Help learning about bass guitar

MetallichicA · 16th July 2003, 02:03

I may as well post this here, too, since it's a different crowd

I want to learn (or teach myself) how to play bass guitar - it's always been a fascination of mine, and recently I decided, hell, why not try it?

What can you recommend? I'd like to start cheap in case it doesn't work out - I've seen a couple guitars for about $150-$200 which is a good range for me, but I don't know if they're any good. I've also seen some starter kits (such as the Fender Jumpstart) for around $300 which is also ok since it includes a (cheap crap) amp and a couple other things to get you started.

Also, what would you recommend I do so that I don't develop bad habits? Are there any good books/videos?

Thanks

papadoc · 16th July 2003, 21:07

I'm a guitar player but I guess the advice would be the same.
You're right to start out with a lower priced bass and amp.
I'd get the amp too so you can really hear how it sounds.
Learn on it and if you decide you really want to be a bass player,
and as you learn more, then trade up to a better bass and amp.

There's allot of books and videos out there.
One of the oldest companies is Mel Bay.
You can usually get their books at any music store worldwide.
I'd start out learning notes and scales first, then move on to chords.
After you learn that, then start thinking about what kind of music
you're gonna play, and jump into that style and see what happens.

Here's a list of books and video's Mel Bay has:

Bass Guitar

MetallichicA · 16th July 2003, 22:15

<3 papadoc

ujay · 17th July 2003, 15:28

Maybe give zootm a PM, he's a bass player IIRC.

UJ

Mr_007 · 24th July 2003, 16:43

The learning guitar is hard work!

zootm · 24th July 2003, 19:27

i posted a reply on pabuk just before it went down, i just hope it wasn't eaten when the database went down...

edit: nup, it's there. i've neglected to reply to followups, though... whoops!

MetallichicA · 1st August 2003, 03:57

Well, I'm still waiting to get the damn guitar... UPS screwed up, split up my order, so I have the amp, but not the bass, gig bag, books, and videos that were supposed to be with it

They're looking into it, but for now I'm stuck looking at my amp. It doesn't do much.

MetallichicA · 1st August 2003, 12:03

There we go, then everybody will be happy

16th July 2003, 02:03	#1
MetallichicA Forum Queen Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,425	Help learning about bass guitar I may as well post this here, too, since it's a different crowd I want to learn (or teach myself) how to play bass guitar - it's always been a fascination of mine, and recently I decided, hell, why not try it? What can you recommend? I'd like to start cheap in case it doesn't work out - I've seen a couple guitars for about $150-$200 which is a good range for me, but I don't know if they're any good. I've also seen some starter kits (such as the Fender Jumpstart) for around $300 which is also ok since it includes a (cheap crap) amp and a couple other things to get you started. Also, what would you recommend I do so that I don't develop bad habits? Are there any good books/videos? Thanks

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16th July 2003, 21:07	#2
papadoc Comfortably Numb (Forum King) Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 4,619	I'm a guitar player but I guess the advice would be the same. You're right to start out with a lower priced bass and amp. I'd get the amp too so you can really hear how it sounds. Learn on it and if you decide you really want to be a bass player, and as you learn more, then trade up to a better bass and amp. There's allot of books and videos out there. One of the oldest companies is Mel Bay. You can usually get their books at any music store worldwide. I'd start out learning notes and scales first, then move on to chords. After you learn that, then start thinking about what kind of music you're gonna play, and jump into that style and see what happens. Here's a list of books and video's Mel Bay has: Bass Guitar

16th July 2003, 22:15	#3
MetallichicA Forum Queen Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,425	<3 papadoc

17th July 2003, 15:28	#4
ujay Forum King Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: London Posts: 6,072	Maybe give zootm a PM, he's a bass player IIRC. UJ

24th July 2003, 16:43	#5
Mr_007 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,838	The learning guitar is hard work!

24th July 2003, 19:27	#6
zootm Forum King Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the nether reaches of bonnie scotland Posts: 13,375	i posted a reply on pabuk just before it went down, i just hope it wasn't eaten when the database went down... edit: nup, it's there. i've neglected to reply to followups, though... whoops!

1st August 2003, 03:57	#7
MetallichicA Forum Queen Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,425	Well, I'm still waiting to get the damn guitar... UPS screwed up, split up my order, so I have the amp, but not the bass, gig bag, books, and videos that were supposed to be with it They're looking into it, but for now I'm stuck looking at my amp. It doesn't do much.

1st August 2003, 12:03	#8
MetallichicA Forum Queen Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,425	There we go, then everybody will be happy