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This is a good idea. You need to develop your ear anyway.
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Aug 8, 2008 05:47
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 04:54 |
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huh, you're the same guy who helped earlier except you have a different name now. anyways thank you so very much, I don't understand sheet music but I have a little book that was given to me from a friend that teaches stuff like that. also, what music do you like =D. or should that be saved for a PM. Kynetx posted:This is a good idea. You need to develop your ear anyway. I've been in choir for the majority of my life I have a very good ear thank you =P Munoma fucked around with this message at 07:02 on Aug 8, 2008 |
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Aug 8, 2008 06:59
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Akur0 posted:I've been in choir for the majority of my life I have a very good ear thank you =P Uh-huh. So was I and I'll tell you that I had a bit of learning to do when I picked up a bass. The difference in pitches between the notes on a bass can be a matter of a few hertz and it's a different matter than up in the sweet spot of human hearing where the vocal range resides.
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Aug 8, 2008 15:00
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I'd argue my point but it would be a complete waste of my time, regardless thank you for the advice.
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Aug 8, 2008 15:46
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MancXVI posted:My list of fun tips! Cool this is a great video
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Aug 8, 2008 20:54
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Schatten posted:thegloaming - I have a few recommendations for you. Thanks for the advice. I've read a lot of negative reviews about the bass trainer and I really don't need any of the features other than the ability to play along with my music, so I don't think I'll be embarking on that route. I appreciate the offer for the practice amp, but again, I'd like the ability to listen to my music from the same source, so that's out. I think I'll just be purchasing a small bass practice amp with aux in that I can stick into the corner of my room and use for both my guitar and bass.
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Aug 9, 2008 19:12
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Posted awhile ago that I was looking to start playing bass, but I didn't have the cash at the time. Now I do! I'm into progressive metal/rock, so I was thinking of starting with the six string. The Yamaha RBX-JM2 is what I was looking at. It's discontinued, but I found some online retailers who still have it in stock. Any ideas on it? Or if it's terrible, suggestions for a good six-string? e:Or would it be better off purchasing a cheaper one from Rondo or something, then getting that later on? spooky wizard fucked around with this message at 02:06 on Aug 10, 2008 |
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Aug 10, 2008 02:03
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RoryGilmore posted:Posted awhile ago that I was looking to start playing bass, but I didn't have the cash at the time. Now I do! I've heard it's pretty bad. In my opinion it's kind of hard to start "progressive" seeing as how it kind of requires a fair amount of knowledge of theory/time signatures/etc. But if you're dead-set on a six string, I'd look to Rondo first.
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Aug 10, 2008 04:21
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3toes posted:I've heard it's pretty bad. Welp, I've played instruments for years so I have at least a basic knowledge of that stuff, just my first time with stringed. Thanks, I'll check out Rondo. Or does someone have a good recommendation for an Ibanez 6 string? e: I'm going to be practicing in a dorm, so would this (mentioned earlier) be a good substitute for an amp, or an amp is still required to be between the bass/trainer? Again, yeah, I don't know much about this spooky wizard fucked around with this message at 05:48 on Aug 10, 2008 |
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Aug 10, 2008 04:35
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I got a Fender Jazz and a cheap Behringer practice amp that sounds pretty drat good and I love both of them. I'm learning with the Hal Leonard book that's been recommended in this thread and I like it a lot, especially that it's in written music. I'm only on page 19 and it's great so far. Thanks for the recommendations guys!
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Aug 10, 2008 05:36
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hey everyone I'm thinking about buying this http://www.musiciansfriend.com/prod...WELAID=66754907 but I saw this first http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Rockman-Bass-Ace-Headphone-Amp?sku=180252&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26019000 which one should I stick with? and also, why don't we have a bass thread if we have plenty of bass players present?
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Aug 14, 2008 09:33
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Akur0 posted:hey everyone I'm thinking about buying this I'd get the Rock-it. I've had one that was quite good, and it was an older version. With the Rockman, I think you're paying a lot of money for the Tom Schultz name.
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Aug 14, 2008 15:28
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Akur0 posted:hey everyone I'm thinking about buying this I'd get neither. Save your dollars and get this: http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...snum=1&ct=title It's the Tascam Mp3 bass trainer. I have one, and I've had the Rockman too. This trumps it.
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Aug 14, 2008 15:42
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Schatten posted:I'd get neither. Save your dollars and get this: http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...snum=1&ct=title appreciated, also I'm thinking about buying some new strings. I read in bass player magizine that D&R black beauties are 1 on thier list. are they really that good, or is it nothing but hype?
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Aug 14, 2008 21:24
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Akur0 posted:appreciated, also I'm thinking about buying some new strings. I have a set on one of my basses and a few spare sets of them. I dig them, but in comparison to regular DRs, they don't have a certain ring that I have always dug about DRs. I've been diggin the D'Addario Chromes. They are quite bright but quite colorful. It all depends what you are looking for, which you might find in the black beauties. On the right bass, with black hardware, they look cool. =)
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Aug 14, 2008 21:53
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I have D'Addario Chromes on my 5-string. I love them, but it sucks that even super long scale is a tiny bit too short for 35" scale. The low B has about 5mm of the fabric stuff covering the string sitting in the nut. 
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Aug 15, 2008 02:05
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I figure this is probably the best place to ask this... I've played bass off and on for a long time, but never really serious. Mainly just jamming with people in college, etc. I haven't played in awhile now, but have a chance to start playing with some friends of mine in a funk band. Now, I don't have the greatest bass, and have always been a little "eh" about the pickups on it, so I've been wondering if this works out, should I look into upgrading the pickups, and if so, what kind people tend to like for funk, or if there's just a general bass pickup people like for all kinds of music. I never really got much into learning details about pickups, etc, so I figured people here might be able to tell me if it'd be a waste of money or something worthwhile to look into. I have a Washburn XB400, and just don't have the money to even think about getting a new bass anytime soon (plus I'd rather see if this band think works out before I start thinking about spending loads of cash). If there are some decent pickups out there for around or under $100, that'd probably be what I'd aim for. So, any thoughts on whether this is a pointless endeavor, or something worth looking into? Thanks
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Aug 21, 2008 14:42
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Stupid newbie question: Is it bad to slap near the bridge? Every video tutorial i've seen has said to slap near the neck, right by where it joins the body, but i just cannot slap there. I get a good solid slap tone from slapping below the pickup, close to the bridge, but I wanted to make sure that it's not some sort of taboo thing or something.
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Aug 21, 2008 21:13
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Xankrys posted:Stupid newbie question: Is it bad to slap near the bridge? Every video tutorial i've seen has said to slap near the neck, right by where it joins the body, but i just cannot slap there. On what kind of bass? I don't think anything is taboo. Heck, sometimes my technique is thrown out the door with bad hand placements, but it doesn't matter so long as the communication between you - the musician - and the audience is met. And while there are no limits to what you can do, there are limits to what you should. It depends on hand placements that can bring up ill results - tendinitis and the like.
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Aug 21, 2008 21:25
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Xankrys posted:Stupid newbie question: Is it bad to slap near the bridge? Every video tutorial i've seen has said to slap near the neck, right by where it joins the body, but i just cannot slap there. The reason they slap against the neck is that the strings are a bit looser and will in fact hit the frets to create more percussive sound. It's also easier (for most people) to perform the pops up by the neck for the same reasons. Is your thumb pointing up or pointing down when you slap?
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Aug 21, 2008 22:21
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Just like regular finger playing, it also gives a difference in tone depending on where you slap. When I'm slapping normally, I do it by the neck, yeah. But I've found that if I want a loud, ringing, powerful open E, that I just give it a strike with my thumb right near the bridge. It mostly depends on what's comfortable for you though. As a rule of thumb, it's only wrong if it really hurts, because that COULD lead to complications down the road.
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Aug 22, 2008 12:35
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Thumb up, right by the bridge. Get a solid slap sound on all four strings. Bass is a cheapo single pickup piece of poo poo. Get a nice solid slapping tone out of it with no issues, and it doesn't hurt. But since I've yet to take a formal lesson, I just wanted to make sure it wasn't OMGVERBOTTEN or something.
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Aug 23, 2008 00:58
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Xankrys posted:Thumb up, right by the bridge. Get a solid slap sound on all four strings. Nah it's not, just different. Do what works.
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Aug 23, 2008 01:50
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Xankrys posted:Thumb up, right by the bridge. Get a solid slap sound on all four strings. If it works, go for it. Personally, I make a point of learning how it's meant to be done in addition to heading off in my own direction. This has only helped my playing and my confidence to be able to just pick a bass up and run with it in whatever way seems appropriate.
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Aug 23, 2008 02:42
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Quick Question: Outro |---------------------------------| |---------------------------------| |---------------------------------| |-5--55--55--55--55--55--55--55---| 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + When I am playing the quick notes I have a problem with the string hitting the fret lines. I try to play the strings at a perpendicular angle. But I still get the clicking from the string moving a way I do not want it to. Do I need to have the strings raised or something?
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Aug 28, 2008 00:29
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Frog Strips posted:When I am playing the quick notes I have a problem with the string hitting the fret lines. I try to play the strings at a perpendicular angle. But I still get the clicking from the string moving a way I do not want it to. Do I need to have the strings raised or something?
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Aug 28, 2008 00:32
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If we're going to use this as an all-purpose bass thread (something we need, imo!), how about people post their practice routines and tips on getting better? There have already been some good tips in this thread for which I (and I'm sure other novices like me) are very appreciative. As is, my practice usually involves me doing major, minor, natural minor, major and minor pentatonic, and minor blues scales all over the fretboard at varying speeds, sometimes to a metronome and sometimes not, then playing along with various songs (usually have about 2-4 I pick per week or two that I play over and over, then I switch), and then just doodling and coming up with poo poo that sounds good for a bit while I watch TV or something. I'd love to hear from the resident experts on what they have found to be the best ways to improve.
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Aug 28, 2008 01:07
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Frog Strips posted:Quick Question: Trying playing further away from the neck a bit, right by the bridge if you have to.
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Aug 28, 2008 01:45
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Edit: Problem solved, ignore this
buttslave fucked around with this message at 07:40 on Sep 12, 2008 |
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Aug 30, 2008 05:51
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Frog Strips posted:I try to play the strings at a perpendicular angle. But I still get the clicking from the string moving a way I do not want it to. Do I need to have the strings raised or something? You need to slow down and evaluate your technique. Correct technique playing with your fingers is to be pulling towards the next lowest string when you strike a note, parallel to the surface of your bass. To practice this, slowly play out notes (with a metronome) while having your fingers pull through to the next string, but not hitting it hard enough to sound a note on the second string. This isn't the only way, but it'll give you consistency in your fingerstyle playing, and with practice, you'll learn an extremely light touch.
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Aug 31, 2008 02:49
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Well, while we're touching the subject of finger playing, I've been wondering about something in mine. I try to make it a habit of playing with alternating index and middle fingers, but apparently my middle finger has a much pluckier, trebled sound than my index. Which is cool if I'm trying to have a varied sound, but really awful when I'm trying to maintain a steady groove. What's up with that? 
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Aug 31, 2008 03:15
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Jan- it could be that your fingernail is hitting the strings when you use your middle finger. You could either find a way to pluck the strings without hitting them with your fingernail, or simple cut/file your nails. Though a good way I've found to strum chords is to rake the strings fast with your nails (kinda like a Flamenco player) so don't cut your nails too much. Also if you want to spice up your playing, try using your other 3 fingers on your right hand, you might like the way it sounds.
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Aug 31, 2008 04:32
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You could've told me this before I trimmed my long femme nails.  But I think you're right and my middle fingernail is hitting the string. Even though I try to play parallel to my guitar body, I have super long slender pianist fingers so my middle finger ends up striking it at a near straight angle compared to my index. Which seems to include my nail, even though I've had them trimmed as short as I can since I picked up the bass guitar. I guess I'll just have to learn to play like this. I've been using basslines from the Strokes to practice my steady strumming, because god knows that's all they do. Plucking with 1 finger tires me out after the intro in Reptilia, and I just can't hold a steady beat with 2 fingers. Need more practice. =(
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Sep 1, 2008 04:29
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Jan posted:You could've told me this before I trimmed my long femme nails. The thought of playing an entire Strokes song with 1 finger makes my index finger hurt  So far as your fingers getting tired goes - I used to have a similar problem when I used just 2 fingers. I started trying to implement my ring finger as well as my index and middle fingers, and now I'm completely used to using all three. It makes it SO much easier to play for an extended amount of time, and also makes playing complicated licks alot easier. Once you're comfortable with using 2 fingers, try using your third a little more every time you play. About the varied tones you get from each finger - do you usually hit the string with the same amount of force with each finger? It could be that your 2nd finger isn't as strong as your 1st, which would make sense if you don't play with your 2nd as much.
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Sep 12, 2008 09:31
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After about a month or so of research and hearing good things, I decided to buy a new Squier Vintage Modified Jazz from Musician's Friend about 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately it arrived with a massive 1"+ area of missing/damaged clearcoat on the bottom of the body near the strap button PLUS a 1/4"-1/2" gash in the binding on the neck around the 15th fret. The hosed up clearcoat actually gave me a splinter because there was a sharp area sticking out. There was also a pretty heavy neck bow, but that could have been fixed with a setup. Obviously I'm returning it to them for a full refund. Right now I'm leaning towards getting something different. I thought the neck would be pretty thin, and it starts that way near the headstock, but it seemed to almost double in size by the 20th fret. Anyone know if the MIM Fender Jazz's would have the same scale? Also I wasn't impressed with the pickups. They were noisy enough that they were basically unusable without both turned up all the way. I expected some noise but not quite that much. I really like the classic Jaco sound with lots of mid bite from the bridge and I couldn't get there without a ton of noise. I'm not sure if this would get any better with a Fender MIM Jazz. Anyone have input? Maybe my expectations of a $279 bass were just too high.
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Sep 12, 2008 15:38
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zincaito - your expectations were a bit high, but also understood. The dual singles in the jazz pickups are going to be that way unless you put something else in there. I've had a few MIM Jazz's before and they seem to be this way. It doesn't make it any more versitile, they will just make a bit of hiss. The only other jazz pickups I've used are EMGs and Sadowskys, and I never had a problem with hiss after trimming out sine bridge or neck volume. The MIM or American Jazzs are 34" scale like most everything else out there. MIMs are from the same stock as the American Jazz basses. They ship the lesser grade quality woods down to Mexico where they are built. Quality control is an issue. Some things don't line up well. However, I will say, they can be great players which you will never have to worry about dings or scratches for the dollar amount you spend on one. You can also pick up a used MIM for around 300, if not 225 on craigslist or ebay.
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Sep 12, 2008 16:08
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zincaito posted:Right now I'm leaning towards getting something different. I thought the neck would be pretty thin, and it starts that way near the headstock, but it seemed to almost double in size by the 20th fret. Anyone know if the MIM Fender Jazz's would have the same scale? That's not scale, that has to do the neck's profile, nut width, etc. Do you mean thin as in side to side or top to bottom? If it's side to side, that's the profile of any fender jazz bass neck (atleast the standard models).
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Sep 12, 2008 16:11
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Yeah, I didn't mean scale as in scale length. Scale as in neck width from lowest string to highest string. The nut width is 1.5" according to the internet, but it gets much, much bigger than that closer to the bridge. I want it to be smaller at the bridge end of the fingerboard.
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Sep 12, 2008 18:07
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zincaito posted:Yeah, I didn't mean scale as in scale length. Scale as in neck width from lowest string to highest string. The nut width is 1.5" according to the internet, but it gets much, much bigger than that closer to the bridge. I want it to be smaller at the bridge end of the fingerboard. Right... because the bridge is a different width than the nut. If you want overall narrow string spacing you need to look into something like a Hofner violin bass.
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Sep 12, 2008 18:18
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| # ? Apr 19, 2024 04:54 |
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The jazz neck you are looking at getting on the MIM will be no different than the Squier. Besides the Hofner, try playing some of the Ibanez necks. A few Carvins I've played and owned had thinner necks near the body. Try to pick up different basses, even ones that do not appeal aesthetically to you. Just try to pick out some of the things you want in that ideal bass. But at a sub-500 budget, going used will be your best bet.
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Sep 12, 2008 18:49
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