whats a guy gotta do to learn the bass...

[sneakypete]

? I own a couple that I fool around on but I`d like to LEARN how to play. Bearing in mind I can`t find an English speaking teacher here...should I look for any recommended DVDs, web sites or anything else? I have stuff printed out on scales and modes `n stuff, have some songs that I printed before so many sites got shut down too...so is it a matter of hunkering down and playing everyday and learn all the notes on the neck? What else? :rockon2:

[devnulljp]

Just my $0.02 worth--I played bass for quite a long time, a lifetime ago--but it depends what kind of bass you want to play...Pete Way rock, bottom E and A string only, all 8th notes, or Bill Dickens funky jazzy grooves and every note on the neck at the same time?

Where are you in Japan? if you're in a city, go get a teacher -- it'll help your Japanese too :) I was in Kyoto for a long time too, and studied with a few teachers over the years who didn't speak a word of English...my Japanese was passable at the time though, but often I had no idea what they were saying (I can't understand modes in English after 30 years of trying!). A good teacher will show you anyway, so language is secondary.

If you're in Tokyo, see if you can look up Derek Short. Not sure if he teaches, but he's a great bass player, and he's American so you'll be able to chat :) He might be able to put you in touch with someone else if he's not into teaching...
(hey, whaddaya know he has a website now: http://derekshort.com)

Biggest thing I wish I'd done when playing bass was learn more scales - I got stuck in major scale and harmonic minor.
Or just go get some of those great transcription books they have in Japan--Jaco's still huge there right?--and learn those.
Do you have looper/speed shifter software for playing music at different speeds and repeating parts to practice? CoolEdit will do it on windows; or there's Audacity (http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/) (free beer/speech).

[Fajah]

I would go to this site first:

http://www.studybass.com/

There's lots of great information. It's well laid out with playalong examples. In addition, you'll want to practice with tunes once you feel comfortable with some of the basics. Application of what you learn is important. To do this, you can download the following free midi player;

http://www.vanbasco.com/

There are tons of midi tunes on the web. Some are so-so, but there are lots of good ones. You can search for them via the Vanbasco site. With the player, you can isolate just the bass track to learn the lines, then mute the bass track and bring up the other instruments to play with. The player also let's you change the tempo and key. I have lots of midi files I created with Band In A Box for teaching and practicing purposes. A basic blues the key of G is an example. I can send you some of these to try when you're ready and if you're interested.

This is how I would start while looking for an english speaking bass teacher.

Hope this helps,

Lawrie

[Vintage_Groove]

As Fajah said, check out this website:

http://www.studybass.com/

It is outstanding and I've been printing off a few pages at a time to read on the train to work, lot's of great info and presented to you in a realistic format and at a decent pace so you won't get overwhelmed.

Keep in mind there is no one source for everything Bass, so you should think about building a library of select books and DVDs. I just got the Hal Leonard Bass Method 1 book and DVD. It's good for getting lots of practice sample songs to do, but by far the above website is the best introduction to bass I've come across (and it's free).

Thanks to Fajah I also have the Vanbasco midi player and it really helps when you isolate the bass and figure out the notes being played.

The other thing I try to do, after juggling a few things (job, family, house, etc) is get in as much practice as possible, even if it's only a few minutes unplugged. My fingers (left hand) were numb for days after I started bass (only been a few weeks now). But from playing and practicing everyday they're much more used to the thick strings.

[Hamm Guitars]

"Learn to Play Bass for Dummies"

I was skeptical when someone suggested it myself, but it is a very good book, easy to read and it makes sense.

[Michelle]

You already know what all the notes are on the FB. Since it only got 4 strings, it'll be waaaay easier, (sarcasm). :) Just play what your favorite bass players play. Try some guitar riffs on the bass, some are very similar, (think "Hot Rod Lincoln"), play with harmonics, don't shred above the 12th fret, and leave the slappin until you get the groove. Play riffs over and over, become the ghost in the machine.

And have fun!

[bagpipe]

"Learn to Play Bass for Dummies"

I was skeptical when someone suggested it myself, but it is a very good book, easy to read and it makes sense.

Man! Must resist urge to make cheesey bass players jokes ! ! ! :rockon2:

[sneakypete]

thanks for the replies. Unfortunately I`m not in Tokyo...if I were I`m sure I`d find an English speaking teacher...up here in the boonies, it`s very unlikely. `spose I could ask the shop staff if they know anybody...music is an international language so it might not be as bad as I`m thinking. I`ll have a look for CDs or DVDs...maybe I can find some that are not dubbed in Japanese. I will certainly check the links provided...tomorrow, `cause it`s getting close to beddie by bose time over here...I work on Saturdays.
I actually have some real nice basses...one Status, made in England that I got a few years ago because it was really reduced in price and I thought one day I`d probably like to give it a try...it`s a beautiful semi hollow with black tape wound strings and it has only a piezo p`ups...I`ll post a pic...it`s a featherweight. Another is an early 80s Tokai jazz that I recently got , also have a great Bacchus P-bass...so I`m well equiped, just need to learn the instrument. :wave:

heres my Status...

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i198/shot-glass/forsaleIII075.jpg

[RIFF WRATH]

wow, that Status is a beauty....have you checked out homespun.com....mailorder out of US...I have one of their bass dvd's (actually it's more like a VCR flipped to dvd format)...when I first got it it didn't make sense, but now after a few lessons, it does.....since you already know the notes on the fretboard, I would start with finger techniques, up and down the neck just to get used to the heavier strings, and google to find some simple songs to start with, and just play the root notes, counting 1-2-3-4 and hit the root note on 1...I hope this makes sense as I am a real noobie to bass.........do the notes sound the same on the opposite side of the world.....lol
all the best
Gerry

[sneakypete]

hi and thanks...yeah it is a beauty...you know how folks say they`re not worthy...well in my case it`s really true, that bass is outstanding. I will check into all the links later after work. Gracias for the help, I`m gonna try to play the bass as much as I play my guitars...and see what happens.

[Apostrophe (')]

"Learn to Play Bass for Dummies"

I was skeptical when someone suggested it myself, but it is a very good book, easy to read and it makes sense.

I bought the book on your recommendation. It is very good; perfect introductory book, wide gamut of topics, including maintenance, amp buying, bass innovators to listen to, etc.

[Hamm Guitars]

It's not the be all / end all but it is definately a good place to start. I got about half way through it and got busy with ofther things, I'm going to pick it up again this week.

[Jaggery]

Since the "Accelerate your guitar learning" proved quite helpful to me, I ordered "accelerate your bass learning". I watched it and really liked it.
I hope to get down with it as soon as I get my bass and amp by next week.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Berklees-Accelerate-Your-Bass-Guitar-Playing-DVD-Vitti_W0QQitemZ230263901897QQihZ013QQcategoryZ4178 1QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(there is a follow up to it also called "More accelerate your bass learning").