learning order of playing bass

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Finley Booker

Aug 13, 2021
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#1
Hi there guys.
I've been playing bass for about a month now and have fallen in love with it.
I was wondering if someone could point me to the right thread which would explain an order in which to learn and practice certain techniques and skills to progress the quickest.
I have been learning a few songs and looked at a few skills and have even played a couple of songs live with a mates band.
Also, if someone could point me in the right direction for a thread which would help me pick my next bass amp. I currently have a fender lt25 which is great but for playing gigs it will not have a chance. I also have limited money making it a hard decision.
Thanks in advance.
 
#2
Finley Booker said:
Hi there guys.
I've been playing bass for about a month now and have fallen in love with it.
I was wondering if someone could point me to the right thread which would explain an order in which to learn and practice certain techniques and skills to progress the quickest.
I have been learning a few songs and looked at a few skills and have even played a couple of songs live with a mates band.
Also, if someone could point me in the right direction for a thread which would help me pick my next bass amp. I currently have a fender lt25 which is great but for playing gigs it will not have a chance. I also have limited money making it a hard decision.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Very good question. I’m sure you’ll get lots of advice. IMO good teachers are rare, but if you can find one that might be a good start. Also, @Malcolm35 here on TB is a great resource. Good luck!
 
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#3
Get an instructor if you can swing it. If not invest in some beginner books and work through them. There are some good internet sites out there. The beginner section of StudyBass - Free interactive online bass lessons is good.

I had a mentor when I was first learning. My great uncle plays bass. When he would jam with my dad I would set up in the corner by him and follow along. He gave me pointers and helped a lot when I was first starting out. Considering I was 12 it was easy to just tag along. I have done the same with nephews and such when they started on bass. Working on my granddaughter now.

Having someone to talk with and show you things goes a long way. Mentors are not as good as instructors.
 
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#4
Gigging amp? I've gigged a 15 watt amp at a small church. If the room is small 15 amps could work -- for Praise music. Rock, pop, country, etc. 150 amps is a starting place. Over 300 I never used as when I needed that much I just plugged into the house PA system.

First things first - play from fake chord sheet music. Why? Fake chord is what the good ole boy bands will be using. Kinda helps if you follow the chords and know where the chord spellings (notes of the chord) are located.

Gotta go...... will check back later.
 
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#6
Finley Booker said:
Learning order of playing bass
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Things do have to be learned in a certain order, because of prerequisites. Some things have to be mastered before you can move to the next. As an instructor, here is the order I teach things in:
  1. Right hand technique on open strings
  2. Left hand fretting technique
  3. Combined left right technique
  4. Notes in first position
  5. Articulations
  6. Muting open strings
The above is the technique block. It should be mastered before moving to the music theory and aural skills block. Music theory and aural skills can be taught concurrently, or back to back as listed.
  1. Scales
  2. Keys and key signatures
  3. Harmonized scales
  4. Chords
  5. Chord inversions
  6. Chord extensions
  7. chord alterations
  1. Interval training
  2. Melodic dictation
  3. chord progressions
  4. Harmonic dictation
  5. Voice leading
  6. Harmonic analysis
  7. Composition
  8. Arranging
  9. Orchestration
Certain things are taught throughout the entire course of instruction, like Music notation, rhythm, dynamics, tempo, sight reading, Music history, ensemble skills, Improvisation, and singing.
 
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#9
Malcolm35 said:
Gigging amp? I've gigged a 15 watt amp at a small church. If the room is small 15 amps could work -- for Praise music. Rock, pop, country, etc. 150 amps is a starting place. Over 300 I never used as when I needed that much I just plugged into the house PA system.

First things first - play from fake chord sheet music. Why? Fake chord is what the good ole boy bands will be using. Kinda helps if you follow the chords and know where the chord spellings (notes of the chord) are located.

Gotta go...... will check back later.
Click to expand...

15w? I'm sorry but that's just absurd. And while you've never needed 300w, the consensus is, for most situations 300w is the minimum/safe bet. I wasted a lot of money on bass amps and combos my first year of playing because of advice like this (I was told 150w was enough, it was not, not for the country cover band I was in, nor the previous top 40 cover band). Just playing through a PA isn't always an option either, nor is the assurance of a decent Sound guy . Most beginners aren't playing high end venues, they end up in dive bars with the part time guitar player running the sound board through a tired worn out PA, if it has a PA.

OP, You could probably get by on 200w, but down the road, get something that kicks out at least 300w. Nothing worse than buying something and finding it out it's not enough for the job. Not sure what your budget is, but you can find used heads that offer 200 or 300w in the $200-$400 range. Acoustic heads, Hartke, Gallien Krueger, or maybe even used ampeg pf350. You'll need a cabinet to go with one of these which is going to run you another few hundred. Or you could do the combo route, like a Fender Rumble 200 (these run $500 new).
 
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