Total beginner

Adam1979 · Newbie Alert Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

Hi all. Just want to say what a great forum this is.

It has been one of my life long 'ambitions' to learn to play a Bass guitar but know absolutely bugger all. I cant read music and dont know any of the terms or anything but can I still learn.

If I just bought a bass and all the equiptment how hard is it to self teach?? Can it be done with loads of practice and plenty of reading??

Any help is much appreciated as this is something I would realy like to do.

Adam

bubinga5 · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:39 am Post subject:

Hey Adam, thought i would reply to your thread as know one has replied to mine.Dohhh
Anyway well done for choosing the bass. YES you can teach yourself! with a little structure and some common sense. I also started the bass with absolutely no knowledge of notation or musical theory. I simply bought a good book, cant remember the name (the 'bass guitar for dummies' series is a great start) sat down and slowly but gradually went through it. i would advise you to get used to the bass first.

Start off with putting the bass on and adjust the strap to what feels comfortable (not what you think looks cool) Then get to know the open string names E A D G. Then take the E string(the thickest string) and finger, using all four fingers (while plucking with right, alternate fingers) four notes up from the nut, and do this on all four string. The aim being to do this all the way up the neck. This will help coordinate your fretting hand with your plucking hand.
Do this until you can play the notes cleanly and evenly.Also whith out doubt use a metronome or a drum machine, i cant stress this enough!.When i first started playing i got used to the bass under my fingers, so i could concentrate on the book info while not worrying to much about placing my fingers.
After this you can start learning the notes on the fret board and get into the book you may have bought. Anyway wont go into it too much just to say that all you need is the passion to do it and the time, and when results start to show you know it has been worth it...
Also sites like these are invaluble to budding Bassists, as there is always someone there to help. Want any more info give me a thread..

Hope that helps.. Bub5 Very Happy

Adam1979 · Newbie Alert Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

Cheers for all the info mate. What is easier to learn....bass or accoustic??
Adam

bubinga5 · Posted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:40 pm Post subject:

I assume u mean an acoustic bass, if so both are the same technically, but you dont have to carry an amp around with you with an acoustic bass, so in that respect its easier..if you mean an acoustic guitar, i would say the guitar is harder to learn than the bass...
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Mkuk0 · Posted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:51 am Post subject:

The down side of an acoustic bass is its thickness compared to an electric, and the fact that its sound isn't that loud, you gonna end up amping it anyway. I'd stick with an electric and get a small (30W ish) amp tp practice with. thats what I did, and I've only been playing 3 years, got meself into a band, havin a blast! Good luck, and have fun Cool

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Adam1979 · Newbie Alert Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BASS-GUITAR-4STRING-STRATOCASTER-TOP-MODEL_W0QQitemZ7423931864QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Would something like this be ok for my first bass??

Or maybe this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-LEAD-FENDER-STYLE-BASS-GUITAR-PACKAGE_W0QQitemZ7422472071QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I know quality aint gonna be amazing but as a first bass will it be ok to learn with??

Regards

Adam

bubinga5 · Posted: Tue Jun 20, 2006 6:39 pm Post subject:

Cant see the pictures as my work PC wont let me see EBay. I take it ther bass guitar packages. Not sure wot there like as i have never played them. How much are they?? It depends on how serious you are about learning to play. My first bass cost me £280 and is a Vintage 4string bubinga, and is a pretty decent bass for the money. My amp was an Ibanez 10 for £60..

As you said the quality may not be great, but if u aint paying much for them, you can always save up for something better when you have got a little better. They certainly wont hold you back and when you do get better, you will be able to tell when you should maybe move on to something with a bit more quality..

PS. You might look at Yamaha, Ibanez, Aria, they all do good entry level basses. also Squire basses are good. I know seasoned players who think these fender copies are decent. Most importantly! do some research (look up reviews on the internet, thats what i did) u dont want to end up with fire wood!!

Goodluck. Wink

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Jazz from the mind Funk from the fingers Soul from the soul

Toxik-Bass · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 7:39 pm Post subject: From another noob

Im on my second week learning from a book. (Get a book with a DVD or CD) I went crazy and bought a new fender jazz bass(the $400 one.) You dont need all that... I have friends in bands, they all said Ibanez are a lot of bass for a little cash. (The Ibanez,used,120-150 bucks) Try a company in your area like www.daddys.com The take in used equipment, refurbish it, and resell it.

Neil Gray · Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:52 am Post subject:

Yep... Ibanez is a good way to go for beginning. Same as yamaha, cort, and squire.

Keep in mind that the more you spend on a beginner bass, the more you will be able to use it when you get some exposure. That being said, I just bought a wierd no name thing off the internet (ebay) for my church for $76, and I would play it in a pinch. I normally use an Ibanez BTB 406qm, so to say that a $76 bass is passable is shooting myself in the foot, but it's just how it is!

Amp choice is where you need to put some thought into your $$$. If you buy a crappy amp, you will never be happy with your bass. A good amp can make a cheap bass sound good, but a good bass will only prove how bad a bad amp is.
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