Want to teach myself how to play bass guitar?

Question

I have some background in music, although nothing with strings. I've played alto saxophone for six years, although I'm a little rusty nowadays.
But I've had an electric four string bass guitar for awhile, and have neglected learning to play. I would really like to now though.
I cannot afford any lessons, so I will be teaching myself. Is there anything good on the internet that can help me get started? Any tips that other players have?

Answer 1

I'd start with Acoustic.
I've heard everywhere that you should always do that.
I want to learn bass or just electric guitar,
but am learning on a classic spanish acoustic guitar first.
I'm teaching myself also,
just start with learning the string names in order,
then learn something easy,
like Mary Had a Little Lamb.
After that,
go look up how to do chords.
Learn about 5 or 6,
and move on to a slightly harder song (I chose Edelweiss)
learn more chords

All I know about Bass guitar, is that my favorite Bassist in the world (John Deacon), instead of strumming downwards with his thumb, he uses his index and middle finger and strums upwards, towards himself. It's kinda weird, and I don't know if most Bassists do it, but he's amazing and a lot of people consider him the best.

Hope I helped!

Answer 2

Unlike what cambrexia says, I would not start with an acoustic guitar first. Unless you actually want to learn to play 6 string guitar before you start learning bass for some reason.

Guitar is guitar, and bass is bass. They're not really the same instrument -- they serve very different functions in a band -- even though the bass is often referred to as a "guitar" because of its shape and the way you hold it.

Try this website: www.activebass.com/

I just found it in about 15 seconds on Google; looks like free online bass lessons. I have no idea if they're any good but if there's one such site there must be others. Don't be lazy, go online and see what you can find!!

Answer 3

Just lok for bass tabs.

here is a simple one, its for 7 nation army, by the white stripes.

on the E string (the top one/thickest one)

7 7 10 7 5 3 2 7 7 10 7 5 3 2 7 7 10 5 3 5 3 2

fret the string at the fret number and pluck the string. ANd your playing a song well in about an hour.

Then just find more tabs and keep trying them til they sound smooth and good.

Answer 4

Hey Erin. I'm in practically the exact same situation, I actully played alto sax for 6 years too lol. I don't have a bass yet though. The only tip I got is to just buy a book at maybe guitar center on beggining bass. Thats what I'm going to do.

Answer 5

Bass is easy to play. It's tuned E A D G no shift in intervals.

Keep your thumb up against the center back of the neck flat with your fingers wrapped around the front.

You're just working with basic patterns.

Get some "classic" oldies and just learn the basics.

You know Johnny B Goode type stuff.

That will get you your fundamenatals.

Answer 6

Here in Korea, there are lots of simple folk songs which are easy to play on the bass guitar because they can be played on two adjacent open strings.
Here is a sample of such songs written for open D and open G:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v500/pentatonika/gminor.jpg

For transposing practice, you can play the songs on open A and open D, then on open E and open A.

I realize this isn't the best answer you'll get,
but I hope it helps some.

Answer 7

rrr==ule 1 - follow the drummer