as I continue doing finger exercises will I overcome this or is it a constant battle? Yes, I do expect a lot from myself. Any advise would be helpful.
Click to expand...

I suppose you have to determine if your stiff fingers are the result of arthritis or just being a noob player. I presume you'll know already how much arthritis you have in your hands. (pain, stiffness, knobby joints etc.) But in either case practice will help. Keeping joints moving is good therapy for arthritis in any case even if it inhibits your playing. And noob problems as everyone has said go away with practice too. The beauty of bass is that unlike guitar, you don't have to contort you hands into weird shapes making chords and you can easily do a bassline that works with just a few notes that you can learn to play even with severe impairment. There is no expectation that you need to shred the way guitar players do. Of course, if you have tabs, you'll find that indeed there ARE complex basslines you won't be able to play. Hey there are complex basslines I can't play. But the point is that this is music and you can create your own lines you CAN play!

Since bass can be boring practicing all alone, practice toward the idea of finding some other noob players with music hobbies and get together now and then just for fun. You'll all love it.

And yes, DO see about getting a setup on your bass to get as low an action as possible to make things easy on yourself.
 
#7
Find a good bass teacher and take lessons! The excercises will give you something to focus on and the weekly lessons will force you to practice to be ready for the next lesson.
As well a good bass teacher can help you with your setup etc. It's well worth the money spent if you really want to learn bass guitar.
I'm 52, started playing bass 6 months ago, and at 3 weeks was right where you are now. In fact I bought a short scale because I was convinced my fingers would never stretch enough to play a 34" scale bass. With lessons, practice, asking stupid questions on Talkbass etc., the improvement has been unbelievable. I'm now very comfortable on 34" scale basses, my fingers move around fine and I'm in 3 bands. I'm a long way from ever being a great bassist, but I'm definitely a bassist.
With lessons, practice and determination, in 5 months you'll look back on this thread and laugh.
 
#8
Keep at it, and make sure each note counts when you're working through scales. Eventually speed will come, partially because of muscle memory. Add some dexterity exercises, and once you're finished "practicing" perhaps play along to couple of songs you enjoy that may have simple basslines.
 
#9
Bass, such as many other instruments, needs a period to get used to it.
I'd say first 4/6 months are going to be quite hard. But if you stick to 30 minutes a day of training, you'll see your progress undoubtfully.

I definetly agree with the fact that exercises are not the "only" way to progress. You have to play some lines and feel the vibes ! Just try to pick some cool and easy to play songs to play with it. Music has to be a pleasure.

This really could be a good thing to find a band to start with. Practicing is way easyer with at least a drummer for us bassists !

Have fun !
 
#10
Adrisss said:
I definetly agree with the fact that exercises are not the "only" way to progress. You have to play some lines and feel the vibes ! Just try to pick some cool and easy to play songs to play with it. Music has to be a pleasure.

Have fun !
Click to expand...
All the advice you've been given is excellent. Everyone struggles with finger placement/dexterity. You're learning to move you hands and fingers in ways you've never used them before. It'll take time, but you'll get there if you keep at it.
The advice above is a good way to keep at it. Pick some easy songs that you like to play, crank up your stereo, and play along. Don't worry about your mistakes, just concentrate on having a good time and trying to be musical. The rest will come in time.
 
#12
Flats to me anyway - feel like playing rebar. I love the sound they give and am willing to suffer the stiffness.

It get's easier really it does, but for a smooth sound like flats, you can try some Elixir Nanos which have a slick coating on them that helps keep the zing and click outta the music.

You might consider using them to build your fingers and muscles up play the flats.
 

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