The Bass thread

[Astronomer]

Originally Posted by mr dave

@lateralus - the idea that playing bass is 'physically harder' than piano or guitar is bollocks. i found the bigger strings made it easier to sound the notes as you have a greater surface area to press down onto the fretboard (as opposed to having a thin wire cutting into your fingertip). the biggest challenge is developing a fingerstyle method if you've been playing with a pic for years.

one other thing to try if you're still concerned about the size is playing octaves. for the vast majority of bass lines octaves will be the biggest stretch you're left hand will face.

try this funky line next time you're noodling on a bass

G--------------------------------------------
D-----3---4---5---6------7---6---5---4------
A--------------------------------------------
E-X-1---2---3---4----X-5---4---3---2--------

keep the low notes fretted with your index finger and the high ones with your little finger. the trick to start is to use your ring finger to reinforce the fretting of the high notes behind your little finger, so you basically end up using two fingers to hold down the higher string but only the tip of your little finger has to reach the high note.

Thanks mr dave, I appreciate it so much! You are just full of so much awesome advice.

[mr dave]

no worries hehe

you should find that the initial ascending part of that line requires more hand strength than the 2nd half.

let us know how things turn out in your quest for the low end

[TyrantSong]

So I've got a 5 string Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass, and while it's quite comfy and produces a sufficient sound, I feel like I want something a bit...funkier. I'm also thinking of moving down to a 4 string.

Any suggestions?

[mr dave]

a 4 string fender american deluxe jazz bass?

[5-Track]

I've had good luck with certain Yamahas and also Ibanez Soundgear (tho play a few of either first, as the quality varies somewhat from bass to bass) ... the 4-string I use most is a Fender fretless j-bass special ... if I were going to buy a fretted 4-string I would probably try Fenders, Ibanezzes and Yamahas first (looking in the affordable range, anyway) ... in what way "funkier"?

[TyrantSong]

I guess funkier in a visual sense.
Something a little different from the standard looking guitar.

[mr dave]

in that case i find the ibanez artcore bases to be visually distinct from its peers



it's not a totally new design or anything but not the typical solid body / double cutaway everyone is used to seeing. they've also got a shorter scale neck length, 30" as opposed to the traditional 34".

[TyrantSong]

Originally Posted by mr dave

in that case i find the ibanez artcore bases to be visually distinct from its peers



it's not a totally new design or anything but not the typical solid body / double cutaway everyone is used to seeing. they've also got a shorter scale neck length, 30" as opposed to the traditional 34".

Now that is what I'm talking about. Thanks so much for the suggestion.

[Farfisa]

This has more funk in my opinion.

[Astronomer]

So I started 'learning' bass today! I don't have my own bass yet (although I have purchased it, but from someone back in Australia so I'll get it when I return home in a couple of weeks) but a friend is teaching me on his bass which is pretty similar.

To be honest, it feels a bit awkward seeing as I'm used to playing guitar; everything feels so huge! I feel very unco to be honest Today he showed me some 'proper' techniques for the right hand (striking hand) and I've just been messing around and getting a feel for it. Hopefully I'll be able to eventually progress from this un-coordination and be able to learn some cool stuff!

I just wanted to thank everyone for the advice and encouragement as I probably never would have bothered to pick up a bass without it - I would have been too afraid! I might post some videos soon so you can all tear me to pieces and give me some constructive criticism :P