Newbie Needing Help

[energy73]

Greetings to all in the Sweet Name of Jesue,

I was here once before and your guidance was to begin with a 4-string but I found a 5-string that was a better buy.  Now, I have my bass is there anyone will to give me some basics? 
I am familiar with music, I use to play trumpet some years ago so the bass clef is very new to me.

Were is the best place to start?  I have a book but I'm looking for some hands on, How did you remember the scale and where the notes are, and fingering?

Thanks,

Energy73

[malthumb]

Greetings to all in the Sweet Name of Jesue,

I was here once before and your guidance was to begin with a 4-string but I found a 5-string that was a better buy.  Now, I have my bass is there anyone will to give me some basics? 
I am familiar with music, I use to play trumpet some years ago so the bass clef is very new to me.

Were is the best place to start?  I have a book but I'm looking for some hands on, How did you remember the scale and where the notes are, and fingering?

Thanks,

Energy73

What book do you have?  Make certain it is a book for beginners and steps you through familiarizing yourself with left hand and right hand techniques.  Make certain it has diagrams that explain all the various parts of the bass.  Make certain it has diagrams that show you where each note is located.  Since you have a 5 string, it is very likely that a beginner's book assumes a 4 string and may not give you the value of the notes on the B string (your thickest string)

Here's a quick rundown on the notes for your bass.....counting each string from the headstock towards the body......

String  B........E........A........D........G
1........C........F.....A#/Bb...D#/Eb...G#/Ab
2....C#/Db..F#/Gb.....B.......E.........A
3.......D........G.........C.......F... .....A#/Bb
4....D#/Eb..G#/Ab..C#/Db..F#/Gb...B
5.......E........A.........D.........G. ......C
6.......F....A#/Bb...D#/Eb...G#/Ab..C#/Db
7....F#/Gb.....B.......E.........A.........D
8.......G.........C.......F........A#/Bb..D#/Eb
9...G#/Ab..C#/Db..F#/Gb...B..........E
10.....A.........D.........G.......C... ......F
11..A#/Bb...D#/Eb...G#/Ab..C#/Db..F#/Gb
12.....B.........E.........A......D.... .....G

Notice that the 12th fret position has tha same values as the open string, only it is an octave higher.  So fret 13 is the same as fret 1, fret 14 is the same as fret 2, etc, etc.

Walk your way down each string and call out the name of the note as you play it, so that you become conscious of where each note resides in the fingerboard.

If you are able, find a teacher.  Self taught is good, but working with a teacher is invaluable.

Hope this helps.

Peace,

James

[energy73]

thank you malthumb and God Bless you I will spend the week getting familar and yes I am looking for a teacher.

Thanks again,
Energy

[djgroovin]

This should help.  Somebody posted this a while back but it's a good site.

http://www.studybass.com/tools/chord-scale-note-printer/

[Dwalk]

I recommend you get "Bass Guitar for Dummies" It is a great book, it covers a lot of ground, all the things Malthumb spoke of and it doesn't assume you have a 4 string.

[djgroovin]

I am working on a website that will have a lot a useful info so stay tuned.

At the studybass site you can change the view for your scales and chords from a 4 string bass to an 8 string bass.  It's a pretty good visual.

[energy73]

Thank you all very much.  I don't have a lot of support in this and all I want to do is praise the Lord.

God Bless

[MikeGee]

Here is something else for you. This is the first book that I bought for bass and I still open it once in a while and get something out of it. It helps you with more then just playing the bass. I taught me how to change my strings. It also covers how to purchase amp and cabs.

Think I'll open it tonight.

[energy73]

Here is something else for you. This is the first book that I bought for bass and I still open it once in a while and get something out of it. It helps you with more then just playing the bass. I taught me how to change my strings. It also covers how to purchase amp and cabs.

Think I'll open it tonight.

MikeGee and the name of the book is?
Thanks and God bless

[MikeGee]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0879305738/104-9414179-7430339?v=glance&n=283155

[energy73]

Thanks, I just order it.