Greetings from South Carolina

[Grrrowler39]

As you will see from my signature, I have been a musician for 40+ years. I began in 1969 playing a Conn Baritone horn. Single valve, lots of lip work. As time went on and brass evolved, I moved on to single piston/single rotary valve. This made the demands on the lips a little easier. In school I played Concert Baritone and Bass Trombone. I continued playing Trombone after college until I moved from Atlanta. My current horn is a King 1124 Marching Baritone - really smooth sound!!

So after several aborted attempts at playing rhythm guitar, I have finally decided to pick up the Bass. I spent several weeks reading/researching my options for getting started and have finally ordered my new "Axe" from Musician's Friend. I will be receiving my Squier Affinity Jazz Bass sometime this week.

Now that my children are all grown, I will have time to learn the techniques required to play my new Bass proficiently. Because of my previous musical training, I am hoping to progress rapidly as a player. I already understand music theory and can read music, so now it is a matter of technique.

So, in addition to introducing myself, I am also looking for advice on what to do next.

• Any particularly good training materials?
• Recommended progressions? Where to begin? What's next?
• Where to find other musicians to begin jamming?

I'm sure that as I browse this forum, I will find much of what I am looking for.

Thanks, in advance, for taking the time to read/reply!

Cheers,

[YeahDoIt]

Hello Grrrowler39 and welcome. Bass is a big musical field all by itself. You might start by learning a blues scale and the 1-4-5 notes for say the key of G. Lots of bass is playing alternating 1-5 notes. But bass can be much more involved and can drive the whole band.

I sometimes study these lessons: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21

You might find people to jam with at Craigslist.org in your area. You might meet musicians at the open mic venues in your area also.

[peskypesky]

Hello Grrrowler39,
glad to hear you're going to learn bass and also glad that you're getting a Squier. You will have a lot of fun.

http://www.studybass.com/lessons/

[edandis]

Welcome to Squier-talk Grrrowler39.

[dannyvawn]

With 40 years of theory and horn playing it should be a very easy transition. It should all be feel now because you know the role of a bass. It's the same 12 notes. If you are the type of horn player that requires a music stand and music to play with people and cannot improvise, it will be harder. I know I sound like a dick but i'm not meaning to come off that way. Good luck and welcome. Listen to some James Jamerson

YouTube- World's Prettiest Bassline (James...

[Grrrowler39]

Originally Posted by YeahDoIt

Hello Grrrowler39 and welcome. Bass is a big musical field all by itself. You might start by learning a blues scale and the 1-4-5 notes for say the key of G. Lots of bass is playing alternating 1-5 notes. But bass can be much more involved and can drive the whole band.

I sometimes study these lessons: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=21

You might find people to jam with at Craigslist.org in your area. You might meet musicians at the open mic venues in your area also.

YDI,
Thanks for the welcome and suggestions.
I look forward to getting to work on them.

Cheers,

Ken

[Grrrowler39]

Originally Posted by peskypesky

Hello Grrrowler39,
glad to hear you're going to learn bass and also glad that you're getting a Squier. You will have a lot of fun.

http://www.studybass.com/lessons/

Pesky,

Looks like you are quite the Squier fan yourself!

Thanks for the link!

Cheers,

Ken

[Grrrowler39]

Originally Posted by edandis

Welcome to Squier-talk Grrrowler39.

Thanks for the welcome!

Cheers,

Ken

[Grrrowler39]

Originally Posted by dannyvawn

With 40 years of theory and horn playing it should be a very easy transition. It should all be feel now because you know the role of a bass. It's the same 12 notes. If you are the type of horn player that requires a music stand and music to play with people and cannot improvise, it will be harder. I know I sound like a dick but i'm not meaning to come off that way. Good luck and welcome. Listen to some James Jamerson
YouTube- World's Prettiest Bassline (James Jamerson, 1970)

Danny,

Thanks for the welcome!
No offense taken by the music stand comment. I was playing with a group at a church and was essentially sight-reading the music they wanted me to play. When I was in high school, I played in a Jazz band and we did not use sheet music during performances, except during competitions where we were presented a piece to sight-read and perform within 30 minutes.
One of our common exercises during practice was for the band leader to point at a player and they were expected to perform an improvised solo based on the song we were currently playing. It was challenging at first, but became great fun over time.

Cheers,

Ken

[Grrrowler39]

So, my new bass arrived Wednesday, and I have been enjoying getting to know it. Based on PeskyPesky's suggestion, I have been using Studybass.com to practice my plucking and fretwork.

My fingers aren't bleeding yet, but close...

Pictures coming soon.

[tjnugent]

Welcome Grrrowler39. Nice to meet you. Your new hobby will bring you countless hours of enjoyment and a bad case GAS. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome). This message board is an incredible resource for anyone into Squier gear and nice people with like interests. Welcome.

[wwwagstaffe]

Welcome Growlman! You'll definately learn a lot from the site and the guys on here!

[Grrrowler39]

TJ and WWWagstaffe - thanks for the welcome!!
I am looking forward to many years of learning and contributing!!