Learning an instrument - bass guitar?
Discussion
Have been thinking for a while that I'd really like to learn an instrument. Not to play to people, but for the enjoyment and relaxation. I work stupidly hard, and with two young kids the social life has taken a back seat.
Played the cello through primary school, to grade 4. That was a very long time ago however!
So, thinking of the bass. I like the rocky, funky side of things, more so than a blinding riff or solo. Had thought of the electric violin (needs to be quiet enough to play whilst the kids are asleep) - mainly as my all time favourite tracks have a strong violin element. However reading up seems to suggest a fretless instrument is ridiculous to self learn on without a perfect ear...
So, the bass. Have looked on a few websites, this approach seems very appealing - http://how-to-play-bass.com/play-bass-in-50-songs-...
Playing tracks I like with logical progression and target setting sounds great - any pitfalls?
Lastly, kit. Any suggestions for a quiet practice setup with a good looking axe and headphone amp? Budget is I suppose £2-400 - although swmbo would prefer less! Adore the look of the Ibanez SR300, could I just get that (or anything better for the dosh) plus a headphone amp?
Cheers, Sam
Played the cello through primary school, to grade 4. That was a very long time ago however!
So, thinking of the bass. I like the rocky, funky side of things, more so than a blinding riff or solo. Had thought of the electric violin (needs to be quiet enough to play whilst the kids are asleep) - mainly as my all time favourite tracks have a strong violin element. However reading up seems to suggest a fretless instrument is ridiculous to self learn on without a perfect ear...
So, the bass. Have looked on a few websites, this approach seems very appealing - http://how-to-play-bass.com/play-bass-in-50-songs-...
Playing tracks I like with logical progression and target setting sounds great - any pitfalls?
Lastly, kit. Any suggestions for a quiet practice setup with a good looking axe and headphone amp? Budget is I suppose £2-400 - although swmbo would prefer less! Adore the look of the Ibanez SR300, could I just get that (or anything better for the dosh) plus a headphone amp?
Cheers, Sam
The bass is a fantastic instrument. There are loads of tutorials on youtube. Have a look at Jo Donahue, great teacher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q71WGGxFlMU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q71WGGxFlMU
Cheers moggie, been looking at a few of his video as well as some of the others on YouTube - the tinterweb is bloody awesome!
Also been looking online for a bass. Narrowed it down (I think!) to the Ibanez SR300, or the Yamaha trbx304. Both seem to get great reviews, and are available for essentially the same price. A tenner more gets the trbx305 - a five string.
So, active electronics (and five string?) or Ibanez's 3 band eq?
Also, any recommendations for a headphone amp? The Vox amphones seem a cool idea...
Also been looking online for a bass. Narrowed it down (I think!) to the Ibanez SR300, or the Yamaha trbx304. Both seem to get great reviews, and are available for essentially the same price. A tenner more gets the trbx305 - a five string.
So, active electronics (and five string?) or Ibanez's 3 band eq?
Also, any recommendations for a headphone amp? The Vox amphones seem a cool idea...
I have played bass for 15 years give or take. Started much the same way as your planning too albeit with tabs as youtube etc wasn't around.
Now play in a function band doing weddings etc and its great fun. I find playing the bass in a band far more interesting and must admit once I had the Bass-ics (
) down and could play along withmy favorite songs I needed lessons to keep me motivated and learning new things.
I havent had lessons for about 8 years now and as such my playing hasn't really progressed. I typically find myself playing guitar when I'm at home now.
I have had a few Yamaha basses and still have two - a four and five string. My 5 string is my gigging bass and to be perfectly honest I have played many a more expensive bass but cannot find one I like so much. They are amazing value for money and the quality of the actual wooden parts etc take an awful lot to be beaten. Their downside is the active electrics and this is where you notice the difference between it and a £2k bass. Please dont let that put you off them though - I have gigged with mine for at least 5 years and am only just now upgrading the pick-ups and circuitry.
I wouldn't be put off by a 5 string, you don't have to use it until you are feeling more comfortable etc...... but it is very handy to have!
Now play in a function band doing weddings etc and its great fun. I find playing the bass in a band far more interesting and must admit once I had the Bass-ics (
) down and could play along withmy favorite songs I needed lessons to keep me motivated and learning new things.I havent had lessons for about 8 years now and as such my playing hasn't really progressed. I typically find myself playing guitar when I'm at home now.
I have had a few Yamaha basses and still have two - a four and five string. My 5 string is my gigging bass and to be perfectly honest I have played many a more expensive bass but cannot find one I like so much. They are amazing value for money and the quality of the actual wooden parts etc take an awful lot to be beaten. Their downside is the active electrics and this is where you notice the difference between it and a £2k bass. Please dont let that put you off them though - I have gigged with mine for at least 5 years and am only just now upgrading the pick-ups and circuitry.
I wouldn't be put off by a 5 string, you don't have to use it until you are feeling more comfortable etc...... but it is very handy to have!
Nice one Ken, great minds!
Chatted to a mate's brother who's in a bloody awesome Ska band, and he's lending me an acoustic for a few weeks to see how I get on.
Popped into GAK the other day, but it was rammed and nipper was begging for lunch... Had a brief squint at the Ibanez but the Yamaha wasn't on display.
If I get on with the acoustic, I'll head back to GAK (or Nevada in Portsmouth, they're equidistant). I think I've narrowed it down to either the Ibanez SR370 or the Yam trbx304 (or it's 5 string bro). Figure after a few weeks I'll have a better idea of things so will pick on the day.
Downloaded half a dozen absolute beginner lessons...
Chatted to a mate's brother who's in a bloody awesome Ska band, and he's lending me an acoustic for a few weeks to see how I get on.
Popped into GAK the other day, but it was rammed and nipper was begging for lunch... Had a brief squint at the Ibanez but the Yamaha wasn't on display.
If I get on with the acoustic, I'll head back to GAK (or Nevada in Portsmouth, they're equidistant). I think I've narrowed it down to either the Ibanez SR370 or the Yam trbx304 (or it's 5 string bro). Figure after a few weeks I'll have a better idea of things so will pick on the day.
Downloaded half a dozen absolute beginner lessons...
get yourself over to basschat.co.uk - plenty of good advice to be gained there. A decent 2nd hand bass would suit you more than a cheap new one if you can get the right instrument. Likely that there are locals on that forum who would give you some good advice.
Something like this: http://greatbritishbasslounge.com/product/warwick-...
represents a bargain (>£1k new) for a really good quality bass - and that's with retail mark-up on it. Private sale would see something similar for a little less (not much though).
Something like this: http://greatbritishbasslounge.com/product/warwick-...
represents a bargain (>£1k new) for a really good quality bass - and that's with retail mark-up on it. Private sale would see something similar for a little less (not much though).
IainT said:
get yourself over to basschat.co.uk - plenty of good advice to be gained there. A decent 2nd hand bass would suit you more than a cheap new one if you can get the right instrument. Likely that there are locals on that forum who would give you some good advice.
Something like this: http://greatbritishbasslounge.com/product/warwick-...
represents a bargain (>£1k new) for a really good quality bass - and that's with retail mark-up on it. Private sale would see something similar for a little less (not much though).
Cheers Iain, have registered - seems a decent place.Something like this: http://greatbritishbasslounge.com/product/warwick-...
represents a bargain (>£1k new) for a really good quality bass - and that's with retail mark-up on it. Private sale would see something similar for a little less (not much though).
For my first bass, I'm going to get a new one - just found out a friend I haven't seen for a while works for Nevada Music in Pompey, so I'm heading over there today...
Going to try out the Ibanez SR - they've got the full range in stock, and the SR300 looks great and seems to get great reviews on fora. The 370 with maple body looks damn good in pacific blue - I'm kinda glad they've only got brown in stock!
Hi there - I'm a professional session player myself and just want to wish you the very best of luck - it's a great idea and stress buster. Even though I do it for a living both live and in studio & it can become 'choresome', when I'm at my lowest or angriest, I'll still always pick up an instrument or sit down at a piano.
Regarding choosing your gear - play as many basses as you can lay your hands on, don't pre decide on anything based on brand or price - you'll know "the one" - some of my instruments in the high hundreds get more use than those in the thousands, just don't buy pure rubbish & you'll be ok. Ibanez or Yamaha both manufacture quality instruments even at their budget/starter ends.
Personally I'd spend more on the amp for now than the guitar - it's probably the thing you won't change or upgrade as quickly in the future and is a very important part of any electric set up.
I'm not a bass player but do play bass and it's got to be said, we give them awful stick - they're always the weirdo in any band!!! Lolol
Don't tell anyone I said this but.... For me, a good bassist, keeping things together right in the pocket, is the most important component of any good sound....... Flashy lead guitarists are ten a penny - a good bass player holding everything down is pure gold!!!!
Now.... I'll give you a week to come back here with a video of the low end breakdown in "you can call me Al" off to perfection!!!
Enjoy!!!
Regarding choosing your gear - play as many basses as you can lay your hands on, don't pre decide on anything based on brand or price - you'll know "the one" - some of my instruments in the high hundreds get more use than those in the thousands, just don't buy pure rubbish & you'll be ok. Ibanez or Yamaha both manufacture quality instruments even at their budget/starter ends.
Personally I'd spend more on the amp for now than the guitar - it's probably the thing you won't change or upgrade as quickly in the future and is a very important part of any electric set up.
I'm not a bass player but do play bass and it's got to be said, we give them awful stick - they're always the weirdo in any band!!! Lolol
Don't tell anyone I said this but.... For me, a good bassist, keeping things together right in the pocket, is the most important component of any good sound....... Flashy lead guitarists are ten a penny - a good bass player holding everything down is pure gold!!!!
Now.... I'll give you a week to come back here with a video of the low end breakdown in "you can call me Al" off to perfection!!!
Enjoy!!!
Edited by whippy930 on Saturday 9th January 11:04
Edited by whippy930 on Saturday 9th January 11:05
Edited by whippy930 on Saturday 9th January 11:06
MoggieMinor said:
I don't play bass myself but according to a couple of mates who do its best to start with a 4 string instrument. You can always go to a 5 string later on if you want.
You're passing on bad information there, absolutely no reason to limit yourself to any number of strings when you're starting.Less of the weirdo! The bass player is usually the most grounded member of the band.
Carries a soldering iron, fuses and spare leads, not to mention batteries for the air head lead guitarists effects pedals, often manages the bookings and organises rehearsals.
Bass is the best instrument anyway, you can play every genre of music with the same gear, don't have to mess about between numbers dialing in the right tone and have ample opportunity to improvise your part without throwing everyone else off track.
Carries a soldering iron, fuses and spare leads, not to mention batteries for the air head lead guitarists effects pedals, often manages the bookings and organises rehearsals.
Bass is the best instrument anyway, you can play every genre of music with the same gear, don't have to mess about between numbers dialing in the right tone and have ample opportunity to improvise your part without throwing everyone else off track.
Mastodon2 said:
MoggieMinor said:
I don't play bass myself but according to a couple of mates who do its best to start with a 4 string instrument. You can always go to a 5 string later on if you want.
You're passing on bad information there, absolutely no reason to limit yourself to any number of strings when you're starting.kev b said:
Less of the weirdo! The bass player is usually the most grounded member of the band.
Carries a soldering iron, fuses and spare leads, not to mention batteries for the air head lead guitarists effects pedals, often manages the bookings and organises rehearsals.
Bass is the best instrument anyway, you can play every genre of music with the same gear, don't have to mess about between numbers dialing in the right tone and have ample opportunity to improvise your part without throwing everyone else off track.
Ah Kev - if you're a musician (you sound to be!!!) - you'll understand I was very definitely jesting!!! And surely my complimentary comments after the 'weirdo' bit made you happy........Carries a soldering iron, fuses and spare leads, not to mention batteries for the air head lead guitarists effects pedals, often manages the bookings and organises rehearsals.
Bass is the best instrument anyway, you can play every genre of music with the same gear, don't have to mess about between numbers dialing in the right tone and have ample opportunity to improvise your part without throwing everyone else off track.
.....you weirdo!
Now now, clearly bassists are the sexiest!
Just picked up an ibanez sr370 in brown burst (currently waiting outside the primark fitting rooms - couldn't get away without a shopping trip for swmbo!). Picked up a vox little headphone amp - although I can see myself getting something better in a month or two.
Tried the modified jazz, musicman, and a couple of others, rightly or wrongly the really slim body and thin neck felt the nicest. Great deal too - over £80 off the already discounted price, sometimes it's nice having mates in the right places!
Pics will follow shortly, vids will have to wait a few months!
Just picked up an ibanez sr370 in brown burst (currently waiting outside the primark fitting rooms - couldn't get away without a shopping trip for swmbo!). Picked up a vox little headphone amp - although I can see myself getting something better in a month or two.
Tried the modified jazz, musicman, and a couple of others, rightly or wrongly the really slim body and thin neck felt the nicest. Great deal too - over £80 off the already discounted price, sometimes it's nice having mates in the right places!
Pics will follow shortly, vids will have to wait a few months!
I had an SR300. Very easy to play after a few years plugging away with a cheap P Bass copy. After 3 years of playing I rewarded myself with an American made P Bass in Sunburst. Wish I'd started years ago, enjoy it immensely even though I'll never be anything other than a "home player"
Practise daily if you can.
Practise daily if you can.
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