Hi folks

[Peloquin]

Hello everyone. New member who has decided to learn to play bass for nothing more than my own enjoyment.
I'm Mark, from Stoke on Trent...UK.
When I was about 16 (50 now) I bought a bass from (I think) Kerrang magazine. It was made by Axe and all I ever did was make a noise.
Now I've decided I want to be able to hit random notes that actually sound like they should be hit in that order.
Tbh I'm not over interested in learning the technical side but I'm loving trying to learn some of my favourite songs.
A mate lent me a spare bass...a Tanglewood Warrior 2 and I'm practicing a lot but seem to have hit my limit.

I'm currently VERY stuck trying to get the first bass notes from "Fall Back Down" by Rancid...
I'm following tabs and can do it at around 1/4 speed so guessing loads more practice needed.
Anyway... Enough waffle.

Any hints are welcome.

M.

 

[CallMeAl]

Welcome!

a couple tricks I use:
-figure out the BPM on a metronome where you can play that lick perfectly. Play it for a few days that speed, then try it 5 bpm faster. If you start making mistakes, go back to where you can play it perfectly. Repeat until it’s up to tempo! If it’s frustrating you, shelf it for a few days.

-if a piece is particularly challenging, just focus on chunks; just the verse, just the first 4 bars. Whatever makes sense. Building up perfectly played nuggets is a recipe for success!

-id also suggest reposting your question in the “general instruction” subforum. This is a big forum, and it will help the “right” people see your questions.

good luck, and enjoy!

 

[charlie monroe]

Welcome to TB, Mark.

 

[Peloquin]

Thank you folks.

 

[68Tele-Bass]

Welcome to the fold!
Never too late at all- I was just a noodler for a long time- jamming with mates at university etc. I then found myself “drafted” into a band at age 50!

Me: “You guys are so good- I think I’m just holding you back...”

The flute player (eyes as big as saucers): “No! No!...Do you know how long it took before we could all play in the same room together??”

Ive been in the band the last six years, and am playing MUCH better !!
Keep it up!!
Carl

 

[Peloquin]

I'm determined to keep it up and even though I'm struggling with some bits in actually enjoying trying to get better.
My timings are a bit off and I miss the odd note but it'll all come.

 

[SunByrne]

Welcome! I'm also 50, started last year at age 49 and just loving it.

@alanloomis1980 has the right of it: start slow, take it in pieces, gradually bring each piece up to speed and you'll get there.

Especially at the very beginning, it's really useful to do some general drills just to get your fingers used to the movements. It's a little boring but it pays off pretty quickly. I'd start with the simplest exercises from StudyBass - Free Online Bass Lessons I still do a few minutes of similar exercises every day as a warmup.

I still have a vivid memory of learning my very first song (Talking Heads' "Psycho Killer") and I worked and worked and got up to 80 bpm... and the song is at 124 bpm. I remember thinking "it's impossible to get human fingers to move that fast to the right spots." Of course, it isn't impossible at all—Talking Heads basslines are easy now (but still fun!)—but it sure seems that way at first. Stick with it, you can get there.

Oh, and one more thing: it's important to try to practice every day, or as close as you can. 10 minutes a day over three days is better than two days of nothing and then one day of 30 minutes.

 

[Malcolm35]

I cheat and ask Google for some fake chord sheet music on 98.5% of the music I play.

Invalid Link Removed

Notice the first line will use the E chord for the entire line.
The next chord will use the F#m chord for the entire line.

Follow the chords, sing the lyrics under your breath and pound E's to the beat until the F#m becomes active. OK now pound F#m to the beat.

Never had a director hand me tabbed sheet music, but, every one I ever played for handed out fake chord sheet music. Long story short learn how to play from fake chord sheet music.

Just pound roots to start with. When that gets old use a R-5 bass line. The 5 will always up a string and over two frets from the root. Or down a string same fret from the root. When that gets old use R-5-8-5. The 8 is above the 5 on the next string up same fret.

That should keep you going for a month or so.

Welcome and have fun.

 

[JMacBass65]

Welcome! You have gotten some good advice so far, but I'll add.......find some simple, slow stuff, that you enjoy and learn those. It will help build confidence and help train your ear. I'm not familiar with the song you mentioned, but used to play Ruby Soho a couple of decades ago in a band of mine. Rancid's bass player is no slouch.

 

[Peloquin]

I cheat and ask Google for some fake chord sheet music on 98.5% of the music I play.

Invalid Link Removed

Notice the first line will use the E chord for the entire line.
The next chord will use the F#m chord for the entire line.

Follow the chords, sing the lyrics under your breath and pound E's to the beat until the F#m becomes active. OK now pound F#m to the beat.

Never had a director hand me tabbed sheet music, but, every one I ever played for handed out fake chord sheet music. Long story short learn how to play from fake chord sheet music.

Just pound roots to start with. When that gets old use a R-5 bass line. The 5 will always up a string and over two frets from the root. Or down a string same fret from the root. When that gets old use R-5-8-5. The 8 is above the 5 on the next string up same fret.

That should keep you going for a month or so.

Welcome and have fun.

I'm VERY new to this mate.. It's gonna take me a month to work out what you said.
So far I'm using YouTube and following tabs.
I'll get there though and many thanks for your help.

 

[Peloquin]

This is the one in trying.
I should also add... I'm trying to learn to play with my fingers before I try using a plectrum.