Bass Beginner

[richter915]

Hey, I got this bass guitar about a month ago and I've been playing since but I'd really like to get better at it. I know that's pretty vague but if anyone can give me hints, tips, and tricks on how to improve my bass-playing and anything i should know as a beginner...any help would really be appreciated. Alright, thanks, later.

[kevin]

Just take lessons. It's probably the best way to learn all of the fundamentals and get good quickly.

[Doolittle]

yeah lessons are the way to go. just make sure you pick a good teacher, the ones that really go by the book arent much good.

[MaybeOneDay]

I am pretty good at bass although my main instrument is guitar. anyways, i prefer to learn on my own and teach myself. if you know how to read tabs go to www.taborama.com just find some basic songs and learn how to play them. then you will gradually progress and get better.

[richter915]

ya i really don't have the cash to get lessons...but do you know anything for learning on your own?

[Doolittle]

dont learn off of tabs.

[MaybeOneDay]

Originally posted by Doolittle
dont learn off of tabs.

thats how i learnt...and they were much easier than reading notes and taking lessons etc. much simpler.

[richter915]

ya, i think i'll stick with the tabs...i've learned a bunch of blink 182 songs that way...the hardest thing i can somewhat play is Carousel and Basket Case. What's good for a pick size? and, how do i strum it back and forth without the pick getting caught and fucking up the string? also, how do i get rid of that annoying buzzing noise when i play some notes?

[Doolittle]

i started out reading tab but when i took lessons it got a lot easier. reading sheet music is actaully easier becuase a lot of tab isnt written out well and when you see it written out as notes its easier to see patterns and whatnot. so that way you learn how to play instead of how to play certain songs

[theused7888]

Originally posted by Doolittle
i started out reading tab but when i took lessons it got a lot easier. reading sheet music is actaully easier becuase a lot of tab isnt written out well and when you see it written out as notes its easier to see patterns and whatnot. so that way you learn how to play instead of how to play certain songs

its the same with drum tabs/music

[FishAlotNBePunk]

Originally posted by Doolittle
yeah lessons are the way to go. just make sure you pick a good teacher, the ones that really go by the book arent much good.

exactly...get a teacher who will teach you any songs you want to learn...you also learn some of the fundamentals along the way. I have a good teacher because he actually likes punk rock and its a more fun experience.

[MaybeOneDay]

Originally posted by richter915
ya, i think i'll stick with the tabs...i've learned a bunch of blink 182 songs that way...the hardest thing i can somewhat play is Carousel and Basket Case. What's good for a pick size? and, how do i strum it back and forth without the pick getting caught and fucking up the string? also, how do i get rid of that annoying buzzing noise when i play some notes?

hmmm, a good pick size...well i play guitar and i use a jim dunlop .65 mm pick and that is perfect for me. but since a bass has much heavier strings you'd probably want something more than that. a .65 is really flimsy which is what i like so go with soemthing thicker than that for bass.

to stop the pick getting caught, you gotta loosen up your hand. memorize where the frets are on the guitar and know where they are so you can move to them without looking at the neck and focus on where your hand is strumming instead, to ensure the pick doesnt get caught. it takes practice, but you'll get it if you keep at it.

and some notes on a bass just have that annoying buzzing sound when you're playing unplugged, but they sound alot different through an amp. it's normal, don't worry about that. but if its a sound unlike the one im thinking of, just make sure that your finger is completely pressed down so that the note comes out clear and not muffled sounding.

hope i could help, keep practising. bass is a fun instrument. :)

[Doolittle]

for bass i use a .80 mm. and if youre getting buzzing press down harder on the strings, or lower your strings if you have to press too haed to make it stop buzzing.

[Patrick]

ya i just got a new bass to and i can already play sk8r boi

[FishAlotNBePunk]

i use a medium or heavy pick.

[Greg]

i use .65 -1 for my bass. the buzz is either from nto pressing down hard enough or the neck isnt completely straight. which happens alot in the summer because of the heat. so i dunno play blink songs to start out. start with tabs to learn songs. then learn the notes and then learn keys and stuff. that was you know why people write they way they write stuff. dont only play punk. other wise you'll suck forever cause punk is the easiest stuff. eventually learn some alt to get timing better cause there are alot fo pauses in alt songs. then once you think you;re good enouigh mov eon to bands like chili peppers. i would say take at least 1 month of lessons. have fun.

[MaybeOneDay]

Originally posted by Doolittle
for bass i use a .80 mm. and if youre getting buzzing press down harder on the strings, or lower your strings if you have to press too haed to make it stop buzzing.

.80 mm seems way to thick for me to use. but whatever suits you. i just tried playing my bass with a .65 and it works quite well actually. if you want to be able to strum real easily go with one of those.

[Doolittle]

i onyl use a pick like once in a blue moon, so i coulkd be wrong about that. i dotn liek the way it sounds when i use a pick, and its way harder

[MaybeOneDay]

i find using a pick much easier, but again, whatever suits you. playing with just your fingers always fucks me up. i need a pick to sound good.

[Greg]

Originally posted by Doolittle
i onyl use a pick like once in a blue moon, so i coulkd be wrong about that. i dotn liek the way it sounds when i use a pick, and its way harder

well i started with a pick so i mostly use one. but i have been using my fingers more lately cause that is slightly easier and more talented way to play. i'm getting pretty good at it too. though i cnat play super fast with my fingers yet. if i use a pick i can play anything and everything.

[Doolittle]

maybe its becuase i started off not using a pick.. i coudl never get into it. i think you have more control over how it sounds if you use your fingers

[Charlito Cafe]

Depends on music style. Alot of punk bassists use picks to go faster, but if you want ot jam like Flea go all finger style.

[Greg]

Originally posted by Doolittle
maybe its becuase i started off not using a pick.. i coudl never get into it. i think you have more control over how it sounds if you use your fingers

yea do have better control with fingers. picks are good for fast punk songs. but fast songs by like chili peppers are better played with fingers cause you need to slap and such. plus if you use your fingers to me its like haveing 5 picks. although i usually only use my thumb, pointer, and middle finger.

[Doolittle]

how do you use your thumb? i always have mine resting on my pickup

[Greg]

Originally posted by Doolittle
how do you use your thumb? i always have mine resting on my pickup

like when i switch from E to G string. i use my thumg on the E and my pointer or middle on G or D. but only if its fast. if its slower stuff ill just use my pointer or middle for everything

[MaybeOneDay]

you crazy bass players and your crazy bass talk

[bangbangrobot]

http://www.activebass.com

try that. i don't know if it's exactly what you're looking for, but it's helpful.

[Zack Attack]

i play bass, if u want to get really good i suggest getting lessons. it will help u in the long run. carousel was the first song i ever learned how to play. the intro to longview is pretty cool as well.