Coilte

[quote name='tantummenace' timestamp='1502721847' post='3353093'] I think I will pick up that book sometime soon as you all seem to religiously believe in it! [/quote] Another vote for that (Bass Method) book.

[quote name='SpondonBassed' timestamp='1502724387' post='3353121'] In my case a necessity. [/quote] If by this, you mean that tab is a necessity for you, then you could try to wean yourself off them gradually. IMO tab can be useful now and then when trying to learn a fast or complex song, or if the bass is not easily picked out in the recording. Even at that, they are invariably wrong. For easy songs, it's much more beneficial to try to work things out by ear.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1502700715' post='3352891'] If you go for tab it will save your limited time and get you playing the songs you love. [/quote] OP...if you go for tab... use it VERY sparingly....if at all. Even with your limited time, it would be more beneficial to instead use it to develop your ear by playing along to songs and working out the bass lines yourself via trial and error WITHOUT TAB. Keep the songs simple to start with. Yes, it will seem frustrating at times, but in the long term it will pay dividends. If you become over reliant on tab, it can be a crutch.

[quote name='tantummenace' timestamp='1502643647' post='3352651'] Does anybody have a youtube playlist or website that teaches you in order? [/quote] This site is one of the best IMO for teaching in order from the ground up. [url="https://www.studybass.com/study-guide/"]https://www.studybass.com/study-guide/[/url] Another site worth checking out is : https://www.talkingbass.net/lessonmap/

Chords are made by using what the Americans call.."stacking thirds"...i.e. every other note in a scale...e.g. 1,3,5,7, etc A Cmaj scale has the notes CDEFGAB The word "diatonic" means .."pertaining to only that scale. There are seven diatonic chords in the Maj scale. Lets take the C major scale and show how it's diatonic chords are made. To do so, we will stack thirds FROM THE BOTTOM UP. starting with the major scale and starting every line with the third note from the line below. ABCDEFG FGABCDE DEFGABC BCDEFGA GABCDEF....G is the third note from the line below EFGABCD ....E is the third note from the line below CDEFGAB = C maj scale Now...if we read the lines from LEFT TO RIGHT, and FROM THE BOTTOM UP we get all the diatonic chords (1-7) for the C maj scale. For example...the first line gives us CEGBDFA. The first three notes here (CEG) gives us the C major chord. If we take the fourth note B..we het CEGB...CMaj7. The second line (left to right and from the bottom up) using the first three notes is DFA which is Dminor. Going through each line like this will give us the remainder of the chords in the Cmaj scale. Hope this does not completely confuse you. A similar (and maybe ...better ) explanation is here : http://musictheorysite.com/major-diatonic-chords/

Thanks for the heads up. Looks like a good read.

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1502212596' post='3350045'] Some great tips thanks. Will look at the chord tones too. [/quote] Even if you are not really into jazz, learning walking bass lines is an interesting and fun way to get to grips with chord tones. In the link below, Dave Marks gives a series of lessons starting with the basics and working up. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dave+marks+walking+bass+lesson

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1502091864' post='3349162'] I HATE bass players who insist on going "ger-DIT ger-DIT" along with the guitar player on slow blues. Walk it smooth and it sets off the guitarists chug perfectly. Not saying do that to the exclusion of everything else though.... [/quote] When I mentioned "slow blues" this is what I was what I had in mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2FR1HYod44

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1502029807' post='3348826'] I do agree though that the teaching of theory is often a mess and far from progressive leaving students, musicians confused and unfulfilled. Great teachers are hard to come by and unfortunately, I really don't think the odd paragraph on an internet forum trying to explain what an experienced player thinks is a relatively simple concept is the answer for someone seeing this stuff for the first times. [/quote] I agree with the above. However a beginner has to start somewhere. Often this is the problem...i.e. they are swamped in an ocean of information and don't know where to start. That's why in an earlier post I recommended to the OP (assuming he was interested) the site www.studybass.com. IMO it is one of the best out there because the lessons start simple and each one builds on what went before. Granted, a good teacher would be a better option, but in the absence of one, it is the next best option.

[quote name='dood' timestamp='1502024379' post='3348789'] I understand what you are trying to say in a limited space, but a beginner will look at your paragraph and shrug. [/quote] I agree. A beginner[i] would[/i] shrug if he/she saw music terminology that they did not understand. It was the same when we were learning the alphabet and how to read. We started off simple and built from there. Before long we could read sentences. For that reason it is important for a beginner to start at ...well...the beginning. Too often people starting out go on Youtube, pick a clip that takes their fancy and work on that. They follow it up with another random clip. Then they end up totally confused because they have not done the ground work.

[quote name='Phil Starr' timestamp='1502007083' post='3348666'] I'm not averse to learning a bit of musical theory, it's really interesting and I'm confident that it would benefit my playing but I also know the benefits of just learning the songs and it's hard to take a step back for longer term thinking. [/quote] It all depends on a person's goals and how far they want to go with their learning and playing. Yes, a person will get by knowing little or no theory by simply copying other peoples lines. If this is what floats your boat then...happy days. However, in order to understand the nuts and bolts of music.. (and IMO to appreciate it more)...not to mention being able to come up with your OWN bass lines, then a good grasp of basic theory will pay dividends. Even in a covers band, knowing your chord tones can be very beneficial. For example sometimes for various reasons a song is not played in it's original key. A player without a grasp of theory and who relies on patterns alone will be totally lost in this situation. If however, you know some theory, you will be easily able to change over to the new set of chords. Theory never held anyone back...even those in cover bands.

[quote name='Crawford13' timestamp='1501960102' post='3348524'] I don't understand the direction this thread has taken. The original poster is talking about how much he is enjoying learning scales, and everyone has jumped in suggesting he should do this, and that. I'm glad you are enjoying playing again, and hope you continue to be inspired! [/quote] I doubt if anyone begrudges the OP his new found inspiration. For my own part, I was merely suggesting other paths of learning that he could traverse, which will I'm sure be equally inspiring.

[quote name='JamesBass' timestamp='1501953539' post='3348472'] 140 BPM, that's too fast to really progress your time feel. I would suggest start as slow as possible, often 70 to 80 BPM is good, some students I make go down to 60BPM. [/quote] [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1501954641' post='3348482'] Yes, if you can't play it slow then you probably can't play it fast. [/quote] Agreed. A slow blues is one of the hardest things to play.

Further to my earlier suggestion about learning to harmonise the Major scale....: The link below explains this. It is part one of a set of three. If you don't understand the terminology he uses or if you are completely in the dark as to what he is talking about... (whole steps..half steps etc)... you will have to go and start at "ground zero". That "Studybass" site will help you here. Go to the study guide, start at the beginning, and work your way through the lessons. IMO with modes, you are starting the learning journey somewhere in the middle, so you are bound to have to waste time back peddling because the basics were not nailed at the start. All the above is assuming you want to learn some basic theory from the ground up. [url="http://www.notreble.com/buzz/2012/03/20/harmonizing-the-major-scale-using-a-number-system-on-bass-part-1/"]http://www.notreble....on-bass-part-1/[/url]

If you are having fun and enjoying yourself..best of luck to you. It will certainly help with ear training. However, while there is no doubt that scales are important, IMO it would be more beneficial to concentrate on chord tones, as this is what the bassist plays 90% of the time. Learn how chords are derived from scales and how to harmonise the major scale. This, IMO would be better than playing modes, which are generally left until the basics are under the belt. Check out this lesson from "Studybass". https://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/

I'm pretty sure there was never an artist or band who was not influenced in some way by what went before. It is the nature of the beast.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1501585356' post='3345657'] Sometimes folks want to say yes because they don't want to say no, rather than actually wanting or being able to. [/quote] Yes, that would seem to be the explanation. However, it's not logical, considering they'll end up saying no in the end . *"[size=2]*Asks himself...."since when were musicians considered logical ?"[/size]

My problem with Youtube tutorials (assuming they ARE tutorials and not play alongs) is that, (especially for beginners) there are very few that are not "one offs". Nothing ever comes before or after. Often the beginner browses Youtube, finds a clip that takes his/her fancy, but find that they can't move to the next step. What are needed are lessons that run chronologically...i.e. where the lessons start basic and where each builds on what went before. On forums I have come across bassists who have being playing for a week, inquiring about modes. While it's good to have a healthy appetite for learning, studying modes at this stage of the learning journey will only lead to frustration. Granted, the more mature player will be able to dip in and out, depending on the specific thing he is working on. However for the beginner, it can be a confusing (as in..."where the hell do I start...") ocean of information.

While it's always best to try before you buy, that's not always possible. I have bought two basses on the Internet with no problems at all. The least of my problems would be the set up, as I usually do my own. Besides, lots of people have their own personal set up preferences. If you can't do a set up, it could be done by an expert for a reasonable fee. If I can't get what I want locally, I would buy on line again. However...as Dad3353 says...to each his/her own.

Here's wishing for a speedy recovery.

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1500158337' post='3336029'] I I wonder sometimes if I'm just chasing something elusive but ultimately unattainable [/quote] Yes.

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1499968800' post='3334914'] Hi Mark I would highly recommend the Ed friedland bass books [/quote] Agree...and IMO this is one of his best. Volumes 1-3 in one spiral bound edition. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hal-Leonard-Bass-Method-Complete/dp/0793563836

It's never too late to learn. Congratulations !! Hope you enjoy the learning journey. All good advice so far. I don't think technique (as in [u]SAFE [/u]technique) has been mentioned. Whether you decide to play left or right handed, learning safe technique from the beginning will pay dividends. Not only will you play to the best of your ability, but you will avoid possible injury problems that may occur at a later time. Safe technique can be summed up in three basic points. 1. Try to keep both wrists as straight as possible. 2. Keep both hands as relaxed as possible. 3. Dont grip the neck too hard when fretting. It does not take much pressure to have a note sound clearly. Here are two clips that explain all about safe right and left hand technique : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRkSsapYYsA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIYuqTsUlyM

[quote name='mr.noisy' timestamp='1499597612' post='3332399'] I guess the biggest problem with this for me is the time. Youtube can be invaluable resource, but finding a good one takes time now as there is so many people following up successful online tutors. [/quote] You can't go far wrong with the great Larry Carlton. [url="https://www.google.ie/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=larry+carlton+lessons&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=7w1iWcnNIKyVgAb3lJ2YDQ#q=larry+carlton+lessons+youtube"]larry carlton lessons youtube[/url]

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1499450172' post='3331685'] Never stretched my strings, never heard of stretching strings until I joined this forum. Generally I find things have settled down within 24-48hr of restringing. [/quote] +1. I just restring, tune, play for about ten or fifteen minutes, check and retune, then leave overnight. Retune the next day and that's generally the whole procedure done.