Yeah, I plan on taking lessons when I know a bit more about the bass. I'll get more out of it since Ill actually know what the guys talking about. As for money, its not a problem, Ive got lots of it put away.
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Learn music theory when just starting off?
- Thread starter MeTHoD-X
- Start date
It is a great idea to take lessons, but I wouldn't put it off for too long. It is much easier for the teacher to show how things are done correcty before any bad habits are formed.
Good luck with your lessons!
Good luck with your lessons!
this is a great point. ive been teaching guitar for the past month and its much easier with those that have never played. the ones that have all have had horrible left hand technique and trying to fix that up is a pain.Jason Carota said:
I disagree on the "what is to be expected of you within the next year post" That is not to be said. It needs to be decided on how fast he is learning the material. And that is ALOT!!! I am just starting on the last thing he mentioned.. Which is chord substituting. This Sept 27 will be marking my fourth year playing. I have learned FAST. I know this because I caught up to people technique and theory wise who had been playing 5 years already.
So my conclusion is. ****ing do it up man. Take your time, but still learn all that you can. It helps in the long run. Even if it is boring musical notation.
So my conclusion is. ****ing do it up man. Take your time, but still learn all that you can. It helps in the long run. Even if it is boring musical notation.
MeTHoD-X said:My left hand is always curved. I can't play with my fingers straight and stretched out for the life of me. Does this mean I I'm destined to be a ****ty bass player?
I have long fingers... so I dont know why I can't play it properly.
This is how I play:
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This is how I should be playing:
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It just doesn't seem possible. Soooooo hard.
Geez, whaddaya expect? You said you just bought a bass a few weeks ago...unless you're a natural, it is going to take time to develope some technique & muscle memory; you will be training your hands/fingers to act in very un-natural ways.
BTW, the 1st photo is called "The Baseball Bat Grip".
The 2nd photo is a little closer to what you want...IMO, the index finger should also be 'on the neck' & you should finger the note directly 'above' the fret. In other words, slide your hand 'up' towards the octave(double dots).
The middle finger is photo #2 is close to what you want...move it even closer to the fret, though.
Its hard to spread my fingers out wide enough. Any good practices you guys can recommend for training my left hand? Keep in mind I don't know musical notation as of yet. (Im reading www.musictheory.net). ActiveBass (a great site Ive been using for a few weeks now) has a lot of practice stuff; anything in particular you would recommend?
I like how JimK says 'up.' One thing your will encounter with people who have played for awhile is that they will commonly refer to the string on the bottom (the thinnest string) as the top string and the higher notes as further down the bass. This is purely related to music theory in the idea that the highest string of the bass refers to the highest string in pitch, not in physical reality. I was teaching a friend how to begin on the bass and he kept getting confused when I would say highest and actually mean the lowest string physically. It was a quite repetitive ordeal. Depending on your teacher, he or she may or may not tailor his teaching to this physical approach on beginners.
As far as music theory being fun, let me refer to you the fact that I had many books and magazines at my disposal on a long road trip, but rather than reading, I decided to figure out all of the different inversions of some of my favorite chords and see what other chords came out of those inversions...for a four hour long trip. Just how some people are obsessed with things that don't seem fun to normal people, music theory is king to me.
Also, I now find myself being able to play things by ear just by figuring all of the sounds of all of the intervals and what they sound like. From a typical lead sheet that I play for the first time, I throw in a lot of 5ths, 3rds, and octives. Then when I get comfortable with the melody, I throw in 2nds and 6ths, and if I feel real confident with myself, a maj 7th or aug 5th.
Your hand technique will also get better because you'll get used to it. Personally, I didn't have any trouble picking up the bass, but it wasn't because I was special. I could pick it up because I had already been playing a with the bigger neck of a double bass for three years.
jeff schmidt
no longer red carded, but my butt is still sore.
Learn the theory now - so you can get on with having fun and you won't have to go back and learn it years later when you realize how much MORE fun you could be having if you only knew the theory.
Jace The Bass said:
Looks as though I need to know music theory / music notation for that. Speaking of the two... whats the difference?
One more thing. Where can I find out what an Octave, Cord, C Major, Root note and all that various musical lingo stuff means?
I need to know the meanings to this stuff before I can learn from the advice youre all giving me. Its kind of like trying to understand the context of a conversation when you only know half the language.
I need to know the meanings to this stuff before I can learn from the advice youre all giving me. Its kind of like trying to understand the context of a conversation when you only know half the language.
I'm surprised that Jazzbo didn't put a link to his article in this thread, but I'll do it for him (at one point he had it in his sig, but alas not anymore). This link will help you understand the scale and what a Root, octave, and fifth is.
Here's Jazzbo's article: --> http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519
Also, Adam Nitti has some great exercises in the lessons section on his site. The lessons page is: --> http://www.adamnitti.com/lessons.shtml
Start with the top-most lesson and work your way down through the page.
Here's Jazzbo's article: --> http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519
Also, Adam Nitti has some great exercises in the lessons section on his site. The lessons page is: --> http://www.adamnitti.com/lessons.shtml
Start with the top-most lesson and work your way down through the page.
jazzbo said:
Quoted for importance. Even if you never want to take lessons, you NEED 2 or 3 to get your technique on the right track. Get them now, before you learn stuff wrongly.
Kewl now you have an excuse for learning theory there is no difference just that they combine together as someone mentioned before there is theory behind every piece of music being playedMeTHoD-X said:
Off-instrument finger exercises are vital for building finger strength. Buy one of those guitarist grips that work the individual fingers (be careful they come in different strengths.) Especially that pinkie! This will help you out tremendously.
SunShine said:
Every GC & Sam Ash I've been to carry these.
If you really want one, why not just order it from Link Removed?
Kevjmyers said:
I don't think this is a very good idea. Use those things and you have a chance of seriously hurting yourself. In the end they don't even work the muscles you'll use when playing; if you're playing correctly you shouldn't be squeezing your hand anyway.
Just play. The strength, dexterity and stamina will come with practice.
