Learning to play bass guitar?
Question by Little Miss Anonymous: Learning to play bass guitar?
My friends are working on starting a band and need a bass player and for some reason they decided that I should join them and play bass, though I’ve never picked up a bass in my life…I have wanted to learn for a while though, so it’s good now I have a reason to! Anyway, a few questions:
1) Do I need to go out and actually get a bass to learn?
I know that I definitely will if I get serious about it, or if/as the band does more, but for now my only guitar knowledge at all is some basic chords on an acoustic 6-string and some music theory that I got from piano and voice lessons. I don’t want to pay (or ask my parents to pay, I’m 15) for a bass when I don’t even know if I’ll like it (I’m almost positive I will though) or if I’ll be good at it. I know that the bass and regular guitar are totally different instruments, but for the very beginnings of learning and seeing if bass playing is something I want to really try, would it be alright to start on my 6-string acoustic and just ignore two of the strings to start learning bass basics?
2) How hard is it to learn bass/how long does it take?
3) Is it possible to self-teach yourself bass with books and such? I don’t have the time or the money for “real” bass lessons, but my friends brother just learned and his some books he said he’d give me.
4) What is a not-too-expensive but still good quality bass for a beginner for when/if I do decide to get one?
:] thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by gtarczar
1 yes you should have a real bass to play on. Borrow a friends or rent one from a store
#2 Bass is physically harder to play than guitar due to the larger strings and neck. It is mentally a bit easier though since you are only playing one note at a time
#3 It is possible to teach yourself since you already know some guitar and piano basics but lessons would help
#4 The most popular bass in the world (and most copied) is the Fender Precision (P-bass) It is the first electric bass guitar ever made and is still the industry standard. The Fender company makes a very inexpensive version of it known as the squire that sells for under $ 200. There are many very good copies of it too that are about the same price.
Remember that a bass guitar needs a bass amp and if you are playing with a full drumset than you will need one capable of putting out at least 50-100 watts just to be heard over the drums
This can get expensive so look around for some good deals on a used amp. All together you will be spending about $ 300 for a bass and amp capable of jamming with a band
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