Starting bass

oyster jelly

Hey, some friends of mine need a bass player so since I know a little guitar, they asked me to try bass. Alot different I know but seems that it should be a relatively reasonable switch. Anyone else ever switch from guitar to bass and if so, suggestions and tips are always welcome.
Thanks....

Reddie V

I made the switch years ago, pretty much for the same reason as you, and I've found that you're one up on heaps of bass players form the point of view that you know chords, and if you know what notes make the chords you can be a little more adventurous than playing the root note!

Depending on the style of the music, using a pick is good when you're starting out, I did that, now it's pretty much exclusively fingers. There is a difference in your attack, and it suits what I'm doing now.

Not sure if that'll help, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask, hopefully I can answer them.

Bass players unite!!

All Those Yesterdays

Yes, from a bass player to you.

Put the pick down. You do not need it.

Hitch-Hiker

All Those Yesterdays wrote:

Yes, from a bass player to you.

Put the pick down. You do not need it.

I'll second that. I started out on guitar, and quickly switched to bass. I never used a pick. It really boxes you in. You can't do half as much stuff with a pick.

Switch

All Those Yesterdays wrote:

Yes, from a bass player to you.

Put the pick down. You do not need it.

Ignore this. Many bass players are steadfast fingers only players. When it comes to it, choose which one suits the style of play YOU want to play, in both technique and sound. And remember, you don't just have to use one or the other.

Personally, I play a lot of punk and grunge, and depending on the song dictates which method i will use.

All Those Yesterdays

Switch wrote:

Ignore this. Many bass players are steadfast fingers only players. When it comes to it, choose which one suits the style of play YOU want to play, in both technique and sound. And remember, you don't just have to use one or the other.

Personally, I play a lot of punk and grunge, and depending on the song dictates which method i will use.

Easy bud. The pick has it's place. People just seem to get pick dependent and forget all about playing with their fingers or thumb.

oyster jelly

Thanks for the input. Do you have any practice techniques or know of any good websites to help me out? I am really excited to start. I've bought a used 5 string Winaroo(?) for cheap as I won't invest until I know if I will really be capable of playing. I am not the greatest guitarist in the world so I am ready for a new challenge!

Switch

oyster jelly wrote:

Thanks for the input. Do you have any practice techniques or know of any good websites to help me out? I am really excited to start. I've bought a used 5 string Winaroo(?) for cheap as I won't invest until I know if I will really be capable of playing. I am not the greatest guitarist in the world so I am ready for a new challenge!

Practice techniques? Well, this is where i agree with putting the pick down. When i got my bass i forgot to buy a pick and had to use my fingers, and i'm glad i did. This way i can appreciate both styles and, like the poster above said, i don't just play with a pick and ignore other ways to play. It may seem weird to start if you come from guitar, but you'll soon sort it; speed and accuracy will take time to develop however.

Although a pick may be an easier switch, especially to get into a quick band situation, however, there's not much point in picking up an instrument if you arn't going to enjoy it. And if you do pick it up for the band, and don't like it, maybe you should consider sticking to the instrument YOU like best.

cyberfretbass.com is pretty sweet for learning some stuff, but if you can get a cheap learn bass book, it won't teach you everything, but if you learn the licks and riffs in it it does tend to be helpful. http://www.guitarlodge.com/forums/guitar-bass/index.php is also extremely helpful and useful for both beginners and experienced players.

Most importantly, enjoy it! It does kinda sound like you gonna pick it up primarily for the band situation but please do make sure you enjoy playing bass. It IS a great instrument.

Pearler

traditionally, the bass has only 4 strings.... how hard can it be.

sheesh.

oyster jelly

Pearler wrote:

traditionally, the bass has only 4 strings.... how hard can it be.

sheesh.

Mine has five.

oyster jelly

sheesh.

Pearler

I did say 'traditionally'...

But yours must be one of those fancy, new age hybrid jobbies... designed for bassists that seek a challenge !!





























sheesh !!

oyster jelly

Switch wrote:

Practice techniques? Well, this is where i agree with putting the pick down. When i got my bass i forgot to buy a pick and had to use my fingers, and i'm glad i did. This way i can appreciate both styles and, like the poster above said, i don't just play with a pick and ignore other ways to play. It may seem weird to start if you come from guitar, but you'll soon sort it; speed and accuracy will take time to develop however.

Although a pick may be an easier switch, especially to get into a quick band situation, however, there's not much point in picking up an instrument if you arn't going to enjoy it. And if you do pick it up for the band, and don't like it, maybe you should consider sticking to the instrument YOU like best.

cyberfretbass.com is pretty sweet for learning some stuff, but if you can get a cheap learn bass book, it won't teach you everything, but if you learn the licks and riffs in it it does tend to be helpful. http://www.guitarlodge.com/forums/guitar-bass/index.php is also extremely helpful and useful for both beginners and experienced players.

Most importantly, enjoy it! It does kinda sound like you gonna pick it up primarily for the band situation but please do make sure you enjoy playing bass. It IS a great instrument.

I understand your response, though it may seem that I am doing it for the band, I am also really interested in learning a new instrument. I have been watching and listening to Cliff Burton for some time now and was even lucky enough to see him live back in the day. He was a beast on bass and I really want to try and emulate his style. So, no, I am not doing it for other people, but myself.

oyster jelly

Pearler wrote:

I did say 'traditionally'...

But yours must be one of those fancy, new age hybrid jobbies... designed for bassists that seek a challenge !!





























sheesh !!

Well if I wanted a challenge I would have gotten a six string...
















with a bell on it, and fancy tassles.

Switch

oyster jelly wrote:

I understand your response, though it may seem that I am doing it for the band, I am also really interested in learning a new instrument. I have been watching and listening to Cliff Burton for some time now and was even lucky enough to see him live back in the day. He was a beast on bass and I really want to try and emulate his style. So, no, I am not doing it for other people, but myself.

Heh, now i re-read your posts i can begin to see that. I was drunk-ish when i posted before and didn't pay as much attention as i should have.

oyster jelly

Switch wrote:

Heh, now i re-read your posts i can begin to see that. I was drunk-ish when i posted before and didn't pay as much attention as i should have.

No harm, I appreciate your posts and your help.

prytocorduroy

I write all my tunes with my fingers because I'm much more accurate but I can play them all with a pick. I find the pick to be a bit restricting, but at the same time there are techniques you need a pick for (like palm muting).

I say start playing with your fingers. You may be a little slow since the scale is longer and the strings are heavier. I figure while you're grasping that, you should work on your fingers so they build up while you're not great at both. I started using a pick about a year into my playing and it was so difficult being skilled in my fret hand and poor in my pick hand.

My two cents.

Oh, and check out some Les Claypool. That guy makes me wanna quit

oyster jelly

danny72688 wrote:

I write all my tunes with my fingers because I'm much more accurate but I can play them all with a pick. I find the pick to be a bit restricting, but at the same time there are techniques you need a pick for (like palm muting).

I say start playing with your fingers. You may be a little slow since the scale is longer and the strings are heavier. I figure while you're grasping that, you should work on your fingers so they build up while you're not great at both. I started using a pick about a year into my playing and it was so difficult being skilled in my fret hand and poor in my pick hand.

My two cents.

Oh, and check out some Les Claypool. That guy makes me wanna quit

I like Les too. Plays some funky grooves. My name is Mudd. I'm gonna listen to some Primus now....

prytocorduroy

oyster jelly wrote:

I like Les too. Plays some funky grooves. My name is Mudd. I'm gonna listen to some Primus now....

Lacquer Head
How the hell does he come up with this shit? I wish I could write like that.

oyster jelly

danny72688 wrote:

Lacquer Head
How the hell does he come up with this shit? I wish I could write like that.

Some people are just born special....

lucylespian

The guy that ploays bass for Steve Vai is a complete animal too. Finger player too !!

oyster jelly

Can you play a bass through a guitar amp? I saw a vid on you tube of some woman who does it. Or is it a bad idea?

All Those Yesterdays

Pearler wrote:

traditionally, the bass has only 4 strings.... how hard can it be.

sheesh.

It doesn't matter how hard it is, or how fast you can play, or how complicated of things you can play. If it has no heart and soul, it's not real.

I only play four string basses. I seen no need for five string basses, but more power to the people that make five string basses work.

prytocorduroy

oyster jelly wrote:

Can you play a bass through a guitar amp? I saw a vid on you tube of some woman who does it. Or is it a bad idea?

That's not a good idea. I should know the specifics but I don't. I think the frequency is different for bass and could blow out you guitar amp. If you have to use it, keep everything (bass, volume, tone, distortion) at a minimal level. I'll look it up and edit this if I'm using the wrong terminology.

Hitch-Hiker

danny72688 wrote:

That's not a good idea. I should know the specifics but I don't. I think the frequency is different for bass and could blow out you guitar amp. If you have to use it, keep everything (bass, volume, tone, distortion) at a minimal level. I'll look it up and edit this if I'm using the wrong terminology.

Yeah, I don't know the ins and outs myself, but I've heard the after effects. Putting a bass through a guitar amp will basically wreck the amps sound over a period of time. It's disgusting what comes out then.

prytocorduroy

Hitch-Hiker wrote:

Yeah, I don't know the ins and outs myself, but I've heard the after effects. Putting a bass through a guitar amp will basically wreck the amps sound over a period of time. It's disgusting what comes out then.

Yeah that sounds about right.
However I think the reverse is okay (guitar through a bass amp). But don't quote me on that.

Switch

Guitar through a bass amp works, but is pretty crap.

Bass through a guitar amp sounds ok, if you're just trying to listen to how stuff sounds, but doesn't have the sweet sweet rumble of a proper amp. Just careful how much and how loud you play; you will blow your amp, particularly if it's a small job.

oyster jelly

I'll show you my new bass if I can figure out how.....

oyster jelly

O.K I don't know how...I'm a dweeb....