Starting with Bass

[dorfmeister]

I've been playing guitar for awhile so I have some decent technique but I would like to seriously get into bass. Just got a Warwick Corvette Standard.

What would be some books and learning materials to start with? My theory knowledge is pretty minimal. Can read in the first position on guitar but not at all in bass clef.

I've thought about lessons but I live in Iowa and probably the best opportunity would be to take lessons at the University of Northern Iowa......but I don't know if I could arrange that.

Any recommendations?

 

[Stumbo]

Here's some links that may help you out.
Good luck.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434246 Best musical advice

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=79878 How to practice bass
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125519 Intro to scale and chord theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485421 Using modes
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479401 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=479642 Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6521582 Improve site reading
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419687 Read bass clef
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=473968 Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88294 Theory
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481465 Things every bassist should know
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99676 Theory Book Links
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=56761 GI links list
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=482544 Jazz Scales
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=486412 Blues Turn arounds
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=484065 Guitar players switching to bass

Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference(dictionary).
http://www.good-ear.com/
http://www.studybass.com/
http://www.activebass.com/

Books and instructional materials
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Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

Free online lessons
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=481548

This is a very helpful program for learning the notes on the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...cdlPid=1509909
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper

 

[dorfmeister]

Great.

Thank you.

 

[sackvegas]

Awesome post Stumbo, thanks!

 

[DudeistMonk]

I nominate Stumbo for non-official, official TB Librarian.


I know I've said it before but your archival skills are outstanding.

 

[Stumbo]

LOL

 

[jonster]

Dorfmeister,

I've written five bass books for Hal Leonard, which you might find helpful.

Funk Bass, my first book, is devoted exclusively to slapping.

Funk/Fusion Bass, my second book, focuses on finger-style funk. It will be good for a new bass player, as it contains loads of basic exercises involving scale and arpeggio studies, string crossings, etc., as well as entire chapters devoted to grooving and soloing. You won't be able to play everything in the book right away, but the step-by-step approach will give you something to shoot for.

Rock Bass and Blues Bass are my third and fourth books, respectively.

My newest book, scheduled to be released at the January 2009 NAMM show, is called BASS GROOVES: THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION. It contains just about every style you'll ever need, including blues, jazz, rock, funk/R&B, reggae, country, latin and much more.

Will Lee, who wrote the foreword, called it "the most important book since Standing in the Shadows of Motown." It's also endorsed by Stuart Hamm, Brian Bromberg, Steve Bailey, Alexis Sklarevsky, Benny Rietveld and many others.

Let me know if I can be of any help. Best of luck to you!

Jon Liebman