How to learn the essentials to have fun

[fer_prado]

This is so much info.

I'd ignore scales right now and learn Chords. Your basslines will sound so much better with chord tones and you will learn so much more about the music you are playing.

Well, I think I'll try to build some kind of routine, based in the number/interval system, involving the most common scales (maybe as warm up and finger exercicing?); followed by chord construction using @MalcolmAmos and @fearceol links:
Chord Formulas + Major Scales And Chord Patterns | Studybass Fundamentals Two | StudyBass; plus learning some notes on the fret based on video resources like this:

Later, when feeling more confident, I could deep in "the box shape" explained by @MalcolmAmos.

What do you think?

 

[oldcatfish]

Hi there from Spain!

I'm 38 years old and I've just started to play bass. I have two little kids (1 yo and 3 yo) and a 08:00 to 18:00 work, so I have very little time to play/practise (about 30-45 minutes almost every day). My main goal, right now, is be able to play simple things but being clean and accurate. Let's say I'm more interested right now in Kim Deal or Paul Simonon (they're great examples of the bass player I'd like to become with the years) than in bass virtuosi.

So, watching videos for begginers I discovered this:
In that video, Mark from TalkingBass describes the kind of player I'd like to be in this moment of my life (minute 0:47 to 1:18)

It is quite possible to get by on bass by learning simple patterns and just playing in a kind of visual way [...] There's no shame on it. [...] It's fine if you only want to play for a bit of fun in your bedroom [...] and you don't really want to take the bass THAT seriously.

Is it really possible? And, most important, HOW? Is there any really useful resources, routines, patterns, etc. to learn to play (decently) with "patterns" and "in a visual way", as he states? Could you please point me to that resources and give me some advice?

I'm not looking for magic shortcuts, I just want to reach my goal working no less, but no more, than the necessary.

Sorry for my poor English.

Best regards,
Fer

You've been given good advice by the other responses, but I'll simplify things even more. I'm a guitar and bass teacher that specializes in getting students (usually children) gigging in their churches quickly. Here's what you need to know at minimum....
--The location/names of notes on the fretboard and how to read a chord chart.
--The ability to play simple root notes (the letter on the chord chart) in different rhythms; whole note, half note, quarter note, eighth note, triplets, etc.
--The ability to play in time with music of your choice.
--The ability to recognize when you are playing a wrong note or are out of time.
--The ability to tune your bass, and mute strings that you aren't playing.

That's really it, as far as getting started and having fun. Everything else that you learn will help you become a better player, but is not needed to just play. I start my students playing music as quickly as possible because the youngest ones don't do well if you try to teach them music theory too soon. I teach them the above things, then get them playing along to music as soon as possible.

Also, I also recommend you get Rocksmith if you can...the students that I use it with progress exponentially faster than the ones that do not have access to it. At least twice as fast, no exaggeration.

After you can play along to some songs, then go back and learn some theory. It will seem far less tedious and a lot more useful. In my experience anyway.

 

[direwolf333]

Like learning a language........you just start using it.

This song is easy and repeats:



You can get where to put your fingers here:
Gouge Away

I mix the signal from my laptop into an Ampeg SCR-DI then play along through headphones so you don't wake the kids.


Search youtube for a band you like and put "bass lesson" after the band name.
like so,

The Strokes bass lesson:

play along have fun.

 

[Spidey2112]

Thanks!

In fact, i was considering practicing different scale patterns (even not knowing the notes on the fretboard) to train the ear while exercicing my fingers, what do you think?

I bet it can't be as difficult as raising two children

Try three... as in... triplets... All TBers should be familiar with triplets, right? Fer, check YouTube for bass guitar instruction... plenty of resources, both here, there, and everywhere in between.

 

[centri]

Search youtube for a band you like and put "bass lesson" after the band name.

Didn't know you could do that, just learned "Killing Floor" real quik

 

[AztecViking]

To keep it fun and not seeming like work or school try to spend a lot of time jamming along to songs you have a lot of enthusiasm for. When the "fun factor" is diminished in that regard is when most people will quit playing. The best music teachers I've ever had are well aware of that.

 

[fer_prado]

Like learning a language........you just start using it.

This song is easy and repeats:



You can get where to put your fingers here:
Gouge Away

I mix the signal from my laptop into an Ampeg SCR-DI then play along through headphones so you don't wake the kids.


Search youtube for a band you like and put "bass lesson" after the band name.
like so,

The Strokes bass lesson:

play along have fun.

Thanks! I've been playing/trying to play some songs using tabs for weeks, it's very rewarding and enjoyable since minute one, but it doesn't feel like it's VERY useful in some situations i.e. there's no bass tab for a song that you like, but there's guitar chords available... which notes are adequate?

Search youtube for a band you like and put "bass lesson" after the band name.

Didn't know you could do that, just learned "Killing Floor" real quik

Try three... as in... triplets... All TBers should be familiar with triplets, right? Fer, check YouTube for bass guitar instruction... plenty of resources, both here, there, and everywhere in between.

Same for video tutorials for a song in particular, very enjoyable (when well explained ) and, as happens with tabs, allowed me to play SOMETHING, that's cool! But, well, a tab or video is knowledge for only one song, I think it would be harder to apply that knowledge in another situations than chord patterns, am I right?

Thanks a lot!

 

[fer_prado]

You've been given good advice by the other responses, but I'll simplify things even more. I'm a guitar and bass teacher that specializes in getting students (usually children) gigging in their churches quickly. Here's what you need to know at minimum....
--The location/names of notes on the fretboard and how to read a chord chart.
--The ability to play simple root notes (the letter on the chord chart) in different rhythms; whole note, half note, quarter note, eighth note, triplets, etc.
--The ability to play in time with music of your choice.
--The ability to recognize when you are playing a wrong note or are out of time.
--The ability to tune your bass, and mute strings that you aren't playing.

That's really it, as far as getting started and having fun. Everything else that you learn will help you become a better player, but is not needed to just play. I start my students playing music as quickly as possible because the youngest ones don't do well if you try to teach them music theory too soon. I teach them the above things, then get them playing along to music as soon as possible.

Also, I also recommend you get Rocksmith if you can...the students that I use it with progress exponentially faster than the ones that do not have access to it. At least twice as fast, no exaggeration.

After you can play along to some songs, then go back and learn some theory. It will seem far less tedious and a lot more useful. In my experience anyway.

Very interesting, specially the "location/names of notes on the fretboard and how to read a chord chart." advice. As @AngelCrusher stated before, almost everyone in this thread has essentially advised me about learning chord patterns, so I'll try to take it from there. I think it will be a looooong journey considering my limited time and personal situation, but I'm gonna try to get it.

Also, it is not Rocksmith but I've purchased a very cheap USB interface (Guitar Link) that I'm planning to use with some software like Guitar Pro o something like that.

Thanks everybody!

 

[fearceol]

Well, I think I'll try to build some kind of routine, based in the number/interval system, involving the most common scales (maybe as warm up and finger exercicing?); followed by chord construction using @MalcolmAmos and @fearceol links:
Chord Formulas + Major Scales And Chord Patterns | Studybass Fundamentals Two | StudyBass; plus learning some notes on the fret based on video resources like this:

What do you think?

Looks like a constructive practice plan....BUT....you left out the most important item from your thread title...having some fun by playing some actual music.

 

[fer_prado]

Looks like a constructive practice plan....BUT....you left out the most important item from your thread title...having some fun by playing some actual music.

You're right, let's add it to the planning

 

[fearceol]

You're right, let's add it to the planning

Put it at the top of the list.

 

[George1962]

If I play a major scale and play root/3rd/5th starting on the C major would that be a C chord?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

If I play a major scale and play root/3rd/5th starting on the C major would that be a C chord?

• Yes. The C basic triad is made from the R-3-5 notes of the C major scale.
• Cm would be R-b3-5. If the chord is minor it's 3rd will be flatted.
• Cm7 would be R-b3-5-b7 If the minor chord has a seven it's seven will be flatted as well.
• Cmaj7 would be R-3-5-7 Yes, it's a major chord so the 3 and the 7 are natural.
• C7 would be R-3-5-b7 Here it's a major chord so we have a 3 with a b7. Also known as a dominant seven chord.
• Cm7b5 would be R-b3-b5-b7. And this is the diminished seven chord.

For the rest of the story Chord Formulas

Have fun.

 

[Alixinchains]

Great thread, I'm in the same boat and theory is overwhelming. simplified explanations like I'm seeing here are invaluable at this stage. And definitely keep it fun! I've broken my practice time between fretboard memorization, theory, and trying to get a new song under my fingers every day or so. I think mixing it up is important.

Also, check out the Fretuoso app, it costs a couple bucks but has taken the place of playing Candy Crush when I'm just sitting around, and has helped a lot. It tracks your progress really well!

 

[direwolf333]

It's nice to know a lot but you really only need to know the songs your band wants to play.
Play them over and over and it's kinda hard to screw up unless you get too buzzed.

 

[fearceol]

It's nice to know a lot but you really only need to know the songs your band wants to play.

Yes, you'll get by doing this, but knowing a little theory...and the fretboard..is never a waste of time. For example, what if the band decides to do a certain song(s) in a different key ? If you don't know the fretboard, you'll be lost. Another example...what if the band plays original songs. ? You will have to make up your own bass lines. Without knowing some basic theory, and your chord tones, you'll once again be lost.

A little knowledge never did anyone any harm.

 

[George1962]

Great thread, I'm in the same boat and theory is overwhelming. simplified explanations like I'm seeing here are invaluable at this stage. And definitely keep it fun! I've broken my practice time between fretboard memorization, theory, and trying to get a new song under my fingers every day or so. I think mixing it up is important.

Also, check out the Fretuoso app, it costs a couple bucks but has taken the place of playing Candy Crush when I'm just sitting around, and has helped a lot. It tracks your progress really well!

Can I ask how and why your picking up bass? I did it because I sucked at guitar!!

 

[direwolf333]

A little knowledge never did anyone any harm.

No question, we agree. There are also Angus Young types who are tenacious and figure out where to put their fingers. When learning strings at an advanced age, you could become very knowledgeable by the time arthritis kicks in and never get out of the basement.

On a 4 string, once you you know the notes on the E and A strings. The same notes are 2 frets over 2 strings down

 

[Alixinchains]

Can I ask how and why your picking up bass? I did it because I sucked at guitar!!

I was always a 'by ear' player, and that let me cover pretty much all the territory I wanted to at the time, but I've always wanted to truly understand the instrument. Having the strings all separated equally vs guitar simplifies it a bit for me, and I've been able to soak up a lot more than ever. Eventually I'm sure that will translate back. Beyond that, I've always loved music with a good groove, and enjoy getting in that zone-it's relaxing to me, whereas guitar just became more and more frustrating as I struggled against years of bad habits and not being able to get past the wall that I built by not learning properly.

 

[Badwater]

One way to maximize learning and reduce wasted time, when time is limited is, to have a regiment. Be organized. And search out good tutorials and information that will help you develop fast as you possibly can.
Some tips:
1) Set aside time for hands on practice 80% of your devoted practice time.
2) learn the cover songs you like, get the tabs, and play along. Or break it down and learn it measure by measure.
3) Once you learn the songs, play along with the record/CD or coverband videos without using tabs.
4) Task yourself to learning a specific technique every few days.
5) spend 20% of your practice time reading, and/or viewing video tutorials on that specific techniuqe.
6) Avoid long drawn out tutorials that don't stick to the point. Rather, view many short tutorials that stick to the point on that specific technique.

As you get more proficient in learning cover songs and playing them without tabs, you can start to play them using only a metronome or drum looper. This will help you develop good timing, as well as uncover any flaws you have in playing technique.

Nevertheless, the goal is to use the limited time you have to develop basic skills. Although these tips are not exclusive, it will help you identify any challenges and seek resolution via the many tutorials online. As you develop and become a proficient bass player, you can devote time to learn music writing techniques and get into creating your own music.