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Online or DVD

L

Libirm

Guest
Sep 16, 2014
1
0
70
#1
Hello,
I just bought my son who is 15 , a bass guitar and would some suggestions on where to get some instruction, I sure my local music store offers bass lessons but can not do that right now.
What world be a good online site to start?
Any book/DVD suggestions?
Thanks for the help.
 
#2
What is prohibiting live lessons right now? A huge benefit of having live lessons is that instant feedback. If your son is doing something wrong, no one is there to correct it, and he may end up with bad technique that will be hard to correct later. Even if it's just a few starter lessons, I would suggest going that route if possible!
 
#3
There is a Get Started post on TalkBass might start with that. http://www.talkbass.com/threads/how-to-get-started.1098564/

I think it does start off saying get a teacher, however, if one is not in the cards right now, this can be a place to start. The book Bass Guitar for Dummies http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764524879...vptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_9mgoikeae2_b
is a great get started book. your public library may have a copy. It will have all the things he will need to know right at first like, how to hold the bass, how to tune it, how to make noise and how to mute some of that noise. It then progresses in an orderly manner with what he will need. The patterns, and yes I recommend he learn his patterns are some of the best out there. For example; http://www.talkbass.com/threads/how-to-get-started.1098564/

From that an Internet site I would recommend would be www.studybass.com. Then www.musictheory.net and then the Internet lessons by Scott Devine are a little advanced, but, he will love watching them. This takes you to Scott's site: Invalid Link Removed Yes you have to sign in with your e-mail address. Nothing bad comes of this. Check out the free lessons. Invalid Link Removed

Another free bass lesson site is http://www.talkingbass.net/lessonmap/ Mark checks in with us on TB quite often. Here is an example of what he has to offer: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

This should give him enough to keep him busy for awhile. I'm sure the guys will list other books and sites that they found helpful. And have him ask questions here, there is a lot of help available.

Good luck.
 
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#7
AaronVonRock said:
Do a search on YouTube for "beginner bass guitar lessons". Plenty of free resources there.
Click to expand...

While there is no doubt that there are some good lessons on You Tube, IMO this is not the way to go for a fifteen year old starting (I assume ) from scratch. Why ? Because most of the lessons on You Tube are one offs, i.e. they dont build on what went before. So there are gaps in the learning process. Whats needed are lessons in chronological order. Perhaps later when the beginner has the basics down, he could delve into You Tube lessons.

I will add my "plus one" to the advice to get a teacher. In the absence of this, I would recommend www.studybass.com . Start from the beginning and work slowly through it.

A great book, as mentioned by Malcolm, is "Bass Guitar for Dummies". It starts at ground zero and builds from there. Comes with a CD. It may be available in the local library.


Here is a link to the "Getting Started" thread : http://www.talkbass.com/threads/how-to-get-started.1098564/
 
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#8
fearceol said:
While there is no doubt that there are some good lessons on You Tube, IMO this is not the way to go for a fifteen year old starting (I assume ) from scratch. Why ? Because most of the lessons on You Tube are one offs, i.e. they dont build on what went before. So there are gaps in the learning process. Whats needed are lessons in chronological order. Perhaps later when the beginner has the basics down, he could delve into You Tube lessons.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. But in many ways, I think learning on YouTube would be perfect for a 15-year-old boy. And there is nothing wrong with one-off lessons, especially for a beginner starting from scratch.

I would also suggest that he begin learning how to play songs ASAP. Starting out, it will be much more rewarding and encouraging to learn a complete song by a band that he likes than it will be playing scales and exercises. www.songsterr.com is a great site for beginner level songs. It has tabs and "follow the bouncing ball" type instructions and thousands of songs to choose from.
 
#9
AaronVonRock said:
But in many ways, I think learning on YouTube would be perfect for a 15-year-old boy. And there is nothing wrong with one-off lessons, especially for a beginner starting from scratch.
Click to expand...

We'll have to agree to differ on this. :)
There is nothing wrong with it...just not a good idea IMO.


Often, here on this forum I come across newbies asking for advice and guidance.
When asked what they have being learning, often they say they have being learning
through You Tube, and are having trouble with.....modes. There is no need for a beginner
to learn modes at this stage. Plenty of time for those later. This happens when a beginner
takes a liking to a certain lesson, only to become frustrated and disillusioned, because he
does not understand the concept. That's just one negative example of a beginner learning with You
Tube.

Dont get me wrong, You Tube is a great learning source, but IMO the lessons are too
scattered for a new player to know where to start. When he/she gets the basics nailed, then
You Tube will come into it's own.


All in my humble opinion of course. ;)
 
#12
fearceol said:
We'll have to agree to differ on this. :)
There is nothing wrong with it...just not a good idea IMO.


Often, here on this forum I come across newbies asking for advice and guidance.
When asked what they have being learning, often they say they have being learning
through You Tube, and are having trouble with.....modes. There is no need for a beginner
to learn modes at this stage. Plenty of time for those later. This happens when a beginner
takes a liking to a certain lesson, only to become frustrated and disillusioned, because he
does not understand the concept. That's just one negative example of a beginner learning with You
Tube.

Dont get me wrong, You Tube is a great learning source, but IMO the lessons are too
scattered for a new player to know where to start. When he/she gets the basics nailed, then
You Tube will come into it's own.


All in my humble opinion of course. ;)
Click to expand...

Then ditch the whole concept of taking lessons. I still think newbies would be better served learning how to play songs right off the bat. Let all that other stuff come later. YouTube and songsterr.com are great for learning how to play basic, beginner level songs. I remember when I first started and I took boring lessons from books and old guys at local music shops that I had nothing in common with musically. I learned a lot more from my peers showing me how to play songs that I actually liked. Rock music isn't that complicated. Learn how to play 10-20 songs and you will start to see patterns emerge.
 
#14
AaronVonRock said:
Then ditch the whole concept of taking lessons. I still think newbies would be better served learning how to play songs right off the bat. Let all that other stuff come later. YouTube and songsterr.com are great for learning how to play basic, beginner level songs. I remember when I first started and I took boring lessons from books and old guys at local music shops that I had nothing in common with musically. I learned a lot more from my peers showing me how to play songs that I actually liked. Rock music isn't that complicated. Learn how to play 10-20 songs and you will start to see patterns emerge.
Click to expand...

I think it depends on the new player's goals and how far he wants to take his playing. I agree one hundred percent that learning songs by ear is a great asset, and if that's as far as the person wishes to go, that's up to him/her. However, the learning process involves many things. Learning songs by ear is just one (yes..a good one), but so also are the basics like for instance knowing the notes on the fret board and knowing about chord tones. Patterns are not much good if, when playing with others, someone says something like..."lets play this song in the key of G instead of A"......or "this is a blues in Bb with a quick four".
Putting in a little time (I'm not talking about wood shedding for hours on end...just maybe a half an hour a day to start) to learn some basic theory can only lead to two things in the long term....a better understanding of both your instrument and of the music itself, which in turn can only enhance the over all enjoyment of playing.
 
#16
OK, so far nobody mentioned the possibility of online COURSES, as opposed to lessons. Norm Stockton does a great job with his Art of Groove website, and the monthly wee is barely $10, while the material is present clearly and follows a definite path.

Scott Devine also has a great resource and an excellent beginner course on his website. Plus, you/the boy can joint the campus/forum and get some of that needed feedback.

finally, how about online lessons with a live teacher? Cliff Englel offers a great price on teaching packages and his material is excellent.
 
#17
I agree that getting a teacher is the best course if a competent one is available. I worked through Ed Friedland's method with supervision from a teacher and found it to be an excellent resource. I've also worked through most of "Teach Me Bass Guitar". It's a great resource, but a demanding one. I'd be worried that your son might become discouraged. Try going to Friedland's method first. Finally, Jamplay offers good instruction online. I think you can purchase as little as one month's access; it would be enough for your son to evaluate whether it was helpful. Good luck to your son and good for you in supporting his dream.
 
#18
Thomas Kievit said:
I have to say Teach Me Bass Guitar as well :)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...


I'll chime in for that as well,especially for a 15 yr old who needs a lot of immediate positive feedback. Plus no pressure or stage fright of a teacher, just him and the DVD. Finally, the easy repetitive nature plus the timing aspects are a real plus.

This is what I would buy my 15 yr old if I had a motivated one.
 
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#19
spvmhc said:
I agree that getting a teacher is the best course if a competent one is available. I worked through Ed Friedland's method with supervision from a teacher and found it to be an excellent resource. I've also worked through most of "Teach Me Bass Guitar". It's a great resource, but a demanding one. I'd be worried that your son might become discouraged. Try going to Friedland's method first. Finally, Jamplay offers good instruction online. I think you can purchase as little as one month's access; it would be enough for your son to evaluate whether it was helpful. Good luck to your son and good for you in supporting his dream.
Click to expand...

I too like Friedlands book, and am working my way thru it now. I think TMBG would better appeal to the video generation however.
 
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