I posted this in Entertainment because I thought that would be the best place for people that play music to see it, move it if you need to.

Anyways, I don't really have any guitar experience but I want to learn how to play bass. I have one that somebody gave me and started to read tabs and kinda taught myself how to play the Star Spangled Banner. This doesn't really seem like a very effective way of learning to me. What do you think, just keep trying to teach myself using tabs or get lessons somewhere? If lessons is the better option, can you guys recommend some places/people to teach me?

8/8/2006 10:30:25 AM

Get a banjo. That shit is hard and the ladies love it.

8/8/2006 10:56:20 AM

Unless you are wanting to be les claypool or geddy lee, you don't really need someone to teach you bass

get a book on fingering tech. and just play along with tab.

if you find that difficult, you might just wanna quit.

8/8/2006 10:59:47 AM

tab may be easy, but it would be more worthwhile in the long run to learn to read notes.

8/8/2006 11:11:23 AM

it's pretty easy to pick up. keep in mind it may not seem as rewarding AT FIRST as learning other instruments unless you are in a band situation. bass is really a rythm instrument, so focus on keeping good time and maintaining tempo. if you actively listen to the bass line in songs, a lot of it is just straight dunt-dunt-dunt-dunt sounding stuff.

8/8/2006 6:56:42 PM

Try Guitar Pro for learning to play songs, it will slow songs down and provide the correct pitch as well.

Practice using all your fingers on the hand you fret with.

Try picking and using your fingers with your playing hand.

Don't limit yourself in any way when trying to get sound, experiment.

Keep fresh strings on as much as you can, or keep them clean to make them last longer.

Watch other people who have experience play. I picked up a lot of stuff just watching people at music stores when I started out.

Once you feel you plateau, learn some scales.

The list goes on, but have as much fun as you can with it. I know that may sound lame, but the second it became a chore is when I put it down for a long time.

8/8/2006 8:29:26 PM

Quote :

" if you actively listen to the bass line in songs, a lot of it is just straight dunt-dunt-dunt-dunt sounding stuff. "

try to stay away from stuff like that after you get a little more advanced

there's alot more to the bass guitar than root-eighth notes



get yourself some technique books and work through those, and listen to songs and try to play along with them.

[Edited on August 9, 2006 at 12:02 AM. Reason : e]

8/9/2006 12:01:07 AM

All you need is the James Jamerson bass book.

Best bassist ever.

8/9/2006 12:08:14 AM

^ FTW. I was going to post that you should start with Motown. Just go straight to the source of greatness, James Jamerson. Listen to the drums and work on keeping a steady rhythm.

8/9/2006 9:37:37 AM

I've been playing guitar for a LONG time. I got a bass a while ago to add to the collection and have some fun. One thing I'll say is that playing bass is hard! If you miss a note or miss on the tempo it is painfully obvious.

8/9/2006 10:23:54 AM

rule of thumb with any instrument:

practice practice practice practice practice

8/9/2006 10:51:23 AM

if you're practicing bad technique, practice may do more harm than good in the long run. learning good fundamentals for any instrument is incredibly important.

8/9/2006 11:41:10 AM

yeah i hear you

i guess i just meant the best way to get more familiar with something is to do it often

8/9/2006 11:44:45 AM