Beginning Bass Guitar - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

killeena · 11-05-2004, 09:45 AM

I am hoping to get a bass guitar for x-mas, and if not then, I am planning on buying one for myself. Anyone here have any recommendations on learning how to play? Are there are any "Teach Yourself" books that are good, or should I just go for lessons?

stonegrody · 11-05-2004, 09:57 AM

If you can afford to take lessons and have time to practice, it would definitely be the way to go. There are great books out there but it would be very easy for you to start with bad technique. Someone giving you lessons would be able to point you in the right direction and help you avoid the little things that will affect your playing in the long run.

It also depends on the style you would like to take up. If you are going to get into any slap or funk, technique is key to get to be a good player. If you are going to play rock or punk or something less complicated, you could probably get away with learning on your own and develop your own style. The style of music you want to play will also make a difference if you want to play with a pick or with your fingers. I suggest learning with your fingers first so you can get used to that for when it is needed. It is harder to get used to than a pick.

If you want more specific advice, let us know what type of music you want to play and what your goals are.

killeena · 11-05-2004, 01:22 PM

I would like to start out doing like rock/metal/punk. Maybe eventually i would like to try out slap and funk, but I would like to start out with something kinda easy.

I have always kinda wanted to play bass, but the main reason I am finally getting around to it is because normally I play drums, but ever since I have moved into an apartment, I haven't been able to play, and I am actually going to end up selling my kit. So, I need something to do musically, that won't cause too much noise. I don't know if I will ever be in another band or not, so my main goal more or less is to just pick it up as a hobby.

smurfsexors · 11-05-2004, 03:29 PM

Let me give you some advice, i've been playing bass for 7+ years; learn the names of the notes on the fretboard, scales and as much theory as you can. it'll help alot. and just have fun with it. Get books, lessions and whatever else you can afford. Good gear is essential if your giging alot, but if your just starting get one of those Squire starter packs and you'll be set for a few years, hell, i still have mine and play out with it sometimes. Having fun with it is the most important thing. If your not haveing fun you wont learn anything. I always have a bass with me. Everytime i'm watching tv i'm just jamming, makeing up stuff, practicing scales and whatever else i do with it. There's some great websites for bass, like activebass.com, Talkbass.com, and Wheat's Bass Book. Wheat's is one of the best online bass website's i've found.

Enjoy the music, and remember this quite "When playing bass, Les is always more"

jakewesier · 11-05-2004, 04:41 PM

As a musician who plays and teaches (a little) Bass. I'm a guitarist but the one overwhelming thing I want to suggest you do is get a metronome and learn how to play with it. The Bass is the foundation of any rock band and needs to have solid time regardless of genre you are interested in learning.

tspikes51 · 11-07-2004, 09:17 PM

I agree with jakewesier. If you do decide to get instruction, make sure that your teacher has some either formal classical or jazz training. Ask around for a good one, many teachers will just teach you how to play songs, which is the worst thing a starting player can do.

11-05-2004, 09:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
killeena Crazy Location: Meechigan	Beginning Bass Guitar I am hoping to get a bass guitar for x-mas, and if not then, I am planning on buying one for myself. Anyone here have any recommendations on learning how to play? Are there are any "Teach Yourself" books that are good, or should I just go for lessons?

11-05-2004, 09:57 AM	#2 (permalink)
stonegrody Brooding. Location: CA-USA	If you can afford to take lessons and have time to practice, it would definitely be the way to go. There are great books out there but it would be very easy for you to start with bad technique. Someone giving you lessons would be able to point you in the right direction and help you avoid the little things that will affect your playing in the long run. It also depends on the style you would like to take up. If you are going to get into any slap or funk, technique is key to get to be a good player. If you are going to play rock or punk or something less complicated, you could probably get away with learning on your own and develop your own style. The style of music you want to play will also make a difference if you want to play with a pick or with your fingers. I suggest learning with your fingers first so you can get used to that for when it is needed. It is harder to get used to than a pick. If you want more specific advice, let us know what type of music you want to play and what your goals are. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality. Embrace this moment. Remember. We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion. Tool - Parabola

11-07-2004, 09:17 PM	#6 (permalink)
tspikes51 Fuckin' A Location: Lex Vegas	I agree with jakewesier. If you do decide to get instruction, make sure that your teacher has some either formal classical or jazz training. Ask around for a good one, many teachers will just teach you how to play songs, which is the worst thing a starting player can do. __________________ "I'm telling you, we need to get rid of a few people or a million." -Maddox

11-05-2004, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
killeena Crazy Location: Meechigan	I would like to start out doing like rock/metal/punk. Maybe eventually i would like to try out slap and funk, but I would like to start out with something kinda easy. I have always kinda wanted to play bass, but the main reason I am finally getting around to it is because normally I play drums, but ever since I have moved into an apartment, I haven't been able to play, and I am actually going to end up selling my kit. So, I need something to do musically, that won't cause too much noise. I don't know if I will ever be in another band or not, so my main goal more or less is to just pick it up as a hobby.

11-05-2004, 03:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
smurfsexors Upright	Let me give you some advice, i've been playing bass for 7+ years; learn the names of the notes on the fretboard, scales and as much theory as you can. it'll help alot. and just have fun with it. Get books, lessions and whatever else you can afford. Good gear is essential if your giging alot, but if your just starting get one of those Squire starter packs and you'll be set for a few years, hell, i still have mine and play out with it sometimes. Having fun with it is the most important thing. If your not haveing fun you wont learn anything. I always have a bass with me. Everytime i'm watching tv i'm just jamming, makeing up stuff, practicing scales and whatever else i do with it. There's some great websites for bass, like activebass.com, Talkbass.com, and Wheat's Bass Book. Wheat's is one of the best online bass website's i've found. Enjoy the music, and remember this quite "When playing bass, Les is always more"

11-05-2004, 04:41 PM	#5 (permalink)
jakewesier Tilted Location: Nova Scotia	As a musician who plays and teaches (a little) Bass. I'm a guitarist but the one overwhelming thing I want to suggest you do is get a metronome and learn how to play with it. The Bass is the foundation of any rock band and needs to have solid time regardless of genre you are interested in learning.