• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sheet Music??

Yes, I know this is under Tablature...
But, I'm wanting to learn how to read music.
I got the basics down (how to read the actual music and the notes on the fingerboard).
However, I haven't been able to find actual sheet music to practice with :(

Would anybody on here know where I could get sheet music, whether is is a free download, going to a store to buy a book, or buy online??

Not sure if it will help but the type of music I play:
Metallica
Megadeth
Rancid
Anthrax
Ozzy
Beatles
RATM

Otherwise I'm just trying to learn fun songs (catchy riffs, technical, not just playing the same note over and over and over, or not just playing as fast as possible)

Thanks for the help!
 
One way is to use 'tab' software like guitarpro or tuxguitar(free)

turn off the tab and on the notation and play off the computer or export just the notation to pdf and print sheet music.

lots of free downloads of the music you want
 
I can confidently recommend a subscription to Bass Player, they always have riffs, exercises as well as an entire classic song by a famous group or bassist. This is notated in tab and music, so it helps to see 'em together.
I play a lot of the stuff you play, but the included songs in Bass Player really expose me to different genres, as well as having classics like The Beatles "Hey Bulldog".
 
Yea, Bass Player is great. They cover so much music. There are a lot of cool songs that are considered classics but I wouldn't have likely found them without Bass Player.

Like this:

It has a bass solo that is over a minute long! Its an R and B hit in the early 70s but BP brought it to my attention a couple of days ago. (I was re reading the Bill Wyman issue)
 
Do you want to play sheet music or learn to read sheet music? You could always buy some of the classical double bass books (Simandl for instance) and learn to read with those. There are also lots of bass method books out there by all kinds of great bassists. Kudos to you for learning to read sheet music. That is what the pro's use.

Jim
 
Do you want to play sheet music or learn to read sheet music? You could always buy some of the classical double bass books (Simandl for instance) and learn to read with those. There are also lots of bass method books out there by all kinds of great bassists. Kudos to you for learning to read sheet music. That is what the pro's use.

Jim

The Simandl New method for double bass is an excellent book. It starts with the open strings and progressively goes up the neck one position at a time, then combines the positions. The only difference is that double bass has 3 finger positions while a lot of electric bass players use 4 finger positions, but you just have to combine them.
 
One way is to use 'tab' software like guitarpro or tuxguitar(free)

turn off the tab and on the notation and play off the computer or export just the notation to pdf and print sheet music.

lots of free downloads of the music you want

+1. You can turn off the tab in guitar pro. Probably your best bet, it can also slow down certain sections and loop them progressively faster, plus many other useful features.
 
The Simandl New method for double bass is an excellent book. It starts with the open strings and progressively goes up the neck one position at a time, then combines the positions. The only difference is that double bass has 3 finger positions while a lot of electric bass players use 4 finger positions, but you just have to combine them.

Good point about the fingering. I wasn't recommending that he use the DB fingering method, just use the sheet music to read. There are also a lot of classical pieces: Vivaldi sonatas, etc. which can provide additional material to read. I heard that when Jaco decided he learned to read, he read anything and everything he could get his hands on.

Jim
 
Well I currently as far in the learning process as I can be without actually having sheet music in front of me to practice.
I've done my research, studied, looked at examples and I can currently look at the sheet and tell you what notes are played .
Point to a fret and I can give you the note it is (may take me a sec, but I got it).

But if you tell me to play a song I'll have no idea where to begin.
If it shows an E, where would I play that E on the neck? <That is the part that confuses me.
For most of the song I listen to I could simply play the E that sounds right to me according to the song.
But what about songs I've never played before? I'll have no idea what they are suppose to sound like.

And because of that^ I am simply looking for sheet music, so I can practice, even if it involves me transcribing the song to tabs first then learn it.
 
I just realized that tux creates default notation in natural clef as if those songs were in C which I doubt. I think I can change the key signature in a couple of clicks but I don't know how to tell what keys the songs are really in. It might be a little easier to start learning reading the way they are anyway but I don't think they are exactly what 'propper' notation would be. (The notes are correct-at least if the tabber got them right in the first place)
 
I just realized that tux creates default notation in natural clef as if those songs were in C which I doubt. I think I can change the key signature in a couple of clicks but I don't know how to tell what keys the songs are really in.

Come Together is in D minor (1 flat).

It's been a long time since I've played Crazy Train, but my recollection is that it is in A (3 sharps).