Longtime Drummer learning Bass.

[planetdrumz]

Hello all,

I live in the Boston areas and have been playing drums for well over 30 years. I've always been interested in Bass, I actually bought one years ago but never really did a whole lot with it. Anyway...I just started about 2 weeks ago to take it more seriously and actually really want to learn.

I'm 47 years old so I'm not sure how well ill be able to learn to play at my age. I am not going to quit playing drums, but there are a lot of times that I don't feel like making a ton of noise and exerting the energy to play the drums, especially when its late at night.

All that I have been doing so far is learning scales and I'm trying to learn a few covers that I am slowly getting the hang of.

I look forward to gaining knowledge from this forum, as it seems to have a lot of members that offer great advice and I would like to thank you in advance for that!

 

[two fingers]

Welcome to Talkbass! I have a great friend who is a drummer up that way.

Glad you are here. Ask away with any questions.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Welcome aboard!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

......... I'm 47 years old so I'm not sure how well ill be able to learn to play at my age.

The kids do seem to pick it up faster, but, I think that is because they do not have to put food on the table, or pay the rent, and all those things that a 47 year old has to do. They have the time, we old guys - have to carve out time. I waited until I was 65, and retired, before I took up music. That was back in 2000, yep do the math. So, IMO, age does come into the picture, but, it plays a very small part. Its carving out the time to study and practice that is more important.

All that I have been doing so far is learning scales and I'm trying to learn a few covers that I am slowly getting the hang of.

You've got rhythm down, that is the hardest for us non-drummers to get flowing, which leaves melody and harmony. You are on the right track - scales first. Why? To get your fingers moving to the correct notes. Next learn your fretboard, lot of stuff has been posted on this subject; This string has some good information. How to get started? And yes, covers is the next thing to work on. Need some fun, LOL

Harmony - kinda need to understand chord tones and how many of them to play. If the melody line and the bass line share like notes you get harmonization. Only takes one per measure so pounding out roots does have it's place. A few more like notes would be better - if the song calls for it - so need to spend some time with; see a Cmaj7 chord and know what bass line that Cmaj7 needs - with this specific song. The Getting Started thread will go into detail and is worth your time.

Melody - for now leave melody to the solo instruments and focus on rhythm and harmony, plenty of time for melody later. No one is going to ask you for a bass solo for quite some time, relax and get rhythm and harmony down first. How long did it take before you were taking drum solos?

Good luck and welcome to the bottom end. Coming from drums the learning curve is not going to be that steep.

 

[planetdrumz]

Thank you all for your support. Thank you MalcolmAmos for your advice and encouragement! I already can tell i made good choice joining this forum.