Bass guitar-- I want to play but need to convince my parents, also good places to buy a decent one?

Question

Ok, I'm 14 and I've been wanting to play bass guitar for almost a year now. I've been asking my parents if I can get lessons and they keep basically ignoring me. I dont read bass clef but I do read treble (for flute) so I don't think learning how to read music will be too hard for me. My main problem is convincing my parents. They think I'll lose interest in it and therefore don't want to get me a bass. I don't know where I can borrow or rent one for cheap, so I'm considering buying a cheap one with my own money. I'm looking for anything around or below $100, because what I've seen as the lowest price for a decent bass(that won't fall apart in 2 months) is $99 on www.musiciansfriend.com there is one good bass there but the sale is only for a few more days. Anyone want to give me help on where to buy/rent a decent bass and how to convince my parents? Also tips for playing would be nice, I'm looking to play rock/alt/punk... maybe in a band once I learn...

Answer 1

Well, $100 is tough because you'll also want an amp. The best bet is to go with a package from Fender or Ibanez for about 150, which should last you until you get good enough to require something better; they can be found on Musician's Friend or at your local music store. Odds are, for bass you don't have to know bass clef unless you want to play in a jazz ensemble at school, in which case you'll need a more serious instrument anyways.

The best way to convince your parents is to be absolutely tireless. Also, offer to work off the money and say you'll do extra chores. Otherwise, you'll have to find your own personal income, like raking or mowing lawns. And remember; don't give up. Christmas is just around the corner, and that may be something to convince them.

As for playing, I'd say find a tabs site (ultimate-guitar.com is a good site), learn how to read them, and then emulate your favorite players in the styles you like. After a few months when you've figured out where the notes are start improvising to songs where the bassline is nonevident, soloing and just working steadily. Finding friends to jam with helps, as you can play off of them and they, you. Keep a steady practice regimen of no less than 30 minutes a day. And most of all, don't prove your parents right and give up. Keep working and after 6 months you'll see a definiite jump in skill. After a year, you'll be good. After two, you'll be great, good enough that most local bands will pick you up in a heartbeat. Just persevere, and you'll do fine.

And while lessons are important for some things, they're expensive and you can get just as good without them. Working hard will get you everything lessons will, if not as fast. I've done it, so don't worry; you'll get everything in the end.

Answer 2

I started playing guitar when I was about your age (it was only 5 years ago so don't get the wrong idea, I'm no 'old pro'). Talk to your parents about the values of music in 'the developing mind'. Playing music has done great things for me and I'm sure others who take part. Studies show that a background in music theory and training with a musical instrument makes it easier to learn other things. It also has a profound effect upon your mood and psyche; the calming effects are great and playing allows a great outlet for channeling any extreme emotions that may be inside (and teenagers have penty of them). Musician's friend is a great place to buy stuff, they always have great deals. If you can read treble clef you will have no problem with bass clef, but if you already learned treble clef, why not just play the regular six-stringed guitar? I've played both and prefer the guitar over bass. It's a lot more versatile since you can play with harmonies and play much fuller sounding songs. Plus, if you learn guitar you can go to play bass, but if you play bass and try to go to guitar it's a little more difficult. I started off playing guitar but joined a band playing bass and I feel it has made me a better bassist just having the guitar background. I played the same stuff you started out playing and because of my studying with the guitar (self taught, as I'm assuming you will be?) my musical tastes have grown too. If you do start playing bass I would get a couple jazz CDs, maybe some even Victor Wooten. I don't know how much you'd like this music, but seeing that you play flute I'm guessing you have a little more of a mature taste in music. Punk and rock is fun to play no doubt, but it gets boring; the jazz stuff and slap bass provides a challenge and is much more fun to mess around with. It may be a little advanced however. I suggest starting off playing the stuff you listen to; it will be a million times easier to learn than jumping into some other style immediately. Tell your parents about the values of music, find a good bass (you might even check eBay or local music stores), good luck!

Answer 3

I try to buy instruments I can hear in person as I am not a bassist I would find someone who I can trust not to say it is a bad one and go back and buy it, to go with me and look and try some out. Pawn shops are sometimes good, but the best instruments are usually found on www.craigslist.com, recycler or take out your own ad in the local papers. If there is a college near you your chances of finding one is better. Don't discount a new one from like Sam Ash (or is it Ashe) or Guitar center. Remember you are learning so it doesn't need to be top of the line, just have good tone!
For bass you need to get some lessons from a teacher first. Get a part time job to pay for them at first, once you have been playing for awhile convince your parent to take over paying for your lessons so you can concentrate on school....don't tell them I told you that ;)!
wanderer

Answer 4

Hmmm, the parents are the hard part. Sometimes parents get reluctant about lessons for older kids because the kids took this or that instrument before (flute?) , gave it up , and the instrument they bought just sits there. It makes them nervous about spending more on another instrument that may do the same. I hear this all the time from parents in my studio. You are wise to look for one yourself. Try Kay basses - they have been around for over 100 years and make some of the best cheapies out there. Don't forget that you need an amp too, so some kind of player pack may be your best bet.
You should go looking for the teacher yourself. Call them, schedule interviews. Show a LOT of initiative so your parents see that you're serious. Personally, I'd be happy to have you in my studio if you lived around here- your enthusiasm is obvious. Why not print my answer and show it to them?
PS-Mom and Dad, this kid really is serious! I can feel it.

Answer 5

These days you can learn how to play guitar over the internet. Check out Mark McKenzie's guitar video lessons here: http://www.jamoramaguitar.com The videos are very easy to follow and to my surprise extremely helpful even for advanced guitar players. For beginners I would have to say this is a gold mine.

I was able to improve my skills in just under 4 weeks and I am an intermediate-to-advanced guitar player; I've been playing guitar for the past 6 years and I was on stage with my band a lot of times.

I live in New York City, I wanted to go to a pro guitar teacher but that would have cost me over $1400 per month. Good thing with this internet, $1400 it's a lot of money for me. Good luck!

Answer 6

Earn the money yourself by mowing yards, washing cars, petsitting etc. Then you don't have to depend on your parents. Try pawn shops. You might be able to rent one at a music store where you can take lessons or from a teacher. Unfortunately as long as you are dependent on your parents, they have control. For example even if you bought a bass guitar they might not let you practice with the amp at home. When you move out you will have full control of your life.

Answer 7

Go to a good reputable music store and ask about used ones. Sometimes they carry them or know a musician who's selling. Otherwise, try a pawn shop or consignment shop. You'll pay less, but they won't guarantee the quality.

Make this deal with your parents: if you pay for the instrument and a certain number of lessons, will they help you eventually?

Answer 8

Understanding play the guitar is easy when you yourself have the proper teacher and with Jamorama, the online class for guitar that you will find here https://tr.im/MZZtH you may have the most effective instructor in the world.
Jamorama will give you most of the assets required to be able to imitate having a genuine guitar teacher keeping your give through the process.
In Jamorama online course you could have multi-angle films showing you how exactly to play each note, or how to play each session that they've shown and all with actually step by step description on the best way to study guitar tabs (the sheet audio designed for guitar), to ensure that alone will be a good help any new guitarist.

Answer 9

The best way to convince your parents to get you a bass and let you play it is to tell them the truth. Young people who play instruments become more successful in every aspect of their lives. Young people who play music do better at math, gain discipline, and the self confidence it takes to be successful!

You should start out with a cheap bass! You don't need an explosive one until you get really good!

Also don't let your friends show you how to play. TAKE MUSIC LESSONS!!! you need to learn to read sheet music and know your scales and how to stack chords in order to become a truly great musician

Answer 10

A pawn shop will be a good place to buy one to start off with