learn to play bass

I’m 24 y/o and want to learn to play bass guitar. Will it be difficult? How do I start?

Many people start learning to play a musical instrument at early age. I used to take classical piano lessons but didn’t enjoy it so I quit. I’m always thrilled at watching people playing bass guitar but at the same time wondering whether I can still learn that because of my age. I just want to be able to play it, not be an expert.

YES! You can learn to play it. I didn’t start until I was 19 (I’m 33 now) after having played trumpet (of all things) for 9 years. To be brutally honest, one night it JUST CLICKED. I knew I had found MY instrument.

Learning bass should be easy for you since you already have at least some musical experience AND you really like the bass.

Even for someone who just wants to play “for fun”, there are a few basic things you should know/do:

1) Buy a decent bass. I know this is like listening to captain obvious, but one of the biggest mistakes that beginning players make is that they buy an instrument that is either too horribly set-up to be able to enjoy playing, OR one whose sound is so horrible that it is thouroughly UNINSPIRING. Now, what I mean buy a “decent” bass is that it plays easily, sounds ok, and is within your price range. Don’t get hung on brands, just get what is cool to you. You should be able to acquire a decent used bass to start with(if you are not hung on looks either) for under $200.

2) When buying a bass at a store, DON’T LISTEN TO SALESMEN. If you have to, bring a bass player along to give you some suggestions and maybe fill you in on some things maybe you are unaware of………and oh yeah, TRY IT BEFORE YOU BUY IT.

3) After getting your bass, either take a few lessons (to get some sort of a grasp on technique) OR get a friend who will show you. With bass, usually books seem to be too “abstract” about what it actually takes to get a good sound from your fingers.

4) Even beginning players have a certain “level” that they must attain in order to believe that they are “playing” ….. even if it is just for fun. Once you have attained this “level”, start ENJOYING what you play.

Just make sure that you don’t skip this stuff. You don’t want instant discouragement. These suggestions will make the road to playing bass MUCH MUCH smoother.

Hope this helps.
Thanks
Jon

LEARN TO PLAY BASS GUITAR: DIFFERENT MUSIC STYLES

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Fun To Know: Learn to Play Bass Guitar $6.97 Studio: Victor Multimedia-05 Release Date: 12/19/2006...

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Learn To Play-Bass Guitar $17.94 From the producers of the award winning Rock House Method comes the EASIEST bass lesson program EVER availableGuaranteed The program starts at the roots of bass by teaching you essential techniques such as scales, octaves, alternating & muting and more! Learn key components of the blues, timing and how to hold the beat with ease. Bonus, Bass Slappin and Poppin Lesson. You'll be on your way to becoming a rock solid bassist. Ask the teacher questions & chat with other students Download sheet music, get helpful tips & take a quiz Download backing tracks to play along with Upload and download MP3s, and much more Receive additional theory Become a part of the most complete music community ever! And much more to make your learning fun, easy, and complete. Included FREE with this program: Membership to The Rock House Method's Interactive lesson support system on the web. To find out how to get your free membership log onto www.rockhousemethod.com Run Time: 60 mins.

Learn to Play Bass With Metallica $10.81 32 more tracks with instruction to help intermediate through advanced players master the bass by using Metallica bass lines. Examples include: ...And Justice for All * Damage, Inc. * Enter Sandman * For Whom the Bell Tolls * The Four Horsemen * Master of Puppets * One * Seek and Destroy * Slither * The Unforgiven * Welcome Home (Sanitarium) * Whiplash * and more.

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Learn to Play Bass for Mac,Win $9.95 Step by step interactive lessons show exactly how to play each song, let you change the speed of the music, mix accompaniment parts, and record yourself performing. Learn to read music and play with proper technique in the style of music you love. For Windows/Macintosh. Ages 8 to adult.

Learn to Play Bass Guitar $11.45 No Synopsis Available

Learn to Play Bass With Metallica $11.96 This book is in New - Excellent condition

Learn to Play Bass With Metallica $11.96 This book is in New - Excellent condition

Bass: Learn to Play! [CD ROM & CD] $15.99 The instructional video {#JustEnough: Learn to Play Bass} offers tips on how to master one of the instruments crucial to any band's rhythm section. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

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Fun-To-Know - Learn to Play...Bass Guitar (DVD) $17.81 Beginning with the basics, FUN-TO-KNOW: LEARN TO PLAY BASS GUITAR takes viewers through topics including timing, scales, octaves, beat-keeping, muting, alternating, and how to play in the blues style. Appropriate for aspiring bassists of all ages, the exercises here provide a solid foundation for further study. Bonus lessons include "Bass Slappin`" and "Poppin`."

Fun-To-Know - Learn to Play...Bass Guitar (DVD) $15.81 Beginning with the basics, FUN-TO-KNOW: LEARN TO PLAY BASS GUITAR takes viewers through topics including timing, scales, octaves, beat-keeping, muting, alternating, and how to play in the blues style. Appropriate for aspiring bassists of all ages, the exercises here provide a solid foundation for further study. Bonus lessons include "Bass Slappin`" and "Poppin`."

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Learn to Play Bass Guitar (Hardcover) $11.82 Description not available.

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Hal Leonard Learn To Play Bass with Metallica Volume 2 Book with CD $15.95 Learn to Play Bass with Metallica Volume 2 gives you 32 more tracks with instruction to help intermediate through advanced players master the bass by using Metallica bass lines. Examples include: ...And Justice for All • Damage, Inc. • Enter Sandman • For Whom the Bell Tolls • The Four Horsemen • Master of Puppets • One • Seek & Destroy • Slither • The Unforgiven • Welcome Home (Sanitarium) • Whiplash • and more.

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Play Bass! (Paperback) $24.7 If you`ve always wanted to learn but somehow kept putting it off...if you`ve played bass before and given up...if you`re determined to do it this time...THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! The no-nonsense guide that will soon have you playing big, fat, glorious bass grooves with as little pain as possible! Some basic musical knowledge is handy, but the included CDs feature a demonstration and backing track for each exercise. It`s fun and you`ll not only learn, you`ll learn fast! This time you`re really going to do it!

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