Learning Bass

Hi guys,

I recently borrowed a bass and amp from a friend. I want to learn how to play, and hopefully pick up slap and funk techniques.

I'll probably have to teach myself. What is the best way of approaching this? Do you guys know of any good books or video lessons for learning bass?

I just got a bass myself, but I'm no n00b. I used to play bass in a friend's church band for about a year, then I played for the same friend in a secular group. I can't believe I waited this long to get a bass anyways, because these last few days with it have been a blast.

Slapping and thumping aren't where you really want to start off. Do you have any other experience with fretted instruments?

There's a lot of great resources you can find online by just googling. Watching videos on youtube can help a lot, too, if you're trying to get used to different playing techniques.

I just got a bass myself, but I'm no n00b. I used to play bass in a friend's church band for about a year, then I played for the same friend in a secular group. I can't believe I waited this long to get a bass anyways, because these last few days with it have been a blast.

Slapping and thumping aren't where you really want to start off. Do you have any other experience with fretted instruments?

I know that slapping is a pretty advanced technique, I just want to make sure I go in the right direction to get there. I played violin and trombone for about eight years each, so I think I'll be able to pick up bass even though it is a bit different.

Right now I've just been playing random stuff to get a feel for the instrument. I already have callouses on my fingers :)

You should learn the fretboard and especially with bass, scales.

Scales are the best things to learn for bass. Also, learn with your fingers first. If you pluck to hard your fingers will hurt but eventually callous. I just got back into playing the bass and my band has been playing two shows a weekend and my fingers are getting chewed up.

A lot of people say plucking hard is a bad technique but sometimes its the only way to get the sound you're looking to achieve. I even had to duct tape my fingers one night, and the other nights I usually use New Skin and super glue. :sunny: