Frank Blank

Absolutely. I tried several before I finally got on with one, I was beginning to think it was me subconsciously rejecting tutors because I didn't want to confront my bad bass playing but in the end I found an excellent tutor and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. This is the important thing, if you put yourself through the ringer with study and theory and aren't enjoying it then there is no point. Playing bass should be a pleasure and if learning theory isn't adding to that pleasure then don't do it. There are plenty of superb, innovative bass players out there who haven't got a clue about such things. Mick Karn for instance didn't know a thing about theory, I once read an interview where he said he knew the open strings were EADG but that was it, he couldn't tell you where a C was, in fact when his band (Japan) rehearsed he would often turn up late and the band had already begun jamming a new song, Mick Karn would look at the title of the song and come up with a bass line to it that the title inspired in him, then sometimes the rest of the band would change the song to fit around his bass line, which sounds like a huge faff but they did this because this untutored player, who didn't know a C from a kipper, wrote exquisite, unique bass lines.

That’s knot an option.

I've been playing for thirty years and never learnt any theory whatsoever until a few months back when I started lessons. I am now doing the same as you, learning scales and arpeggios. These have been available in a variety of forms for years, obviously, but I think, personally, I need the motivation of a teacher otherwise I feel kinda overwhelmed by the amount there is to learn potentially. Also my teacher allows me to decide what direction the lessons take and I'm finding I'm applying it in my writing. I can wholeheartedly recommend being taught regardless of how long you've been playing, it's been a real eye opener for me.

*waves*

I have moved to short scales mainly because of small hands but the weight was also a serious factor. I’m a large chap and the shorter scales look ridiculous when I play them, I feel the best way to deal with this is not to give a 5h1t.

I’ve jus put La Bellas on my Squier Jaguar and they are great.

Amp Hum Help is a great song title, perhaps by Bow Wow Wow.

As always I see it as my duty to suggest a middle way between full scale acoustic basses and ukulele basses in the shape of the Taylor GS Mini-e Bass, II've got one and it's a gem. I have noticed a lot more companies making these lately, Stagg, Ibanez, Ortega, Guild...

@BreadBin is absolutely correct, B L A C K... ...do not displease us. 😈

It rather pleases me too!

*waves*

That’s a great resource, thanks.

Thanks Matt, let me know.

Actually sublime...

*waves*

PMd

Well I had my Rob Allen Mouse up at Guitar Technical Services for a set up. As Strings Direct is about a mile from my gaff I popped over and got myself a set of La Bella 760N strings to be put on the Mouse when it was being set up. Turns out I bought the wrong size! So I found myself sitting outside Bass Direct at 9:30 this morning waiting for it to open so I could get the correct set and run them over to GTS to complete the set up. Luckily the strings that don’t fit the mouse do fit the Squier so first I’m going to try those.

That dude is epic.