Thinking of learning Bass

kiddums

Ok so Ive been thinking, on and off, for a few years that I want to play an instrument. Problem is, I'm tone deaf and cant really carry a tune.
People have told me that I should play Bass, and I liked the idea. But I kept putting it off.Please dont laugh but I recently got Rock band and Ive been playing the Bass in it and likein it and think I'm doing ok at it.
My question is, should I learn Bass or just leave it?
If I should what kind, 4, 5, or 6 string?
Is there anything else I would need? (other than an amp and tuner)
would it be possible for me to teach myself?

artvandulet

In a word, yes!
You could try teaching yourself but it might be better to get 4 or 5 lessons to put you in the right direction first, then go it alone and see how you get on. If you then really were into it you could look at more advanced lessons in the future.
There is a lack of bassists around. Always is. So if you became interested in playing in a band you'd easily find one. You can pick up a cheap 2nd hand bass and amp on adverts for very little and away you go.
Good luck!

**Vai**

kiddums wrote: »

Problem is, I'm tone deaf and cant really carry a tune.
People have told me that I should play Bass

Not laughing at u but that made me almost fall over


Seriously, start with a 4 string. Tuner and amp are all u need and the net can teach u. My mates a bassist and tone deaf, hes a bit slow off the mark god love him but he gets there eventually.

Banjo

kiddums wrote: »

My question is, should I learn Bass or just leave it?

You might as well give it a go. RB Bass is very focused on hitting and maintaining the groove of the song, so if you liked that you might enjoy playing bass... As for the tone deaf issue, if you hit the notes at the right time, but they're the wrong notes, just call it Jazz

If I should what kind, 4, 5, or 6 string?

Start with a standard 4 string - less complicated, more common therefore cheaper to pick one up second hand? (so if you don't take to it, it's less of a mistake) And it's more like RockBand

Is there anything else I would need? (other than an amp and tuner)

A drummer!

would it be possible for me to teach myself?

Yes, but getting lessons tends to yield better results more quickly as you'll be more focused and you'll have someone who can correct mistakes and technique that you might not know is wrong.

Rigsby

+1 to all the advice so far. I agree with getting a teacher at first, so that you can learn basic technique, and avoid possible physical problems (carpel tunnel syndrome etc) at a later time. The bass guitar is a very physical instrument and good technique is important. Look up R/H and L/H bass technique on You Tube.

It is possible to teach your self (www.studybass.com is a great site) but a one to one with a teacher will yield faster results.

I think a four string is best to start with. You have all you need to play. You only need to add time and patience.

Good luck with it.

seanaor

Im tone deaf, but taught myself bass in next to no time! You'll never look back!

Vomit

Stick with it, because you'll be frustrated at first trying to dampen and mute strings to stop previous notes ringing.

kiddums

**Vai** wrote: »

Not laughing at u but that made me almost fall over
QUOTE]
I don't see whats funny about that? Am I missing something?

Thanks for all the replies guys.
I think I'll have to look into lessons and getting a Bass. What Kinda price does a 4 string Bass go for? Just so I know if I'm being ripped off. I know it depends on make, etc. Just roughly.

PaulieBoy

Have a look at adverts.ie, if you see a bass in your price range check out the new price and see what sort of discount is being offered on the secondhand one. I got my first bass on Thomann, a Harley Benton fretless - i like a challenge- it was dirt cheap and as good as you would want for a starter bass. Also Fender, and others, do starter packs with amp, strap, book, etc all in the one box, a handy way to start.
Lessons, if you never played anything else, are a very good idea and worth the money. If you want a bit of a head start, or something to keep ya going till you can afford lessons then "Bass Guitar for Dummies" is well worth the price. I hate the "for Dummies" series in general but this one is well good.
A good year after I bought that book I'm still going through it! A nice mix of theory and grooves.

At the end of the day it's all about having fun, don't forget that :-)

kiddums

PaulieBoy wrote: »

Have a look at adverts.ie, if you see a bass in your price range check out the new price and see what sort of discount is being offered on the secondhand one. I got my first bass on Thomann, a Harley Benton fretless - i like a challenge- it was dirt cheap and as good as you would want for a starter bass. Also Fender, and others, do starter packs with amp, strap, book, etc all in the one box, a handy way to start.
Lessons, if you never played anything else, are a very good idea and worth the money. If you want a bit of a head start, or something to keep ya going till you can afford lessons then "Bass Guitar for Dummies" is well worth the price. I hate the "for Dummies" series in general but this one is well good.
A good year after I bought that book I'm still going through it! A nice mix of theory and grooves.

At the end of the day it's all about having fun, don't forget that :-)

Thanks PaulieBoy, Ill check it out when I get home, its blocked at work.
Moneys a bit tight atm, but Im gona be on the look out.

Oh I dont plan on forgetting that. Im not learning for any other reason than it should be a laugh, and I want to.

raindog.promo

Check out

Good luck with the bass:

My advice:

Learn how to read tab. It's very easy to do.
Then check out www.ultimate-guitar.com for bass tabs.
Get a click track to play along to.

Give some thought to the rhythm aspect of the guitar as well as the music theory.
It's fun to play a lot of notes, but bass played well (imo) is steady notes coming in on time and laying out a groove with drums.

A few lessons starting off can only help.

Rigsby

raindog.promo wrote: »

My advice:

Learn how to read tab. It's very easy to do.
Then check out www.ultimate-guitar.com for bass tabs.

My advice ( sorry Raindog ) is not to become too dependant on tabs. Much better IMO to develop you ear by listening intensely to songs and trying to play along. Tabs invariably are incorrect, they don't give you rhythm or tempo etc, and are merely note positions on the fretboard.

If you are going to read, then learn to read music notation.