Hey. New bass player here.

[JXBase]

Hi I've started to learn bass this year. I'm more an experienced singer and can play keys, I've played guitar a few years but learning more seriously now so I can say I play guitar with some credit.

I've got a couple of band projects, one I'll be a bassist in and probably jamming as bass player going forward. Hoping to come across and get some advice particularly from fellow female bass players out there, I always get conscious about hand positions given my hands aren't as big as the guys.

I've got a fender jazz bass 4 string, but kinda regretting not getting a 5 string cos I do like deep bass, I've already read some tune theirs down with a 4 string? I've not tried it yet but the low E string feels loose and heavily vibrates already, thinking it'll be harder to control if it's looser when tuned down.

Anyway, looking forward to hearing from you and reading the posts on the forum.

JX

[Len_derby]

Welcome JX. This site is a mine of information. If you go to the appropriate sections and ask your questions I guarantee you'll get loads of advice. Enjoy

[seashell]

Welcome from another female :-)

[RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE]

Howdy

[Dandelion]

Ayup.

I am not female..

But we bass players are able to tune into our feminine side.

[Myke]

Hello

Enjoy your time here

[JXBase]

Hey guys and gal! Thanks... Defo one of the other areas I'm heading to is amps.

[BassTractor]

Hi JX,


Welcome!
Looks like you need a fiver, yeah. Or rather: go with a sixer right away and churn out those trouserfla .. wallflappin' F#s down there around the 0.7 Hz mark!
GO girl!

Enjoy the site and its occasional quality.

best,
bert

[JXBase]

Ha thanks Bert - I saw Nolly Getgood in Bassplayer magazine with a 6-string (says Dingwall guitar Afterburner)... The fretboard skews up and looks like you have to get used to different hand position for that? Does a wider handspan help?

I'm struggling even with the hand stretching exercises though it's more manageable on bass than guitar.

[BassTractor]

Wouldn't know, JX. I'm just a noob with too much gear curiosity.
I'd imagine though that the differences are quite manageable. I just compare with for example lutes, where one might play on 17 strings, and have to manage melody, chords and bass line all at the same time.
What's one extra string between friends, eh?

But what I do know is that one should be careful in demanding too much handspan too quickly. Keeping our hands free of damage (or what's the English word) is priority number one in my book. You got a teacher? I'll have my first lesson the coming week.

[borisbrain]

Greetings JX. Groove on.

BB

[discreet]

[size=4] [/size]

[ken_white]

Greetings JX..

If you like your bass deep and want to downtune, try using bigger strings :-)

[SimonEdward]

<- - - - - - - most definitely tuned into his feminine side.. but only @ weekends.

Hi JX. Enjoy BC!! and keep out of treble - you hear?!?! Edited August 20, 2013 by SimonEdward

[JXBase]

Thanks guys.

BassTractor - I don't have a teacher for bass, learning myself but getting guitar lessons. I'm just playing, sounds stupid but I have an idiots guide and reading bass mags, applying bits of what I know of the guitar. An excellent bassist friend taught me techniques and exercises to start. Let me know how your lesson went.

ken_white - thanks I was told about that just after this post about thicker strings, is that thicker string what is used for the 5th string bass?

SimonEdward - bit of a music pimp, love the other instruments too, though I have to say I feel like the bass and I are more compatible!