BASS guitar help!(is there any bass players that can help me)?

Question

ok i don't know how to read bass tabs or any music at all. but i wanna know if it is possible for me to teach myself bass tabs. i don't have any books for begining bass players but i did find a song i would wanna learn on bass. so i have the bass tabs for it. but i know there is certain things that tabs do not tell you. so please i just need help. with out knowing all notes or anything on bass yet i know this is dumb but can i still teach myself the tab for the song i wanna play? please help me any advice please?

Answer 1

as far as timing in tabs go, you just gotta know the song you're playing. but normal tuning on a 4 string bass is EADG (thickest string to thinnest) on a tab, you have the four string lined out then the note to play is represented by the fret number (ex. if you have to play an E note you would see a 0 as the fret to play because e can be played on an open string.) tabs dont tell you timeing, you have to do that part by listening to the song. so the best thing to do is to play the song at your own speed then try to go faster and faster until you're able to keep up with the song. got any questions, just message me.

Answer 2

what could help is just playing by ear. you need to learn your chromatic scales, maybe you know another bass player that can help you out. start with simple 3chord songs, find the notes on the neck, listen to the basic runs and go from there. im self taught and have been playing for 20 years. a couple of lessons wont hurt you any, just to learn the basics. do finger excersizes and just practice. if you have the ability and feel, it will come around.

Answer 3

You can learn how to start playing using tabs & go get yourself a beginners bass guitar book.
It's the best & easiest way.

Answer 4

Listen to the song and try playing along with it.

Answer 5

try http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

they have bass lessons there.