Wahmin on mah bass

[Darrellito]

Hey, I just recently got me a bass guitar, and I've been learning some of the scales. I was wondering if anyone out there in Charasland knew some tips or tricks on how to get well...good. I know some finger dexterity drills, but thats about it. Anyone know some good sites that show some tips? (Legal sites, cause I'd like the links please :p). Thanks in advance.

[Almeidaboo]

Hm, I'm no pro, and I do not play the bass, but I'll give you some general tips on the learning, which can be used for any intrument.

First of all, you need to have  discipline . When learning to play something I came to realise that nothing is better than having a  learning plan . Like, if you go randomly persuing a song or a technique you'll probably end up learning none. That's pretty much why I'm stuck with my present guitar ability (suckage). Try to focus on something: 1 hour of scales, 1 hour of coordination training, 1h of song practice and so on. That way you'll learn that subject well.

Second:  perseverance . See, anything related to body activity has a limit. That limit can be broken, but for that you'll need to insist until your body gets condition to surpass that obstacle. There WILL CERTAINLY be a moment when you get stuck, and it'll take a while to get better. That will occur with any intrument, sports, etc. And for get better, you gotta fall and get up many, many times. And belive me, it's rewarding. And you'll notice the difference.

Third thing:  dedication . One thing to get better when playing a instrument is to have intimacy with it, and for that you'll need to spend hours with it. The fourth item,  dream / will is also needed here. You'll only play 1 less hour of your brand new game IF you really want to play the bass well. If you're doing it for kicks, you'll probably not spend the necessary amount of time with the bass. You'll have no intimacy with it, it will not respect or cooperate with you. Do not get me wrong: I got a problem with the 3rd item because I LACK TIME (university, work, girlfriend). I lack the time, so I do not feel bad about it: i know things will get better soon, and I'll be able to dedicate more. Also, if you have a strong desire to play, training will become a pleasure, and you'll do it without thinking that you're leaving yuor video game behind.

4th:  Dream / Will . This is what makes me go on. I've been playing for 9 months now, and I suck at the guitar. Sure, not as much as I did when I first laid my hands on the guitar, but I still do. I did some mistakes on my learning, I did not pay attention to many of these itens. I took lessons in this 9 months, and I did learn the whole theory, which is awesome. But I couldn't practice as much as I wanted. But, even now, after 9 months, I still play and try. Why? Because of the dream. I always dreamt of having a band. Always. Sure, in the 00's every guy need a real, secure job. But if I could live from the guitar playing, earning a decent life, I'd drop outta the University (even if there are only 6 months till I graduate) and become a guitar player for profession. I seriously would. Now, with 23 years in my back I think about this still, but with some restrain. But I still wanted the dream to come true, even knowing the possibilities are kinda lower. SO, everytime I take my Devil's Technology (my guitar's name) and start hurting it (yeah I can't say I play, I hurt the guitar's feelings ), I think about how awesome it'll be when I'm playing it right. And I keep trying.

Well, I could say more about it, but I gotta work now. Anyway, I hope it helps and that you don't make the same mistakes as me. Remember to always clean the intrument and the strings after playing. The dirt and acids of your hands will damage the strings and the damaged strings may damage the frets, and it'll be expensive to change them.

[A Forgotten Legend]

Learn how to play in the Minor Key of Cb.

[Almeidaboo]

Originally posted by lucas_irineu
I have a guitar, and I can play a few songs, but thats all. I ll use all the tips almeidaboo gave. o.o

I apprecite your aproval XD

[Moosetroop11]

I've tought tons of people some basic bass skill so I have an interesting perspective on this. I don't know what skill level you are right now but I suggest learning something stupidly easy like smells like teen spirit. Basically, that'll help you get used to playing at the same pace all the time without losing the rhythm, and basic songs also help you get used to the bass. Play along to songs and stuff to help your fingers get used to playing through a whole song.

Ignore special tricks and techniques for now... the bass is the foundation of a band and keeping time is everything. Once you can do that pretty well you can choose harder songs... but teaching yourself takes time so you can't rush ahead. You're gonna take a while to get used to the bass, there's no avoiding it.

Can you play by ear? That is, listen to a note and then find and play the same note on the bass? That's pretty useful if you can. Otherwise it's much harder to learn an instrument.