Hohner

[CaptainSG]

okay i got you attention [hopefully] and i'm just here b/c i scored a free ivolin bass which I should be getting this sunday...wheeeee.


however my friend's asking me to fill in for simple songs and I can't turn down a jam offer....so I'm just asking...what are the basics of bass playing? lol sorry... :)

[Strat Kid]

Well, basics..Basics, I only started 5 hours ago, but here it goes!

Your right hand finger tips will ache a little bit because of the fact that you're using your fingers. Your fretting hand will need to be a little stronger due to the fact that the action on a bass is a little higher, I think.

Oh, and whatever you do, do not ever play slap bass on your first few days, I tried that and payed...My right hand thumb is the size of a friggin mango now...

[CaptainSG]

okay...uh how do i precesly "pluck the strings so i don't hit the surrounding strings?

[thunder_bird]

u can use a pick, that will probs be easy to start off with as it will be more like a guitar for u

[Strat Kid]

okay...uh how do i precesly "pluck the strings so i don't hit the surrounding strings?

you kind of curve your hand, if it's the top string then just play it, if it's the others, let's say for example the 2nd string, put your thumb on the third string, then play the 2nd string with your index finger and middle finger.

Anything else?

[CaptainSG]

that's about it...thanks...i felt bad that we didn't have a bassist...they'r ehard to find here in NJ and the ones there ARE have, no offense, disgusting ego problems which I don't dig at all man...so i offere to and i knew you guys could help a bit thanks...i'll be back i assume here and there for more random questions...

[Strat Kid]

Same with where I live too man..Like 2000 kids at school, just me who plays the bass.

[tcook]

Check out this site. There is a technique area in the forum that might help
http://www.talkbass.com/
oh, and I pluck stings sort of like fingerstyle guitar. First finger on the E and A string, 2nd finger on the D string and 3rd on the G. If its faster basslines, I'll use my first two fingers alternating notes.
Slapping is all thumb and first finger. If your thumb hurts, your slapping way too hard....mellow out man...haha

[tcook]

Oh, I forgot I had these bookmarked...they might help some
http://www.adamnitti.com/bass_player_02.shtml
http://www.adamnitti.com/bass_player_03.shtml
http://www.adamnitti.com/bass_player_04.shtml

[Strat Kid]

Any easy songs you know of?

[tcook]

There are tons of easy songs. Depends on what kind of music your wanting to play.
I like to put on a CD and play a bass line with the CD. Try some blues, just to get the feel of the way a scale fits into the bass lines of the song. I sure wouldn't try anything that does more than just simple scales if your just starting out.

[CaptainSG]

lol please keep in mind i'm just a scab....

[wazman]

I learned the basics of bass playing by playing country songs with my father. Sure, it's corny, but it taught me the importance of hitting the beat and how the notes work (and how simple is often better than flourishy and flashy).

[SKEETER]

Any easy songs you know of?

All songs are far easier on bass than the guitar work on them, The hardest thing about playing bass in a band is learning the changes, being as you are holding down the bottom end more than following the melody, you tend to miss changes easier. HAving a good drummer makes that easier, good drummers give great signals to let you know where you are in the song. The trick to playing any instrument well onstage is having a good monitor so you can hear what the rest of the band is doing.......