Bass guitar contemplations

[wazkelly]

Hi Zandit, the word count was up there alright!!!

I should add that as you probably play by ear suggest that you begin playing Bass along with songs you know so that it will be easier for you to pick up the lines being played. Far easier than trying to follow charts or tabs, and there are lots of tabs that are close but also contain wrong notes/left hand positions and end up way too confusing. If all you are concentrating on is following someone else it will be surprising how quick you can pick things up, at least to begin with. As you feel more at home you can then venture out onto some of the YT videos but remember to also play along until you get the hang of what is being taught. I tend to pause the video a bit when practising tricky bits until ready to move on to the next part of a song or lesson.

Also forgot to suggest a short scale Bass as an option such as the PBG SGB-34 for $219 is pretty good value. Upside with a short scale is exactly that....it is 4" shorter and not as big a stretch on the left hand, hence why a lot of kids & females play short scaled Basses. In fact my 1st Bass was a SG Copy, only because it was all I could afford and the genuine 1970's Fender Jazz Bass I drooled over was just too expensive for a mere school student at the time.

[Zandit75]

Hi Zandit, the word count was up there alright!!!

I should add that as you probably play by ear suggest that you begin playing Bass along with songs you know so that it will be easier for you to pick up the lines being played. Far easier than trying to follow charts or tabs, and there are lots of tabs that are close but also contain wrong notes/left hand positions and end up way too confusing. If all you are concentrating on is following someone else it will be surprising how quick you can pick things up, at least to begin with. As you feel more at home you can then venture out onto some of the YT videos but remember to also play along until you get the hang of what is being taught. I tend to pause the video a bit when practising tricky bits until ready to move on to the next part of a song or lesson.

Also forgot to suggest a short scale Bass as an option such as the PBG SGB-34 for $219 is pretty good value. Upside with a short scale is exactly that....it is 4" shorter and not as big a stretch on the left hand, hence why a lot of kids & females play short scaled Basses. In fact my 1st Bass was a SG Copy, only because it was all I could afford and the genuine 1970's Fender Jazz Bass I drooled over was just too expensive for a mere school student at the time.

Thanks Waz, those are actually good tips, and I was going to ask about short scale basses. An interesting concept!
Having a shorter reach than the average guy, this would be very workable(I'm only 5'6")