highwayman

Had Hal Leonard's Bass For Kids for two days, already getting a basic grasp of notation: highly recommended for [i]big [/i]kids wanting to get the basics down.

Beast in question...

TBH I bought my 'Ray just knowing I wanted a 2eq & also liking the fact that it had a string-through bridge (before I saw the 'bass light' I owned a fixed bridge Strat which was string-through & found it superior to other guitar bridges). Ref. the Strat, I remember it fitted like a glove (when standing) & hence my (partial remorse) about my 'Ray being contour-less began... I should definitely try (buy... no, I'm just starting bass!) a contoured 'Ray to see if it really is an issue. For what it's worth, before buying my 'new' Classic I was checking out the gorgeous 70's models on Andy Baxter's website, and they're all slab bodied...

Any ideas of where to look for it? Tried eBay/Amazon. I'd be surprised if in the 80s/90s (pre-internet) it wasn't produced.

Hmmm, three endorsing posts, all from first time posters... I've decided [i]not [/i]to pursue this online course or any others (for now anyway) as: - I've since invested in Hal Leonard's 'Bass For Kids' - yes, at forty-two, seriously! It's a great book/CD that gets you learning notation immediately & really is excellent for adults wanting to start the right way from the very beginning. I aim to progress to HL's Bass Method book one next. - On an amazon.co.uk review for Music Theory for the Bass Player: "The author even emailed me a practice schedule to work through the book" I though, great, I'll do the same as I wasn't progressing past the initial opening pages. The author replied super-quick and mentioned the course to me, adding that she'd send me the practice schedule if I still wanted it. I replied that I'd like to have the practice schedule first please, and when I started to see some progress then I'd most likely enroll on the paid course. That was last week and I've had no reply... (none to my spam-box either).

I'm unlikely to get this done (if at all), until I reach what I'd consider to be a proficient performing standard (only been a bass-beginner since April). I'd need to try a contoured 'Ray to see if they're much more ergonomic when standing with it, as that's the consideration here. One positive in having this mod done: if (forbid) it should ever be stolen, then it would be pretty identifiable were the word to go out on here...

"late 80s/early 90s 2 band EQ Stingray with lacquered figured neck" It's a thought, how often do they come up?

I've done a web search & turned up nothing: does anyone know if there's a bass sheet music book for Killing Joke's Night Time? Tab would be easier but I should really be seeking it in notation...

Don't know if this will catch on, but I suggest a pre-EB 'Ray could be referred to as a 'Classic Stingray' & the recent EB homage (string through, slab body etc.) as the 'Stingray Classic'...

Just ordered Hal Leonard Bass Method For Kids (I'm 42...) [url="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1423498488/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me="]https://www.amazon.c...coding=UTF8&me=[/url] As I mentioned before, I can already play a few bass melodies (Love Like Blood by Killing Joke is my favourite bass line [i]ever[/i]!) but don't have a ******* clue about the how & why - I'm hoping this will at least set me in the right direction.

Ariane Cap, author of the well-regarded Music Theory for the Bass Player, has introduced a 20 unit online course that runs in conjunction with (and beyond) her book. https://arisbassblog.com/coaching-course/ It's $249, which currently works out at around £190: unfortunately the worst exchange rate in ages... I have the book and am intrigued by her idea that "reading music is of course a vital skill, yet it should not be tackled at the same time as the study of music theory", as doing both (at the same time) does seem daunting, but I'm struggling to really get going with the book and am seriously considering signing up. Apparently the material can be re-accessed indefinitely. I'm naturally a creative person, and in the few months that I've been playing I've learnt some cool bass melodies, but the second I'm faced with any dry, theoretical study my brain switches off - almost like I'm 'left-side' brain dead! I've tried a couple of bass tutors but haven't progressed on theory. Is anyone else enrolled? Thoughts please?

Hal Leonard Bass Method: Complete Edition: definitely going to track a copy down this week thanks chaps.

Shy Boy: always found that song's chorus to be awful - the definition of an afterthought....

Thanks for the replies, maybe I will, maybe I won't. A current 2EQ 'Ray only appeals due to the contours, the "new" classic for everything else. So I'll keep this one. I've just edited my profile to include my location, so suggestions of luthiers who could easily handle the proposed modification are invited please?

Fair point! If any luthiers read this then suggested quotes are invited.

Thanks for the reply: my local library can get in books from the region for a nominal reservation fee so I'll give a couple of those a go (the ones you suggested aren't listed) - anyone familiar with Stuart Clayton's books? He's done a fair few & I've ordered his 'Xtreme Bass' from the library: it looks to be aimed at adolescents but that's ok. I will though have a look for used copies of the aforementioned titles & have ordered a music stand (essential really as otherwise you're contorting yourself to see something on say the coffee table!).

Thanks for the replies so far: I should point out that the bass in question is relatively new but is called the "Classic", and not an old classic.

I really love several aspects of my Stingray Classic over the equivalent modern Ernie Ball 'Rays; the maple neck is not only a delight to hold but also beautiful to behold, and I much prefer the string-through bridge. I am wondering though, if the EB-introduced contoured body would be more to my preference standing comfort wise... would it be sacrilege to have a luthier add the contours to my classic? It's black, would they be able to get it looking like it rolled out like that, and what would it cost? I think it would be my perfect bass then (but would it also be significantly devalued too?).

I've had my bass since mid-March & have been taking lessons for three months. My first tutor was very good at taking bass melodies that I was keen to learn and demonstrating/transcribing them for me to practice; this pleased me as I could play along to some of my favourite bass lines within a few weeks of starting bass. I found though that after about seven lessons I was no closer to understanding any of the theory behind what I was 'copying'. I know my tutor was taking exams at the time & I felt he was distracted by that so, although I consider his teaching helpful in as far as getting me playing music that interested me, I decided to try someone else. I had a lesson with another tutor who was entirely theory based but I just didn't feel inspired with him. What I wanted was an hour's lesson that mixed theory and being taught/shown something fun to keep me interested. I'm going to forgo lessons for now and try to learn from home and so would like some advice please. I have Ariane Cap's book 'Music Theory for the Bass Player', and while I intend to keep it and learn from it, I'm finding even the early sections too advanced for me. I'd really like to be recommended a tried and tested book that will gradually build solid foundations for the bass (only - if I can become proficient on the four string bass and no other instrument then I'll be more than happy)? I also need to invest in a music stand: how about the Hercules BS100B? I like the idea of a book over online lessons as I feel you can go at your own pace compared to online lessons which you'll be pausing & rewinding, also I have a laptop and an iPhone but not a tablet, which I think would be better suited to online material and no wi-fi: I tether my phone's data and 12 GB a month can run out quickly enough streaming videos. Anyway, I'm feeling a bit flat with regards to how I progress from here, so any advice is appreciated.

Ref. The Winery Dogs - Kotzen's solo stuff is even better, especially 2007's 'Go Faster' which I rank as a masterpiece and is in my all-time top 5 albums. On Sheehan, while undoubtably accomplished I find him too 'busy' sounding - the diametric opposite of the guy who inspired my bass journey, Killing Joke's Paul Raven R.I.P.

Just ordered a V-Pick Medium Rounded: it's 2.81 MM. thick and apparently they are made from a type of acrylic that gets more grippy as it warms up from your fingers.

Gentleman thanks Iain - I'll definitely look into that one (love the profile pic BTW!).

Thanks for the reply fella, sorry to hear you're not having much luck... I checked out that website you suggested thanks and will be contacting one of the tutors this week. All the best, Caesar.

I bought my first bass in March of this year and have had about eight lessons with a tutor about 30 minutes from me here in South Manchester. I've been happy with my progress under him so far and the hourly rate is good too, though I've not had a lesson for a month as I'd broken up my my (now former) partner and didn't have the best concentration levels... Anyway, I'm ready to commence with lessons again and am thinking of trying someone else, not because the original guy was bad, I just want to see what else is on offer. I know that quite a few guitar teachers do bass lessons, but I'd really like a dedicated bass tutor rather than a guitarist who does bass on the side - I really feel that 'our' instrument deserves more than 'second-string' status. I'm not opposed to group/weekend sessions in addition to/instead of one-to-one lessons either. Suggestions please?

Reliability fine replies thanks all. Westwood, those plectrums are insane! Please elaborate?