How can I learn to play bass?

[Unregistered.]

Without taking lections, since I can only be able to start at minimum 6 months from now -
any internet sites, books I could buy, since I am 100% sure I want to learn bass, and go for it.
Lol bad formulated.

[Watusa]

I learned on my own, just get some tabs for some good basslines and sooner or later you'll know at least how to play properly. They also sell books that teach you all the notes on bass, quite a good book, I learned quite some from it.

Some good basslines to learn and develop technique on are Beat It, Stayin' Alive, Money, and Dazed and Confused.

[slapnpopbass]

You might want to learn a few of the basics then practice, at least a half hour a day. check tabs and watch dvds. I recommend RHCP.

[Mount_Happy]

Look up some tabs to relatively simple songs, check out websites for online lessons or tips, and if you play guitar already itll make learning bass a lot easier.

[duel]

I'd learn how to spell and perhaps count to three first. I hear music is actually quite formulaic and being able to spell and talk properly is useful anyway.

[MiKe]

Seriously, people will tell you that you can do the self-taught thing no problem, and you might be able to, that's what I did. BUT, take it from me, that you'd be MUCH MUCH better off with lessons.
But since you said you can't do that for a while, go here:
www.talkbass.com/forum
That message board is a great place to learn anything bass-related. They'll give you better advice then you'll get here.

[Daucus Karota]

just watch any liveshots with Sid Vicious and there you got all you need to know:D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsWVYR430Tc

1*get lots of tattoos and dye your hair black or red
sucking at bass and being cool is much better than being great virtusio and a prog-loser:D :p

2*if you can play Live Wire without to much difficulties you are surly a great bass player:p
I would rather be like Nikki Sixx than Victor Wooten

3*if you manage all of this basic stuff then its time to join a pure punk band(noting else because others wont appreciate your talent)

[tripb19]

+1 on Talkbass

Use a damn metronome. Build up speed and steadiness.

[Mr Chainsaw]

Seriously, people will tell you that you can do the self-taught thing no problem, and you might be able to, that's what I did. BUT, take it from me, that you'd be MUCH MUCH better off with lessons.


MiKe is right. If you want to be decent at bass, then just play some tabs and impress your friends. If you wanna take up a trade that has made my life fucking brilliant, then take some lessons. All musicians should take lessons sooner or later in their life. I'm telling you, it's the right way to go.

[puppetmasterjjk]

yoo speltded lessuns rong

[temp100]

Seriously, people will tell you that you can do the self-taught thing no problem, and you might be able to, that's what I did. BUT, take it from me, that you'd be MUCH MUCH better off with lessons.
But since you said you can't do that for a while, go here:
www.talkbass.com/forum
That message board is a great place to learn anything bass-related. They'll give you better advice then you'll get here.
Agreed. I know jack all theory and I write my own music - but I know I'd be MUCH better off with theory. Seeing as I'm looking into buying a keyboard in the next month or so, I'm going to learn music theory to supplement both instruments.

Anyway, I started out in bass by just grabbing tabs and playing. Mainly Iron Maiden songs which are good for triplets and endurance. Apart from that I've been learning Pastorius, Miller, Death, Black Sabbath, Rush, RHCP, Incubus etc.

Over the holidays, I'm going to actually have time to learn theory and improve my playing, so I'm looking forward to that.

[Unregistered.]

I'd learn how to spell and perhaps count to three first. I hear music is actually quite formulaic and being able to spell and talk properly is useful anyway.

I spelled everything (or what) properly. And yes, I do know that I suck at grammar and explaining thigs. But thanks for being obvious!

Thanks for the info everybody else.
My friend has been playing bass for a long time now, I could probably also get some help from him. I have been told that an OLP bass is a good sounding, reliable and affordable bass for starters. Now I just need an amplifier (right word to use here?). Which amplifier do you suggest? Oh, and not much more than 450$..