My son is interested in learning the bass guitar.

[Conservative Libertarian]

While the political roast was on last night, I was pricing bass and amplifier packages with an emphasis on ensuring that both my son and I have good entry level bass guitars. I also found a good quality, medium lengthed neck, bass guitar for my son. I've zeroed in on a couple of options for the both of us to be properly set up without spending too much money. I used to play, became hard up for cash while in college, and sold mine. That was just over 20 years ago.

The reason that my son and I both need one is obvious. I plan to teach him how to play and get him started. If I buy some truly good quality basses, I will have no problem selling tham if it doesn't work out for him. Besides, this is dad's excuse to justify getting back into it--my wife is OK with it.

While I have taken care of the instrument part of the effort, I need some input for overall teaching tips and info so that I can teach my son. I'm looking for web sites or other info that help me find specific songs that he would be interested in learning to play. He likes just about every form of music. My tastes, so far as learning the bass guitar parts for songs, was much more narrow and too complicated to start him on. I know a few less complicated songs that he likes but, I need access to material to feed his interests for fear of him losing interest early on. The last thing that I plan to drop on him as a beginner is "Mary had a little lamb." Of course, my initial angle is that I will be relearning much of what I used to play with him at my side.

I'm open for suggestions, links, etc. to fill this void.

[NWtrainman76]

Well I never played a musical instrument ever in my life but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. LOL j/k

[Conservative Libertarian]

Originally Posted by NWtrainman76

Well I never played a musical instrument ever in my life but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. LOL j/k

[rightsidedgal]

Originally Posted by Conservative Libertarian

While the political roast was on last night, I was pricing bass and amplifier packages with an emphasis on ensuring that both my son and I have good entry level bass guitars. I also found a good quality, medium lengthed neck, bass guitar for my son. I've zeroed in on a couple of options for the both of us to be properly set up without spending too much money. I used to play, became hard up for cash while in college, and sold mine. That was just over 20 years ago.

The reason that my son and I both need one is obvious. I plan to teach him how to play and get him started. If I buy some truly good quality basses, I will have no problem selling tham if it doesn't work out for him. Besides, this is dad's excuse to justify getting back into it--my wife is OK with it.

While I have taken care of the instrument part of the effort, I need some input for overall teaching tips and info so that I can teach my son. I'm looking for web sites or other info that help me find specific songs that he would be interested in learning to play. He likes just about every form of music. My tastes, so far as learning the bass guitar parts for songs, was much more narrow and too complicated to start him on. I know a few less complicated songs that he likes but, I need access to material to feed his interests for fear of him losing interest early on. The last thing that I plan to drop on him as a beginner is "Mary had a little lamb." Of course, my initial angle is that I will be relearning much of what I used to play with him at my side.

I'm open for suggestions, links, etc. to fill this void.

I can ask my son what songs his bass guitar teacher used to get him started.

One thing that helped my son believe it or not was the game "Guitar Hero". Although it's not actually playing the guitar it does help prep for the coordination and I know some of the songs he played with Guitar Hero were used in his lesson because he could relate to the songs....know what I mean?

[mtemptyspace2008]

My second to the youngest son, now 24, started his interest in bass and lead guitar at age 8. He was so zealous about it, he strummed for awhile on his own.
Later he got a nice guitar and amp and found a learning book. I decided it was the right way to go. He didn't really get serious with the book but learned the basic's.

In time, the internet came out with an easy to learn way, not really following the usual note patterns...I forget how it went.

He practiced on his own (with me cheering for him) and kept his guitar tuned. About 3 yrs later...I was amazed that he suddenly had a few friends over and jammed together. He was playing the bass on some songs and lead on others. He started writing his own songs.

All I did was encourage him. He ended up having to sell his guitar and amp due to a hardship. He still strums on his box guitar.

I don't know if that helped you but that was my experience with him.
Both of my daughters played musical instruments as well.
I was inspired by my father to play the Accordian for 4 yrs. In elementary and junior high, I played Clarinet for 3 years.

[RepublicanChick1]

I'm a musician, and I'd recommend possibly looking into getting a beginner book that contains popular pop songs.
Either pop songs from todays hits or some of the older popular pop songs. Just a suggestion from maybe the way I'd like to learn a new instrument if I picked up a new one today!
(:

[Dacabeti]

Rusted I cant help you out. I cant stand music. It gets on my nerves. The closest I ever came to playing a musical instrument was when I would beat up all the band kids.

[TheOperative]

My best friend swears by guitar hero, he actually went out and bought a real drum set and claims he knows how to play. I asked for video proof.

[Learn and Master Guitar]

Originally Posted by Dacabeti

Rusted I cant help you out. I cant stand music. It gets on my nerves. The closest I ever came to playing a musical instrument was when I would beat up all the band kids.

Thats cool hi from me to alll

[Conservative Libertarian]

Originally Posted by Dacabeti

Rusted I cant help you out. I cant stand music. It gets on my nerves. The closest I ever came to playing a musical instrument was when I would beat up all the band kids.

Those aren't necessarily the same types of musicians. I used to run sound and lights for rock bands. During a bar gig, I stood off a small bunch bikers one night because they came up and thought that it was cool to hit at my hands while operating the sound board. After that, they decided that I was no whimp and befriended me.

[Conservative Libertarian]

Originally Posted by rightsidedgal

I can ask my son what songs his bass guitar teacher used to get him started.

One thing that helped my son believe it or not was the game "Guitar Hero". Although it's not actually playing the guitar it does help prep for the coordination and I know some of the songs he played with Guitar Hero were used in his lesson because he could relate to the songs....know what I mean?

Originally Posted by TheOperative

My best friend swears by guitar hero, he actually went out and bought a real drum set and claims he knows how to play. I asked for video proof.

I hate guitar hero.

I told my son that if he really wants to play guiter, I'll buy one for him. But, if he wants that guitar hero, he had better save his money and buy it himself. I've tried it and see no benefit to it whatsoever in teaching the guitar. Now, as for the drums on the Rock Band game, from what I can see, it can be related to the drums because, it's not too unlike an electronic drum set.

[Conservative Libertarian]

Originally Posted by RepublicanChick1

I'm a musician, and I'd recommend possibly looking into getting a beginner book that contains popular pop songs.
Either pop songs from todays hits or some of the older popular pop songs. Just a suggestion from maybe the way I'd like to learn a new instrument if I picked up a new one today!
(:

Welcome!

That's a good tip. Do you have links to online sources for such material? What would be really nice is being able to access individual songs as needed. Heck, tha could help me to relearn some of the stuff that I forgot.

Back in the day, my musician friends told me that I was good enoughto be in a band because I would learn and play complicated bass lines--I focused on music from bands lke Rush. However, I became so narrowed in my focus that I would have to expand it greatly to actually play in a band. Most bands can't play the stuff that I liked.

[rightsidedgal]

Originally Posted by Conservative Libertarian

I hate guitar hero.

You're right it lends no benefit to teach the guitar. However there are good songs and the kids like them. Teachers use guitar hero to relate to their students. For example "how would you like to learn that song you play on guitar hero on a real guitar"

I was mentioning it because of the music connection kids have with it.

[Fantasy Chaser]

Originally Posted by Learn and Master Guitar

Thats cool hi from me to alll

Spam alert...

[Conservative Libertarian]

Originally Posted by rightsidedgal

You're right it lends no benefit to teach the guitar. However there are good songs and the kids like them. Teachers use guitar hero to relate to their students. For example "how would you like to learn that song you play on guitar hero on a real guitar"

I was mentioning it because of the music connection kids have with it.

Yeah, I know that I'm being a crusty, rusty, old fart about Guitar Hero. My son does like some songs that he heard on that thing. Some that I can teach to him as well.

[Dacabeti]

Actually I have a semi quasi friend that teaches music. He said and I'm paraphrasing here, that Guitar Hero has done severe damage to teaching people how to play a guitar. "Every kid that gets the game now thinks he can play a guitar. The only thing guitar Hero does is help a little with finger coordination, but it teaches extremely bad habits."

[Conservative Libertarian]

Originally Posted by Dacabeti

Actually I have a semi quasi friend that teaches music. He said and I'm paraphrasing here, that Guitar Hero has done severe damage to teaching people how to play a guitar. "Every kid that gets the game now thinks he can play a guitar. The only thing guitar Hero does is help a little with finger coordination, but it teaches extremely bad habits."

I could tell that the first time that I tried to play Guitar Hero.

[rightsidedgal]

Originally Posted by Dacabeti

Actually I have a semi quasi friend that teaches music. He said and I'm paraphrasing here, that Guitar Hero has done severe damage to teaching people how to play a guitar. "Every kid that gets the game now thinks he can play a guitar. The only thing guitar Hero does is help a little with finger coordination, but it teaches extremely bad habits."

Anything that increases a child's interest in music is good in my opinion. A kid makes the connection through play may result in taking the time to learn an instrument.

My own child plays piano, drums, guitar, and now saxophone. All his toys as a child (that he enjoyed) were music oriented. He has played piano since age 4 and picked up the other instruments through the years. He can read the music for each instrument he plays. He can write music or play anything he hears....

He LOVES guitar hero and rock band but I believe it's the connection with music that draws him in.

[Dacabeti]

Originally Posted by rightsidedgal

Anything that increases a child's interest in music is good in my opinion. A kid makes the connection through play may result in taking the time to learn an instrument.

My own child plays piano, drums, guitar, and now saxophone. All his toys as a child (that he enjoyed) were music oriented. He has played piano since age 4 and picked up the other instruments through the years. He can read the music for each instrument he plays. He can write music or play anything he hears....

He LOVES guitar hero and rock band but I believe it's the connection with music that draws him in.

You just want him to get beat up all the time. Ok I'm kidding. Dont get offended.

I'll let you in on a secret, even though I really have no use for music (never listen to it) I can appreciate classical piano and violin. In fact I have often thought about taking some piano lessons, but then thought against it. Its really hard to punch yourself in the eye (thats a joke). Yeah I know everyone thinks I'd be some headbanging acid rock junkie. Well that's not the case.

[RepublicanChick1]

Originally Posted by Conservative Libertarian

Welcome!

That's a good tip. Do you have links to online sources for such material? What would be really nice is being able to access individual songs as needed. Heck, tha could help me to relearn some of the stuff that I forgot.

Back in the day, my musician friends told me that I was good enoughto be in a band because I would learn and play complicated bass lines--I focused on music from bands lke Rush. However, I became so narrowed in my focus that I would have to expand it greatly to actually play in a band. Most bands can't play the stuff that I liked.

Do you want to buy material or just get tabs to certain songs??


That is really cool that you were that good.
Being good enough to play in a band is what
a lot of musicans dream about I think.
I've played piano for almost ten years.
I'm getting ready so I can play in a band if they need it.
I also sing. Music is so awesome!