Tips on learning bass?

Question

I'm going to buy a bass guitar in the next couple of weeks to learn and start a rock band with some close friends. Has anyone got any good tips to help me learn? Also I see different techniques used when I watch bass players such as just a pick as if theyre playing a normal guitar, and just using their fingers. Is there any reason for this and which is best?
Thanks.

Answer 1

Here's a tip: Get a good book or video to learn the basics. Lessons are a waste of time and money, but you can learn at your own pace with a good book or video. If you're really motivated, you'll use the books and/or videos and learn what you need to learn, and the books and videos aren't only for beginners -- they have intermediate books and videos too. You'll find several good books and videos at this website:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

P.S.: Playing bass with a pick vs. using your fingers can either be (a) personal preference, or (b) directed toward getting a certain sound. I suggest you try both, learn both, and then determine which technique you're going to use based on what type of music you're playing and the sound you're going for.

Answer 2

I am a Bluegrass Bass player and I play an upright bass. The deal with the pick or fingers is this: If you play with a pick, you are held back to playing just one string at a time. When using your fingers, you can play up to five strings at a time, making your bass sound like a whole herd of basses.
If you can count to two, and I mean a lot, you can play a bass. To get good enough to make $$$$ at it, you need practice.
Practice practice practice.
Let your folks,(if you live with them) dictate your volume as you don't need to be loud, you just need to be steady.
Plan on being hungry if you don't have a regular job too!
Good luck and welcome to the world of musicians.

Answer 3

Buy a few picks, both heavy and medium gauge. Different songs and styles will sound better with a pick, while others will sound better with fingers. Work on left handed finger exercises to gain endurance and accuracy with your left, then work on your speed. As for theory, learn your pentatonic scales, both major and minor. They help so much and are very simple. But my best advice is to purchase Bass Guitar for Dummies. I bought it back in 99 and it still provides good tips.

Answer 4

In ordinary rock music bass is not the center of the music.
But bass can be the main part of the band if the band plays funkily, groovily.
Your bass will improve if you listen a lot to funk music or elecronic music (techno, etc.) and learn how to play out groovy rhythms with your bass.

Answer 5

The golden rule for discovering any tool is to purely prepare prepare prepare. in case you don't be attentive to the 1st factor approximately bass guitar or song generally you need to in all probability get inner maximum classes. There are additionally many useful web pages accessible to boot as youtube movies.

Answer 6

Practise, practise, practise!