Trying to find an instructional method

[jefnvk]

Hi all...

I am looking for a bass learning system. Short background, I played classical violin for eight years in school, and have plucked on a mandolin for a good three hours a year in the fifteen years since. I just bought an acoustic fretless bass (Aria FEB) guitar sight unseen. Not completely a whim really, I got my wife a tenor sax as a college graduation and Christmas gift (she had trained on an alto previously), and wanted a more suitable instrument than a mandolin or violin to duet with her after a while.

Where I am stuck is which online learning program would be best for me to start out with. Having played orchestra for years, I am not new to musical theory, but I am absolutely new to a bass. I purchased the bass being interested in gearing a playing style more towards blues and jazz, and trying to find something that simulated closer to the upright without the upright costs. I'm stuck between two programs that keep coming up, being the Beginner to Badass, and Musical Theory for Bass Guitar. Not really sure if either fits better for my situation.

Lastly, I acknowledge the folks that say get a tutor. From my dislike of the my-way-or-the-highway instructor in orchestra, to the obvious COVID issues, I am not interested in that route at this point. Maybe a year down the road I will be up for instruction, just looking for something to get me going at this point! Is one of these preferred over another, or is there another program I am missing?

 

[jallenbass]

Are you looking for help with your physical approach to the instrument or notes on the fingerboard and things like that?

 

[Malcolm35]

Ed Friedland and Mark Smith would be where I would send you. Ed for his books and Mark for his videos. Google will find them for you.

Happy trails.

 

[GastonD]

If you are set on the online kind of video based curriculum, this might be to your liking:
Based in Bass: School time - Tony Grey Bass Academy

On the other hand, a lot of people nowadays seem to underrate a more "old school" approach of printed lessons accompanied with audio. Cliff Engel has been around for a long time, and has excellent programs to offer.

 

[Rhythmman535]

Ariane Cap has a ton of material on the No Treble site. If you like her approach then I highly recommend her courses. Check out her web site. Besides being a knowledgeable musician she has invested a considerable amount of time in the art and science of teaching.

 

[jefnvk]

Thanks, I'll take a look into those options!

Are you looking for help with your physical approach to the instrument or notes on the fingerboard and things like that?

Both. I'm past the basics of playing a generic instrument (ie can already read music, keep time, understand scales and progressions, etc), although a refresher on theory after a bit might be useful. Just looking for the best resources to get going with a bass specifically, both mechanics and stylewise.

 

[fearceol]

I am absolutely new to a bass.

First...before delving into "learning programmes" I would start with...simply listening...to songs and trying to get a feel for how the bass "fits into" a song. You say you like blues music. Well this happens to be the perfect genre for getting a feel for the bass part in music. Play along to some blues (or other music you like) and work out the bass lines by ear using trial and error. Spend a while (around two months might be a good start, though it will probably take longer to develop the ear) at this initial stage. Developing your ear like this is one of the most beneficial ways to learn. In tandem with this, I would recommend concentrating on safe technique. Search Youtube for..."safe bass technique for right/left hand".

Having worked on this initial stage, you could then start seeking out tutorials. Some good recommendations have been mentioned already. Of these I would agree with Malcolm35's suggestions in post number three. My own suggestion would be : www.studybass.com

Best of luck..and welcome to the low end.

 

[Kukulkan61]

I’m jealous, you already know how to read and theory, you have a great head start, I’ve been playing for over 40 years and don’t know these things, I just learn and play by ear..

 

[fearceol]

I just learn and play by ear..

You make learning by ear sound somewhat inferior.

 

[Kukulkan61]

You make learning by ear sound somewhat inferior.

Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, I just feel that playing with those extra fundementals is a plus. I could probably teach myself these things but I’m just to lazy and would rather just strap on my bass and play..

 

[fearceol]

Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that, I just feel that playing with those extra fundementals is a plus. I could probably teach myself these things but I’m just to lazy and would rather just strap on my bass and play..

I agree. Anything learned is never a waste of time. I just think the OP needs to spend some time getting to know his newly found instrument and letting his hands adjust to the different feel and technique required for bass. It takes some people about a month to become comfortable even holding a bass. Big difference physically, between a bass and a violin/mandolin.

 

[MattZilla]

Duet Tenor Sax with Fretless Acoustic Bass in Jazz and Blues.

That sounds so fun.

If I were blessed with this musical puzzle, I’d be struggling to stop myself from employing a bunch of “flashy stuff” like slap and chording. And I’d absolutely want to buy some kind of mic and a loop pedal and echo pedal for the sax. But I’m a jackass.

Scott’s Bass Lessons on youtube are pretty good.

Best wishes on the journey!

 

[StatesideRambler]

I’ve been liking the focus that Ariane Cap has in each of her lessons. She’s got a lot on NoTreble.com and has three courses on Truefire as well. When I finish working on an Ari lesson I always feel like I’ve taken a step (or more) forward. I can apply what I’ve gotten in the lesson to music I’m already playing in a band or a jam sessions.

Try out truefire.com as well. Their website offers quite a lot to free students, though the free stuff isn’t as comprehensive and orderly as what you can buy. Their prices are reasonable for what they sell and through much of the year they do promotions with many of the courses discounted 20%-35%. Stu Hamm has done several courses there as have Andrew Ford and Kai Eckhart.

Tony Franklin offers a course through Truefire called Fretless Bass Foundations. I’ve never checked it out but the title sounds like it’s aimed in your direction.

 

[Sean150]

Duet Tenor Sax with Fretless Acoustic Bass in Jazz and Blues.

That sounds so fun.

If I were blessed with this musical puzzle, I’d be struggling to stop myself from employing a bunch of “flashy stuff” like slap and chording. And I’d absolutely want to buy some kind of mic and a loop pedal and echo pedal for the sax. But I’m a jackass.

Scott’s Bass Lessons on youtube are pretty good.

Best wishes on the journey!

Lol, why struggle, flashy stuff is fun.

I would suggest a full membership at Scott’s Bass Lessons if you have the means (it’s not overly expensive for what you get but definitely more costly than a book or two). I find his full lessons much more helpful than the YouTube ones. He definitely leans more towards Jazz than others I have seen.

 

[Huw Phillips]

I would highly recommend a lesson or two as if you start out and learn bad habits it will be a bummer to have to spend the time going back and unlearning them, I have been there and would happily pay to not have to unlearn bad habits, Ed Friesland is good, I have found printed material better than video personally, until I was to a certain standard.
Good luck with your journey

 

[edencab]

Jim Stinnett...https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTLM0C5Acp-0xi4ZEb-mSQg/playlists
has great lessons from very basic intro stuff up to complex concepts...real charming guy,

 

[bass12]

Scott’s Bass Lessons are too all over the place for my liking. I much prefer Mark’s approach at Talkingbass.

 

[jefnvk]

I just think the OP needs to spend some time getting to know his newly found instrument and letting his hands adjust to the different feel and technique required for bass. It takes some people about a month to become comfortable even holding a bass. Big difference physically, between a bass and a violin/mandolin.

Yep, that is a priority. Moving the left hand will certainly be a change, while there is some of that going on with a violin it is nowhere near the travel of a left hand on a bass! I did get a 34" scale, so that will make that more fun!

If I were blessed with this musical puzzle, I’d be struggling to stop myself from employing a bunch of “flashy stuff” like slap and chording. And I’d absolutely want to buy some kind of mic and a loop pedal and echo pedal for the sax. But I’m a jackass.

Toys and flashyness are always fun, they will come in time! Let me start by figuring out an amp a few months down the road first, or perhaps something even more basic like a strap

I would suggest a full membership at Scott’s Bass Lessons if you have the means (it’s not overly expensive for what you get but definitely more costly than a book or two).

Yeah, I've got the means for any of these, or perhaps even multiple of them. It was more a question of figuring out which ones were the most worthy of spending the means on, and not just tossing the money around. There seems to be a couple names that keep repeating here, I'll take a look at them all once this thing arrives and I've had a chance to actually see it!

I would highly recommend a lesson or two as if you start out and learn bad habits it will be a bummer to have to spend the time going back and unlearning them

Actually that is a very fair point I hadn't considered, thanks!

 

[jefnvk]

Duet Tenor Sax with Fretless Acoustic Bass in Jazz and Blues.

That sounds so fun.

Yeah, I'm hoping the fun duet bit keeps me a bit more motivated! I went hard on the mandolin for the first year or so of owning it, but having no one to play with just kinda made it die out after a while.

 

[tb-player]

Hi all...

I am looking for a bass learning system. Short background, I played classical violin for eight years in school, and have plucked on a mandolin for a good three hours a year in the fifteen years since. I just bought an acoustic fretless bass (Aria FEB) guitar sight unseen. Not completely a whim really, I got my wife a tenor sax as a college graduation and Christmas gift (she had trained on an alto previously), and wanted a more suitable instrument than a mandolin or violin to duet with her after a while.

Where I am stuck is which online learning program would be best for me to start out with. Having played orchestra for years, I am not new to musical theory, but I am absolutely new to a bass. I purchased the bass being interested in gearing a playing style more towards blues and jazz, and trying to find something that simulated closer to the upright without the upright costs. I'm stuck between two programs that keep coming up, being the Beginner to Badass, and Musical Theory for Bass Guitar. Not really sure if either fits better for my situation.

Lastly, I acknowledge the folks that say get a tutor. From my dislike of the my-way-or-the-highway instructor in orchestra, to the obvious COVID issues, I am not interested in that route at this point. Maybe a year down the road I will be up for instruction, just looking for something to get me going at this point! Is one of these preferred over another, or is there another program I am missing?

Although not a popular opinion here, give the ScottsBassLessons.com curriculum a go. The 2 week free trial will give you a good feel for what Scott offers. Specifically, check out his technique course, harmonic layering, and the players path. It’s very good.