Back in HS I learned to play electric bass. Was decent, despite my lack concerted practice, but stopped once I hit senior year and haven't played since.. and I graduated HS in '95.
But I've always dug stand up bass and I'm getting a bug to re learn how to play (rockabilly, garage boogie styles) since it's a totally different animal.
So, anyone here play one? Got any tips beyond what expert.com (http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1094_upright-bass-rockabilly.htm) can show me? Any thoughts on how to acquire a beginner bass and note vacate my bank account?
Not sure quite what you're looking to spend, but this (http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Palatino-VE500-Electric-Upright-Bass-?sku=512015) looks like a pretty good place to start.
I'd imagine you'd be able to rent one, which is a good starting point for any stringed instrument.
Renting.. hmm that's a good notion. I'll have to check around.. though I have no clue how I'd transport one of these things... Maybe it is time to trade in the ole Saloon (as Mr Clarkson would say) for that Element...
Quote from: yuu on November 10, 2008, 01:00:11 PM
Renting.. hmm that's a good notion. I'll have to check around.. though I have no clue how I'd transport one of these things... Maybe it is time to trade in the ole Saloon (as Mr Clarkson would say) for that Element...
Sidecar ;)
Or in the ditch of the first corner you came to.
I personally think it is really difficult to learn any stringed instrument from a book or a video. Consider signing up for at least a few beginning lessons, there's nothing like that hands-on, specific feedback that you can get.
In addition, a teacher should be able to help you locate a suitable rental or suggest resources for finding a used instrument.
Quote from: yuu on November 10, 2008, 09:26:52 AM
Back in HS I learned to play electric bass. Was decent, despite my lack concerted practice, but stopped once I hit senior year and haven't played since.. and I graduated HS in '95.
But I've always dug stand up bass and I'm getting a bug to re learn how to play (rockabilly, garage boogie styles) since it's a totally different animal.
So, anyone here play one? Got any tips beyond what expert.com (http://www.expertvillage.com/video-series/1094_upright-bass-rockabilly.htm) can show me? Any thoughts on how to acquire a beginner bass and note vacate my bank account?
If you have a dry clutch on your duc, that's alrady a good start to developing needed left hand strength. ;)
I've been toying with the idea of getting an electric upright bass (EUB) at some point. Those look like a blast, and less fragile than a proper upright, but you do tend to sacrifice some tone and character.
I've never thought of the renting route...
+1 on lessons. But remember to practice, I took a few lessons back in high school (played upright in orchestra, and electric in Jazz band) for orchestra, but ended up not learning a whole lot because I didn't bother practicing. Of course, life is different in high school.
Good luck!
Quote from: Fresh Pants on November 10, 2008, 02:28:12 PM
+1 on lessons. But remember to practice, I took a few lessons back in high school (played upright in orchestra, and electric in Jazz band) for orchestra, but ended up not learning a whole lot because I didn't bother practicing. Of course, life is different in high school.
You might be more motivated if the money for the lessons is coming out of your pocket. That is, as long as you're not the kind of person that pays for a gym membership and never goes. ;)
Quote from: msincredible on November 10, 2008, 02:38:09 PM
You might be more motivated if the money for the lessons is coming out of your pocket. That is, as long as you're not the kind of person that pays for a gym membership and never goes. ;)
Gym membership? Is that something to do with exercisin'? [cheeky]
Quote from: Fresh Pants on November 10, 2008, 02:47:15 PM
Gym membership? Is that something to do with exercisin'? [cheeky]
Sort of. Its like a gym class you pay to skip.
Not many upright bass players out there. 8)
I personally can't imagine playing a fretless intstrument with any proficiency. I had a hard enough time playing rhythm guitar in my college band from time to time (I was also frontman). Not that beer or 'anything else' had any influence..... ;)
Quote from: Speedbag on November 10, 2008, 03:27:37 PMI personally can't imagine playing a fretless intstrument with any proficiency.
I'm the opposite, fretted instruments really throw me. All in what you're used to.
Quote from: msincredible on November 10, 2008, 01:46:49 PM
I personally think it is really difficult to learn any stringed instrument from a book or a video. Consider signing up for at least a few beginning lessons, there's nothing like that hands-on, specific feedback that you can get.
+1
I taught myself to play guitar and bass w/o lessons and it definitely handicapped me to a small degree. I finally broke down and took a few lessons after I had been playing about 4-5 years and it was damn near impossible to un-learn a lot of my bad habits and things I was doing "incorrectly".
Also, it really helps to learn some music theory as well. It really pushed me over a plateau in my playing. It helped me grasp the overall instrument better and made me a lot more proficient. Not to mention it added to my confidence in improvising a lot, as I was better able to understand what the other musicians I was playing with were doing.
Quote from: Speedbag on November 10, 2008, 03:27:37 PM
Not many upright bass players out there. 8)
I personally can't imagine playing a fretless intstrument with any proficiency. I had a hard enough time playing rhythm guitar in my college band from time to time (I was also frontman). Not that beer or 'anything else' had any influence..... ;)
Fretted or fretless wasn't really a problem for me back in the day. My instructor had a fretless electric that he let me take a whack at. Wasn't that much harder... granted I was playing basic stuff in a low pressure situation. it also had some cheater marks on the neck ;)
Quote from: msincredible on November 10, 2008, 01:46:49 PM
Consider signing up for at least a few beginning lessons, there's nothing like that hands-on, specific feedback that you can get.
In addition, a teacher should be able to help you locate a suitable rental or suggest resources for finding a used instrument.
Good suggestion. Some of the techniques for playing upright would definetly befit from some tutelage.
Quote from: Timmy Tucker on November 10, 2008, 03:58:04 PM
Also, it really helps to learn some music theory as well. It really pushed me over a plateau in my playing. It helped me grasp the overall instrument better and made me a lot more proficient. Not to mention it added to my confidence in improvising a lot, as I was better able to understand what the other musicians I was playing with were doing.
I at least got some basic music theory back in the day, so at least I'm not 100% in the dark.. just 99. But yeah - I could stand some learnin' there.
Quote from: yuu on November 10, 2008, 04:06:31 PMFretted or fretless wasn't really a problem for me back in the day. My instructor had a fretless electric that he let me take a whack at. Wasn't that much harder... granted I was playing basic stuff in a low pressure situation. it also had some cheater marks on the neck ;)
Beginning violinists all have little pieces of colored tape on their fingerboards. ;)
most of the best musicians don't know anything about music.
forget theory. theory comes with understanding, which can't be taught.
You are in the dc area, right? we can jam. i have a small studio in MD.
you should call up the guys in the military bands and get a few lessons to see if you really want to do it. I'm a musician, from a musical family, that teaches music. I played bass in school (and professionally), and got my degree in saxophone although I started on piano (age 5). Lessons are the ONLY way you should get started. If you don't, you're probably going to end up hurting yourself physically you learning some bad habits that will hinder your playing later if you stick with it. My buds from the marine band are absolutley sick players and are really normal guys. Also the guys from any of the military rock bands can usually do both. You could even go over to UMD and ask a student for some lessons. They've got a great bass studio over there, and there would be someone that would be happy to have some extra cash. George Mason University also has some really good players right now. THe bass teacher there is in the Marine band. He's crazy and a lot of fun. Rent an instrument or look for a plywood bass that'll be less than a grand. If you need more help, or get more serious, shoot me a PM, and I'll give you my mom's number. she's a contractor of musicians in town, knows everybody, or someone who does, and can point you in the right direction.