Playing bass

Pythagoras

Hey folks,

Beginning of the year I decided to buy myself a bass and have a crack at it after playing guitar [well, messing around on guitar ] for a while. Til now I've really just been messing around on it aswell, and I'm wondering if ye'd be able to advise me on what I should really be doing/learning as I'm now really going for it.

At the mo, I have the finger style down, know the fretboard with regard to notes and can play various songs, but what should I really be learning if I want to be a bassist and not a poseur?!?

Thanks for any advice ye can give me!

Jammer

scales are always good place to start

Pythagoras

Any books that would spring to mind? Preferably ones aimed at intermediate type skill level?

ferdi

go to active bass and click on 'lessons'

heres harmony centrals bass page, it has links to loads of bass stuff, its all you'll ever need.

have a go at scales but i find the best thing to do is just sit in front of your pc/stereo with your entire music collection and just play along with the songs, it'll build confidence and ability.

if you really want to improve, you'll have to find a band, you can only go so far on your own

marvin2k

I think some other guy started a thread like this asking about lessons its down a bit , theres good advice on it , But I definitely agree with the guy who says just sit in front of tv or stereo and just try and play , youl end up getting a good ear for a bassline after a while and youl be able to play along with anything.

Mr. CooL ICE

ferdi wrote:

if you really want to improve, you'll have to find a band, you can only go so far on your own

Very true.


Either do that, or try playing some of the more difficult end of the bass playing spectrum. Try some Iron Maiden, Kill Em All by Metallica, or some stuff by the Chilis. That's if youre into metal. What kind of stuff do you listen to? Playing along to slow stuff like Coldplay or Travis won't really help much if you've got the basics covered

John

Even if you're not into metal try what was listed above. Try and learn things from different styles, it keeps you on your toes.

lee_baby_simms

I'm not sure whether Steve Harris' galloping style is a good template, well i suppose the 'one foot on the monitor' look is always a winner.
I've always liked Maccas bass lines, most are relatively simple and you should pick up a few good habits.

Best advice i can think of is to start playing with other musicians asap.

Pythagoras

Thanks for all the advice peeps...As for playing with other musicians/band, i've got that covered already, and playing with them for even a short while, I've improved timing significantly.
And no, I don't listen to the slow stuff like coldplay, would listen to the likes of zeppelin, skynyrd, metallica, the who, ac/dc.
So, in a nutshell, I should play along with my music collection and just learn as many songs as possible?

Also, I've been considering getting a new bass as I'm not too happy with the one I have at the mo (no name squier copy). Either the Epiphone Thunderbird or a Fender 60s Classic Jazz.What do you folks think of the thunderbird? What kind of difference in sound would you get out of those humbuckers?
Again, thanks for all yer help!

John

I like the Thunderbird, I know someone that has one and he gets a very nice tone out of it. But there's nothing shabby about the Jazz either. Although don't take my word, one of the experts around here would have a better opinion. I'm just filling space with my post.

ferdi

thunderbird will kill your back, its a beast and i personaly dont like the way it sits, i think the ballance is weird. its mostly a rawk sound - the bass players out of Ash and The Darkness aswell as Nikki Sixx out of Motley Crue use the Gibsons.

set yourself a budget and play ever bass in thiat price range you can find and see which sound you like best - dont just go for the names/designs you recognise, try EVERYTHING