learning to play bass - any good resources?

[shirt]

hoping for the bass version of the much applauded justin guitar tuition series. is there anything?

i am a total beginner, bought a squire 51 p bass on a whim last week and now need to justify it! a couple of mates are very decent on guitar so i'd be hoping to join them for a jam before long. want to end up playing 50's rock, rockabilly, 60;s and modern stuff like the black keys. starting in the 50s will hopefully lead to nice, simple walking bass lines!

any tips or pointers, websites and books etc. would be most welcome. all i have at the moment is 'bass guitar for dummies'

[kev b]

There's loads of tuition on you tube and the various tab sites, it is so easy to find good free tuition for any style. Find something you want to play then just practice each day, to keep in time try to keep your foot tapping or get a metronome. You can even find virtual metronomes online along with tuners, you people have it so easy nowadays! Now when I was a lad......................

[singlecoil]

You can have lots of fun with a bass. As mentioned, pick some songs you like, and there's a very good chance that if you search you tube with "bass tutorial *insert name of song here*" then there will be one or more videos showing you how to play it. Don't be afraid to play with a plectrum if you want to, McCartney does. Pprobably best not to start with any of his stuff, or John Entwistle's for that matter.

Learn something called the cycle of fifths, that's good for teaching yourself the different keys that you will encounter.

[Foofighter]

www.talkbass.com - Proud to say this was the first online community I joined many moons ago when I was in your position.

'Hey FF, I got a bass, you wanna be in my band?'

Learned a lot from that website, great to see it's still going.

This page is just one of many on tutorials and how to's. Have fun, practise and make it fun! - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/lot-free-lessons...

Squire have a pretty good name now for making quality affordable items. I would make sure you get a decent tech go over it and give it a setup. I picked up a Natural Jazz bass with a nice looking black block inlay and maple neck of theirs. I got the shop to give it a 'setup' before I bought it. Came back and wasn't any happier with the fret buzz, they sent it off to a 'proper' guitar tech. Once again came back and wasn't happy with how much neck bow there was after two techs having a go at it. In the end settled for a G&L Tribute 5 String they had in for a little extra. By far the best bass I ever owned and deeply regret selling it.

[2volvos]

Bass Guitar for Dummies is a great book...

[shirt]

thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

flicked through bass for dummies last night. i must be less of a dummy than i imagined as i was about halfway through before it got interesting.

foofighter - excellent links, that looks just what i am looking for! i think the show & learn method will be much more accessible, i only wish these things were around when i was younger!

i'm getting a pro set-up when my flatwound strings arrive. i realise the value in doing so as a bad setup will only frustrate me and discincline me to practice [e string is less than clean sounding at present]. i've also ordered the early type pickup/bridge covers for more retro flavour.

pic of the squier with another wannabe bassist:

[Foofighter]

Oh I do love the look of the 51s. I personally would've gone with the metallic paint one, but then I'm a sucker for it.

[shirt]

i love the look of butterscotch and black telecasters, so it was an easy choice for me. i could have got the blue a good chunk cheaper tho

ordered pickup and bridge covers today, but reckon it'll be 3-4 weeks until they arrive. in the meantime - practice practice practice!

[cazzer]

Mine.

Bought for 30 quid from a second hand shop in the 80s.

(You can have that cheap cos its old, oh and I have the flight case too, you can have that for nowt)