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Old geezer returning to Bass needs your advice

J

Jvagiar

May 1, 2020
15
15
#1
Hello,
I have played the Bass guitar in a Blues-Rock band for three years during my teenage period in the late sixties, but life took me in a completely different direction than playing music.

Four years ago (in my older years now) I decided to play the guitar again but for myself only, without joining any band. I bought myself an acoustic guitar (not an acoustic bass but a standard six-string acoustic guitar) and started to re-learn playing the guitar from the basis. I completed Guitartricks Level 1 and level 2 Fundamental courses and then learned several TrueFire beginner Fingerstyle lessons. Several months ago after more than 20 years, I met one of my teenage period band members. This meeting has been like a time travel machine and I decided to go back to play the bass (and still playing my six-string acoustic) but this time without any plan or intention to play at any time in a band or gigging but just for my self-pleasure and self-entertainment.

I would like to hear your recommendation about where should I learn to play the Bass from? I know that I want to learn from structured courses (no free Youtube videos). I am considering TrueFire Bass Guitar Learning Path (Stu Hamm Learn Bass 1 and 2) and later some more advanced courses or the Artistworks courses with Nathan East or John Patitucci.
A week ago I bought Ariane Cap "Music Theory for the Bass Player" and started to learn using the E A D G strings of my six-string acoustic (I have not bought a Bass yet)

Mark's TalkingBass also seems a great option. I would like to know the difference between the paid 10 lessons of the $29.99 "Beginner Bass Guitar" course and the same lessons covering the same subjects from the "Free lessons Map"?

The second question is about the purchase of a Bass. I was considering buying a Fender Mustang Bass PJ (Mexican made) and the smallest amp that will be enough for playing in a small living room. Since I have no intention to play in a band, another option is to buy an Acoustic Bass guitar like a Guild Jumbo Junior. I would like to hear your input on this matter.

Thank you very much
 
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#2
No to the acoustic bass unless it is a standup. Just not enough volume if you ever do decide to start gigging. A buddy gave me an acoustic bass to learn on. I bought an electric after only two days on the acoustic.

I do recommend you take the first chance you have to play with other musicians. Jamming circles, church Praise band, the guy down the street, both of you with masks.....:laugh:

P bass is a good starting bass. I have a P bass that I paid $350 for and it does ever thing I ask it to do. My point here is $350 gets you out of the junk starter stuff.

A 15 watt amp with an earphone plug in will give you all the volume you need and the earphone jack will let you practice and not drive the family crazy.

The instruction books, and or videos you mentioned are all good. For dirt simple how to play a bass guitar I like Bass Guitar for Dummies. Amazon has it. They all say the same thing as basic is basic.

Coming from electric guitar to the bass is not that much of a learning curve. As you have already found that the four bottom strings are the same. Instead of strumming a chord you now will be playing the notes of the chord one note at a time. Roots and fives will play a lot of bass. Put the Root note on the A string and the IV is up a string same fret and the V is down a string same fret. Not a step for a stepper.

Run your scales and arpeggios first just to get your fingers moving on the fretboard. When this flows call up some songs and see what you can do with playing songs. Google search word ---- chords, name of the song --- will find most anything you want.

Here is a good site that has some stuff you can use before you get your bass. Like where are the notes on the fretboard, etc.

How to get started?
 
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#3
Jvagiar said:
Hello,
I have played the Bass guitar in a Blues-Rock band for three years during my teenage period in the late sixties...

1) I would like to hear your recommendation about where should I learn to play the Bass from?...

2) The second question is about the purchase of a Bass... and the smallest amp that will be enough for playing in a small living room. Since I have no intention to play in a band...
Click to expand...

To answer the first question, you have to decide what you want to play. While you say you have no intention of playing in a band, perhaps a church group? IMO, playing bass alone in your living room is kind of lonely and uninspiring. But that's just me. To me, one of the basic questions that I think we should consider is, "Do we practice to perform, or perform to practice"? For me, performing provides the motivation to practice and improve and performing, in my mind is the raison d'être of it all.

I'm of the mindset that one should start off with private, face-to-face lessons where you can get immediate feedback on technique, and provide some guidance as to some structure. It's tough these days to be in person, but unlike wind instruments, online instruction can cover most of the needed ground. They can then guide you to what you need. You can use online stuff to supplement as needed.

One thing that every player should have is access to a library of music. When I was taking guitar lessons years ago, the biggest take-away that I got from them is that I should (and did) purchase the Guitar Pro app. The amount of music, including both standard and tab notation is limitless. There is a free trial and here's the link for that. The purchase price is only $65-$70 and worth every penny. Download Guitar Pro 7.5 | Tablature Editor Software | Free Trial

Bass purchase? I would suggest a Squier Classic Vibe or Vintage Modified (not Affinity level) precision bass or jazz bass. They will set you back only about $300-400 new and less if you can find them used (but they'are scarces used because they are so good.

Amp? The cheapest amp (new) that I can think of that you can play in your living room would be a Fender Rumble 25 for $100. I think you'd be more satisfied with the sound with a Rumble 40 at $200. You can almost get buy doing a gig with the 40 if the drummer isn't too loud :). It will be easier to recommend something if you provide a price ceiling. You can find a few really good amps at the $300 price point that would be sufficent for practice or even playing in a band. In terms of learning there is nothing that beats playing with others, so you should consider that when choosing your amp.

Good luck.
 
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#5
Lessons- you may have to try a few and see what clicks with you. Just like gear, the “best” teacher is subjective and only works if it fits you and your learning style. That said, I like TalkingBass, studybass and walking bass lessons.com.

Pro tip: the talkbass search stinks. Go to google and search “blah blah talkbass.” EG “best online courses talkbass” like this, and get tons of links to tips and discussions:
BA179F4C-BBAA-4E5F-80E2-2E3CF414FFDA.jpeg


Gear: if that Fender Mustang tickles your fancy and meets your budget, that would be an excellent first (and even forever) bass. I’d skip the acoustic; they can be uncomfortable to play and harder to adjust/maintain.

For the amp, 25-100 watts and 8, 10 or 12” speaker is a good starting point. Look at the features like headphones, aux in, size and weight to see if that fits your needs. So many good budget combo Amps, it’s hard to pick a lemon. Here’s my “bare minimum” amp pick:
Ampeg BA-108v2 1x8" 20-watt Bass Combo Amp

Do you plan on playing in headphones, or through the speaker? Where are you located?

happy hunting:)
 
#6
Go online and get transcriptions to songs you want to learn for free.

Learn to read music, not tab.

Get a free metronome app.

Buy one (1) method book and do it cover to cover before you buy another. I cant tell you which book to buy because I am not you. My very first book was the bass lines to SRV, because that's what I needed to learn.

The bass/amp recommendations above are pretty good.
 
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#8
IamGroot said:
Go online and get transcriptions to songs you want to learn for free.

Learn to read music, not tab.

Get a free metronome app.
Click to expand...

Yep... But if I may add one small revision to the suggestion about the metronome "app"... In my opinion....

Having metronome app on your phone is like having an instrument in a case. While some will open the case to play their instrument, many won't bother because of the nuisance value of having to open the phone, call up the app. Set the app and set aside other phone functions. My personal experience is that I know of nobody that RELIGOUSLY uses a phone's metronome app to practice with consistently. I suggest purchasing a physical dedicated metronome; ONE WITH A PHYSICAL DIAL! not an electronic one with buttons to set the temp.

Of you guys out there that only have a metromone *APP*, how many of you use it every day? I think this deserves a poll :). Check later...

There are many out there from ridiculously cheap to fairlly expensive. I personally own the Boss DB-90 and Matrix, but there are many to choose from starting at around $15.
10 Best 10 Metronomes in 2020 [Buying Guide] - Music Critic

JMO
 
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#9
One of the first things we need is to be able to follow the beat (rhythm) the song is using. One quick way is to listen to the music and clap the rhythm.

When that flow you have a "feel" for the song. Another thing I use is the lyrics of the song. Most rhythm will follow the lyric word syllable, i.e. the word Hap-py gets 2 beats as does the word Birth-day, with the word To and You only getting one beat each. Singing the lyrics under your breath - and keeping up with the lead vocalist helps me with my timing.

OK you are now with a band and it is here that the metronome comes to your aid. Best example of this I have found is with a Blues tune. Four beats to the bar, One bar of the I chord, one of the IV, then two more of the I chord, etc......
 
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#13
vindibona1 said:
Yep... But if I may add one small revision to the suggestion about the metronome "app"... In my opinion....

Having metronome app on your phone is like having an instrument in a case. While some will open the case to play their instrument, many won't bother because of the nuisance value of having to open the phone, call up the app. Set the app and set aside other phone functions. My personal experience is that I know of nobody that RELIGOUSLY uses a phone's metronome app to practice with consistently. I suggest purchasing a physical dedicated metronome; ONE WITH A PHYSICAL DIAL! not an electronic one with buttons to set the temp.

Of you guys out there that only have a metromone *APP*, how many of you use it every day? I think this deserves a poll :). Check later...

There are many out there from ridiculously cheap to fairlly expensive. I personally own the Boss DB-90 and Matrix, but there are many to choose from starting at around $15.
10 Best 10 Metronomes in 2020 [Buying Guide] - Music Critic

JMO
Click to expand...
I have 4 metromes at home. The batteries are dead in all of them.

So I use a free app called Metronome Pro.

It's the only app I have on my cellphone.
 
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#15
Malcolm35 said:
Yes, and in another string I have just said how I hate it when we do not have a drummer and I become the beat master.
Click to expand...

When I play bass in worship groups (sans percussion) I do everything I can to keep things together... And as solid as I try to be it sometimes boggles my mind how the singers often lose time, even though I'm playing subdivisions coming right out of their monitors. The only thing worse is playing in a pit and the actors/singers don't bother to listen to what's going on with the music, skip a line of lyrics... Then it's chaos to figure our if the MD wants us to skip to where they are or just stay put, hoping they singers will figure out where they messed up.
 
#16
An MIM Mustang should be cool, unless there's a reason you can't play short scale basses.
As of the amp, my suggestion would be to check out the Fender Rumble series--from small & low watts & on up.
 
#18
Another geezer noob here.

Hal Leonard Bass Complete Method. Download the mp3s to a player or your phone.

Headphone amp that includes AUX IN. I'm using the Donner Basement, but if I'd do the Ampeg if I did it over again.

MP3s of the songs I want to learn. And then Audacity to change the EQ on mp3s (all legally acquired) to boost the bass. So, now I have the regular song and the bass boost song to listen/work with.

Drum loop app for phone to practice with.

Metronome app for same.

I'd love to go short scale, as my 60 year old hands just aren't what they used to be. For now, I'm capo-ed at 2 fret and detuned back to EADG. Working fine.

HAVE FUN!
 
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