I am learning to play the bass guitar is there anything that I may need to know...?

Question

Like what I should not do and what are some songs I should start playing. I am 15 by the way.

also about the third answer why would I want to not play for more than 1/2 hour I want to get as good as I possibly can within these next few months.

Also I can already play seven nation army by the white stripes I just can't do it for long periods of time.

Answer 1

Yes, that only practice, practice, practice can make anything perfect. If you truly love the quitar you will not mind the practice. Start playing the simple songs and as your ability gets better you will play the more difficult ones.

Answer 2

I would buy in store if I were you, you just never know how a shipped product will turn out. Also some stores will give you a free setup with the purchase of an instrument. As for actually playing it I would reccomend learning finger style first, because I found it fairly difficult to move from picking to fingers. Learn how to walk over chord progressions, like a couple blues tunes to start off with. Freddie Freeloader, Blue Monk, Blues In the closet, are all great jazz tunes with simple progressions to get you started. Bossa Novas and folk and bluegrass tunes are also great ways to get into simple bass lines. Also even though you can read, a very readily available source is bass tabs, learn a ton of simple rock, pop anything really as it will help build your chops. And try playing only by ear without tabs or a lead sheet, you will quickly build an intuition for what sounds good even when you don't know the song. Best of luck learning the bass! It is such a funky cool instrument! P.s. find a drummer and jam like crazy!

Answer 3

I would suggest you buy a couple of beginner books that explain fingerings and techniques. The beginner books may seem lame but it's a good way to start. Practice as often as posible. Learn scales. Try developing your ear by playing along with CDs or the radio and figuring out the root notes of the songs and then expand from there. You can't get worse, only better. When you find yourself getting frustrated just put it down and you'll find yourself back at it again shortly.

Answer 4

I've played bass since seeing the Beatles on T.V. One major tip is to work on tempo and timing with the other instruments. Then, pick a "pattern" to play. Repeat the pattern as often as possible, or only vary it slightly. Leave some holes or spaces in your patterns, allowing other pickers to "shine" and your music will have a "Funky" feel, no matter what the style might be. You will find that other pickers will enjoy your style and will ask you back again and again, because you played "solid" bass, yet left them room to groove. One example for you to listen to would be "Ruby Baby" on Donald Fagen's 1982 solo album entitled "The NightFly". Groove on, my son.

Answer 5

try to play smoke on the water by Deep purple. Don't pluck the strings that hard. Don't play for more than a 1/2 hours, until u r used to it. for other bass tabs for songs go to www.ultimate-guitar.com

Answer 6

Assuming you're not starting with a teacher (I recommend finding one by the way) here are some things I made sure all my students had.
A metronome or even better, a drum machine or multieffect pedal with beats programmed into it for developing your meter, and learning to play different rhythms.
A good digital tuner (I've had a Korg D80 for about 20 years, it hasn't failed me yet).
A book called Bass Fitness....it's got great fingering exercises to develop strength and precision and you'll never outgrow it.
Some blank bass tab books for figuring out songs and writing out exercises and scale patterns and modes.
A cd player for listening to songs....make sure it has functional controls.

DO warm up before you play. Doing windmills with your arms forces more blood into your hands and forearms.
DO listen to the drums when you listen to music...your job is to be locked into the drums, so the two of you make a tight, solid rhythm section. If the drums and bass aren't in synch, the rest of the band is hooped.
DO learn to play with your fingers AND with a pick....the more you are able to play, the better you'll be.
DO learn different styles....jazz, funk, rock, blues etc. Again, the more you know, the more you can play, the better you'll be.
Do ignore guitarists who say they get the girls....girls dance to bass and drums, not guitar. Girls like guys who make em dance.
DON'T listen to people who tell you you have to play one kind of music....that's like only learning to write one word. It won't get you very far.
DON'T listen to people who tell you it's a waste of time. Doing something you love is never a waste of time.
DON'T play if it hurts. Some of the problems you might encounter....bleeding fingertips, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome. A good teacher can help you with your technique to prevent repetitive strain injuries. Doing lots of hammer-ons can help build your callouses quickly.
Some things to have on hand when you start playing....
Extra strings, a complete set or two, with a string winder and cutter.
A small toolkit, with various sizes of Allen keys, screwdrivers, gaff tape, picks, spare cables.
A phone book with numbers for soundmen, other musicians, and most importantly, people to get to come out to your shows!
As far as songs to learn....start with what you like, but start simple. Develop the basics, like your meter and consistent fingering, then worry about getting fancy. Learning Tool when you can't keep simple time for Wild Thing isn't going to do you or anyone else any good.

Answer 7

Yes. Roger Waters the Bass player for Pink Floyd was the creative drive behind that band and the reason why everything they did after he left was crap.

Answer 8

www.talkbass.com/forum
www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum

Yeah, register there, there's lots of people who are willing to answer your questions and help you out. TalkBass has a really friendly community, but UG has a lot of immature kids that are there just to piss you off.

You should try "Californication" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They have really good basslines.

Answer 9

Rule # 1. Guitarists get the girls.

Answer 10

spend time at a guitar center and asks lots of questions there.