Hey. Any suggestions on how I can learn playing the bass guitar, and where I start? I have some basic knowledge of playing the acoustic guitar, but I now wish to learn the bass.
Happy for any replies!
here is an old post of mine
alot of people i see here post things such as ”i taught myself piano its easy”
let me say any instrument is easy, but to properly play it & understand what the heck your doing (this helps your creative process when writing your own stuff) is another different matter.
i could be taught to recite out 10 basic piano tunes, but give me the likes of Mozarts music & ask me to use certain techniques that are heard on piano. i would fail (as would all the people claiming ”its easy”)
the problem with teaching yourself guitar (or any instrument) is that alot of people give up they get frustrated. (supposedly 90% of self taught musicians quit)
also alot of people can ”play” guitar, ie bang out a few songs & intros eg starirway to heaven.
guitarists are a dime a dozen, everybody plays guitar (heck i play guitar) however a decent guitarist is hard to find this is where you can benifit from lessons.
Lessons are definitely a great idea, a teacher can show you techniques & correct you. i still get corrected over things i do at my lessons.
alot of the internet resources aren’t that great, again it is alot of amateurs with bad technique or looking to make a quick buck.
every music autobiography i have read (& i read quite a fair bit of them) the guitarist/any instrument, has gotten lessons at some point.
there are a rare few virtuoso (ie talented) people who didn’t get lessons but even at that they start practicing with other people who have got lessons & learn off them.
As somebody said those ”guitar for dummies” are great, however that is as a side tool to reference to. not to just teach yourself, at a glance you learn the basics but when you study those books they can get quite complicated & a teacher can clear any questions you have.
a teacher also encourages you to practice & gives you set goals.
PS try not to ask people to give you the chords to a song, its better if you can work them out yourself it creates an ear for certain notes. however make sure what you are playing is correct.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
here is an old post of mine
alot of people i see here post things such as ”i taught myself piano its easy”
let me say any instrument is easy, but to properly play it & understand what the heck your doing (this helps your creative process when writing your own stuff) is another different matter.
i could be taught to recite out 10 basic piano tunes, but give me the likes of Mozarts music & ask me to use certain techniques that are heard on piano. i would fail (as would all the people claiming ”its easy”)
the problem with teaching yourself guitar (or any instrument) is that alot of people give up they get frustrated. (supposedly 90% of self taught musicians quit)
also alot of people can ”play” guitar, ie bang out a few songs & intros eg starirway to heaven.
guitarists are a dime a dozen, everybody plays guitar (heck i play guitar) however a decent guitarist is hard to find this is where you can benifit from lessons.
Lessons are definitely a great idea, a teacher can show you techniques & correct you. i still get corrected over things i do at my lessons.
alot of the internet resources aren’t that great, again it is alot of amateurs with bad technique or looking to make a quick buck.
every music autobiography i have read (& i read quite a fair bit of them) the guitarist/any instrument, has gotten lessons at some point.
there are a rare few virtuoso (ie talented) people who didn’t get lessons but even at that they start practicing with other people who have got lessons & learn off them.
As somebody said those ”guitar for dummies” are great, however that is as a side tool to reference to. not to just teach yourself, at a glance you learn the basics but when you study those books they can get quite complicated & a teacher can clear any questions you have.
a teacher also encourages you to practice & gives you set goals.
PS try not to ask people to give you the chords to a song, its better if you can work them out yourself it creates an ear for certain notes. however make sure what you are playing is correct.
References :
irish bass player
Learn bass guitar with that FREE mini-course http://www.beginner-bass-guitar.com
References :
http://www.beginner-bass-guitar.com/bass-guitar-jazz
You can learn the basics from youtube videos and learn to play some of your favorite songs by listening to them.
References :
I’m a fellow bassist myself and i think that obviously getting lessons is the best, but if you’re strapped for cash or time just reading tabs (and typing up ‘*insertsongname* bass cover’ on youtube to hear how to play it) is a decent way to learn.
Above all else i recommend guitar pro, because it provides manuscript and tabs for your music, and shows you how to play it. That’s how i learnt hysteria and a few other songs
References :
Here’s a demonstration vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFU9kC_k2IY
and here is the home page: http://www.guitar-pro.com/en/index.php
listen to The Who,,, John Entwistle
not just the records as there is much to be chased
References :
Keith was best but Zac does not suck