Advice on starting to learn bass...

Hoodle

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone can offer me any advice on starting to learn the bass guitar eg. what type of bass to buy, good learning tools, tips & tricks etc etc.

Not sure if its relevant, but I am a fan of indie rock, therefore this is the type of music I'd predominantly be playing.

I realise this is pretty vague, but any help will be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

Rigsby

I've been playing for only a year, so I'm no expert, but this is my tuppence worth.
Buy the best guitar you can afford. A Fender of some sort would be the choice of a lot of people, but the choice is vast. If money is scarce there are some good starter kits which include everything you need (strap, lead, small amp ect.) for around 300 euro. I got the starter kit first then upgraded about three months ago.
As for learning, IMO a few one to one lessons with a good teacher would be a good start. This way you'll learn proper technique, and avoid developing bad habits from the start. Otherwise there are some good lessons to be got on the internet. Your library could stock instruction books too. Later when you get a bit of experience, try playing along to your favourite music on cd or better still find like minded people to jam with. The only "tricks" are practice and practice.

phantom_lord

Rigsby wrote:

Otherwise there are some good lessons to be got on the internet.

any recommendations/links?

Rigsby

phantom_lord wrote:

any recommendations/links?[/QUOT

www.thelibster.com/bass

www.talkbass.com

www.harmony-central.com/bass

The last two are forum sites containing everything to do with bass. There are forums/stickys on theory and technique. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

phantom_lord

cool thanks! been meaning to get back into bass.

Rented Mule

Sorry to all of the bass players, but this always cracks me up.

A man gives his son an electric bass for his 15th birthday, along with a coupon for four bass lessons. When the son returns from his first lesson, the father asks, "So, what did you learn?"
"Well, I learned the first five notes on the E string." Next week, after the second lesson, the father again asks about the progress, and the son replies, "This time I learned the first five notes on the A string." One week later, the son comes home far later than expected, smelling of cigarettes and beer. So the father asks: "Hey, what happened in today's lesson?" "Dad, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to my lesson; I had a gig!"

Rigsby

Rented Mule wrote:

Sorry to all of the bass players, but this always cracks me up.

A man gives his son an electric bass for his 15th birthday, along with a coupon for four bass lessons. When the son returns from his first lesson, the father asks, "So, what did you learn?"
"Well, I learned the first five notes on the E string." Next week, after the second lesson, the father again asks about the progress, and the son replies, "This time I learned the first five notes on the A string." One week later, the son comes home far later than expected, smelling of cigarettes and beer. So the father asks: "Hey, what happened in today's lesson?" "Dad, I'm sorry I couldn't make it to my lesson; I had a gig!"

Nice one

Yes, for some reason the bass guitar has a reputation for being an easy instrument to play. IMO it is like any other instrument insofar as you'll get by with a little practice, but to learn it to the level of a professional takes a lifetime of hard work and practice.

Gaspode

Rented Mule wrote:

Sorry to all of the bass players, but this always cracks me up.

Strange, when I heard that one, it was about a boy learning drums.