Bass Players (if any), would you please get in this thread?

[Arcadio]

I've always wanted to play an instrument. I tried the guitar. Didn't like it. I tried the drums. I kind of liked it. But I've always loved the lower frequencies of the bass. So I decided to get a bass guitar.

I've been practicing for a few days, and I think I found the instrument I love. What are some online resources I can use to learn? Or what are some tips from any bass players out there? I want to play mostly rock, ska, reggae, and some latin music.

This is the one I got (perfect for a beginner):

Schecter Guitar Research Stiletto Extreme:

 

[Arcadio]

I knew bass players were a rare breed, but damn..... makes me feel special.

 

[gorcorps]

Love schecter guitars

 

[Soundmanred]

I play most instruments, the bass guitar being close to the most boring of them all. Necessary, but boring.
Anyway, on to mine-
MM Sterling (5 string)
MM Stingray (the one I use most)
A cheap Ibanez for people to use (a 550 something...)

 

[NL5]

If you plan on gigging, my best advice is to find some guys and start playing. You'll be amazed how quickly you can learn. Especially on bass. You can fake a lot of stuff with root notes until you get better.

Plus, you can ALWAYS find work as a bassist. There are a billion guitar players out there.

edit - a pic of my baby -

http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/NL_5/rig.jpg

 

[x26]

I knew bass players were a rare breed, but damn..... makes me feel special.

Nice Bass!!

1) Focus on Fundamentals/Technique ---

2) Yes, It's boring and Mindless; But will be the best thing in the Long Run....

3) there should be a Plethora of on-line sources now--when I started there was NO INTERNET!!!

4) Practice "Technique at least 5 times per week for 15-20 minutes each time.

5) Have fun!!!

 

[nanette1985]

I play most instruments, the bass guitar being close to the most boring of them all. Necessary, but boring.
Anyway, on to mine-
MM Sterling (5 string)
MM Stingray (the one I use most)
A cheap Ibanez for people to use (a 550 something...)

B O R I N G ? ? ? ? ? Nooooo :awe:

I think in bass. That's what I hear first and most when I hear music. When the bass is right, all's well with the universe. When the bass is awesome, it's orgasm time.

Nice Schecter, Arcadio. Have fun with it. The thing about the bass is that there's a lot of repetition, so you get a lot of practice with the basics.

 

[Soundmanred]

B O R I N G ? ? ? ? ? Nooooo :awe:

I think in bass. That's what I hear first and most when I hear music. When the bass is right, all's well with the universe. When the bass is awesome, it's orgasm time.

Nice Schecter, Arcadio. Have fun with it. The thing about the bass is that there's a lot of repetition, so you get a lot of practice with the basics.

I enjoy listening to bass (whether it be guitar/synth, etc) but playing bass guitar is boring. Like you said near the end of your post, it's very repetitive.

 

[ProfJohn]

What about bass fishermen? Are they allowed in this thread too?

 

[nanette1985]

I enjoy listening to bass (whether it be guitar/synth, etc) but playing bass guitar is boring. Like you said near the end of your post, it's very repetitive.

The repetition is very zen, hypnotic. The muscles fall into a groove and take over as the monkey brain watches. You do tiny, nearly imperceptible changes. It's the rhythm of the psychic groove where each repetition builds on what went before until suddenly you feel in your bones that you've done enough and it's time to move on. When you're on and tuned in, you meld with the rest of the rhythm section and become one musical organism. Awesome.

Played in bands for years - most recently with my son-in-law's death metal group - and never got bored.

That's just me, though, of course .

 

[Arcadio]

So far, I don't think playing the bass is boring. I mean, look at Flea.

 

[Nik]

So far, I don't think playing the bass is boring. I mean, look at Flea.

People like Flea and Les Claypool are an EXTREMELY rare breed. Not all music sounds good with wildly active bass lines. In fact, the measure of a good basist is to know when to turn that shit off and when to just stfu.

 

[Howard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87UVbOIYT_k&feature=related

 

[Arcadio]

People like Flea and Les Claypool are an EXTREMELY rare breed. Not all music sounds good with wildly active bass lines. In fact, the measure of a good basist is to know when to turn that shit off and when to just stfu.

Ok, bass playing is simple and kind of boring (for some people), but it still sounds great. Besides, a song without bass is not really a song. Oh, and you can actually feel the bass.

 

[Scotteq]

Basics: As the Bass Player, *you* are the link between the Drummer's right foot and whatever the Guitar/Keys are playing. The better you can link to and play off of the kick drum while defining and implying whatever chordwork is going on; the better a Bass Player you are.


The Shecter is a fine place to start: Contrary to what the advertising guys attempt to instill in us (*all), you don't need to spend a fortune. One thing you might do is have the instrument professionally set up. The Guitar Tech at most music stores can adjust the neck, string height, and intonation quickly, unless there is some physical problem with the Bass.

For strings: I settled on .045 ~ .105s a long time ago. .40 ~ .095 is easier to play, but they sound noticably thinner.

People like Flea and Les Claypool are an EXTREMELY rare breed. Not all music sounds good with wildly active bass lines. In fact, the measure of a good basist is to know when to turn that shit off and when to just stfu.

Semi-Pro tip for pushing a fast line without sounding too busy: You don't actually have to define a note. Instead, you can choose to just move some air by muting with your left hand. For a shining example, Flea does this in a big way on 'My Lovely Man' on 'Blood Sugar Sex Magic'.


Claypool is an aberration, tho


2nd semi pro tip: Even in a repetitive rhythm, there *is* room for small touches here and there, rather than forcing yourself to slavishly follow.


Pro Tip: It takes a LOT of practice to get right/instinctive, but mastering a 3~finger right hand (index/middle/ring, instead of just index & middle) technique makes a HUGE difference.

 

[edro]

What about bass fishermen? Are they allowed in this thread too?

I came in looking for fish training advice.

 

[Jeffg010]

Just look up Billy Sheehan on youtube and be amazed!

 

[Scotteq]

Just look up Billy Sheehan on youtube and be amazed!

Example: http://www.last.fm/music/Niacin/_/Elbow+Grease

That's with a project band Billy was with called "Niacin". It's considered to be 'Jazz Fusion', though in this case heavily weighted towards the Rock side of the house. I hear lots of Emerson, Lake, and Palmer in it - mostly from John Novello. Not all that non~musician friendly, and if you like Pop it's highly doubtful you'd like Niacin. But the groove they lay down on this track is un~freaking~stoppable!!

Anyways - You'll hear Billy using the 3 finger right hand technique I mentioned above throughout the song. Plus some chordwork.


Billy Sheehan - Bass
**Dennis Chambers - Drums
John Novello - Keys/Hammond B3 organ


**Dennis Chambers is a Jazz God, BTW. This project is much more Rock than Dennis usually plays.

 

[Jeffg010]

Got to see the Bx3 tour at the hard rock cafe in Pittsburgh. It was easily my top 3 shows I ever seen. I was 1 foot from stage.

http://truefire.com/tftv/index.html?channel=bp-bx3

 

[Oyeve]

Learn the bass line in "voices inside my head" and "im your captain". You learn those the rest is easy. Bassist get the really "HOT" girls. More so than guitarist. They get the groupie chicks, we bassist get the really hot chicks because we bassist have more soul! I play a 1978 Vantage VS695B

I dont recall how to post pics but this is the link: http://www.matsumoku.org/models/vantage/vs/vs.html

scroll all the way to the bottom to see the basses.