| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/6/2009 3:41:55 PM | Hi there..I did a thread search but haven't found anything particular in what I was looking for..anyway. I recently picked up a groovy bass over this past summer and been practicing a lot..
My question is when I hold a string on a frett sometimes there is this rattling buzz sound..I press harder and its gone leaving a clean sound. I find that it's actually a lot of pressure to do is that normal? (I'm still very new so I have no idea) its even harder with the pinky finger..The G and D string are fine since they are closer..the E and A stringers are farthest making it harder to reach and press...maybe I'm holding my guitar wrong?
Any tips..tricks will help! I can play a couple of songs pretty decently only because they require 2 strings played individually lol..
Thanks in advance! | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/6/2009 6:37:19 PM | Ah Bass. It's an instrument often overlooked. I've noticed there are two kinds of bassists: the kind who really play bass, they learn all the techniques (slapping, double-thumbing, etc) and love their instrument, and the other kind who only play bass because they are failed guitarists. They play with picks and only play bass to fill a musical void in the band.
Bass guitar is much more different from regular, cooler guitar then many think. The frets are farther apart and require more stretching. You do not have a major third on the second string to throw you off. The strings are much more massive, and therefore require more finger strength to fret down properly.
I don't know how you are holding it, so I can't help you there. If you play standing up, I can recommend you have your bass strapped just as low as it would be if you were sitting down. It doesn't look as cool as rockstars who have their instrument below their knees, but is much more comfortable. | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/6/2009 8:49:42 PM | Thanks for the reply! Yes it is definitely overlooked..a bass well played is the most amazing thing to hear. I want to get really good at it..I don't just want to do stupid fill ins lol. I do strap the guitar as I would sitting down it is more comfortable. I didn't know that the frets are more further apart than an electric guitars..or the thickness of the strings. Interesting..thanks for that!
I'm trying to increase accuracy on strumming individual strings..it's really tough...practice makes perfect I suppose. | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/6/2009 8:57:17 PM | | Do you play with your fingers? if you do, then I recommend you practice your right-hand motion first. Just strum on the strings to the beat of a metronome; practice string-jumping and skipping, as that is something you will benefit infinitely from. The worst thing any aspiring-musician can do is jumping in too quick. | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/6/2009 9:04:40 PM | Fingers yeah but lately been using a pick a lot. It seems easier..lol
You're right jumping in too quick..I'll take your advice and keep at it till I'm comfortable..thanks a lot :D
Oh and my bass is a 4 string. | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/7/2009 3:08:36 AM | hi -I custom build guitars for a living
one of the best things you can do is find a good tech and get an awesome setup done on your bass-it will be easier to play-less work more fun
T.O. area- try the 12th fret-they are pretty high end-find the right guy -spend a little more and you will be set for life with that bass
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/13/2009 5:22:22 PM | Pretty much what they all said. I find new strings need lots more working in. I play bass, mine's 4 string sparkly purple and my sons father who has been playing for years has a 5 string bass.
And yes the bass strings are thicker i find i had to press harder than i did on the classic 6 string. | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/13/2009 6:10:22 PM | | I play a Fender jazz bass (American made) and agree with the other posters... you have to press hard to eliminate that buzz sound. Once you build up your callouses it won't be so difficult :) Have fun! | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/13/2009 8:15:13 PM | If you've never had it set up...you need to do it NOW! Very few guitars & basses are set up decently straight from the factory...in fact most play like absolute shit right outa the box....
If all else fails...buy a fretless...it's just as important to develop your ear as it is to develop your dexterity.... | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/15/2009 7:41:29 PM | Thanks for all the awesome tips guys..I am applying them all.
JM674 songs I would like to play are rock but it seems rather difficult at the moment since I'm going rather slow..looking at my fret hand..to see which fret to play while looking at tabs to see..well which fret to play lol.
The only song right now I can actually play perfect from start to finish is "Snuff" by Slipknot. It's pretty slow...and only contains the use of the E, and A strings and frets 2, 4, and 5. lol | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/18/2009 3:21:43 AM | | As long as you do get a clean sound means your bass probably doesn't need a set up.. because that used to happen to me when I picked it up. Play for a couple more days/weeks and you will see the buzzing go away. The bass has thick strings so it requires more pressure from your fingers to get it perfect. | |
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| Bass Guitar Players.
Posted: 11/24/2009 6:04:18 PM |
As long as you do get a clean sound means your bass probably doesn't need a set up..
That's not the be all and end all...sure you might be able to get a clean sound if the strings are too high and you press down with all your might...but you'd still probably want a setup. What about intonation?
It's good to get your instruments set up twice a year.... | |
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