Another newbie seeking guidance
The Unix Dude
I've always had a passion for the electric
Bass guitar and I've finally reached a point where I'm able to afford
the time to
learn how to play. I'm very curious about
a few things though, and would sincerely appreciate your honest
comments,
even if negative.
I have an opportunity to acquire an Ibanez
BTB515 5-string electric at a ridiculously attractive price, and will
probably do
so soon. But, since I don't yet have the
skills to even play a traditional 4 string acoustic, I wonder if it's a
mistake to
begin on the 5-string.
I'm 44, and one of my sons plays both
acoustic and electric guitar, and is pretty excited about the
possibility of having
practice and jam sessions with his dad. To
tell you the truth, I'm pretty pumped about it too.
Which brings me to another question.
Namely, my age. Are there people here who learned the Bass at a later
age who are
reasonably pleased with their abilities?
Or am I likely to be embarking on a fantasy since my coordination
probably isn't
as sharp as it was when I was 20? I
realize that's a pretty subjective question, but I'd still appreciate
your feedback.
Generally speaking, I'm pretty realistic
about my expectations, and my objective isn't to start a band and become
famous.
I just love the Bass and always have, and
would love to learn it and see where things go from there. It would be
great if I
could become fairly proficient in the 3-5
year range, but who knows.
So please let me know what y'all think.
I'd sincerely appreciate your comments. Thanks!
Mike
Rob Kloka
We have a few folks around here from your generation who have recently
started learning, and they report good things. I bet it would even be
easier to pick up on the theory, having a guitarist around to answer
questions.
That Ibanez is a wide spaced 5 string, which, if it feels comfortable to
you, should be well above most "starter" bass'.
My favorite newbie advice is RELAX. Don't let your arms, neck, wrists,
fingers tense up. Stay loose. Do a little stretching before you play too.
--
-rob
O>
/(\)
^^
"The Unix Dude" <m...@fanafi.org> wrote in message
news:3B265684...@fanafi.org...
Heinz
You used vi to edit this message or is your EMACS running wild :-) ?
I picked up the bass last year being 46 now obviously I am 47. Posted also a
question here regarding my age and received a warm supporting welcome. Age
is really not a question.
As you said I am reasonably pleased with my progress and ability so far
because I always thought I am to stupid for this.
The next thing I would like to do is to try to play with others although I
never did that before and I feel I am not ready yet to do this but you have
to start someday, somehow.
I would say go for it because it is a lot of fun at least for me.
Cheers and greetings from Germany
MfG!
Heinz
The Unix Dude <m...@fanafi.org> wrote in message
news:3B265684...@fanafi.org...
George Viscome
It would seem these are the key words.
If you feel you have any musical ability at all, by all means, Go for
it!!! - especailly if you can get the bass for "a ridiculously attractive
price."
As for age....
Enjoy the jamming with your son!!!
I'm 45 and (finally!) switched from guitar to bass just a couple years ago
(after playing guitar since I was 12). ..And I've always loved the bass. Odd
when I think about it.... When the other band members weren't there, I often
picked up the bass player's instrument and had a blast playing it. That
should have told me something!
Mark Henderson
teacher down at the "candy store" (guitar shop) who has the patience of
Job. I can actually crank out some pretty funky beats. I think the real key
was learning to play properly from the start, and not have to unlearn any
bad habits; correct finger usage for example. One caveat, my wife has just
discovered her rock star fantasy that was apparently deeply hidden, and now
I can't get her off my back. Proceed wisely here!
markh
"The Unix Dude" <m...@fanafi.org> wrote in message
news:3B265684...@fanafi.org...
Prescott20
to play. And I think the bass is a near perfect choice. With just a little
work you can start playing simple songs along with cd's. It can be great fun.
I also second the suggestion that you try to stay loose. Tension in your hands
and fingers is a real killer.
And finally I think it's important to establish corrrect right and left hand
technique. Try not to develop bad habits that you'll only have to un-learn
down the road. A good bass teacher can help you in this regard.
I hope you stick with it and have loads of fun.
Rob Kloka
--
-rob
O>
/(\)
^^
"Mark Henderson" <mar...@charter.net> wrote in message
news:tics1r3...@corp.supernews.com...
Wes Rhoades
what you want to do. Sounds as though you have a passion for the instrument,
which is all you really need. So if you have an opportunity, go for it. I
can't see any draw backs to learning to play music, especially the bass :-).
Wes
Karl K
wrote:
>Hi All,
>
> I've always had a passion for the electric
>Bass guitar and I've finally reached a point where I'm able to afford
>the time to
> learn how to play. I'm very curious about
>a few things though, and would sincerely appreciate your honest
>comments,
> even if negative.
>
> I have an opportunity to acquire an Ibanez
>BTB515 5-string electric at a ridiculously attractive price, and will
>probably do
> so soon. But, since I don't yet have the
>skills to even play a traditional 4 string acoustic, I wonder if it's a
>mistake to
> begin on the 5-string.
>
> I'm 44, and one of my sons plays both
>acoustic and electric guitar, and is pretty excited about the
>possibility of having
> I just love the Bass and always have, and
>would love to learn it and see where things go from there. It would be
>great if I
> could become fairly proficient in the 3-5
>year range, but who knows.
>
> So please let me know what y'all think.
>I'd sincerely appreciate your comments. Thanks!
>
> Mike
Mike: I'm an "anology" kind of guy, so let me do what I do best.
If music = art and bass guitar = water colors, then how old is *too
old* to learn to paint proficiently with water colors?
First, "proficiently" is a somewhat relative term; especially in
regards to the arts, which I'm sure you'll agree music is one of the
arts. How good is proficient to you?
Secondly, if someone wanted to be a proficient water color painter, he
or she could probably do so quickly (another relative term) with a
professional water colorist as a teacher and a mentor.
Of course, just how fast he or she will become proficient at water
coloring will also depend upon how hard that student works on his or
her skills and how good a student that person is.
Now, in plain english: there are a lot of guys around here playing in
bands that earning money in their 40's, 50's, 60's & 70's. Let's say
you find a good teacher that you can *relate* to (very imortant) and
you are a fast learner. You can be one of those guys in their
mid-40's earning money (if you so desire) playing music.
Now let's say you are a slow learner, but you keep at it dilligently,
practicing the *right things* for the style(s) of music you want to
learn. You could be one of those guys in their late 40's or early
50's playing music and earning money at it (if you so desire).
There's nothing magical about learning to play an instrument. In
fact, it's basically simple mathematics and cause and effect. The
simpler the music, the simpler the mathematics. IOW; blues = 3rd
grade math and classical = college level algebra (oops, back to the
analogies again <g>).
Main thing is, like another poster said - get a teacher. After 4
years or so, I was beginning to think I was pretty good. I was
earning a living by then, playing the bass in nightclubs. One night,
I went out and saw a bass player that completely blew me away. I
asked him on a break, how long had he been playing. When he told me 2
years, I could hardly believe him.
Turns out he was taking lessons from the beginning and shortcut
himself to the point of surpassing me at 4 years. Turns out this is
just the way it seems to work in general.
Good luck to you and yes, you *can* learn to be proficient at the bass
guitar at your age :-)
-----------
"One Day I'm Gonna Figure Out How Ride My Valkyrie,
Make Love To A Woman, And Play The Bass Guitar
Simultaneously!"
James Harrison
Hi Mike.
Welcome aboard.
The question I will answer is "should you start playing on a 5 string, when
you can't even play a 4?"
To this I emphatically answer YES. if the price is right, and you can start
learning on a 5 string, then do so.
There are 5 string techniques which need to be "re-learned" after years of
playing 4 strings, but which can be learned in 1 go if all you ever play is
5.
Good luck, and have fun. You have chosen a wonderful instrument.
kain.
Tom B
I figured I can learn Bass. I played Drums with lessons during high school,
so the rhythm came back. I now can pick up faster on Music theory since my
mature mind has the experience and patience to retain it.
"The Unix Dude" <m...@fanafi.org> wrote in message
news:3B265684...@fanafi.org...
Bud LeCompte
--
Bud LeCompte
bud...@hal-pc.org
The Unix Dude <m...@fanafi.org> wrote in message
news:3B265684...@fanafi.org...
Subchunker
that truth probably lies in the fact that a more mature person doesn't have the overwhelming drive that kids do (I remember being
crazy obsessed with playing for a long time.
Go for starting out with a five. It's not harder, just different. The only reason I'd say to start on a four is that they are
slightly cheaper and all you really need. I play a five string (in a punk band, which gets me alot of "why don't you play a P or a
Stringray" looks), but I like being able to hit the super lows and play more controlled E's).
Good luck, I think it's totally cool that you're gonna play with your kid!
Rob Kloka
http://www.tonylevin.com/index.shtml Speaking of riding and playing.
--
-rob
O>
/(\)
^^
"Karl K" <f6...@hotmail.com> wrote in message >
Karl K
wrote:
>Hey Karl, have you seen the pic of Tony Levine at his site?
>http://www.tonylevin.com/index.shtml Speaking of riding and playing.
Rob, thanks for the link! That was totally a cool pic. I had no idea
TL rode... makes sense tho.
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