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Wanna teach myself the bass

M

Marioslays

Apr 17, 2011
3
0
#1
Greetings, everyone. I've recently decided I want to take up the bass guitar and see if I can teach myself.

I really just have a few questions to ask going into it. So I would hope you could help answer them as best you could. The questions are as follows:

- What's a good beginners' guitar to start out with? (I plan on buying from Guitar Center's used section and I don't really want to pay more than about $175, if I could help it).

- What are all the supplies I'll need to start out? So far all I know for sure is a decent amp and the bass cord.

- Lastly, any general tips/advice/suggestions for a guy who wants to immerse himself in the world of bass and learn anything he needs to know before getting started.

Thanks everyone!
 
#3
Do you have any friends who play bass? If so you might want to take them when you go bass shopping. Wouldn't hurt to have someone along that you can trust who knows what to look for to help you with a purchase.

Since you're just starting out it's pretty hard to go wrong with some of the Squire (by Fender) models. Just take your time and find what feels best in your hands.

As far as a starter amp goes....sorry, but I really don't know what's out there. I'm sure others will chime in.

Last, you might consider finding yourself a good teacher. A good teacher can help take the mystery out of a lot of things and can get in going in a good way.

Just have fun with it all and best to ya!
 
#4
You'll also need a strap, tuner, and stand (optional).

I really can't stress the need for at least a few lessons to start you off.
The last thing you need is to develop bad habits from the beginning, because they can be very hard to shake afterwards. I knew guys who tried to self-learn, and they played in ways that were detrimental to the point that they gave up.
The first few lessons are the MOST important, and I'm not talking about reading music or learning songs or music theory. The very basics of how to play and tune and handle the instrument.
So take a few lessons--there's no reason you can't stop once the fundamentals are covered--bass lessons aren't like a gym membership or car insurance.

Good luck, and have fun!
 
#5
I'd suggest a larger budget, a better bass than you can buy for $175, a setup by a qualified tech and a professional teacher to guide your development. Improper technique may lead to physical problems down the road. I can't make any recommendations beyond that, because I know nothing about you. Please note that I am not a professional teacher or tech.
 
#6
Mike M. said:
Do you have any friends who play bass? If so you might want to take them when you go bass shopping. Wouldn't hurt to have someone along that you can trust who knows what to look for to help you with a purchase.

Since you're just starting out it's pretty hard to go wrong with some of the Squire (by Fender) models. Just take your time and find what feels best in your hands.

As far as a starter amp goes....sorry, but I really don't know what's out there. I'm sure others will chime in.

Last, you might consider finding yourself a good teacher. A good teacher can help take the mystery out of a lot of things and can get in going in a good way.

Just have fun with it all and best to ya!
Click to expand...

Yeah I have a guy I could probably consult. Thanks man, I'll keep all that in mind!
 
#7
Just thought I'd offer my two cents

I taught myself guitar at the grand old age of seven, and was still playing 11 years later but pretty much the same riffs and chords on the same crappy guitar because I hadn't taken the time or money to learn properly. So I got bored, frustrated and quit.

Took up bass 2 years ago... Had a few lessons, learned basic theory and bought a nice bass and am better now than I ever was on guitar. And enjoying it 500% more!
 
#8
+1 on not trying to teach yourself. Many attempt this because the bass guitar looks easy. Plug it in and hit the strings and away you go, etc. Now a days with the internet, this goes on all the time. There are no short-cuts , CTRL +ALT = WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY, esp. without a teacher/instructor to advise you and help you. I learned through my friends that were in a working band who allowed me to serve time as a "slave" moving equipment and helping out. When time was right I had my bass and guitar friends get me to sit in at a rehearsal and on their breaks I could "fool around and jam"....I was terrible at first but this is how I did it.....Playing bass guitar is not a solo instrument, it is for playing in a band and doing by yourself esp. trying to teach yourself is a waste of time. ........:cool:
 
#9
I taught myself how to play. I got a Mel Bay book and went for it, but I already had a music background. At the time I knew a guy who played and could answer questions and kick me in the right direction. I agree with all the above, find a good instructor and get some solid direction on the many questions you will certainly have. Listen to all types of music to help with your feel and timing.

Most important have fun, If you get stuck ask questions don't get frustrated.
 
#10
I´ve never taken lessons, and I have much more solid technique and knowledge (that´s what they tell me when he´s not around, anyway) than a guy I know who´s been having lessons for 4+ years.
I think as long as you play for a decent amount of time a day, and maybe get an instruction book (I got a Hal Leonard one), you should get on if you´re really into it.
You´ll need a bass, a gigbag, an amp, a strap, a cord, a tuner and metronome (I have a boss TU-88), and some picks (just in case).
 
#14
All you need to start out is a bass. Nothing more, nothing less. Amps are nice to have but truth be told, you don't really need one when you're just learning.

I also agree with whomever it was that said, increase the budget a bit. If you can't, then scour craigslist and look for some deals on used ones.

Used Yamaha BB404's and RBX170's can be found for under $100.
 
#15
Marioslays said:
Greetings, everyone. I've recently decided I want to take up the bass guitar and see if I can teach myself.

I really just have a few questions to ask going into it. So I would hope you could help answer them as best you could. The questions are as follows:

- What's a good beginners' guitar to start out with? (I plan on buying from Guitar Center's used section and I don't really want to pay more than about $175, if I could help it).

- What are all the supplies I'll need to start out? So far all I know for sure is a decent amp and the bass cord.

- Lastly, any general tips/advice/suggestions for a guy who wants to immerse himself in the world of bass and learn anything he needs to know before getting started.

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

Best way to learn, just do it. I have played bass for almost 30 years. I started on the string bass in orchestra and then got a bass guitar. I would practice for hours. Listen to everything and try to learn. Buy some books on bass. Lots of good ones out there. As far as a bass, I really would go with a squire. I recently bought a jazz squire and it is nice. Paid 200. Amp wise, start with a small 20-30 watt for now. Might run you 125-150. And my advice for learning, just play and dont get dissappointed in progress. Progress takes patience...and practice.
 
#17
A human teacher is always preferable to self-teaching, if you have the money and the time for one. Then again, I'm self-taught so I'd be a hypocrite to say you HAVE to learn from a human teacher. If you go the self-teaching route, a lot will depend on your self-motivation, self-discipline, self-criticism, and your background in and ear for music. Make sure you are taking time to work on technique and theory and not just learning songs all the time. Also, do a lot of reading (online and on paper) on issues of posture, positioning the bass, your hand position, and related physical issues. Bad technique + heavy practice = going to surgery for tendon damage or other physical issues.

As for buying a bass, under $175, I would say you should either get a used bass or get an SX from rondomusic.com. Remember you need an amp, cord, strap and tuner too. Rondo will sell you a serviceable P or J bass for about $110-120 + shipping, and I think they have starter packs including practice amps and all around $150. It will play better if you take it into a music shop for a setup, that will probably cost another $20 or 30.

If you really take to the instrument and want to start playing in a band, start saving your money - you'll probably be wanting to spend at least $500 each on a bass and amp for that setting (and many people spend LOTS more, as you'll figure out quickly poking around this forum).
 
#18
hrodbert696 said:
As for buying a bass, under $175, I would say you should either get a used bass or get an SX from rondomusic.com. Remember you need an amp, cord, strap and tuner too. Rondo will sell you a serviceable P or J bass for about $110-120 + shipping, and I think they have starter packs including practice amps and all around $150.
Click to expand...
+1 for Rondo.
If you really can't stretch your price range further, Rondo is the way to go.
 
#19
It's certainly a good idea to take lessons if you can afford them. However, don't underestimate the value of listening to professional records and using your ear or tablature to figure out the bass parts. I learned a lot that way, one of the most important being that there is often more than one way to play a part.

A lot of professionals are self-taught and can't sight-read. However, consider your goals. If your goal is to become a studio musician, you'll need to learn music theory and sight-reading to improve your odds of making a living at it.

All that being said, I took guitar lessons for two years, playing "Row Your Boat" and not getting anywhere with it. Years later I picked up a bass and taught myself by listening to records, and within 18 months I was making money playing in a band. :bassist:
 
#20
things you need to play bass:
1) a bass
-- The ibanez gsr200 is a great starter bass I like it way more than squires
2) a tuner
--You can get a battery operated one for around 10 bucks, but there kinda unreliable... i'm not a huge fan
--If you can afford it, get a stompbox tuner I have the korg pitchback and love it, but theres also the boss tu-2 or tu-3
3) cordS
--I find with cords you get exactly what you pay for, the cheap ones break all the time, so if your getting the cheap ones, get two, or make the investment to a monster bass cable, there insane.
4) Picks
--Try them, some people love them, some don't get one of each gauge to start
5) nail clippers
--playing your bass with long nails is never fun

i hope i helped, welcome to the bottom end my friend.
 

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