Melanie Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Hey, I'm Mel. I'm 13 and totally clueless, any one live near Lancaster, New York? I suck at teaching myself bass, and we can't really afford lessons at the moment(meaning for the next two years) . Anyone care to help me out? Thanks in advance. Mel The Pills of Zither bassist is me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 13... You're in high school right? Isn't there a guitar class there? If there is, talk to the instructor. If not, talk to the orchestra people. Or even Jazz Band. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie Posted May 16, 2003 Author Share Posted May 16, 2003 Thanks, I'll try that. I can't beleive I didn't think of it. Thanks again. Mel The Pills of Zither bassist is me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Lyons Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 I'd love to help ya, but well, I'm too far away... What I did: get some tabs, learn some songs you know to get a feel for the fingerboard and once you know your away around without looking, you should have a few bucks to afford lessons. \m/ Timothy Lyons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Originally posted by Melanie: Thanks, I'll try that. I can't beleive I didn't think of it. Thanks again. MelIt's always my sincere pleasure to assist a budding bassist. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulieCat Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Hi Mel! I'm a newbie too (though much, much older than 13), so can't help with lessons. Just wanted to say welcome, and I'm not too far away, in Amherst. I'd suggest you stick around and keep reading this board, there's lots to learn from the people who post here. Let us know what happens after you ask at school! Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulbassman Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Mel - Here's an idea. Start with what is known as "12 bar blues". There are literally hundreds of songs with this chord pattern. Get any BBKing, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, etc CD. If you're in the key of A, the pattern will be: A (4 bars), D(2 bars), A(2bars), E (1 bar), D (1 bar), A (1 bar), E (1 bar). If you're in E, A=E, D=A, E=B Try playing just the root note (same note as chord) at the beginning of the measure. Keep practicing until you can hit it EXACTLY at the right time. Then try playing it on beats 1 and 3, until you can do it perfectly. Then play them as quarter notes. Rhythm is crucial for a bass player. The fancy notes will come later. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Mel-- I second the notion about joining the jazz band at high school if you can. If they already have a bassist, ask him or her to show you some stuff. That'll get you in the right direction. Get yourself in choir or orchestra or music theory if they have it (my high school did and I didn't take it!!!! ) Do all that, and then bug your parents about bass lessons. They'll take you more seriously if you demonstrate through your actions a desire to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted May 16, 2003 Share Posted May 16, 2003 Not to mention it's much cheaper to learn the basics at school. They'll appreciate that. "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PickPunk Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Hey Mel, I'm 13 2!!! (But i've been playing for 2 years ) I can't really help you out with lessons since i live in Canada but if you like punk u should try learning some Pennywise tabs (that's how i started ) they're usually pretty easy. i've never been to a lesson and im a locally renowned bassist after 2 years of playing. So u realy can teach urself if u try Good luck and welcome to bass playing!!! P.S. Just as a little encouragement, they say that female bassists play better and learn quicker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClarkW Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Head to google.com and type in "bass guitar lessons" and you will see a big list of different links. Follow a few links, look at their bass lessons, trying anything and everything that looks interesting. If the format of some of the lessons doesn't please you, head back and try another link. Narrow your search down by adding terms like "scales" or "technique" or "speed" or "jazz" or "punk" and so forth. If lessons or even books are out of your financial range, you have already indicated (by posting here) that you have Internet access, and there is a wealth of information to be found via www.google.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr M Pulsive Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Originally posted by Addix Metzatricity: 13... You're in high school right? Isn't there a guitar class there? If there is, talk to the instructor. If not, talk to the orchestra people. Or even Jazz Band.Just FYI.. there was nothing musical besides marching band offered in my High School... yeah, I'm from the sticks originally, but the fact remains. -Mike ...simply stating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saqle Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 On this note, I wanted to ask if anyone knows of any good "online-videos showing beginner slapping techniques. Or If you have any good advice on this. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 People rave about this video. Honestly, I've never learned slap technique from a video. I didn't learn it from a teacher either (they were too busy teaching me arpeggios, scales, and theory). I just checked out the guys who slapped that I liked, tried to copy them and, gasp...practiced! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLupton Posted May 17, 2003 Share Posted May 17, 2003 Learning to play today has so many advantages.20 years ago when I started we didn't have instructional videos and cd's like we do now. Try and get a video for beginners and practice, practice ,Oh did I mention practice?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie Posted May 18, 2003 Author Share Posted May 18, 2003 hey people, i tried the jazz band, which already had a bass player, and they said they needed another one anyways! yay! i didnt do the search at google yet, though. pickpunk, i agree. female bassists do play better. Mel The Pills of Zither bassist is me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addix Metzatricity Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 That's how I got started in my school jazz band. I signed up 'cause they wanted a second bassist, and they ended up kicking the first guy out (Not becuase I was that good, because he wouldn't come to practice). "Bass isn't just for breakfast anymore..." http://www.mp3.com/Addix_Metzatricity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanie Posted May 18, 2003 Author Share Posted May 18, 2003 While I'm here, what do you guys think would be the best amp for a schecter devil tribal bass? I'm not sure if anyone knows what that is, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks in advance. Mel The Pills of Zither bassist is me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeR Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 If I were young once again, I'd treasure every day I could attend school! I would never waste a single moment and I'd use every moment to learn and explore, to try new things and see what works for me and what doesn't! Who knows? The bass may or may not be your cup of tea if you get a chance to try other instruments too, so by all and any means, bug your parents and check out what your school has to offer! I'll bet your parents will be thrilled that you want to push harder with your education and they will support you entirely, as much as they can afford to! Good luck! Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; one lick and you suck forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan South Posted May 18, 2003 Share Posted May 18, 2003 Hey Melanie! Congratulations! It sounds as though you're on the right track. You've gotten some very good advice here. I'd like to add one more very important suggestions. Play the music that you love. It seems simple, but as you get deeper and deeper into the instrument, you may at times lose sight of why you picked it up in the first place. That will leave you feeling discouraged. Every week, play some of your favorite songs on the bass, even if you can't play them very well yet, and even if other people don't like the same music. You wouldn't want to go weeks and weeks not spending time with your best friends. Don't let time pass where you're not playing your favorite songs. Play them by yourself. Play them with friends. Play along with the CD. Play along with a metronome or a drum machine. Play them through and amp. Play them through headphones. Play them unplugged if you have to, but force yourself to pick up the bass and jam along. We get into music for the joy of it. Show me anyone who played an instrument for a while and then quit, and I'll show you someone who let the joy of music slip through their fingers. Don't let that happen to YOU. Best wishes!!! The Black Knight always triumphs! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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