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Shall I give (it) up?

#21
youv'e just got to keep chipping away and be patient. Age isn't a factor. Make sure when you practice you have a plan and are not just noodling away endlessly. You've got to be patient, if you try to play something and it sux, work out why and keep at it. Learn scales, honestly this helps and its not as difficult as you think. Once youve learnt a scale learn to play it in thirds, this will really get your fingers thinking and is a great work out. Try and play with people who are way more advanced then you, you will learn a lot this way. Hang in there dude...
 
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#22
Don't give up.
As far as lack of (formal) musical knowledge goes, do not worry about it.
Theory always comes after music.
It's just a way to codify and explain what's already occurred.
As far as lessons go, it sounds like you encountered a couple of teachers whose pedagogy (method of teaching) didn't suit your learning style.
If it makes you feel any better I only had lessons while I was doing a music degree. I had none before and have had none since.
I learnt far more from listening to a lot of music and playing with other people some better than me and the opposite.
The thing I find exciting about being involved in music is that there is always something to learn and improve on. No one knows it all.
 
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#23
I try to see it this way:
-First get (into) the groove (to me bass is like percussion with strings)
-Step on the rhythm (I am completely off-beat as many beginners)
-Find a bassline (either one of the millions that I whisper when listening to the drums)
or place a vinyl on the turntable and listen to it over and over again.
-From there, I have to hear from my amp. No matter what.
I sit down and trying different combinations, until I play what I just heard.
-Then I start to shuffle the notes and try to create something new.
(By that time, I am probably playing already a scale or two, and/but I just don't know which one)

EDIT: Having said all that, I am not the person who is looking for tabs.
1-4-4-5-7-7 etc is not an option for me.
I (try to) play by ear and by heart :)
 
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#24
Lots of great points covered in this thread. I will post anyway because I want to reiterate that you are NOT too old to be a musician. It only takes six months of lessons with two hours a day to get past your initial problems of knowing the fretboard, major/minor scales etc. You won't be a kick ass bassist in that much time but you can sure as hell jam with pals.

You seem to love Reggae which is more about feel and not as complex as many other genres. Here my check list:

1) Learn the fretboard. All note names on each of the four strings. Start with one string. E - the thickest on a 4 string bass.

2) Learn what a major scale and a major chord is. Learn one shape (one way to play it) and learn the major triad (1st, 3rd and 5th note of major scale is major triad - these three notes of the scale form the major chord).

3) Now minor scale. Same thing. Learn one scale shape and the minor triad (1, 3, 5 note of minor scale).

Most reggae songs use simple chords and don't have too many changes. It is more about feel than fast runs and chops. Rhythmic variations on just root note (The root note on a G chord is G) - fifth note of the G scale (D) - octave note (octave is same as root but higher in pitch). This is visually very simple to remember too.

If you can afford it - take lessons. If you can't then post on TB. Many of us will gladly help out with questions and practice tips. There is tons of material on the internet.

If you do chose to learn online I suggest buy a DVD of bass for beginners or follow the same guy on YT. Random videos and lessons can tie you up in knots. Learn little but learn it well. Having a teacher in the flesh has various benefits so try a third time and maybe you will get the right match.

And stop thinking of giving up. You clearly enjoy playing it and have a natural love for music and playing. Most people I know who give up, end up regretting it and being misberable at some subconscious level.
 
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#25
Thanks a lot people!!!

Now I know the answer myslelf.
It is just the difference between bass player and musician.
I guess many people in my position would have the same doubts
so I hope they can benefit from this.

PS: Then again I really feel I should give up. Too stressed for someone who wants to play dub :D
 
#26
Give the site wikiloops a try. People post original recordings and you can jam along to them. You can search for tracks without bass and mess around with creating your own bass lines.

I will probably get blasted for this, but theory is important, but not vital if you are doing this for a hobby and have limited time. Simply knowing the names and locations of the first 4 notes on the E string (thickest lowest sounding string) E, F, G, A and the first 5 notes on the A string (the string next to the E string) A, B, C, D, E is enough to be able to communicate on a very basic level with other musicians. Granted, the communication would be on the same level as caveman grunts, but it is communication! :thumbsup:

Seriously, with drum loops, wikiloops, knowing the basic notes and possibly the major scale pattern and you can have a lot of fun. Once you get that much down you can start to add more theory. Simply learning the walking bass line pattern for a three chord blues song will open up a whole new world to explore, and it is a very simple pattern to learn.

Keep with it and don't think learning the bass is beyond you because of your limited time. Keep your learning fun and you will stick with it. Good luck!
 
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#27
I picked up playing again after 23 years....I was never very good the first time! This time when I reached your stage i found a teacher. I got very lucky and found a legendary bass player to tutor me.....He has broken me down and i feel like I will be JAM ready in a few more months. I still dont read music but learning basic theory, rhythm, hand positioning and finger placement has totally changed how I play. I actually can play for MUCH longer without fatigue and no longer leap around the fretboard to play basic stuff. You can do it. Learning correctly from an instructor is important! At very least use the above listed resources to get yourself on track. I do not expect to ever be a pro but I would love to play like one!! I am 47 by the way......
 
#28
You have some good advice and some great encouragement here. I've been noodling around with the bass and guitar since I was a teenager, going nowhere with it and always frustrated. I'm 45 now and 3 years ago I finally found the motivation to fully embrace my love of the bass and have been playing nonstop. My motivation came from putting away my ego and my expectations. You see, I don't care if I suck. I don't care if I'm ever good enough. I don't care if I'm ever in a band. I don't care what other bass players think of me. And it is pure freedom! It's allowed me to focus on what I truly love. I encourage you to just play because you love it. Play for the sheer enjoyment of music! I will also give a thumbs up to the StudyBass method. I've been using it for a while now and have found it extremely helpful. Good luck and don't give up!
 
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#30
I am thinking the same. Get a loop player like gb-10 or something (possibly the akai mpx8 which I can use in my reggae DJ sets)
and play along.
Learn the scales and messing around with them and we 'll see what comes next.

Thanks again for the answers
 
#31
drumsnbass said:
Why give up what you enjoy?

I am teaching myself bass (with occasional teacher input) in my mid 50's. I don't presently jam with anyone, though I hope to at some point. However every night I just enjoy my time with my bass.

You seem to enjoy your time with your bass. So you have some holes in your knowledge. Do you want to fill those holes? you can if you want, or you can't if you don't.

Some guys will never learn what you don; know, and just play the same songs with others or at home. Others fill all the gaps plus, and go on to "careers" in music.

Really, the decision is up to you.


Remember, whether you believe you can.. or you can't... you probably are correct.
Click to expand...

Age is indeed not an issue. I started playing drums four years ago when I turned 60 and am now the drummer at church. I got a bass a few months ago and will play my first song at church next Sunday. I also play guitar so I did have a head start by knowing the basics of the fret board. I still have a long way to go do be "good." But, I'm having fun!
 
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#33
From another guy who taught himself: When someone tells you to give him something in Gmaj7, just make sure you hit the root G on the 1 and fat finger your way through finding the right notes. If your ear is as good as you say you'll feel it out pretty quickly; then you can just apologize for not eating your Wheaties that morning.

Depending on the style of music, you can get away with murder if you hit the root on the 1.
 
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#34
Didn't read after post 4, though I'm sure somebody already said similar:

Being able to play by ear or get what's in your head to your fingers is a GREAT skill to have! I started electric bass in my early 40's with ZERO knowledge of music theory or any other instrument. I thought I needed to learn theory to play, but the band I went to first audition for (and I got the spot) has only one other member out of the existing four that know ANY theory (not even the notes on their fretboards!) I'm actually envious of the guy who can just listen and play along ... I'm not there yet. We all bring a slightly different skill set to the band, and it works ... mainly because we all get along well, and have many similar influences and tastes in what we're going for. So I think it's more about getting in with people who have similar goals and personalities that mesh well. You'll be able to communicate in the band context by doing whatever is necessary to develop a song ... I've got to watch the rhythm-guitar players fingers, or communicate to somebody that doesn't know the fretboard "2nd string, 7th fret".

I'm just saying don't give up on ever being in a band because learning theory is hard. I still try to learn it on my own practice time, but for my current band and lots of other rock bands, it's not a necessity.
 
#35
Get lessons, get lessons, get lessons. But if you don't do that, buy the Bass Guitar White Pages and pick a few of the easier songs. Learn to read tab and learn a few songs. Then, get lessons, get lessons, get lessons.
 
#38
If you're having fun jamming to drum loops and putting in hours doing it, you're practicing more than a lot of folks! Don't stop...you're having fun and for the vast majority of us, that's what this is about. Most of us aren't netting a huge profit from our bass playing. That said, theory is not an all or nothing proposition. The right teacher that has a practical approach is key. I used to really get hung up on things like not knowing the exact application for all the modes and my inability to sight read in real time. Good stuff to know for sure, but not needed even to be a pro. Most situations don't require knowing deep theory. I'm no pro, but have played in many P&W, blues, rock, and rockabilly situations as well as open mics. Straight major and minor scales, pentatonic major and minor, 4/4, and 3/4 time signatures and shuffle time feel cover most of the ground needed for me. Jazz is a different animal. If you want to hang with those cats some serious dedication will be required.
 
#39
ghandee said:
I (try to) play by ear and by heart :)
Click to expand...
I love it. That is what being a Musician is all about.

And I am sorry if this offends anyone but I would rather play music with a good ear player than with a good theory player.
I know they are not exclusive of each other but they approach music differently.

For example's sake.
I have had the opportunity to play with a pianist who is blind, knows very little in the way of theory but does have incredible ears. Honestly the level of musicianship that this guy has is incredible. The group consisted of Saxophone, Bass, Piano and Drums.
We were playing some bebop and he nailed every chord substitution, key change, etc without hesitation, most of the time I didn't even tell him what key and sometimes not even the tune. I definitely learned a ton from that.
Apart from the blindness the saxophone player is the same sort of way, doesn't know his mixolydian scale from his locrian #2 scale but can nail the changes, play the extensions, absolutely a privilege to play with these guys (I've played with the sax player since 1998).
Although theory is a good way to guide us to using the 'correct' note choices in a given harmonic situation, above all music is sound art therefore our ears are crucial.
The fact that you already approach music from a listening point of view is awesome.
 
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#40
Wow wow wow!!!
I don't wanna sound like I am Mozart or something.

I only said that if I seat down and listen I will eventually get it. Sometimes most of it, sometimes a little bit, sometimes all of it.
The same goes for a bassline I have in my head. As soon as I have, I can play it.
I reached a point over the weekend, where now I am completely hooked
and I cannot wait to go home and grab the instrument and start playing!!!

PS: BTW, I would like one more piece of advice (pardon me, if it is off-topic).
Is there something I could plug on my amp for backing track or loops?
I prefer some hardware for this job, and not having to switch on the PC
 
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