If I wanted to learn how to play the bass guitar

sxt

..how would i go about it...where to look...is their a place where a group of people can start off at the same level for instance...

The Volt

As a self-taught bassist I can safely say there are enough tutorials out there for free without needing to spend money. I picked it up having not played an instrument before and I just went at it everyday using tabs, gradually finding out what each note sounds like and doing basic exercises like moving my fingers up and down the frets and using two and then three fingers for plucking. Familiarity is everything so if you do decide to take it up, don't deliberate, just get stuck into it.

After you've got the foundation there, you can look into basic pop n' slap techniques and improvisation. Your scales are important for the latter.

Best of luck with your endeavour

ColmDawson

Learn your way around the scales! Being able to instinctively play around with intervals and avoid sticking to root notes is a joy.

There are probably enough tutorials online (try YouTube) for you to learn without paying.

Rigsby

As mentioned already, there are lots of good tutorial sites ( www.studybass.com is one of the best IMO ) on line. However, getting a few lessons from a teacher ( make sure that bass is his/her main instrument ) would get you off to a good start. On line sites cant tell/show you where you are going wrong. The bass guitar is a very physical instrument and good technique is a must to master from the start. This is best learned from a teacher. Not only are you able to play at your best, but you avoid possible physical problems (carpel tunnel etc ) later.

A good book (comes with a cd if required, or you can get just the book ) I would recommend is "The Hal Leonard Bass Method" by Ed Friedland. It comes in three different volumes, depending on your level. You can get all three together if you wish. It is not expensive, and if you cant afford to continue with lessons, then it is money well spent. It is available on ebay ( I have not seen it in the shops in Dublin) here : http://shop.ebay.ie/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m570.l1313&_nkw=Hal+leonard+bass+method

Good luck with it.

gotBass

sxt wrote: »

..how would i go about it...where to look...is their a place where a group of people can start off at the same level for instance...

firstly, rather than spend money and end up with all the gear no idea try the following:
book a couple of lessons, where the music school / teacher provides the equipment to begin with. If they are any good you can talk to them about what you want from the lessons, rockband/jazz etc.
This way you can deicde if its really for you without spending heavily.
So now you like playing and are sure that you want to get into it more.
The school should also be able to advise on the right gear for you.

Alternatively go see a band with a bass player that you like, and have a good chat musicians are generally friendly types . They'll be able to 9 times out of 10 point you to a local person/shop etc.

I know one school that makes bands up for mini gigs/jam sessions sometimes.
There are loads of schools/teachers around, where are you based by the way?

Rigsby

gotBass wrote: »

This way you can decide if its really for you without spending heavily.
So now you like playing and are sure that you want to get into it more.

Good point ! All the advice given so far is on the assumption that you have decided that the bass is definitely for you. A lot of people take up bass, because they think it is "easy". Admittedly, it is easier than a lot of instruments to get started on. It all depends on how far you want to go with it, and the type of music you want to play.

If I can be of any more help, P.M. me.

jazzme

Just a simple tip and you can be playing with a band in a month or two. Drill yourself to memorize all the notes in four strings in 12 frets. Learn their octave. This are basic skills a bass player must have. You should be able to play along pop, rock,punk and heavy metal songs with this.:D

sxt

Thanks for all the informative posts , appeciate it:)

i57dwun4yb1pt8

+10 for the hal leonard bass method , the 3 volume one

comes with cd's of all tracks and teaches you to read bass.

im still using it , and i also listen to alot of CHIC and disco - great stuff for learning bass.


this guy is also fantastic

http://www.youtube.com/user/marlowedk?blend=1&ob=4

120_Minutes

when i started off i got some good advice for a beginner:

the right hand does what the kickdrum does and the left hand does what the rhythm guitarists left hand does (if you're a leftie swap what i just said)

thems the basics!

Rigsby

120_Minutes wrote: »

the right hand does what the kickdrum does and the left hand does what the rhythm guitarists left hand does (if you're a leftie swap what i just said)

thems the basics!

I think, for the OP to get any benefit from this information, you would need to expand and explain it a bit more.

I would regard myself as intermediate, and I'm not sure what you mean by the rhythm guitarist's left hand. IMO the bassist's other main instrument of concern in a band is the drums. They and the bass work in tandem, to drive the band, regardless of other instruments.

What if the band does not have a rhythm guitarist or keyboards, for that matter ?

sxt

I thought that i had dreamed that i bought a bass on sunday morning at 3 am ,but i actually did, going to get that book next.

Dord

sxt wrote: »

I thought that i had dreamed that i bought a bass on sunday morning at 3 am ,but i actually did, going to get that book next.

Would have been funnier if it was Wednesday morning at 3 a.m. (I'm sure a few will get it )

What bass did you get btw?

sxt

This one, a bit more than i had attended spending , looking forward to having it on my lap now
http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0303075505

KylieWyley

http://www.youtube.com/user/MarloweDK

this guy is very comprehensive and regularly posts new videos on loads of different styles.

his teaching style is very good too.