I Play Guitar, I Want To Learn Bass

[dpresti]

well, that pretty much says it, i've only touched a bass a couple times, but i love it! i'm good with guitar, and i wanted to know what i should do to make the transition to bass..

i wanna be able to jam out the bass well.. like i said, i know how to play guitar, i dont read music, i do know most of the notes though on the fret board... how should i go about learning bass?

[clemson357]

you probably know that the four strings on a traditional bass are the same as the lowest four on your lead - E A D G. Basically what you would start with is just hitting the bass note and the same beat the rhythem guitarist hits the chord. practice slapping with your thumb, because that makes a cool sound. bass is pretty simple compared to lead, unless you go crazy like Flea of Stefan...

[dmb6743]

for a start, a bass is just the bottom four strings (EADG) of a guitar, same notes etc...

[tdowe99]

Learn your scales.

[dmb6743]

you probably know that the four strings on a traditional bass are the same as the lowest four on your lead - E A D G. Basically what you would start with is just hitting the bass note and the same beat the rhythem guitarist hits the chord. practice slapping with your thumb, because that makes a cool sound. bass is pretty simple compared to lead, unless you go crazy like Flea of Stefan...

....or wooten.

[dpresti]

my friend is lettting me borrow her 5string for about 2 weeks, and i'll see how i do... but i wanted to know.. should i go with a 4, 5, or even 6 string..

i really wanna get good with this and i think i've got great potential too! my one friend is an amazing lead guitarist, other friend is a very good all around player whos the "dave" of our group, and i wanna take on the role of stefan...

[JG2121]

my friend is lettting me borrow her 5string for about 2 weeks, and i'll see how i do... but i wanted to know.. should i go with a 4, 5, or even 6 string..

i really wanna get good with this and i think i've got great potential too! my one friend is an amazing lead guitarist, other friend is a very good all around player whos the "dave" of our group, and i wanna take on the role of stefan...
Start with a 4, learn your scales n stuff, then if you really want that extra low sound (and have the money) move up to a five. They're nice to have I think, but if you want a nice bass with more than 4 strings you'd better be dedicated, or rich, either one works.

[Carbon Copy]

why would you wanna switch from guitar to bass? u get so much more ass with guitar :)

[Play_Like_Fonz]

why would you wanna switch from guitar to bass? u get so much more ass with guitar :)

No way man. Least not in my band. And bass is not simple compared to guitar, sure if you want you can just stay on the roots of chords but thats boring. Bass gives you a lot of freedom to put your own touch on songs, with fills and different lines and w/e. I'd go w/ a 4 string bass to start out with and def. invest in some lessons if you can.

[Dancing Ants]

nothing simple about Cactus Gordon.