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Starting bass

I

ILoveMyIbanez12

Feb 18, 2012
2
0
#1
Hey there,

I am starting to play the bass now. I habe been playing the guitar for 5 years now and finally have borrowed a bass from my friend.
I have been jaming a bit, but I want to take a closer look at the technique and how to pick with my fingers. Before buying a bass method, I wanted to ask you if there are any free lessons websites or youtube lessons, .... you could recommend.

Thank you in advance

Have a nice day

Julian
 
#2
#3
I found Scott Devine's lessons to be a great help. Check them out here 'How to practice Arpeggios' Pt 1 - BASS LESSON with Scott Devine - YouTube
Don't let the glove throw you. Scott has a skin condition and the glove is necessary.

Look on the right hand side of the screen. Help yourself.

Check out post # 3 on this string http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/where-do-i-get-help-853969/ I sent you here as an overview of what we do with our bass. It'll be a little advanced, but, some good information - you might just bookmark it for later.

Welcome to the bottom end.
 
#4
Thanks for the tips I checked some of the free lessons you guys suggested. I am also a beginning bass player I have played the upright for about 2years and just picked up my first bass guitar last weekend.
 
#6
Hey there, I also wanted to thank you for your tips.

Scott Devine tells you that you should decide whether you rake with one finger or stick to the i-m-i-m technique when you are descending, I know he says that you should decide by yourself which technique you prefer, but I still wanted to know which technique do you guys use?

Another question: Do you really pick with only these two fingers?
And what is the Hal Leonard Bass Method about? I mean which styles does it cover, what are the subjects it covers ?

Does anyone of you use it? I mentioned it in this thread(look below), does anyone have his experiences with it?

For ZManTU, Invalid Link Removed

The guys in Jazz Guitar Forum mentioned that.

Thank you guys!

Julian
 
#7
I just started about 2-3 months ago.

I am using the Bass Guitar for Dummies DVD software (bought at Guitar Center), love it.

I just started using Hal Leornard 3 in 1 books with CD and am enjoying learning to read by actual sheet music. Check out the Amazon reviews of it also, but thumbing through it, looks very good.

I also play along with music (some mainstream, some Worship songs from our contemporary christian church), using a combination of tab and chord sheets. Having a blast so far.
I pretty much have reading sheet music down, as well as where notes on the fretboard are pretty good. Starting to play everytime with a metronome app on my phone now, as I want to develop solid timing early on.
 
#9
I don't think Online Bass Lessons at StudyBass.com was mentioned. This must be in your gig bag.

ILoveMyIbanez12 said:
Another question: Do you really pick with only these two fingers?
And what is the Hal Leonard Bass Method about? I mean which styles does it cover, what are the subjects it covers ?

Does anyone of you use it? I mentioned it in this thread(look below), does anyone have his experiences with it?

Julian
Click to expand...

I think the Hal Leonard Bass Method book you have reference to is Ed Friedland's book. I have Ed's Building Walking Bass Lines and the above book is a combination of a basic beginner's book and his Walking Bass Lines book. Any thing Ed writes will be worth your time and money. If you want to know how to develop bass lines either of those books will get you there. From the basic information in these books you can then adapt it to your style of music.

My style is Country I use what was in those books. If you are jazz you can use what are in those books. Now to the fingers to use --- I came from rhythm guitar so I use my thumb (like a pick). Some swear by the pick, some swear by the thumb and others swear by the fingers. I say - for what ever that is worth - use the way that is best for the song being played. So you really need to know how to use more than one way..... As you come from the double bass, I'm sure some of that would transfer over.

Good luck.
 
#10
I got my bass about a year ago and used a couple books to build myself a good foundation to work from. I started off with and worked through StudyBass.com. It's definitely your best all resource.
For music theory, I bought Edly's Music Theory For Practical People - Third Edition. It kind of gives off the elementary school textbook vibe, but my understanding of how music works increased so much by reading it carefully and working through the exercises. This, above all things, improved my ability to compose basslines the most.

Recently, I bought the Hal Leonard Bass Method and I've been using it to brush up on my notation reading. The exercises themselves are pretty easy for me to play, but I'm slow at reading bass clef and it's good practice.

I was also given a copy of Building Walking Bass Lines. It's pretty challenging to work straight through, but it's also given me a lot of practical knowledge about composing. The CD is pretty awesome to play along with too.

I also learned a lot by watching youtube videos and trying to figure out the basslines by ear. Make sure you have a good set of headphones for this so you can actually clearly hear the bass. I got frustrated early on with a set of cheap earbuds.

I also got a mediocre guitarist to buddy up with me. We jam pretty regularly and we've both improved together. I also just auditioned for and made my first band, so I expect that will teach me a lot that I can't learn on my own.
 
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