I just bought a bass, any tips?

[Yoda Power]

My friend needed a bassist in his rock band, and asked me if I wanted to join. I told him that I couldn't play bass, and that I didn't owned one. He didn't care so much, stating: "your uncle is a professional bass player, he can teach you".

So today I dragged my uncle (who happens to be a professional bass player), down to a music store and I bought a bass for 6000 kr. (1273.45 $ or 804.2 &#8364.

My uncle won't be able to teach me full time, so most of the stuff I have to learn myself.

So any tips, experiences, whatever you wanna share?

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

You'll need some water posthaste, they've only got a few minutes before they suffocate.

 

[philippe]

join the white stripes.

 

[Yoda Power]

And a pic.

 

[Defiant47]

Just start learning various song's bass parts, and then play along while listening to the song. That's what I do with the guitar.

www.ultimateguitar.com

That has a massive depository of good tabs. Not so many bass tabs, but you should be able to find some. A good bass song is Orion by Metallica (to get you started).

 

[sysyphus]

Stand as close to and interact with the drummer as much as possible.

The first beat of each bar is the most important one to nail spot on.

My two main pieces of advice.

Enjoy! You have made a fine choice of instrument

 

[LightFang]

Bass isn't too hard to play in a band since you get stuck with boring parts, usually. However, there are lots of techniques you can learn to have fun with it, such as slapping and tapping.

So my advice for you:

Make sure you at least learn from your uncle proper technique. Positioning, hands, all that. I recommend one finger per fret on your left hand. Also, don't use a pick, use your fingers.

Park yourself next to the drummer. You guys will become best friends.

Learn how to keep time and rhythm. That's the job of both you and the drummer. If you can't do that, it's unacceptable. At least try to get beats 1 and 3 down.

 

[JohnRM]

You'll need some water posthaste, they've only got a few minutes before they suffocate.

Ugh! Someone beat me to it! Damn you Cheez!

 

[classical_hero]

I would say learn a better instrument.

 

[Mr. Dictator]

I would say learn a better instrument.

i would say bass is easily one of the best.

double bass is even better.

but on topic, watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgrOD4PZzuY

 

[classical_hero]

Well my statement does come from someone who has played the Piano.

 

[ComradeDavo]

I experimented a bit with Bass, but my brother learned it alot quicker and better than me so I kinda just let him have it.

Anyhows, Nirvana and Marilyn Manson songs are pretty good to learn on Bass to start with, alot of them are quite simple yet sound really good

 

[Syterion]

http://achewood.com/index.php?date=01042007

 

[Mr. Dictator]

Well my statement does come from someone who has played the Piano.

your point?

 

[emzie]

Just find the power chord your rhythm guitarist is playing and play the root.

 

[Phlegmak]

My friend needed a bassist in his rock band, and asked me if I wanted to join. I told him that I couldn't play bass, and that I didn't owned one. He didn't care so much, stating: "your uncle is a professional bass player, he can teach you".

So today I dragged my uncle (who happens to be a professional bass player), down to a music store and I bought a bass for 6000 kr. (1273.45 $ or 804.2 €).

My uncle won't be able to teach me full time, so most of the stuff I have to learn myself.

So any tips, experiences, whatever you wanna share?

Play with a pick. Don't be a nerd and play with your fingers. Picks sound so much better.

 

[Riffraff]

I have the same bass btw, apart from yours being left handed

At the start, make sure you adopt a healthy technique - pay attention that your hand doesnt form any abnormal angle with your lower arm.

 

[MjM]

That's a nice bass you got there. There are alot of good videos on the internet on all sorts of bass techniques. Make sure you practice alot, and you'll be playing songs in no time.

 

[m4gill4]

Play with a pick. Don't be a nerd and play with your fingers. Picks sound so much better.

No no no, this person could not be more wrong. Picks are for guitarists. Bassists use their fingers. You will experience pain and blisters before your calluses develop, but the result will be a far greater level of interaction with the strings.

Also, some here say Bass is boring, they could not be more wrong. Bass is only boring if you suck at it. In fact, bass is the master of the song! Bass is the backbone, it's where the rubber meets the musical road.

Tips: Listen to simple music (reggae for example) and play along on the bass to get used to rhythm and emphasis

Learn from the masters. There have been some truly amazing bassists in the past. In order to learn more about what you and your bass are capable of, and the different styles open to you, I recommend searching youtube for the following great masters of the electric bass (and prepare to have your mind blown ):

Victor Wooten
Jaco Pastorius
Marcus Miller
Les Claypool
Abe Laboriel

The most important aspect of learning a new instrument that cannot be stressed enough: Perseverance! Learning a new instrument is NOT fun. Practice is boring and repetitive. You can't derive great enjoyment from your new instrument at first, because you don't yet know how to "rock" thus making it seem as though perhaps the bass isn't for you, or you aren't good enough. That's Bollocks! If you stick with it long enough to get good, the better you are, the more fun your bass will be.

Just keep that in mind. The longer you play, the better you'll be. The better you are, the more fun you'll have with your bass. Have fun, and stick with it!

 

[Alpine Trooper]

Why did you not purchase a Rickenbaker?