Coilte

^^^ This. No doubt that the Scotts bass lessons are good, but you cant beat lessons on a personal,"in the flesh", one to one basis. As it is, you have six months of good, constructive lessons to look forward to.

[quote name='BigDrum&Bass' timestamp='1410393753' post='2549096'] And oh my god Coilte, 'safe hand technique' What have i got myself into? How dangerous can playing the bass be?! haha [/quote] Yeah, might be too dangerous for ya....stick to the drums. [size=4]Seriously though, playing say, with bent wrists can result in tendon problems after a time. It could take a few years before the problem reveals itself, by which time it can be too late and a visit to the doc/physio is the order of the day. Another problem the new bass players experience is when they use what's called the "one finger per fret system" on the lower frets (1-5). [/size] [size=4]Check out the link below. It is not my intention to be a scare monger, but IMO it is no harm for you to be aware of the possible results of playing in a certain way.[/size] [size=4]Here is the link. [/size][size=4]Happy (and safe... ) playing. [/size] [size=4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y57-2eaTBwc[/size] [size=4] [/size][size=4] [/size]

[quote name='Marc S' timestamp='1410350314' post='2548385'] Learn those scales[/quote] Agreed. However, OP, you will need to know what notes you are actually playing. After technique, IMO the next important thing to learn is where the notes are on the fret board. While you may know the A scale, you wont be able to play say the F one, unless you know where F is on the 'board. Here is another clip which will help. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAE-_a0I0_I&list=PLatsInsznGD1H-nvsI1Y1TEcDoXa-Fw11

[quote name='BigDrum&Bass' timestamp='1410308329' post='2548127'] Picked myself up an acoustic bass and its my new favourite toy at the minute. [/quote] Welcome to the low end ! [size=4] By "acoustic" bass, I'm not sure if you mean a "double bass" or an electro acoustic. [/size][size=4]Either way, it would be prudent to pay some attention at this stage, to [b]technique[/b]. This will help you to avoid possible injury problems further down the road. If your new toy is indeed a double bass, then this "Talk Bass Forum" link is worth a look. [/size] http://www.talkbass.com/threads/newbie-links-technique.55900/ If it is a "regular" acoustic bass, then do a You Tube search for left and right technique for bass. Here are some clips to start you off : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeRoQuXlj9w http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVMBPmrblU [size=4] [/size]

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1410030071' post='2545581'] Or TI Jazz rounds. [/quote] +1. They have [u]VERY LOW [/u]tension though. This can put people off them.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1410000672' post='2545269'] It's also down to [s]choice[/s] consumerist capitalism. We mostly have more money so there needs to be a lot more ways of getting your money off you. [/quote] True. Though in fairness, the two types of string are very different in a lot of ways, so the "choice" argument is a valid one.

Started teaching myself to read about a month ago. Though I may never need to read, I'm enjoying learning, and IMO it is never a waste of time. IMO doing a little as often as possible is the way to go. No good spending three hours every week end. A book that helped me on my way is "Simplified Sight Reading for Bass". http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplified-Sight-Reading-Bass-Josquin-Pres/dp/0793565189 If I'm away from the bass, then I use this site for practicing the spaces and lines : http://www.studybass.com/tools/bass-clef-notes/

[quote name='BetaFunk' timestamp='1409773636' post='2543277'] I found them much more low tension than ANY rounds i've ever played. [/quote] You obviously have not used TI's round[size=4] [/size][size=4]wounds then.. [/size]

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1409764446' post='2543107'] I've seen they are low tension and I'm quite comfortable playing with a lower tension, the D'Addario rounds I use are low tension too [/quote] Then, in that case you'll probably like the TI's. It may seem like an obvious think to say, but give the TI's a while to break in, like all flats. They take some time to acquire their mellow tone. I have come across people who say they tried them for a week and decided they did not like them. [size=4] [/size][size=4] [/size]

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1409766934' post='2543144'] There's no "versus" about it.[/quote] +1. Some like them, others hate them. I think both types of string have their appeal, depending on the type of music. The OP mentions classic rock and blues. IMO flats are great for this type of music. Personally, I like both flats and rounds.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1409750166' post='2542936'] Exactly that, these are the brands I've ever the best about from friends and reviews etc. The fenders seem to have a love hate following! Plus I've had a few bad sets of fender rounds! [/quote] With regards the TI flats, be aware that these have VERY low tension (one of the lowest ) and this often puts people off them. It would be a shame to spend a lot of money, and only then realize that the low tension does not suit you.

The way I interpret the thread is that the OP is looking for a site that is the cheapest for a given brand. If he was looking for the cheap[u]EST[/u] flats, then he would not be interested in trying TI jazz flats (that's not to say the TI's are not worth the money. IMO they are..). [size=4] [/size]

I use TI jazz flats and the cheapest on line place that I could find that sells them is : http://www.lordofthestrings.com/lots/RAPRD/Thomastik-JF344-Jazz-Flat/11001621.html

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1409388747' post='2539194'] If you want to become a better bass player, just learn some tracks from Stand Up and Benefit: Job done. Recommended: Bouree Living in the Past Witch's Promise Wond'ring again (Glenn's favourite bass part) [/quote] A big +1 to all the above. I love playing along to early Tull's music with Glenn on board. Another song I'd add would be his great walking bass lines on Roland Kirk's "Serenade to a Cuckoo" from the "This Was" album. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh4GZJlQCfY"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh4GZJlQCfY[/url]

This is very sad news indeed. Hi was a big influence on me when I was in my early teens. Thankfully, I got the chance to tell him so in an email I sent about two years ago, to which he replied with thanks. A very under rated bass player. R.I.P. Glenn. [size=4] [/size]

There should be no need for excuses of any sort, because he should not be put in the position in the first place, where he needs one.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1409052120' post='2535768'] "Expected to ..." = Of course not. "Paid to ..." = Well why not? [/quote] Indeed, but he should have the option of saying no. Again, my point is that the situation should not arise where all depends on one person supplying gear, regardless of whether he is payed or not.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1409050886' post='2535755'] Promoters understand cold, hard cash. Offer him the use of your bass amp for the entire gig for an entirely nominal fee of, say, £100. End of. [/quote] That's one way of looking at it, but the point is that one person should not be expected to be the supplier of gear for all other bands.

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1409051057' post='2535758'] "Yes I do have a bass amp, but it's MINE and not a house rig and I am not prepared for it to be used by the other bands on the bill. I presume their bassists have their own equipment, so they can do what I am doing and BRING IT TO THE GIG. I worked long and hard to afford this kit and I have seen too much nice gear get abused by hamfisted supports over the years to want mine ending up the same." [/quote] Best answer so far, IMO. Why should one bassist be expected to supply amps or other necessities for people that he may not even know. Is it not up to everyone to supply their own gear ?????

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1408793174' post='2533508'] Otherwise metal is rubbing against metal with the weight of the bass. The buttons have been known to shear off. [/quote] All the more reason to check these out. [size=4] [/size] [size=4]http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242655-grolsch/[/size]

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1408640406' post='2532159'] The only other resource I can think of that you may find useful is Scottsbasslessons.com. He has done hours of tutorials on youtube. [/quote] [quote name='Samfordia' timestamp='1408295755' post='2528738'] I am aware of Scott's Bass Lessons but for some reason I found him to be something of a turn off. I think it may have been his many over-familiar emails and overuse of smilies :$ [/quote]

[quote name='Samfordia' timestamp='1408387444' post='2529724'] A lot of the time it needs to be visual. Being told something quickly often won't work for me. [/quote] Perhaps a good idea might be to have a teacher go through a book with you. That way, when you go home after a lesson, you still have the book as a reference point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyow9osYbxQ

[quote name='Samfordia' timestamp='1408373855' post='2529551'] finding the right one would be great. [/quote] Very true. Finding not just a teacher who knows his/her stuff, but one who can convey the information in an easy to understand way, is always hard to find, but worth the effort in the long run. Just be sure to get a [u]bass[/u] teacher, rather than a guitarist who teaches bass on the side. My personal experiences with the latter, have been less than satisfactory.

Have you considered Skype lessons ? Might work out cheaper than in person ones. IMO a half a dozen or so lessons would get you off to a good start. In the absence of a teacher, I would recommend this web site : [url="http://www.studybass.com"]http://www.studybass.com[/url] The good thing about it is that the lessons are in chronological order, i.e. each one builds on what went before it, so there are no gaps in the learning process. The best thing would be to start at the beginning and work slowly through the lessons. FWIW, here is my advice as to what you should be concentrating on at this time : 1). Good/safe technique. This will not only have you playing to the best of your potential, but will help to avoid any injury problems that could arise later on, through bad technique. In a nut shell, try to keep both wrists as straight as possible. Search You Tube for L/H & R/H technique. Also check out the "Floating Thumb" technique. 2). Learn where all the notes are on the fret board. Learn about intervals. 3). Learn the Major, Minor, and Pentatonic scales for a start. Just as important is to learn about [i]CHORD TONES[/i] and how these are derived from scales. It is these chord tones that the bassist will play 90% of the time. Here is a link from the "Study Bass" site linked above, that deals with the importance of chord tones. [url="http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/"]http://www.studybass...es-are-primary/[/url] Later, when you are comfortable with chord tones, you can move on to inversions. 4). Finally, while tabs are OK up to a point, dont become too dependent on them. Develop your ear by listening to songs and trying to work out the bass lines yourself. You say you are happy making your own stuff up, so that's a great way to start. Most, if not all of this stuff is in the "Study Bass" site. Hope this goes some way towards pointing you in the right direction.