So, I just got my first bass...

**Skeeter** · 09-01-2009, 04:52 PM

While I have a fair amount of experience playing guitar and have used my guitar skills to play bass many times in the past, I now have a bass of my own. Could anyone recommend some good online tutorials that might help me along the path of bass enlightenment? I'm especially looking for help in the area of plucking with my fingers: I've already developed a blister!

**slap_j** · 09-01-2009, 05:21 PM

I only gave this a cursory glance but it looks decent:

Plucking

The bass guitar is a lot of fun. Heck, that's where the "slap" in my CGR moniker comes from! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

RedsFan75 · 09-02-2009, 05:41 AM

Check Studybass.com good general info there on lots of basic topics.

**scared2mosh** · 09-02-2009, 07:16 AM

What type of bass did you get?

Definately learn how to pop and slap... also ( if you arent already) strum with your fingers instead of a pick...

...it's what REAL bassist do

**slap_j** · 09-02-2009, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scared2mosh

Definately learn how to pop and slap... also ( if you arent already) strum with your fingers instead of a pick...

I actually did a thread on that a long time ago. Let me look for it...

Okay, here it is: http://www.christianguitar.org/forums/t60534/

**Skeeter** · 09-02-2009, 10:45 AM

It's a Squier P-Bass. It's definitely one of the "good" Squiers; it's beautifully setup with great intonation, smooth fret ends, and surprisingly low action.

Thanks for the links, guys, I'll look into them. I definitely want to learn to play with my fingers, but I just can't get the speed up there for punk rock, so I'll likely always use a pick for some things. Still, I'll do my best to lose the pick...

Micahb · 09-02-2009, 11:18 AM

Lots of punk is played with a pick, it's not really a big deal.
I am mainly a finger player, but you can't get that pick sound without using a pick, so don't feel like using one is a cop out.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 09-02-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

It's a Squier P-Bass. It's definitely one of the "good" Squiers; it's beautifully setup with great intonation, smooth fret ends, and surprisingly low action.

Thanks for the links, guys, I'll look into them. I definitely want to learn to play with my fingers, but I just can't get the speed up there for punk rock, so I'll likely always use a pick for some things. Still, I'll do my best to lose the pick...

When playing punk, I alternate fingers, index and middle. Its surprisingly easy to get up to speed that way. I find it faster than a pick. Then again, I do not worry much about blisters, as I am trying to break into a profession that works with wood and tools currently, so my hands are decently calloused...

**Skeeter** · 09-02-2009, 12:04 PM

I always end up in an accidental swing-rhythm when I alternate index and middle fingers. That's something that I'll likely have to practice a lot to get down.

**slap_j** · 09-02-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micahb

...but you can't get that pick sound without using a pick, so don't feel like using one is a cop out.

Exactly. A pick creates a different attack. I mostly use my fingers too but I've used a pick quite extensively.

rfclef · 09-02-2009, 02:16 PM

I am a finger guy butb I use a pick for like 30 seconds of one song in our set that has kindof a punkish feel... just seems right. My opinion is it is good to be able to do BOTH fingers and pick (though I do not slap yet... I want to learn)... Flexibility is a good thing...

**scared2mosh** · 09-02-2009, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillSPrestonEsq

When playing punk, I alternate fingers, index and middle. Its surprisingly easy to get up to speed that way. I find it faster than a pick. Then again, I do not worry much about blisters, as I am trying to break into a profession that works with wood and tools currently, so my hands are decently calloused...

Same here... except my hands are calloused from yard work and fixing stuff.

mtowenby · 10-29-2009, 01:41 PM

In addition to the site listed, here's another one you may find helpful. I, too, am a new cross-over guitar player and I've found both sites pretty helpful.

How to play bass guitar by learning songs not scales!

Folk_guy · 10-29-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeeter

It's a Squier P-Bass. It's definitely one of the "good" Squiers; it's beautifully setup with great intonation, smooth fret ends, and surprisingly low action.

Thanks for the links, guys, I'll look into them. I definitely want to learn to play with my fingers, but I just can't get the speed up there for punk rock, so I'll likely always use a pick for some things. Still, I'll do my best to lose the pick...

To get the speed up you pluck with more than one finger, I can alternate between two or three fingers plucking faster than I can play with a pick.

**JesusFreakGirl** · 01-09-2010, 10:16 PM

Check out the Grooving for Heaven DVD series by Norm Stockton - Norm has become my best friend as a learning and growing bassist. He talks about all the little things and the big things too. It helps a lot.