Getting my first bass

[Gearmond]

I mean since when do bass players play music they are there to just make indistinguishable thump noises . Why else do you think they never get mic ed up at shows?

I don't play music; I collect checks since bass players are in more demand than guitarists.

gettin paaaaaayed.

also: girls don't dance to guitar solos.

[one bad monkey]

You're preaching to the choir. I play bass too, and have played almost as long as I have guitar. I'm not saying it as an insult. I'm saying it as someone who threw away money on bass lessons because plenty of bassists told me that it was necessary. It wasn't, and I regret putting money into the bass lessons that didn't teach me anything that I didn't already know.

You're right to a point, and I agree with you. Technically they're the same, and I'd go so far as to say playing bass is a lot easier to pick up than guitar.

Getting a teacher really comes down to what you want to accomplish out of playing. If you want to just play to the radio, jam with some friends, maybe get into a band... you probably don't need a teacher. If you want to make a living out of playing, you need to have a seasoned teacher that is able to help you focus your practicing, and also help guide you as to what you really need to know in terms of mechanics, theory, and most importantly, playing.

Because while bass and guitar are mechanically very similar, when it comes to a music setting, they are completely different in terms of their application and approach. That is the big thing that separates "guitarists who also play bass" and "bassists;" if you approach it like you approach playing a guitar, it's going to sound like that.

[Trifarce]

if you approach it like you approach playing a guitar, it's going to sound like that.

Works pretty well for this guy

[tuffteef]

if you approach it like you approach playing a guitar, it's going to sound like that.

Works pretty well for this guy

ugh plays the hottest only bass ive ever gassed for

[McSpunckle]

I really don't get how bass is sooooo different from guitar. I read it all the time, but I just don't see it.

I really dig the newer Squier lines, for cheap basses.

[unownunown]

mainly a different function sort of thing. you kind of have to think a different way a different way while you're playing. i don't think i really think in guitar yet, honestly. i dunno though. if you played trumpet, would you still get a teacher for trombone?

but i think if you can get lessons you always should in any situation. i loved my bass teacher. then again, i started on bass.

[Trifarce]

i loved my bass teacher.

I loved my teacher too... and now when I fart it makes no sound.

[Ghost Hip]

Play the Thunderbird first. I had mine set up and modded by McSpunckle here, and I love mine.

Oh it seems there's a debate on lessons... I never took any. But I've taken music theory and know a good bit about the notes/scales/modes on the fretboard. I'd like to think I'm a decent bass player. Not that I'm against lessons. Teachers can bring a whole new view on an instrument and can make it even more fun.

[Haki]

And here I was worried that Fender comment might spark a discussion ...

I'm getting the teacher to add structure and the right focus to my practice routine. The thing I enjoyed from my early guitar lessons were songs that used techniques I wouldn't necessarily look into myself but did find useful later on. And I've always had fun good teachers which helped inspire me to play better. The lessons are cheap and if it turns out they're a waste of time and money I can always quit.

Play the Thunderbird first. I had mine set up and modded by McSpunckle here, and I love mine.

Curious, what were the mods?

[snipelfritz]

mainly a different function sort of thing. you kind of have to think a different way a different way while you're playing. i don't think i really think in guitar yet, honestly. i dunno though. if you played trumpet, would you still get a teacher for trombone?

but i think if you can get lessons you always should in any situation. i loved my bass teacher. then again, i started on bass.

Guitar and bass are more similar than trombone is to trumpet. Trumpet to euphonium would be a more apt comparison. Trumpet is a valved instrument whereas trombone is played with a slide. Two totally different things, although they are both Bb transposed instruments and use similar intervals when it comes to embouchure. Guitar and bass are both fretted instruments with strings at the same pitches, just different octaves. I used to play trombone, so yeah...

When people say you can play bass if you play guitar, they are referring to the fact that they have the same notes in the same places, so you'll already be familiar with the fretboard. When people say you can't play bass if you only play guitar, they are referring to the totally different functions and styles of playing between the two instruments. Both are right; they just choose to be stubborn about it.

The question is: What are you expecting to get out of a teacher? If you're thinking it's someone to tell you the basic mechanics of the instrument and scales and whatnot, you're best off going on your own. If you're looking for someone to teach you about the style, more in-depth techniques/theory and the general idiom of playing bass, then a good teacher would be a really helpful thing. Or you can just listen to Bootsy: Make sure you play the root a the beginning of each phrase, then you can play whatever you want in between.

Also, I like the Epi Thunderbirds. I almost bought one, but realized it wouldn't leave me enough budget for a decent amp. I only played two, but they both felt and sounded excellent compared to any other bass in that price range. Then again, the rest of ILF tends to be pickier than I am so

[comtrails70]

Random Japanese/eastern european vintage things.
I've got a Jolana Galaxis that I adore.

is that what jemaine plays?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2spK1MBOvOk[/youtube]

[one bad monkey]

if you approach it like you approach playing a guitar, it's going to sound like that.

Works pretty well for this guy

In what ways? Lemmy holds it down pretty solidly.

[Ghost Hip]

Play the Thunderbird first. I had mine set up and modded by McSpunckle here, and I love mine.

Curious, what were the mods?

Just two switches for tone bypass and a pick up selector. The selector comes in handy if you're a guitarist and hate twisting the pick up volume knobs individually like me. Also if you turn the volume down on one pick up and not the other it makes for a good kill switch.

[unownunown]

mainly a different function sort of thing. you kind of have to think a different way a different way while you're playing. i don't think i really think in guitar yet, honestly. i dunno though. if you played trumpet, would you still get a teacher for trombone?

but i think if you can get lessons you always should in any situation. i loved my bass teacher. then again, i started on bass.

Guitar and bass are more similar than trombone is to trumpet. Trumpet to euphonium would be a more apt comparison. Trumpet is a valved instrument whereas trombone is played with a slide. Two totally different things, although they are both Bb transposed instruments and use similar intervals when it comes to embouchure. Guitar and bass are both fretted instruments with strings at the same pitches, just different octaves. I used to play trombone, so yeah...

When people say you can play bass if you play guitar, they are referring to the fact that they have the same notes in the same places, so you'll already be familiar with the fretboard. When people say you can't play bass if you only play guitar, they are referring to the totally different functions and styles of playing between the two instruments. Both are right; they just choose to be stubborn about it.

The question is: What are you expecting to get out of a teacher? If you're thinking it's someone to tell you the basic mechanics of the instrument and scales and whatnot, you're best off going on your own. If you're looking for someone to teach you about the style, more in-depth techniques/theory and the general idiom of playing bass, then a good teacher would be a really helpful thing. Or you can just listen to Bootsy: Make sure you play the root a the beginning of each phrase, then you can play whatever you want in between.

Also, I like the Epi Thunderbirds. I almost bought one, but realized it wouldn't leave me enough budget for a decent amp. I only played two, but they both felt and sounded excellent compared to any other bass in that price range. Then again, the rest of ILF tends to be pickier than I am so

haha, i was going to say euphonium but i figured they didn't really make a good parallel... but, what about valve trombone, or slide trumpet then, mister nitpicky the point i was making is it's two brass instruments that are similar, but still very different... i think you still got my point.

[one bad monkey]

haha, i was going to say euphonium but i figured they didn't really make a good parallel... but, what about valve trombone, or slide trumpet then, mister nitpicky the point i was making is it's two brass instruments that are similar, but still very different... i think you still got my point.

Funny, I was going to bring up the fact that a trombone is a C instrument (instead of it being a Bb, like snipelfritz mentioned) but thought that was being nitpicky.