Starting with a new instructor this week

[gonzilla]

So I have no bass playing experience, save some experience with an electric and acoustic guitar. The instructor wants me to play a sample to see where to start from. What is an easy "showpiece" that a beginner would tend to play? I have, at most, two days to throw something together.

...and alternate strategy would be to just throw my hands up and admit failure when he shows up. I know I can do something, though, so I'd like to put forth a valiant attempt, at least.

 

[DudeistMonk]

Some classic bass line like say "Money" by Floyd would probably be appropriate...I guess it really depends on how your bass chops are...pick the hardest song you can pull off solidly.

He is probably also seeing where your interests lie (otherwise I'd see him just assigning you a song) so pick a song you like too.

...and alternate strategy would be to just throw my hands up and admit failure when he shows up. I know I can do something, though, so I'd like to put forth a valiant attempt, at least.

2 days should be plenty of time to learn a song (if you can read it from tab/standard notation while you play it) If you have to memorize it then I recommend something far more repetitive.

Also don't stress out, whats the worst that happens, you get started on some easier materials and have to take a handful of extra lessons? Bah. Just do your best.

 

[gonzilla]

Good idea... Money appears to have a simple, repeating bassline.

 

[gonzilla]

Quick question about Money-

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/p/pink_floyd/money_ver2_btab.htm

Does the hand position change during the main measure? For the first 4 notes, I hold a 4420 chord shape, and then switch to a 0022 chord shape. It seems that it becomes fairly difficult to transition from the end of one measure to the beginning of the next when it repeats. Does it just require practice or is that a sign that I'm doing something wrong?

 

[LowDown Hal]

Personally I would not change from second position.
Index finger on the second fret. Pinky on the 4th.

 

[DudeistMonk]

Personally I would not change from second position.
Index finger on the second fret. Pinky on the 4th.

Same here I use the pinky for that 2.

Since you are new to bass it will take some time to get accustomed to the 1-4 fret stretch, but it will come in time.

But there are a lot of people who use 3 fingers for frets 1-4 (first position) and 4 everywhere else...I would do 4 if you can otherwise let your new instructor sort it out.