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[the evil cheese]

Right, I would like to start playing bass guitar, and I was wondering if it's possible to teach myself, or if it's worth forking out my cash for lessons. [and if so, anyone know any good teachers in Glasgow??]

And obviously, I'd have to get my hands on one 1st, any ideas where I would get a decent one pretty cheap?

[J]

I'd say yes it is possible to teach yourself. It may take longer obviously but you would develope your own techniques rather than a "standerdised" playing.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by the evil cheese

and I was wondering if it's possible to teach myself, or if it's worth forking out my cash for lessons.

both. sorry not very helpful but it's true. it's entirely possible to teach yourself (although if you don't have a friend to show you the very basics then a cheap tutorial book would be advisable to start you off just to save time and frustration) but it's also a great idea to get some lessons to set you on your way and maybe even take you through advanced theories and techniques once you're ready.

[J]

Originally Posted by Chris

both. sorry not very helpful but it's true. it's entirely possible to teach yourself (although if you don't have a friend to show you the very basics then a cheap tutorial book would be advisable to start you off just to save time and frustration) but it's also a great idea to get some lessons to set you on your way and maybe even take you through advanced theories and techniques once you're ready.

True *thumbs up*

[the evil cheese]

Thanks guys!

Now, to find me a bass.....

[Stuart]

I'm sure there is a big guitar shop on Argyle Street... But I might be completely mistaken. Anyway, teach yourself. If you buy like a starters kit bass, like a Squier or something (About £150-£180 maybe) they will usually have a little tutorial book with it. I seem to remember that being the case when I got my bass.
Failing that, for some unknown reason, in my flat we have an unopened video entitled "Beginning Electric Bass with Mark Epstein". Both of us can play fine so the video is a bit useless.
Actually, I have no idea where this video came from. A gift from above perhaps.

[empty-words]

I would say tech yourself. It will make you a better player in the long run. I am completely self-taught and i am glad i didnt take no lessons.
As far as getting a bass, got to your local guitat shop and have a look, just dont spend a fortune on a amazing bass coz you wouldn't get the good out of it.

[Knight of Swords]

The best thing to do is look for something second hand, because you can get a better bass for less money. If you buy a new bass, don't buy a Squier as someone was saying. The things are shite compared to other bases of that price range. It's always worth checking Yamaha out. Warwick do really good bases, although I don't know what they've got in the starter range. Encore did really good starter guitars, so it's worth checking them out to see if they do the same range for bases. If you buy new, mail order it (always cheaper). Buy a copy of Guitarist and check the adverts there, or check out the websites for The Guitar, Amp & Keyboard Centre - http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/ and Thomann - http://www.thomann.de/thoiw2_index.html (this company are especially cheap and their own brand is always high-quality German stuff). I think there are a few other websites, Coda & Flying Pig come to mind, but I don't remember the addresses for them.

I wouldn't bother at all with lessons. Get a wee book or something to show you what the notes are, then just play along with your CDs. The bass is relatively easy to pick up as an instrument.

[texjamm]

I agree with looking for a second hand bass as you will tend to get more for your money than buying brand new. However if you don't know much about basses then take along someone who does as its easy to buy a bad bass 'cos it looks nice!!! Been there, done that, found it hard to sell it on to some poor punter........

As far as lessons go I would say....YES, YES, YES, YES etc. etc. I know a lot of people have taught themselves and can play well but in my personal experience you will pick up things much faster by someone showing you the best way to hold the bass, fingering, scales etc. rather than trying to decifer from a book or even work out technique completely on your own.

I was totally self taught, for fifteen years. (I already could play several instruments so I wasn't completely new to some areas of theory.) I then decided that I would try bass lessons. My teacher showed me several correct / new techniques and helped me breakdown some of my basslines and explained how they were built up and why they worked over certain chords. The light went on! It all started to make sense. You could hear the cogs starting to slowly grind together after so many years.....Until then my bass lines tended to be built on "best guesses" and ripped off riffs that I knew worked. Now I have the tools to be able to explore more and try out many new ideas that I probably wouldn't have done or it would have just taken me longer to get there.

Cheers,

Mike

[Knight of Swords]

My main drawback about lessons is the regularity of say, every Tuesday you have your bass lesson. I'm quite happy to practice in my own time, but as soon as I have to practice something for a certain date, I can't be arsed doing it. I also found a lot of times, when I've learned an instrument through lessons, I've always ended up playing music I didn't like (put me off the piano for years and I remember getting shit from my sax teacher for learning Zappa stuff instead of the stupid songs in the teacher's crappy wee book). I've never had guitar/ bass lessons though, so I don't know how they tend to be styled.

Texjamm, with what you're saying about the reasons your lessons have helped, I know what you mean. However, all the new stuff you've learned about construction etc have still came from other songs. I reckon it's just the same old thing again that the best musicians are the ones who try and learn as many different styles of music as possible. Lessons are probably good if you don't have access to a broad range of music.