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Technique for advanced beginner

S

silentbob5922

Nov 21, 2009
4
0
#1
Hey everybody,

Just joined this forum, since it seems to be pretty active ...

Anyway, I've been playing guitar for some ten years now. I'm trying to learn bass guitar and need some help finding either a) a good website for lessons or b) a good book which will help me improve my technique and approach.

I don't need to be taught basic scales or fretboard positions as most of that carries over from my knowledge of guitar.

I just need a resource that will help me develop my technical skills on the bass, preferably including slap/pop technique.

Also, obviously my approach on an electric guitar is significantly different from what my approach should be on a bass, the philosophy is completely different. I just need a little bit of direction.


Any suggestions? Any help would be much appreciated :bassist:
 
#5
Not into slap/pop, however, ......... Couple of days spent with how to decide what baseline will be used on this specific song will be time well spent.

It's easy to find fake chord or lead sheet music, however, they do not include the bass clef. So what you end up playing for a baseline is left up to you. I had my best results getting the feel of the bass when I ignored sheet music and just jammed along. Of course in key and hoping for the right chord changes.

Most of the time it's a feel thing. Give baselines some thought and that flows into what riffs you may use.

Five or six generic riffs will normally be enough, you will of course add to your bag of tricks as you go along. Give pentatonic a try, especially when you are not sure of the chord changes.

My basic riffs include:
R - nothing
R-5
R-5-8
R-4-5 finger position and then use a R-nothing. When the song is over the I chord use root-nothing. When the song is over the IV position use the IV root-nothing, etc. Really like this when jamming. Sneek peeks at what the rhythm guitar guys are doing.
R-3-5-3
R-3-5-7
R-R-3-3-5-5-6-5
R-2-3-5-6 is the major pentatonic. We're ole time Country so never get into the minor keys.

Yes to http://www.studybass.com/

The Internet is now full of backing tracks - Listen for (identify) the riff being used then play-a-long.


Good luck, it is different, but your 6 string experience will flow right into your bass.

P.S. Sustain notes on the bass will be a problem. We have to learn how to mute the strings not being used. Studybass.com has a good section on this. If you do not go the slap/pop route you will probably want to use a pick - as that is what you come from - IMO try not to. Thumb, index is easy for us old 6 stringers.
 

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