Hey Talk-Bass!

[Dilver]

I’m a lifetime guitarist recently learning to play bass (real bass, not the way a guitarist plays bass). New York-born, New Jersey-based. Looking forward to getting to know people and learning all I can.

 

[scottm]

Welcome my friend, enjoy the best decision a guitarist can make.

-ScottM

 

[buldog5151bass]

Bring your sense of humor, and have fun. People are more than willing to help (whether they can or not...).

 

[Malcolm35]

I’m a lifetime guitarist recently learning to play bass (real bass, not the way a guitarist plays bass). New York-born, New Jersey-based. Looking forward to getting to know people and learning all I can.

The learning curve from 6 string guitar to bass is not that steep. Use your old sheet music and instead of playing chord patterns play the chord's chord tones one note at a time. To the beat of your drummer's kick drum if you have a drummer. If no drummer it a feel thing..... but, not unlike your old strum patterns. Pay attention to the time signature and lyric flow.

Going to take awhile for your ears to pick up the bass line, we all had to learn how to listen for it.
Yes the two are different, however like I said above the difference is really not that much. Rhythm is rhythm and harmony is harmony and for now leave the melody to the solo instruments. If in doubt, less is more, we old guitar guys tend to want a full bass line. The old R-5 has played a lot of bass.

Good luck.