Bass Guitar Players

TheOak · 05-26-2014, 08:30 AM

Any of you fellow B&G members play the Bass Guitar?

I'm jumping on the self taught bandwagon and would appreciate any insight some of you may have. I've been reading and am familiar with some of the nuances, I do not read music, I'm not looking for the easiest way but rather the most effective way to learn.

Present skill level.... Pink Floyd's Money almost sounds like Money.

Best teaching tool?
Any Apps you could recommend?

exile · 05-26-2014, 09:52 AM

I kid you not but my son learned scratch Bass from the latest guitar hero game. It lets you plug the guitar directly into the xbox. He knows a few songs now but it will only teach you minimal.

But I think if you learn to read music your skill level will be much higher. And it isn't really too hard.

Good luck!

TheOak · 05-26-2014, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by exile

I kid you not but my son learned scratch Bass from the latest guitar hero game. It lets you plug the guitar directly into the xbox. He knows a few songs now but it will only teach you minimal.

But I think if you learn to read music your skill level will be much higher. And it isn't really too hard.

Good luck!

Thanks! I agree that learning to read music would be the best route, that would still leave me learning to play the instrument. Baby steps

When you say, "latest guitar hero game", I haven't seen one come out in a while, I've looked and I know there is t one for xbox one yet.... I need to dig I to it as that's a damn good idea.

exile · 05-26-2014, 11:09 AM

Sorry Oak. Not guitar hero. It's called Rocksmith.

TheOak · 05-26-2014, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by exile

Sorry Oak. Not guitar hero. It's called Rocksmith.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

TheOak · 05-26-2014, 12:06 PM

Balls! I packed to my 360 when the One came out.

exile · 05-26-2014, 12:17 PM

There is a PC version.

saintfan · 05-26-2014, 05:06 PM

If you really want to learn, like from the ground up, go to Guitar Center and let them recommend a book, or better yet take some lessons. That is if you really want to learn. It isn't hard to learn to read music, and honestly you can do that reading a book, but music theory is quite another animal. Take it from a self-taught guitar player. If I could only go back 20 years to learn theory...

Outside the theory, technique matters too, and you can learn a lot about that through a good teacher.

Just don't give up. That'd my advice, regardless of which method you go with. Stay with it. The world needs more bass players!

Mr.Riaton · 05-26-2014, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by saintfan

If you really want to learn, like from the ground up, go to Guitar Center and let them recommend a book, or better yet take some lessons. That is if you really want to learn. It isn't hard to learn to read music, and honestly you can do that reading a book, but music theory is quite another animal. Take it from a self-taught guitar player. If I could only go back 20 years to learn theory...

Outside the theory, technique matters too, and you can learn a lot about that through a good teacher.

Just don't give up. That'd my advice, regardless of which method you go with. Stay with it. The world needs more bass players!

Im with you on this. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and was self-taught from a book by Mel Bay. I learned bass along the way because its similar to guitar (bass has the same tunings as the top 4 strings on a guitar,only its 2 octaves lower),and that intrigued me to learn to play it. I was fortunate to play trumpet in a school band for two years where I learned music theory. I took more theory classes later on after I sterted playing guitar. My point is ,Oak, even though I dont think you should take theory classes(unless you want to),I would suggest learning some basics of music theory to get a better understanding of what your doing. You never know where your playing will take you, and you will be better off having that knowledge. But no matter what classes you take or who you get to teach you,or however you learn......nothing is better than practicing. Spend as much time on that instrument as you can!

TheOak · 05-27-2014, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by saintfan

If you really want to learn, like from the ground up, go to Guitar Center and let them recommend a book, or better yet take some lessons. That is if you really want to learn. It isn't hard to learn to read music, and honestly you can do that reading a book, but music theory is quite another animal. Take it from a self-taught guitar player. If I could only go back 20 years to learn theory...

Outside the theory, technique matters too, and you can learn a lot about that through a good teacher.

Just don't give up. That'd my advice, regardless of which method you go with. Stay with it. The world needs more bass players!

Honestly I tried to teach my self guitar about 8 years ago and got frustrated and gave it up. My frustration was a combination of a few things, not being able to read music, no understanding of technique, but honestly I think my biggest obstacle was that I am not physically suited for the guitar.. Ill rephrase, Bass is probably better suited for me to learn on. A good friend of mine recommended trying the bass and I will stick with it until i am buried or Hendrix tells me to put it away.

Basically I have meat paws lol. It effects more than just fret work, I stay away from some pistols as well because my thumbs are short... seriously my wife doesn't have large hands by any means but my thumbs are 3/4 in shorter than hers... When I hold a Sig-Sauer in my hand my thumb doesn't reach the decocker unless I rotate the pistol in my palm.

What I am learning on is a 2014 Gibson SB, the neck felt thinner than most of the other Basses I picked up and from all of the reviews I read its probably a good fit for me. It is a little pricier than most learners but having dealt with guitars before I knew what my target was. I wanted to hit between having to tune every day and $900... it also needed to be something i could live with, i am not a flashy person, no reds, blues, or glittery purples.
Gibson SG Special Bass - 2014, Chocolate Satin | Sweetwater.com

Houston Guitar Centers are usually understaffed for the number of customers but ill see if I can flag someone down... I have learned that Youtube also has a wealth of instruction... But your right, I need to find a teacher.

05-26-2014, 08:30 AM	#1
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	Bass Guitar Players Any of you fellow B&G members play the Bass Guitar? I'm jumping on the self taught bandwagon and would appreciate any insight some of you may have. I've been reading and am familiar with some of the nuances, I do not read music, I'm not looking for the easiest way but rather the most effective way to learn. Present skill level.... Pink Floyd's Money almost sounds like Money. Best teaching tool? Any Apps you could recommend?

05-26-2014, 09:52 AM	#2
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Bass Guitar Players I kid you not but my son learned scratch Bass from the latest guitar hero game. It lets you plug the guitar directly into the xbox. He knows a few songs now but it will only teach you minimal. But I think if you learn to read music your skill level will be much higher. And it isn't really too hard. Good luck! TheOak likes this.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Last edited by exile; 05-26-2014 at 09:52 AM.. Reason: d

05-26-2014, 10:37 AM	#3
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	Re: Bass Guitar Players Originally Posted by exile I kid you not but my son learned scratch Bass from the latest guitar hero game. It lets you plug the guitar directly into the xbox. He knows a few songs now but it will only teach you minimal. But I think if you learn to read music your skill level will be much higher. And it isn't really too hard. Good luck! Thanks! I agree that learning to read music would be the best route, that would still leave me learning to play the instrument. Baby steps When you say, "latest guitar hero game", I haven't seen one come out in a while, I've looked and I know there is t one for xbox one yet.... I need to dig I to it as that's a damn good idea.

05-26-2014, 11:09 AM	#4
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Re: Bass Guitar Players Sorry Oak. Not guitar hero. It's called Rocksmith. TheOak likes this.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608

05-26-2014, 12:04 PM	#5
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	Re: Bass Guitar Players Originally Posted by exile Sorry Oak. Not guitar hero. It's called Rocksmith. Thanks, I'll look into it.

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05-26-2014, 12:06 PM	#6
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	Re: Bass Guitar Players Balls! I packed to my 360 when the One came out.

05-26-2014, 12:17 PM	#7
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Re: Bass Guitar Players There is a PC version.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608

05-26-2014, 05:06 PM	#8
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	Re: Bass Guitar Players If you really want to learn, like from the ground up, go to Guitar Center and let them recommend a book, or better yet take some lessons. That is if you really want to learn. It isn't hard to learn to read music, and honestly you can do that reading a book, but music theory is quite another animal. Take it from a self-taught guitar player. If I could only go back 20 years to learn theory... Outside the theory, technique matters too, and you can learn a lot about that through a good teacher. Just don't give up. That'd my advice, regardless of which method you go with. Stay with it. The world needs more bass players! Danno and Mr.Riaton like this.
	C'mon Man...

05-26-2014, 10:14 PM	#9
Mr.Riaton 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Broussard,La. Posts: 1,246	Re: Bass Guitar Players Originally Posted by saintfan If you really want to learn, like from the ground up, go to Guitar Center and let them recommend a book, or better yet take some lessons. That is if you really want to learn. It isn't hard to learn to read music, and honestly you can do that reading a book, but music theory is quite another animal. Take it from a self-taught guitar player. If I could only go back 20 years to learn theory... Outside the theory, technique matters too, and you can learn a lot about that through a good teacher. Just don't give up. That'd my advice, regardless of which method you go with. Stay with it. The world needs more bass players! Im with you on this. I've been playing guitar for 20 years and was self-taught from a book by Mel Bay. I learned bass along the way because its similar to guitar (bass has the same tunings as the top 4 strings on a guitar,only its 2 octaves lower),and that intrigued me to learn to play it. I was fortunate to play trumpet in a school band for two years where I learned music theory. I took more theory classes later on after I sterted playing guitar. My point is ,Oak, even though I dont think you should take theory classes(unless you want to),I would suggest learning some basics of music theory to get a better understanding of what your doing. You never know where your playing will take you, and you will be better off having that knowledge. But no matter what classes you take or who you get to teach you,or however you learn......nothing is better than practicing. Spend as much time on that instrument as you can! Danno likes this.

05-27-2014, 07:21 AM	#10
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 18,978	Re: Bass Guitar Players Originally Posted by saintfan If you really want to learn, like from the ground up, go to Guitar Center and let them recommend a book, or better yet take some lessons. That is if you really want to learn. It isn't hard to learn to read music, and honestly you can do that reading a book, but music theory is quite another animal. Take it from a self-taught guitar player. If I could only go back 20 years to learn theory... Outside the theory, technique matters too, and you can learn a lot about that through a good teacher. Just don't give up. That'd my advice, regardless of which method you go with. Stay with it. The world needs more bass players! Honestly I tried to teach my self guitar about 8 years ago and got frustrated and gave it up. My frustration was a combination of a few things, not being able to read music, no understanding of technique, but honestly I think my biggest obstacle was that I am not physically suited for the guitar.. Ill rephrase, Bass is probably better suited for me to learn on. A good friend of mine recommended trying the bass and I will stick with it until i am buried or Hendrix tells me to put it away. Basically I have meat paws lol. It effects more than just fret work, I stay away from some pistols as well because my thumbs are short... seriously my wife doesn't have large hands by any means but my thumbs are 3/4 in shorter than hers... When I hold a Sig-Sauer in my hand my thumb doesn't reach the decocker unless I rotate the pistol in my palm. What I am learning on is a 2014 Gibson SB, the neck felt thinner than most of the other Basses I picked up and from all of the reviews I read its probably a good fit for me. It is a little pricier than most learners but having dealt with guitars before I knew what my target was. I wanted to hit between having to tune every day and $900... it also needed to be something i could live with, i am not a flashy person, no reds, blues, or glittery purples. Gibson SG Special Bass - 2014, Chocolate Satin \| Sweetwater.com Houston Guitar Centers are usually understaffed for the number of customers but ill see if I can flag someone down... I have learned that Youtube also has a wealth of instruction... But your right, I need to find a teacher. Danno likes this.
	It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. ~ Henry David Thoreau Last edited by TheOak; 05-27-2014 at 07:24 AM..