l Bad Religion l Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Well, Im a beginner at playing bass, and would like to know a few things. First of all, is tabcrawler.com the best website for getting tabs? Second, how do you get your timing just right? Please help guys...I know you can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoot Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Tabs - If you're really "serious", don't waste your time. Use those ears to figure out the songs yourself, you'll be better off. Besides, there is no "best place" for tabs, they're all equally inaccurate. (Use the "search feature" on our page to find the above response written hundreds of different ways.) Timing - buy a metronome and use the thing! (Use the "search feature" on our page to find the above response written hundreds of different ways.) And, as we say here, "welcome to the forum!" Oh, and don't forget to use the "search feature." Scoot Ah, nice marmot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 Use my ears? Like I said, Im realy new to the bass. I cant realy even play a song yet. How would I start by using my ears? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 I agree with Scoot. Also, you might want to get a beginner's book, maybe something by Ed Friedland (who started this forum and still posts here on occasion). Get a book that will help you learn standard notation, and doesn't use tab! Welcome to the forum. Peace. --sweets spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Originally posted by At_Odds: Use my ears? ...How would I start by using my ears?Start with a beginner's book so you can get some basics down. If possible try to take some lessons. In high school, when I first started playing, the guitarist in my band used to figure out basslines to songs and then teach them to me. The best thing that happened to me was when he said, "Listen, man, I can't spend so much time learning both the guitar and bass parts by ear. You've gotta do the bass parts on your own." So I went after it, and you know what, it wasn't as tough as I'd thought it would be! Some of our members are respected music educators and bass teachers, and hopefully some of them will chime in with more suggestions. What kind of music do you listen to? Who are your favorite artists? We might be able to help you select a couple of songs by those musicians that would be good places to start. Also, you could try searching using terms like "beginner," "beginning," "rookie," and "newbie." Peace. --sweets spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hertz Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 also, make sure you buy a good tuner and a drum machine as soon as possible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gord -B Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Ah memories of my first days, 0-3-5... 0-3-6-5... 0-3-5-.. 3-0 all day long. Are you at all confident in being able to hear a bassline in a song and then sing it back? Thats using your ears. Learning the relationships between notes is key. Also if your a REAL beginner don't use the same finger of your fretting hand to play all the notes, you need to develop strength in ALL your fingers. Derek Smalls: It's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water. http://www.myspace.com/gordonbache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gord -B Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Also in my opinion its probably best to start off fingerstyle instead of using a pick as you need to develop dexterity and skin toughness in those floppy fingers. Derek Smalls: It's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water. http://www.myspace.com/gordonbache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoot Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Originally posted by Sweet Willie: Start with a beginner's book so you can get some basics down. If possible try to take some lessons.Word. Your shopping list: 1 - tuner 2 - beginners book 3 - metronome (or a drum machine if you're feeling saucy With these 3 items you'll develop your ear much quicker that you'll expect, learn common chord progressions, and learn basic bass patterns. After some effort developing these skills, you'll be able to start picking out basslines yourself instead of looking for tabs. You're just gonna have to trust us on this really. Learning internet tabs will do nothing for you except teach you the notes of a song (which are wrong 80% of the time anyways.) And finally, if you have the cash, get a GOOD teacher. Insist on a teacher who'll teach you how to play bass, not how to play songs. Good luck Ah, nice marmot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 If you are really serious, you will sit down with your bass and a cd and use your ears. Try to find what you hear on your bass. It will take many, many, many hours. Enjoy the journey. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gord -B Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 * Derek Smalls: It's like fire and ice, basically. I feel my role in the band is to be somewhere in the middle of that, kind of like lukewarm water. http://www.myspace.com/gordonbache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 Originally posted by Sweet Willie: Originally posted by At_Odds: Use my ears? ...How would I start by using my ears?Start with a beginner's book so you can get some basics down. If possible try to take some lessons. In high school, when I first started playing, the guitarist in my band used to figure out basslines to songs and then teach them to me. The best thing that happened to me was when he said, "Listen, man, I can't spend so much time learning both the guitar and bass parts by ear. You've gotta do the bass parts on your own." So I went after it, and you know what, it wasn't as tough as I'd thought it would be! Some of our members are respected music educators and bass teachers, and hopefully some of them will chime in with more suggestions. What kind of music do you listen to? Who are your favorite artists? We might be able to help you select a couple of songs by those musicians that would be good places to start. Also, you could try searching using terms like "beginner," "beginning," "rookie," and "newbie." Peace. --sweetsI like punk music. AFI, The Used, Against Me!, Good charlotte. EDIT-Thanks alot guys, I didnt expect as many responses as Ive already gotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 28, 2004 Author Share Posted January 28, 2004 Which metronome would you suggest that I get? Were would I get a begginers book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoot Posted January 28, 2004 Share Posted January 28, 2004 Personally, here would be my two choices if I were you: A cheapy metronome on this page and this book . I know nothing about the book other than it has no tab and is written by our man Ed Friedland. That's all I really need to know to suggest it for you though. Best of all, the two together will be under $30. Helluvadeal. Order now and we'll continue to answer your questions for free. Ah, nice marmot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SideswipeRPG Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Hi and welcome to the forum , I am also brand new to the bass, only been playing a month. I would like to suggest the following book: Mel Bay\'s Student Bass Method. The nice thing about this book is that it will give you a nice start to learning how to read standard notation and a basic introduction to your fretboard. It is a very simple book so you won't learn everything there is to know about the bass, but at least it will get you started. You should be reading standard notation in no time. Also try downloading the stand alone version of Ricci Adam\'s Music Trainers and Utilities 2.1. If you do, you will have access to "Note Trainer" which will allow you run a note recognition drill. Be sure to click on "Clef Select" to turn on the bass clef and also click on "Toggle Helper" so it will put a notation on the right telling you the names of the notes that fall on the lines and spaces. The main thing is to not get frustrated with yourself. Just be patient and dedicated to learning. [EDIT]I guess as a newbie I shouldn't be offering advice, I just know what is working for me. I hope I am not stepping on anyone elses toes. Sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 29, 2004 Author Share Posted January 29, 2004 Would a WITTNER MT50 MODEL work? I notice that I can get one of them for a mear $10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Phil Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Originally posted by SideswipeRPG: [EDIT]I guess as a newbie I shouldn't be offering advice, I just know what is working for me. I hope I am not stepping on anyone elses toes. Sorry.Hey once you are registered to the forum, you now become an EXPERT. Hence the name: "Expert Forums from Gig, EQ, Keyboard, Surround Professional & Musicplayer" http://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/blue.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/black.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/fuscia.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/grey.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/orange.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/purple.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/red.JPGhttp://www.briantimpe.com/images/LDL/dots/yellow.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scoot Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Originally posted by At_Odds: Would a WITTNER MT50 MODEL work? I notice that I can get one of them for a mear $10.Yes. It has the same fancy features of my metronome: a steady click. And like a kid with no butt, a metronome at $10 can't be beat. Ah, nice marmot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stackimo Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 heya At_odds As a new player to bass myself, 10 months, I can understand all your questions and frustrations you are probably having. My first advise is to just have fun. Its the only way to keep your interest. Probably the best way to do that is to find at least one other person to play with. Guitarist, drummer, singer, etc. Doesn't matter. At least you will feel like you are producing music. Bass tabs. I am going to vary from the others on this topic. I think they are good to use, until you have gained a respect of what a bass player can really do, then you will want to figure the stuff out for yourself. I am just getting to that point, myself. They have allowed me to have fun. Sure, they aren't always right, but you are in the ball park and that in itself will lead you to make adjustments to make it "more" right. After playing bass tabs for some time, I am now looking at them differently and want to start and make my own variations with them. Something else that I suggest is going out and watching local bands. Pay attention to what the bass is doing up there and how it is being done. You will gain more respect for the instrument and it will also make you soo fired up to play, sometimes you will cut yourself short on the urinal just so that you can grab your bass. Anyhow, good luck . "Some people are like "slinkies". They're not really good for anything; but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 29, 2004 Author Share Posted January 29, 2004 Im in a band. . You can check it out at www.atodds.tk if you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stackimo Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Oh, and definately get a beginning bass book or software to learn how to hold and finger the bass currectly. That needs to be your first step for sure. Don't let bad habits begin your journey. "Some people are like "slinkies". They're not really good for anything; but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 29, 2004 Author Share Posted January 29, 2004 I got a dvd with my bass that explains alot. It shows how to lead, and how to read tabs...but its different then any tabs Ive seen online. It also shows hand techniques, and a pretty good exercise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicalhair Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Since you're begining you should use you're ears as much as possible-- I didn't in the beginning and it wasted much time for me. It may seem hard but the secret is that your ears have an interpreter near by: your voice. If you can sing the part you're learning, then you can find it. There is a relationship between the attempt to sing and the ability to hear. To train your ear properly and quickly: sing everything-- especially if you "can't sing". You'll be surprised eventually your voice will sing the pitch you're trying to sing, and regardless of what you think of you're singing voice, you'll sing good enough for this purpose. Also instead of tab, learn to read standard notation, it makes the very best music composed over the last number of centuries available to you, and when it comes to learn about analysis and theory, reading will help. check out some comedy I've done: http://louhasspoken.tumblr.com/ My Unitarian Jihad Name: Brother Broadsword of Enlightened Compassion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mound Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Carol Kaye offers some excellent videos and instructional materials on her website. Check them out, a great deal. "You look hopefully for an idea and then you're humble when you find it and you wish your skills were better. To have even a half-baked touch of creativity is an honor." -- Ernie Stires, composer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davebrownbass Posted January 29, 2004 Share Posted January 29, 2004 Welcome to the world of bass. Just reviewing this morning and realized just how incredible "The Bass Player Book" is....Backbeat books. They are affiliated with this site, so..."even better." For something completely different, try "Bass Playing for Dummies" which has a lot of useful information. Memorize these books, and you'll be a long way down the road. "Let's raise the level of this conversation" -- Jeremy Cohen, in the Picasso Thread. Still spendin' that political capital far faster than I can earn it...stretched way out on a limb here and looking for a better interest rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 30, 2004 Author Share Posted January 30, 2004 This and this are the 2 books Im looking at. What do you think? What about these? http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=143 http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=309 http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=202 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicalhair Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 Hey At_Odds, I might be able to stick my head in a music store tonight and take a look at those books. I'd not buy a book (or sheet music) without first seeing it and at least browsing through it. Thus, I'd not want to praise or condemn a book without glancing at it. http://www.jazzbooks.com/scripts/search.asp Try that and search for ear training to get an idea of what that guy has. http://www.rongorow.com/ The above is a good ear training book too. But ultimately ear training comes quickest from singing intervals and singing everything you play and everything you're trying to figure out. Nursery Rhymns, Christmas songs anything song you have so well memorized in your head you should be able to figure out. Just start hacking away and you might not need the book. Also, do a search "So-Fa" singing or solfegio. check out some comedy I've done: http://louhasspoken.tumblr.com/ My Unitarian Jihad Name: Brother Broadsword of Enlightened Compassion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 I wouldn't buy the fingering charts. Draw your own. You will learn a lot by doing it. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
startingoveragain Posted January 30, 2004 Share Posted January 30, 2004 as the name sez... I'm in the same boat. Playing tuba as a kid for 7 years means I hava a bit easier time finding the bass line on my old cd's, but there's no substitute for practice, patience, and sore fingers (at first anyway). Love this forum. Gonna be here a lot ..of course I'm not in a band now. I have 32 more bass method books to go through first... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
l Bad Religion l Posted January 30, 2004 Author Share Posted January 30, 2004 Would this be better then this ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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