Learn Bass Guitar

So I guess you are here because you want to learn bass guitar? But where to start?

I learned to play bass guitar (badly!) around 20 years ago, and stopped playing around 15 years ago, but I'm keen to get back in the saddle! With that in mind I'd thought I'd put up some information that may help others. I first learned when I was at school because there was a spare Fender Precision Bass (like the one pictured) hanging around in the music cupboard! None of the teachers at the school could play bass, but there was a guitar teacher so they asked him if he could try and teach me the bass. He was a great guy, but probably not the best person to learn bass from - it would have been nice if the teacher had played one before!

So, I didn't get off to the best start, and perhaps that's why I didn't keep up the hobby - that and perhaps because at the age of 16 I had other interests!? I have found out since I gave the bass back to the school that the Fender P-Bass I used to play has quite an important place in history - back in the 50's Leo Fender introduced the first mass produced electric bass guitar that set the standard for those that followed.

Anyway, time to get back to how to learn bass guitar! As with any hobby, and certainly most musical instruments, there are a number of decisions that need to be made - not least what type of bass to play! I suggest you start out with a nice simple 4-string fretted bass, rather than one of the more exotic 5, 6, ..., or even 12 string basses that are out there. Also, Yamaha seem to get a pretty good rep for producing good beginner guitars. Not that I'm recommending you go straight out and buy the best Yamaha bass you can afford - there's a lot to be said for heading down to your local music store and picking up a few basses to see how they sound and feel (get the person in the shop to play if you're not too keen on giving a performance!).

Once you have the kit it's a question of the method of learning. There are many options these days, ranging from the traditional (if expensive!) method of getting lessons from a local guitar teacher, through books, DVDs and, not surprisingly in the internet era, online courses and downloadable material. My personal view is that a mixed approach is probably best - I've no doubt that at some point you will need to have some one-on-one tutoring to assess your technique, but equally i'm sure you can learn a lot from a good book and some accompanying CDs or DVDs. I'm sure the online courses also have there place, somewhere in between, and of course practice, practice, practice will be required on your part.

Another thing I think it is important for any aspiring bass player to do is to listen to a variety of styles of music while trying to pay attention to the role of the bass in each style. Once you start listening for it you'll find that the bass is often a lot more than just and additional percussion instrument in support of the drums!! (As some people seem to think!) As well as listening to various styles, try to get inspiration from some of the interesting bass playing characters out there - some of my favourites are Flea from the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Victor Wooten - currently part of a 'bass supergroup' called SMV. Check them out, they may not be to your taste, but I'm sure you'll find a bass style you like out there to aspire to!

So there you have it, my thoughts on how to learn bass guitar, hope you got something out of it.