I finally took the plunge and got myself setup with a Fender Squier J-Bass, Peavey practice bass amp and the other necessary equipment. I've been getting the fingering and the fretting down, but I'm wondering if anyone has advice. I'm doing all right, learning to read the music sheets is coming along, I've already got tabs down, but I know those are just a bit too informal. I can tune it and all of that stuff. I'm probably going to be heading toward trying to play some hard rock and eventually metal. I'm kinda thinking a Jazz Bass may not have been the way to go for that style, but I just loved the way it sounded.
Are you using flat wound or round wound strings? Flat wound are brighter sounding, and your fingers don't squeak as much. But, they don't have the sustain and warmth of round wound. This will have a big effect on the overall sound.
Right on! I've been a metal/rock drummer for 12 years. I wish you luck, you'll have to wade through a sea of shitty players to get to people you can really make music with!
Best advice: Don't get started using bad technique. When I first started (late '80s), it was with no training, only by ear. I still don't know how to read music & it took me years to stop using my thumb (like I had an invisible thumb-pick). My first bass was a pawn-shop knockoff special. When I thought I was good enough, I bought myself a Steinberger 5 string and an Ampeg amp. I started out playing Classic Rock: Beatles, Stones, Eagles, Styx covers. I've moved on to a Fender Jazz bass as I've tried to become more 'funky' with my playing.
