kjb

Just do what I do. I just use the existing screw that comes with the strap buttons fitted to the bass, and a largish washer and semi permanently fix my strap to the bass. Saves loads on strap locks that have inherent design faults, and makes for a much more secure fixing.

I don't see the point in TAB. It doesn't tell you how to play the notes, only where they are on the string. That's assuming that they're right in the first place, most you see on the internet are pretty hopeless. Learn to read and write music, you'll find it so useful. It's so much better to train your ear to pick out the part and then write it out in standard notation. I'm studying bass at ICMP, you don't see TAB there. Everything they give us is in standard notation, so we're reading pretty much all of the time. It's amazing how fast you pick it up.

I think playing any instrument is kind of like building a house. If the foundations aren't there, then the house will be very shaky. The foundations in music are a knowledge of harmonic theory, rhythm and knowing your way around the bass, what notes are where. With rhythm I don't just mean locking with the bass drum. I mean knowing how a whole note breaks down to a half note to a quarter note, to an eighth note to a sixteenth etc. Too many people bypass this and just go straight for the fun part, playing . Building a solid foundation in your playing will make you are far better, solid dependable and confident player.

Get some lessons, learn more about music, not just bass, but actually music.....theory, harmony, rhythm etc. If you 'know' something is right, because you've been taught that it is, then that'll improve your self confidence, and your playing.