Complete Bass Newbie

[DonP]

Hello. I am completely new to bass but I scored this yeasterday.

http://www.jcfonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94889

Any tips for someone just learning?

I find myself using a heavy pick and trying to play it like a guitar, but I see classic players using their fingers to pick.

What is a good bass tone? I know what I like guitar wise, but not sure what makes a good bass other than clean. At my apartment I have a POD 2.3, a PODxt and a Vox VT15. The PODxt doesn't have any add in model packs.

Thanks!

[Chowderboots]

Take it slow and don't strain yourself? I don't know, maybe it's hard adjusting to the longer scale length and you don't want to hurt your elbows, wrists, or hands at all on either side, jah mean?

Lots of bassists play with a pick, that's cool.

I've gotten my favorite sounds out of guitar amps--Tube Works, Mesa/Boogie, Fender, and Marshall, namely.

[leftybob]

Tips for learning ... youtube, you can see it you can hear it, you can pick styles and songs you wish to learn ...
Secondly I'd say take guitar songs you already know and find the tab or video of the bass part, at least you already know the time.
Third(ly) http://youtube.com/amimbari ... LOL you'll understand eventually ..
Welcome, I'd say about that fretboard it was probably painted or stained that is why you see the two different colors ...

[amimbari]

well well, will you look at that thing!!

now that is an interesting 2b charvel copy at least in the body and the cool painted neck and headstock....wow!!!

and as far as you wanting to play with a pick, shit I play both ways all the time, and never get tired of the pick ( or fingers ). I posted in the other thread about your bass lesson #2 being PhantomOfTheOpera. quite hard for a beginner, but hell ya...give it a shot.

I LOVE MAIDEN, and have 15-20 tunes on my channel mixed in with the other stuff.

yes I play inverted and it just so happens I'm using my red charvel NT ( neckthru )that looks like your Bently.

[amimbari]

Third(ly) http://youtube.com/amimbari ... LOL you'll understand eventually ..

welcome DonP to the world of the bassplayers here, and leftybob, no he won't .

[leftybob]

welcome DonP, and leftybob, no he won't .

Your right, don't ever , I repeat ever go to http://youtube.com/amimbari
you will just end up confused ...

[amimbari]

OMG your mean, but soooooo true

I'm not a prime example of someone to "watch" for lessons.

but to watch and say "how's he do that" shit.......oh YA !!!!!!

[leftybob]

OMG your mean, but soooooo true

I'm not a prime example of someone to "watch" for lessons.

but to watch and say "how's he do that" shit.......oh YA !!!!!!

I learned from you, I learned I may never play bass as well as you do

[amimbari]

I learned from you, I learned I may never play bass as well as you do

upside down or right side up, you wouldn't say that after you been playing for 20 years

[DonP]

Cool guys. I'll check this stuff out when I get off of work.

Youtube and me go way back LOL! I live in Cinci but work 5 days a week in Nashville. It's pretty much just me and youtube after work.

[Musician78]

To get familiar with the feel, I would practice to AC/DC. Seriously, mainly root notes and such. For inspiration, listen to some Victor Wooten. Then cry.

[leftybob]

I'd rather play the Bee Gee's then ever listen to another AC/DC song ...
Why did'nt their plane ever crash ? :think:

[amimbari]

hey now, ACDC and JudasPriest are 2 bands I hate also, but jam their songs regularly...lol

easy stuff? perhaps not if the drummer and the bassplayer are not in sync.

and the beegees? I would rather cover a beachboys tune

[leftybob]

Are you saying the Bee Gee's did'nt have melodies ? They had as many as the Beach Boys.
There was a good Priest disc, just can't recall right now, but it was early 90's.

[amimbari]

hell that Bently bass he just got looks so close to a Jackson headstock, it was probably just copied exactly back in the day. I wonder if the actual neck dimensions are identical, cause like I said in the other thread, that thing looks so cool with a painted neck...

and no i'm not arguing about who had better "harmonies" or songs..BeeGees or BeachBoys, they BOTH were pioneers of the surfer music, and the "BOY Bands" from the era.