Any tips would be appreciated by you musicians out there. Im going to shop for one next week. Never really played a instrument but want to learn badly. Thanks in advance guys.

BobbyDrake said:

Any tips would be appreciated by you musicians out there. Im going to shop for one next week. Never really played a instrument but want to learn badly. Thanks in advance guys.

What is your budget and what types of music do you like?

very cool , i don't have advice but just started learning piano and guitar songs last year, i'm in my 30's too. you are going to have fuN. they say instrument playing is at its best in ones 30s, i believe it...

TD3 said:

BobbyDrake said:

Any tips would be appreciated by you musicians out there. Im going to shop for one next week. Never really played a instrument but want to learn badly. Thanks in advance guys.

What is your budget and what types of music do you like?

About $400. Funk & 80's rnb are my fav genres.

PURplEMaPLeSyrup said:

very cool , i don't have advice but just started learning piano and guitar songs last year, i'm in my 30's too. you are going to have fuN. they say instrument playing is at its best in ones 30s, i believe it...

Good deal. I'll keep u posted on the progress and u can do the same likewise.

Good on you, it's never too late to start learning a new skill! I got a bass for my 21st birthday cuz I played in a local band called Grasshopper for about a year. When I say I played, I mean very, very basic stuff!! Bunch of friends of mine needed a new bass player & cuz I played piano, I found it really easy to pick up. Plus I knew all their music. It was kinda indie rock/punky music, a far cry from the funk I love! Really regret not having lessons to learn how to play properly. Aye, I was pretty crap on it, more Status Quo than Larry Graham!!! ha ha

SometimesIwonder said:

Good on you, it's never too late to start learning a new skill! I got a bass for my 21st birthday cuz I played in a local band called Grasshopper for about a year. When I say I played, I mean very, very basic stuff!! Bunch of friends of mine needed a new bass player & cuz I played piano, I found it really easy to pick up. Plus I knew all their music. It was kinda indie rock/punky music, a far cry from the funk I love! Really regret not having lessons to learn how to play properly. Aye, I was pretty crap on it, more Status Quo than Larry Graham!!! ha ha

That is too cool. There's actually a place here in Chicago. That offers pretty affordable lessons. I'm thinking of taking them once I buy the bass. Thanks for the encouragement.

Put in the hours of practice! Every day.

for a beginner I'd say check out Fender Squier, Ibanez, or Yamaha. Or cut to the chase and get a Fender right off! It's a worthy investment.

My advice to is play along to records or cds or youtube music, often! Record yourself, it really helps. It is an ongoing journey, and a fun one. Enjoy the music!

I would get myself a Mexican made Fender Jazz or Precision bass.

I wouldn't really consider anything else unless I had more money

Practice every day and learn how to love practicing every day.

Try to develop an ear for scales etc (so that you will be able to play stuff without having to look up the notes) - this will greatly improve your feel and understanding of the instrument and music in general

Learn how to slap that motherfucker

Dave1992 said:

Practice every day and learn how to love practicing every day.

Try to develop an ear for scales etc (so that you will be able to play stuff without having to look up the notes) - this will greatly improve your feel and understanding of the instrument and music in general

Learn how to slap that motherfucker

I have a friend who said if his bass player slapped he would fire him right onstage if necessary and finish the show without him.

NDRU said:

Dave1992 said:

Practice every day and learn how to love practicing every day.

Try to develop an ear for scales etc (so that you will be able to play stuff without having to look up the notes) - this will greatly improve your feel and understanding of the instrument and music in general

Learn how to slap that motherfucker

I have a friend who said if his bass player slapped he would fire him right onstage if necessary and finish the show without him.

Yeah, there's a weird myth about slapping. The problem is, slapping actually is fucking easy to do and that's why all the beginners will want to show off and slap ALL THE TIME, but doing it properly, on time and finding the perfect moments to do it is hella difficult. Apart from that, not every song fits together with a slapping bass, so your friend is probably more into hard rock or simple pop or something...

Dave1992 said:

NDRU said:

I have a friend who said if his bass player slapped he would fire him right onstage if necessary and finish the show without him.

Yeah, there's a weird myth about slapping. The problem is, slapping actually is fucking easy to do and that's why all the beginners will want to show off and slap ALL THE TIME, but doing it properly, on time and finding the perfect moments to do it is hella difficult. Apart from that, not every song fits together with a slapping bass, so your friend is probably more into hard rock or simple pop or something...

true, he is into rock.

But I'll give you some context for his comments, too. My band hired a bass player to do a show (this was a roots rock band), and in rehearsal he did not slap at all, then in the show he started slapping and jumping all around The jumping around was not too bad, but the slapping was a strange surprise.

NDRU said:

Dave1992 said:

Yeah, there's a weird myth about slapping. The problem is, slapping actually is fucking easy to do and that's why all the beginners will want to show off and slap ALL THE TIME, but doing it properly, on time and finding the perfect moments to do it is hella difficult. Apart from that, not every song fits together with a slapping bass, so your friend is probably more into hard rock or simple pop or something...

true, he is into rock.

But I'll give you some context for his comments, too. My band hired a bass player to do a show (this was a roots rock band), and in rehearsal he did not slap at all, then in the show he started slapping and jumping all around The jumping around was not too bad, but the slapping was a strange surprise.

That's just unprofessional. I'd fine that motherfucker his whole salary and then kick him out without hesitation.

[Edited 2/20/12 15:44pm]

Slapping is pure novelty to me. Learn how to play that bass first and get a nice tone out of it.

Thanks for all of advice guys. I really appreciate this. please keep it coming!

BobbyDrake said:

Thanks for all of advice guys. I really appreciate this. please keep it coming!

Start listenin 2 a lot of James Brown, Motown, and Stax 'cause those are the blueprints 4 the groove of ALL music. lol As the heart of the rhythm section. the role of the bass player is 2 be in sync with the drummer. So when you're listenin try 2 tune your ears 2 the bass drum and fill in them spaces as u play.

Motown:

My Girl

Just My Imagination

Bernadette

Cool Jerk

Aint Too Proud To Beg

I Was Made To Love Her

What Does It Take To Win Your Love

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

You're All I Need To Get By

Got To Give It Up

Stax:

These Arms Of Mine

Tramp

Shaft

Hip-Hug-Her

Time Is Tight

Groove Me

In The Midnight Hour

Walk On By

Hyperbolicsyllabic....

The Look Of Love

James Brown:

Try Me

Night Train

I Feel Good

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Man's World

Papa Don't Take No Mess

Soul Power

I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothin

I Feel Good

The Payback

The Boss

diamondpearl1 said:

BobbyDrake said:

Thanks for all of advice guys. I really appreciate this. please keep it coming!

Start listenin 2 a lot of James Brown, Motown, and Stax 'cause those are the blueprints 4 the groove of ALL music. lol As the heart of the rhythm section. the role of the bass player is 2 be in sync with the drummer. So when you're listenin try 2 tune your ears 2 the bass drum and fill in them spaces as u play.

Motown:

My Girl

Just My Imagination

Bernadette

Cool Jerk

Aint Too Proud To Beg

I Was Made To Love Her

What Does It Take To Win Your Love

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

You're All I Need To Get By

Got To Give It Up

Stax:

These Arms Of Mine

Tramp

Shaft

Hip-Hug-Her

Time Is Tight

Groove Me

In The Midnight Hour

Walk On By

Hyperbolicsyllabic....

The Look Of Love

James Brown:

Try Me

Night Train

I Feel Good

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Man's World

Papa Don't Take No Mess

Soul Power

I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothin

I Feel Good

The Payback

The Boss

Awesome. Thanks D!

BobbyDrake said:

diamondpearl1 said:

Start listenin 2 a lot of James Brown, Motown, and Stax 'cause those are the blueprints 4 the groove of ALL music. lol As the heart of the rhythm section. the role of the bass player is 2 be in sync with the drummer. So when you're listenin try 2 tune your ears 2 the bass drum and fill in them spaces as u play.

Motown:

My Girl

Just My Imagination

Bernadette

Cool Jerk

Aint Too Proud To Beg

I Was Made To Love Her

What Does It Take To Win Your Love

What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

You're All I Need To Get By

Got To Give It Up

Stax:

These Arms Of Mine

Tramp

Shaft

Hip-Hug-Her

Time Is Tight

Groove Me

In The Midnight Hour

Walk On By

Hyperbolicsyllabic....

The Look Of Love

James Brown:

Try Me

Night Train

I Feel Good

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Man's World

Papa Don't Take No Mess

Soul Power

I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothin

I Feel Good

The Payback

The Boss

Awesome. Thanks D!

No prob. my man. I've been messin around with the bass for about 5 years now and it's just NOW starting 2 sound like music. lol Just 2 say that as you play you'll never stop learning 'cause your sound/influences will constantly keep changing over time.

NDRU said:

I would get myself a Mexican made Fender Jazz or Precision bass.

I wouldn't really consider anything else unless I had more money

This is the truth right here. I've been playing a mexican P for almost 20 years now, did shows across the country with it, it's been the greatest bass. Although my band did insist on putting better pickups in it, which turned out to be a very good thing.

BobbyDrake said:

PURplEMaPLeSyrup said:

very cool , i don't have advice but just started learning piano and guitar songs last year, i'm in my 30's too. you are going to have fuN. they say instrument playing is at its best in ones 30s, i believe it...

Good deal. I'll keep u posted on the progress and u can do the same likewise.

cool yeah just practice at least half hour or more a day and enjoy as your fingers learn to dance

breese said:

NDRU said:

I would get myself a Mexican made Fender Jazz or Precision bass.

I wouldn't really consider anything else unless I had more money

This is the truth right here. I've been playing a mexican P for almost 20 years now, did shows across the country with it, it's been the greatest bass. Although my band did insist on putting better pickups in it, which turned out to be a very good thing.

Cool. I'll definitely consider that. Thanks for the advice guys.

PURplEMaPLeSyrup said:

BobbyDrake said:

Good deal. I'll keep u posted on the progress and u can do the same likewise.

cool yeah just practice at least half hour or more a day and enjoy as your fingers learn to dance

I can definitely do that. Thanks Purple!

Practice....patience.............practice.........practice............practice.

Did I mention practice?

Graycap23 said:

Practice....patience.............practice.........practice............practice.

Did I mention practice?

I promise to do so.

just curious are you self teaching?

my kids have just started learning piano with the suzuki method and i am learning right along with them just by sitting in the lessons.

lessons are short but seem to be effective so far. i assume they have a method for guitar as well.

my nephew self taught though and he is pretty good, he's moved onto the banjo now.

angelcat said:

just curious are you self teaching?

my kids have just started learning piano with the suzuki method and i am learning right along with them just by sitting in the lessons.

lessons are short but seem to be effective so far. i assume they have a method for guitar as well.

my nephew self taught though and he is pretty good, he's moved onto the banjo now.

Hi angelcat

I'm going to take lessons initialy to see how much I can grasp that way. If that doesn't do it for me, I will be taking the self-teaching route as well.