lowdowner Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Just saying hello, for some years I've been playing a classical guitar before starting what I really wanted to do - play bass... Don't let anyone tell you that bass playing is 'easy' compared to classical guitar. My classical guitar teacher described bass as 'fischer price guitar' (i.e. the toy brand), but it simply isn't true. The things I'm having to learn about: patterns, unusual scales, harmonies, getting a really clean tone at speed, locking to the drums, understanding the pulse like i've never had to do before... Mostly playing jazz, but also rock/blues etc. Lots of rolling stones and santana at the moment ... and I'm bl**dy LOVING it... I wish I'd started earlier Any tips on starting out on how much to practice and how to progress whilst still having fun would be appreciated. david Warwick thumb 4 string B.O. Ashdown Superly II Ampeg PB112H Ashdown MiBass (220W) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
originalfunkbrother Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Welcome! You gonna find loads of chatters here willing to help so enjoy the ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Name and shame the guitar teacher!!!! Classical guitar is just for poor people who can't afford a piano (not really, just wanted revenge!!) In my experience, all instruments carry their own challenges and the thing about classical music over Jazz is that the demands of the improvising musician are very different from a practiced performance of the 'repertoire'. You can't 'fake' Jazz and regurgitating tried and tested lines and patterns is not going to cut it. You have to have a mastery of the instrument and the associated concepts to deliver a rounded performance. Unlike classical music where, if you learn one piece, you have learned it (can't you see I am bitter!). Learn all the scales and chords you can and TRANSCRIBE, TRANSCRIBE, TRANSCRIBE!! Fischer Price guitar, my hairy a*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted December 22, 2011 Author Share Posted December 22, 2011 Bilbo - very wise words. I think, in his defense (and he is an *outstanding* guitar player) he used the term 'fischer price' with his tongue in his cheek. But I really enjoyed the term and use it as a kind of inverted snobbery wherever I can (as in 'Oh, I only play a fischer price instrument)! One great advantage of the bass is that - for someone new to it for me - you can play along with some very simple knowledge. But I can see into the future and it's full of complexity and challenge. Bring it on - I can't get enough of that low E string - wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanbass1 Posted December 23, 2011 Share Posted December 23, 2011 Welcome aboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted December 23, 2011 Author Share Posted December 23, 2011 thanks alan I see you have a thumb too (though an extra-posh NT!) - they're 'tight' aren't they? I'm obsessed with mine at the moment: I'm boring everyone to death about how great it is to play.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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