Learning Bass Guitar

[greatant]

For ages now I have been thinking that I should learn an instrument. In the last few days I have decided that the bass might be a good thing for me to learn for a few reasons.

When I was like 7 or 8 or something my parents made me learn Piano for a few years (I got to Grade 2), I hated it and eventually quit. Year 7 my primary school got a guitar teacher in and I gave that a go, unfortunately the teacher was a tool and didn't really care that much about actually teaching, and anyway I ended up quitting. Now when I think about back then I did not listen to any music whatsoever so I had no real ambitions in that area to motivate me, and basically had no real will to get any good at it.

Today I talked to a few people and asked them how hard it was to learn bass. They generally said it was pretty easy. After reading around OCAU for a bit I've seen everyone has said that it's fairly easy to start but to get good will take hard work etc.

Now I figure if I get a cheapy bass and amp and try and teach myself some stuff (using books and what not) and like it and get the hang of it then I would be creating my own motivation.

Getting an actual teacher to teach me would probably be a better option overall, except that I find if I work at my own pace I generally won't get sick of it so quickly (giving me time to learn to like it) and also this way it won't become a neccessity thus learning to hate it rather than like it. Besides all that I can't afford a teacher.

Now I have zilch experience with playing because my previous attempts are ages ago. Only thing I remmeber from Piano is where Middle C is, and all I remember from guitar is the numbers or whatever to play Mary Had a Little Lamb (4 2 0 2 4 4 4 2 2 2 ...)

Basically I wanna be able to play, not particularly fabulously, just so that I won't lose motivation if/when I'm not a rock star straight away.

Here is where you should tell me if I'm doomed to failure, or you can give me advice or ideas or whatever.

At this point I realise there are no smilies in my post so I have added some to entertain those of you that only read threads to look at the smilies.

[Kippa-Dee]

ok.
Put it to you this way my good man.

I did music in Grade 4. I learnt guitar, gave up shortly after.My dad is incredibly musical. plays everything, recording his own cd, etc.
Come year 9 in Australia at Emmaus, I have a free subject. I decided to go for music. My dad having a spare bass in the house influenced my choice,and I figured "hey, it's easy, it's only got 4 strings, lets choose that". I've never looked back.
But let me right some misconceptions.
Bass is not easy. No instrument is. You have numerous places to play notes.
Now lets look at the basics. Those freights are big, those strings are big, your hands will bleed, and will blister and will hurt like hell. My hands after 3 years of playing are at the point where I can take a sharp pin,and push down hard against my fingers, and won't feel a damn thing. You develop calouses.
Ok, so lets say you master your scales, hand position, etc. Youve got two options, either with a pick (plectrum) which gives you a very harsh tone, which can be nice, and its easier on fingers, but you're limited in what you can do.
Or, you can play with your two right fingers. This means alternating between your index middle fingers. So you master that, lets move into the world of slapping, popping, harmonics, chords, tapping.... not so simple is it?
Bass isn't a simple instrument. If you want to be flashy, listen to Victor Wooten - What Did He say...You Can't Hold No Groove...Both those songs are examples of a slap bass artist at he's best. But beware, it's highly doubtful you'll get to that level, and he's good enough to make me cry.
Bass is fun, I love it. It gives you room to sit back and be jazzy and just anchor everyone, or get right up there, do some flashy licks, and make yaself look great, and then just disappear up the back. But let me tell you too, sometimes a bassist has to fucking work.
I play hard rock and metal mostly, I'm a huge metallica fan, love that sorta music, and my band is hard rock. I also play in the school jazz band, and define myself as a "music slut" I'll play whatever's thrown at me. I advise if you wanna be a good bassist, do this too, you can find plenty inspiration from various different styles, etc.
To conclude, bass is not as easy as it looks. It takes rhythm, beat, imagination, plenty of theory (you need to make up good bass riffs/anchoring riffs, and these can be comprised of thirds, 7ths, circle of 5ths, etc., needa think on feet), plenty of stamina, and high pain threshold, coz basses generally are heavy. After 6 hours playing with band, my shoulder is aching, my lower back is taking strain, my fingers are raw, and I am stuffed, but damn am I satisfied.
(Not to mention the fact most people have no clue about bass, so will never correct you on the instrument).
It's easy to be a bassist, but it's very difficult to be an exceptional bassist.
I leave you with a joke.

> In The Beginning...
>
> In the beginning...there was a bass. It was a Fender, probably a
> Precision, but it could have been a Jazz - nobody knows. Anyway, it was
> very old...definitely pre-C.B.S. And God looked down upon it and saw that
> it
> was good. He saw that it was very good in fact, and couldn't be improved
> on at all (though men would later try.) And so He let it be and He created
> a man to play the bass.
> And lo the man looked upon the bass, which was a beautiful 'sunburst', and
> he loved it. He played upon the open E string and the note rang through
> the earth and reverberated throughout the firmaments (thus
> reverb came to be.)
> And it was good.
> And God heard that it was good and He smiled at his handiwork. Then in the
> course of time, the man came to slap upon the bass. And lo, it was funky.
> And God heard this funkiness and He said, "Go man, go."
> And it was good.
> And more time passed, and, having little else to do, the man came to
> practice upon the bass. And lo, the man came to have upon him a great set
> of chops. And he did play faster and faster until the notes rippled like a
> breeze through the heavens. And God heard this sound...which sounded
> something like the wind, which He had
> created earlier. It also sounded something like the movement of furniture,
> which He hadn't even created yet, and He was not so pleased. And He spoke
> to the man, saying "Don't do that!"
> Now the man heard the voice of God, but he was so excited about his new
> ability that he slapped upon the bass a blizzard of funky notes. And the
> heavens shook with the sound, and the Angels ran about in confusion. Some
> of the Angels started to dance, but that's another story.
> And God heard this - how could He miss it - and lo, He became bugged. And
> He spoke to the man, and He said, "Listen man, if I'd wanted Jimi Hendrix,
> I would have created the guitar. Stick to the bass parts." And the man
> heard the voice of God, and he knew not to mess with it.
> But now he had upon him a passion for playing fast and high. The man took
> the frets off of the bass which God had created. And the man did slide his
> fingers upon the fretless fingerboard and play melodies high upon the
> neck. And, in his excitement, the man did forget the commandment of the
> Lord, and he played a frenzy of high melodies and blindingly fast licks.
> And the heavens rocked with the assault and the earth shook, rattled and
> rolled.
> Now God's wrath was great. And His voice was thunder as He spoke to the
> man. And He said, "O.K. for you, pal. You have not heeded My word. Lo, I
> shall create an soprano saxophone and it shall play higher than you can
> even think of. And from out of the chaos I shall bring forth the drums.
> And they shall play so many notes thine head shall ache, and I shall make
> you to always stand next to the drummer. You think you're loud? I shall
> create a stack of Marshall guitar amps to make thine ears bleed. And I
> shall send down upon the earth other instruments, and lo, they shall all
> be able to play higher and faster than the bass.
> And for all the days of man, your curse shall be this; that all the other
> musicians shall look to you, the bass player, for the low notes. And if
> you play too high or fast all the other musicians shall say "Wow" but
> really they shall hate it. And they shall tell you you're ready for your
> solo career, and find other bass players for their bands. And for all your
> days if you want to play your fancy licks, you shall have to sneak them in
> like a thief in the night. And if you finally do get to play a solo,
> everyone shall leave the bandstand and go to the bar
> for a drink."
> And it was so.

[greatant]

Originally posted by Kippa-Dee
Stuff

Well that's an...interesting joke

I know that playing any instrument is gonna be hard work, I'm really looking for something that I can make some slight progress on before I give in to giving up (great personality trait ), so that I will hopefully keep at it. I'm not necessarily wanting to be Superman+bass. Also I just need something else to do other than sit in front of the computer and tv all day every day.

[Kippa-Dee]

Taking up music, and playing with people, is a pain in the ass.
To give you an idea, tomorrow, I will be taking my bass, a bag, spare set of strings, wire cutters, tuner, leads, power extension, power board, head unit, speaker unit, spare leads, effects set, power for effects set, plectrums... thats just basics lol...
There's a lot to take with
Thought of going to the gym instead?
No musical instrument is easy, my dad explained it the best. You go thru plateaus (sp?). Basically, you keep learning, and keep playing and having fun, then you hit a point where you dont learn anythng, youre bored, and think youve gone as far as you can go, so you give up...but if you continue, you eventually start going up again, and start learning, and continue having fun.
Its just hanging in there dude.
Music is my life, either youve got the gift or you don't. Youve played before, so I'd imagine you do. Just stick to it, and make sure you find an instrument you love and can express yourself on.

[greatant]

Originally posted by Kippa-Dee
Music is my life, either youve got the gift or you don't. Youve played before, so I'd imagine you do. Just stick to it, and make sure you find an instrument you love and can express yourself on.

The Gym is also on my todo list.

I wouldn't say I've played before. What I did was more endure the torture of doing something you know is not essential and have no will to do, but are made to do anyway.
Sitting here listening to music like I am now, I just feel like I wanna play something. Air Guitar just isn't enough That's how I suppose I'd explain it.

[Kippa-Dee]

i never had that
In year 9, I didnt really have much of a music following... i know though that metallica sounded awesome and I wanted to play.
Now I play it all
lots of places lend out basses...maybe head down to your local music shop and feel a bass in ya hands, play a few notes, see how comfortable you are, and decide wehter or not you want to continue with it.
Its pointless spendign money to buy bass and amp and etc. if you're only gonna play a handful of pop songs and never touch again
you gonna get involved with a band? or just play solo?
Btw, to save costs, and for pure drool factor, have you looked at acoustic bass?

[dantheman65]

Ok, I don't play the bass but I play the drums so I still have knowledge on learning an instrument.

I think that you should get a teacher, it will help you improve quickly and it will let you learn the basics and s/he will point out any habitual errors and destroy them quickly.

It will also give you something to play. I have lessons and I still find time to play other songs. I practise my assigned excercises for about 30minutes then I play my songs for an hour or so.

Kippa-Dee, thats not really alot of stuff to take. Just chuck all your wire cutters spare strings etc into your bag (assuming it has a pocket, it should) and then take your bag, and the effects pedal and amp w/leads in your other hand. Its better than taking drums, trust me.

You are however right about plateaus. You encounter them not only when you begin, but all through your 'career'. The best buzz is after a few monthes of playing is getting together with friends no matter how good/bad you/they are. I have a friend whos been playing guitar for a year, and hes an extremely fast learner. I have been playing for 6 monthes so he obviously shits on me. However, we can play alot of songs together, and its not about how good you are, its how you enjoy it. Its amazing fun playing with friends.

I say go for it mate, you could pick up a basic bass w/amp package for cheap (between about $400 and $700) and that would get ya started.

Look at the Fender Bass Packages, although all brands have them. Just go into a store and check out what you want, lets the salesman do his thing, and you come out of the store with what you liked best, whether its look, feel or sound.

[greatant]

Originally posted by Kippa-Dee
lots of places lend out basses...maybe head down to your local music shop and feel a bass in ya hands, play a few notes, see how comfortable you are, and decide wehter or not you want to continue with it.
Its pointless spendign money to buy bass and amp and etc. if you're only gonna play a handful of pop songs and never touch again
you gonna get involved with a band? or just play solo?
Btw, to save costs, and for pure drool factor, have you looked at acoustic bass?

I figured I'd find a second hand bass in the trading post or something for REAL cheap and hook an amp i have here up to some speakers
Band would be good, I've got some friends who had their bass player leave at the beginning of the year, so yeah.. One plays guitar one does drums. Was never a real serious band though, just a sort of muck around thing. Though they're both quite good (Went with one of them to a music shop to try out a 7 string very nice)
I dunno what you'd class as pop. I'm into Korn, Blink 182, Papa Roach, a bit of Metallica, and a heap of other stuff.
Acoustic Bass, is that like the guy from The Living End plays? That doesn't look cheap at all

[Kippa-Dee]

nope, thats a double bass
acoustic bass is a bass guitar the size of an acoustic guitar. you know then normal classical guitars everyone has? its one of them, but four strings and lower .
You can actually run a bass guitar thru your computer with the right sized converter

[greatant]

Originally posted by dantheman65
I say go for it mate,

This is what I need

[greatant]

Originally posted by Kippa-Dee
nope, thats a double bass
acoustic bass is a bass guitar the size of an acoustic guitar. you know then normal classical guitars everyone has? its one of them, but four strings and lower .
You can actually run a bass guitar thru your computer with the right sized converter

*scuttles off to investigate*

I assume these sound basically the same?
This might be the thing to go for to get a different look (what I'd look for in an eventual decent electric bass)

EDIT: ermm maybe not hehe, reminds me of Carlos Santana, nothing wrong with his music would rather not look like that though (I'm getting ahead of myself now).

[dantheman65]

Originally posted by greatant
*scuttles off to investigate*

I assume these sound basically the same?
This might be the thing to go for to get a different look (what I'd look for in an eventual decent electric bass)

EDIT: ermm maybe not hehe, reminds me of Carlos Santana, nothing wrong with his music would rather not look like that though (I'm getting ahead of myself now).

The acoustic/electric bass is similar to the electric/accoustic 6 string guitar difference.

You would definitely want an Electric Bass.
But you already knew that.

[MustaineC]

Nice to see you want to pick up bass, greatant. I did it 3 months ago, but I had played it when I was 15-16. I'm 30 now, and hadn't played in about 14 years. Well, Kippa-Dee, I have some questions for you. Listen, I play the bass lines of Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused, but in the end my forearm hurts, close to the elbow. What am i doing wrong? That song is long and there is the guitar solo part where the bass goes:


----------------------------|---------------------------|
--------------5--7--5------|--------------5--7--5----|
--------5--7-----------7---|--------5--7--------------|
--5--7---------------------|--5--7--------------------|


60 times!!! Well, that kills me! When I'm doing number 20 my arm feels like falling off. Those strange days I make it to 60th time, my speed is like that of a very patient turtle. Can it be my age?

Can you recommend some good drills, exercises, etc? I'm (re)-teaching myself, so it's kind of hard. Do you think I can still make it at 30, almost 31? Please, say yes

Ah, something else. ANESTHESIA (Pulling Teeth), say you play that one! Man, I watch Cliff'em All DVD over and over again just to see Burton playing it. That guy was divine. But I find it very difficult. Am I asking for too much if I say I'd like to play it some day? Being a married man, kids, job, etc. it will be kind of difficult, but I will give it a try anyway. What do you say?

[greatant]

Originally posted by dantheman65
You would definitely want an Electric Bass.
But you already knew that.

Originally posted by MustaineC
Nice to see you want to pick up bass, greatant.

Encouragement is what I need

Thanks

[MustaineC]

You can do it, you are only 17, right? In a few months you will be far better than me. Do it now that you have the youth. If you don't you will regret it when you get to my age. You might say 30 is not old, but I can feel the difference. I remember things were a lot easier when I was 15-16. So, go for it.