the evil cheese Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 and I was wondering if it's possible to teach myself' date=' or if it's worth forking out my cash for lessons. [/quote']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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 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* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the evil cheese Posted October 13, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 Thanks guys! Now, to find me a bass..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empty-words Posted October 13, 2005 Report Share Posted October 13, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest texjamm Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoonie Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 as has been said, there are benefits to both but i strongly recommend picking up some lessons early on because once you master basic things like finger technique and scales and stuff, you can develop your style to become whatever you'd like it to be. even if you get a set of 5-10 lessons then spend a fwe months on your own with books/cds/videos and work stuff out for yourself before going back to more lessons for some more advanced techniques later.good luck tho.spoons /x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stamina Posted October 14, 2005 Report Share Posted October 14, 2005 Been playing almost 16 years, never had a lesson, it probably shows, I dunno.Anyway, get yersel doon the barras at the weekend. I haven't been for a while, but I'm sure there are places there, or wee shops around the periphery that sell cheapo instruments. If not, check out the Guitar Store, McCormack's or Sound Control (if its still there). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted October 16, 2005 Report Share Posted October 16, 2005 i would say a few lessons when you are starting out is a good idea at least, just to get you used to the instrument and how to play it, and to try and stop you picking up bad habitsone thing is you need to find the right teacher, its useless if you get a teacher who wants to teach you to read notation and learn to play along to jazz improvs when all you want to do is play motorhead. so you want someone who is at least in the right ballpark for what you want to learn/dofor beginner basses, squier seem to have been improving vastly over the last few years, and some of the newer guitars at least are getting some pretty great reviews (from actual players too, not just musicians) i would have a look at yamaha's, a friend of mine started out on one and it was a solid bass, and the pacifica's are supposedly great value for money and quality, which bodes well for the bass lines, i would also have a look at corts, great quality for not much cash...David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThE bAsS MeKaNiK Posted October 17, 2005 Report Share Posted October 17, 2005 basic lessons are always good. saves time and frustration learning simple things some1 could show you reasonably quickly.yamaha do some quite nice 2nd hand basses too. and should be easy to pick up sub 200. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 I think Yamaha are easily the most under priced instruments being made. Every Yahama I've ever played has rivalled instruments that sell for a few of hundred quid more than the Yamaha.Still a bit dubious about Squiers. Some of them start off quite well, but after six months or so, they're falling to bits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 i have a 1 year old squier presicion bass and its rock solid (which is out of character for me cos i'm a yamaha whore, in complete agreement with the above sentiment) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 Would you recommend the Squier over a similarly priced Yamaha? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 no for i am a yamaha whore honestly couldnt tell you as i havent played a yamaha bass in aaaaages.its all personal preference though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 21, 2005 Report Share Posted October 21, 2005 I've only played one cheap Yamaha bass, when I was at school. It was head and shoulders above the other basses the school had (I think they were maybe Marlin and Aria basses). The Aria basses weren't actually too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 The best thing to do is look for something second hand' date=' 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.[/quote']i actually disagree with this, my freind has a special edition squir p-bass, and it sounds great, better than my freinds fender j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamiesd Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 I'm also thinking of getting a bass, have no guitar experience at all, just fancied giving it a go.Was going to get the cheap option bass on ebuyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 i actually disagree with this' date=' my freind has a special edition squir p-bass, and it sounds great, better than my freinds fender j[/quote']I got a barely played G&L L2000 for 600 second hand. My dad bought a Les Paul Custom for 750 second hand and a Yamaha SG2000 for 300 second hand. The deals are there if you look for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThE bAsS MeKaNiK Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 my first bass was a yamaha i got for about 180. was spot on and i had it a few years before (stupidly) trading it in for something new. still wish i had it cause it was ace.personally i cant stand squier/fenders. but thats just me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of Swords Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 personally i cant stand squier/fenders. but thats just me It isn't just you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThE bAsS MeKaNiK Posted November 3, 2005 Report Share Posted November 3, 2005 It isn't just you.thank god(or whatever deity you happen to be into) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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