I'm the New Guy

[PillO]

Hello,

I'm new to music and to the bass. All through school, I studied the hard sciences. I never learned music. I have been out of school for, well let's just say a long time.

8 weeks ago, I decided that my lack of musical training should be overcome. I bought and read a book on music theory.

4 weeks ago, I decided that the bass would be my instrument. I bought a Yamaha TRBX174 and Ampeg BA110. And I started taking lessons 3 weeks ago. I seem to be making some good progress.

Why bass?
The economist in me says - bass players are rare and therefore valuable.
The scientist in me says - it is a different perspective on music and may reveal something interesting.
The manager in me says - the bass ties rhythm to melody and therefore holds the music together.
The real reason - I'm not quite sure. Certainly, being different is attractive. Certainly carrying a tune is attractive. Bass clef looks cooler than treble clef. But, I don't have a really good reason to choose any particular any instrument over another. Bass just seemed like an interesting choice.

I will not be a professional musician. I am unlikely to play a 'gig'. For me, playing is only for fun.

 

[Jbassrockboy]

Good choice

... I like the reasoning ...

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Welcome aboard!

 

[hondo4life]

Welcome.
Got any pics of that Yamaha? My next bass has to be a 24 fret PJ or PP, and I think the TRBX174 is worth considering.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Add my thanks for the tour, eight weeks! How did you settle on your bass & amp, and what type of science do you practice.

Welcome to the monkey house.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I understand where you are coming from there is just something about the bass. Started on banjo that lead to rhythm guitar, from there electric lead guitar, bought a $100 fiddle while on vacation then came the clarinet and keyboard which lead to my bass. The fiddle had cats in it and I gave it away, I never could get my mouth to work on the clarinet. Traded the banjo in on my bass and yes I fell in love with the bass. For most of the reasons you listed.

Welcome to the bottom end.

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to Talk Bass!

I really enjoyed reading your well-thought-out reasoned approach. However, allow yourself to accept that something unexplainable......something just ......cool....about the bass may have grabbed you in the right way. Enjoy yourself and don't overthink it. Bass is about a feeling.....a groove. It's not all about theory math and counting beats.

Glad you are here!

 

[PillO]

Welcome.
Got any pics of that Yamaha? My next bass has to be a 24 fret PJ or PP, and I think the TRBX174 is worth considering.

I don't have a picture of mine, but here it is on the store's website.

Yamaha - 4 String Bass - Dark Blue Metallic

 

[PillO]

Add my thanks for the tour, eight weeks! How did you settle on your bass & amp, and what type of science do you practice.

Welcome to the monkey house.

The bass was the hardest part. I decided that I didn't want to spend too much. I didn't want something made in china. I wanted something 34", not short scale. Total cost I wanted to come in under CND$800 including tax. After reading reviews of a number of basses, I thought a body made of alder was a good choice, Yamaha has a decent reputation in musical instruments, even though it is made in Indonesia the Japanese attention to quality should come through. It seemed a better choice than comparable Squier and Ibanez basses. And my irrational criteria - not black or white (I went for blue).

The amp had to fit in the total budget goal. I thought that less than 20 watts wasn't enough and more than 50 was much more than I needed. I narrowed it down to the Fender Rumble 40 and the Ampeg BA-110. I tried both in the store and the Ampeg had a cleaner sound - I didn't want/need the voicing options of the Fender, just clean sound. I can always shape the sound to my taste later with pedals.

I wouldn't say I practice science. I work in drug discovery/drug development, but on the commercial end.

 

[PillO]

Welcome to Talk Bass!

I really enjoyed reading your well-thought-out reasoned approach. However, allow yourself to accept that something unexplainable......something just ......cool....about the bass may have grabbed you in the right way. Enjoy yourself and don't overthink it. Bass is about a feeling.....a groove. It's not all about theory math and counting beats.

Glad you are here!

Counting beats? Isn't that the drummer's job?

Math and theory always help. I always want to understand why before I apply myself.

 

[two fingers]

Counting beats? Isn't that the drummer's job?

Math and theory always help. I always want to understand why before I apply myself.

My apologies if it sounded like a lecture....or implied your way is "wrong".

I just wanted to make sure that you understand that playing bass is equally about a feeling as it is any "applied sciences". Sure, the math (music theory, intervals, chord structure) has to work for the notes to sound pleasing to the human ear. But you gotta put some heart and soul into playing bass or you won't fully "get it". You may "comprehend" it, but you won't "get it".

Either way, glad you're here.

 

[PillO]

My apologies if it sounded like a lecture....or implied your way is "wrong".

I just wanted to make sure that you understand that playing bass is equally about a feeling as it is any "applied sciences". Sure, the math (music theory, intervals, chord structure) has to work for the notes to sound pleasing to the human ear. But you gotta put some heart and soul into playing bass or you won't fully "get it". You may "comprehend" it, but you won't "get it".

Either way, glad you're here.

No offence taken at any point. Although I have a very strong science/reasoning/theory bent, I ended up at playing bass because it seemed interesting. In other words, it just felt right. Certainly, need to be in the moment to get in the groove. But, if you have seen (or rather heard) me while driving, you know that I get into the music.

 

[tilt724]

Welcome aboard, enjoy yourself while you're here.