The Bass thread (funk, Paul McCartney, guitar)

Astronomer · 09-23-2009, 11:37 PM

Don't laugh...

This is me attempting to play random stuff after 4 days of owning my bass:

And this is after 1 week of learning bass (easier version of an Incubus riff...)

Honestly, how am I going? I still think I suck a lot. I pick up everything by ear so it's probably wrong. And I've only been learning bass for about 7 days! But I have to say I think this is going to be my favourite instrument I've gotten into so far...

mr dave · 09-24-2009, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Honestly, how am I going? I still think I suck a lot. I pick up everything by ear so it's probably wrong. And I've only been learning bass for about 7 days! But I have to say I think this is going to be my favourite instrument I've gotten into so far...

glad to hear your digging it. what kind of bass is that? it looks HUGE on you but your 'puny little hands' don't seem to be having a hard time fretting notes

one thing i did notice in the first clip, you play the low string a lot louder than the other strings. not as noticeable in the 2nd clip though, getting a consistent attack on all 4 strings will give you a better sound overall. then again it might have been an amp setting.

there's also a bit of a trick when plucking / strumming chords on a bass. generally speaking you shouldn't strum more than 2 bass strings at once otherwise it just ends up sounding muddy (especially with fuzz). on the other hand plucking 3-4 of the strings at the same time makes a bass chord sound awesome.

but you are nailing those octaves hehehe

Astronomer · 09-24-2009, 07:34 AM

^ Thanks for the tips, mr dave!

Seriously, seriously appreciated! You're definitely right about the 'muddiness' in strumming/hitting more than 2 strings at once, mostly in that first video I was just messing around with what sounds I could make because I had pretty much just gotten the instrument. I'm also having issues with accidentally making certain strings vibrate when I'm strumming another string or having the sound ring on too long because I tend to get 'muddy' and fuzzy as you say. So I'm working on that. But as I said... I've only had the guitar for about 7 days so I guess in time I'll just gradually progress little by little (I hope...)

Also in the first clip I think it was the amp settings! Also my microphone is a piece of shit and doesn't seem to like the lower notes on the bass...

Oh, and the bass is a Hartke... an SB-15 I think. It's just a very basic beginner's bass but I'm not complaining because 1) I AM a beginner! 2) It sounds alright and 3) I pretty much got it for free from my best friend!

Thanks again for all the tips; this thread has been an enormous help to me

09-23-2009, 11:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Don't laugh... This is me attempting to play random stuff after 4 days of owning my bass: And this is after 1 week of learning bass (easier version of an Incubus riff...) Honestly, how am I going? I still think I suck a lot. I pick up everything by ear so it's probably wrong. And I've only been learning bass for about 7 days! But I have to say I think this is going to be my favourite instrument I've gotten into so far... __________________ Last edited by Astronomer; 09-23-2009 at 11:45 PM.

09-24-2009, 07:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	^ Thanks for the tips, mr dave! Seriously, seriously appreciated! You're definitely right about the 'muddiness' in strumming/hitting more than 2 strings at once, mostly in that first video I was just messing around with what sounds I could make because I had pretty much just gotten the instrument. I'm also having issues with accidentally making certain strings vibrate when I'm strumming another string or having the sound ring on too long because I tend to get 'muddy' and fuzzy as you say. So I'm working on that. But as I said... I've only had the guitar for about 7 days so I guess in time I'll just gradually progress little by little (I hope...) Also in the first clip I think it was the amp settings! Also my microphone is a piece of shit and doesn't seem to like the lower notes on the bass... Oh, and the bass is a Hartke... an SB-15 I think. It's just a very basic beginner's bass but I'm not complaining because 1) I AM a beginner! 2) It sounds alright and 3) I pretty much got it for free from my best friend! Thanks again for all the tips; this thread has been an enormous help to me __________________