Bass Guitar Players???

[speakerman39]

Guys, do any of you play bass guitar? I have been wanting to take some lessons for some time now. The problem is I am left-handed. So, I want to take lessons from a left-handed bassist. While looking around on youtube I discovered this guy. He is not left-handed, but man can he really play the bass. BTW, I must confess that this song brings back a lot of memories-you know back when I was more able to "cut a rug" so to speak. Anyways, here he is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmayyBbBUA8 I also like these:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MG415Fd4OU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa5Ty6BZTQE

Then, I noticed this guy can play a (6) string bass. I didn't even know that it was available. You can see him here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6oY5e_qC80

So, for any of you bass players how are the strings different for a left- handed bass vs a right-handed bass???? Are the strings backwards? This Marlowe guy cracks me up, but I can tell he is a professional bass player.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jostenmeat]

So, for any of you bass players how are the strings different for a left- handed bass vs a right-handed bass???? Are the strings backwards? This Marlowe guy cracks me up, but I can tell he is a professional bass player.

Im not a bass player, but they should be available either way. As in, a mirror image of a "normal" bass guitar, and the other being the actual "normal" bass with the strings upside-down if you will, ala Jimi Hendrix.

Whats nice about the upside normal bass is that you can play anyone's bass guitar when you see it. You will have many more options in choosing an instrument at any given price.

The other way *might* be easier to be taught by a teacher since it will seem more analogous to how everyone else plays it. While it sure didn't slow down Hendrix, having to reach further "up" to hit higher notes would seem to be more fatiguing to me... but I am much more familiar with playing on acoustic instruments. Perhaps a non issue on an electric.

I had a high school friend with a left handed guitar. What a trip! I was totally lost on it...

 

[speakerman39]

Im not a bass player, but they should be available either way. As in, a mirror image of a "normal" bass guitar, and the other being the actual "normal" bass with the strings upside-down if you will, ala Jimi Hendrix.

Whats nice about the upside normal bass is that you can play anyone's bass guitar when you see it. You will have many more options in choosing an instrument at any given price.

The other way *might* be easier to be taught by a teacher since it will seem more analogous to how everyone else plays it. While it sure didn't slow down Hendrix, having to reach further "up" to hit higher notes would seem to be more fatiguing to me... but I am much more familiar with playing on acoustic instruments. Perhaps a non issue on an electric.

I had a high school friend with a left handed guitar. What a trip! I was totally lost on it...

Thanks jost for the info. However, Hendrix didn't play bass did he? I have never really cared for him too much so I don't keep up with him. I can read music. Just need to learn the 15 Major chords, 15 Minor chords, then on to the augmented/diminished chords and I should be on my way. Not too worried about the rhythm albeit the left-hand, it is the right-hand that will be doing all of the chords. To me, that will be the hardest part learning the proper fingering charts. If I get good enough to play a chromatic scale, then the fingering chart should not be so intimidating. Heck, I don't even own a bass guitar yet. Perhaps, I am just wishing. Thanks for the info my friend.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jostenmeat]

Thanks jost for the info. However, Hendrix didn't play bass did he? I have never really cared for him too much so I don't keep up with him. I can read music. Just need to learn the 15 Major chords, 15 Minor chords, then on to the augmented/diminished chords and I should be on my way. Not too worried about the rhythm albeit the left-hand, it is the right-hand that will be doing all of the chords. To me, that will be the hardest part learning the proper fingering charts. If I get good enough to play a chromatic scale, then the fingering chart should not be so intimidating. Heck, I don't even own a bass guitar yet. Perhaps, I am just wishing. Thanks for the info my friend.

Cheers,

Phil

Hmmm. Hendrix example was just showing how he used a normal guitar, but upside down so to speak. Since hes fingering fretboard w/ right hand, the highest pitched strings are closer to ceiling, and lowest pitched strings towards the floor. OTOH, there are guitars that have the strings "reversed" so that if he looking into a mirror, that image would like he a "right hander" playin a normal instrument? He doesn't play, however, the "specially designed left handed guitar". Am I making sense? lol

There are only 12 major triads. How did come up with 15? Same for the minor triads. Well, if you include inversions, I guess that is technically 36 spellings, but 1/3 of those are not typically used as a "major chord", but what they call 6-4 chords, more for cadences (endings of phrases, movements, etc). Here's a quick google result when pluggin in 6-4 cadence:
http://musictheoryminute.com/Cadential64.htm

The chromatic scale is the easiest to play, arguably. Definitely takes the least amount of brain work. Because every note on the instrument is part of that scale.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Stu Hamm is my favorite bass player. He has done some solo albums as well as worked with such greats as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. My favorite piece is his version of Moonlight Sonata on the bass, it is amazing. I love his slapping/tapping technique with the bass. Checkout Stu Hamm version of Moonlight Sonata, it is sooooooooooo goooooooood!

 

[speakerman39]

Hmmm. Hendrix example was just showing how he used a normal guitar, but upside down so to speak. Since hes fingering fretboard w/ right hand, the highest pitched strings are closer to ceiling, and lowest pitched strings towards the floor. OTOH, there are guitars that have the strings "reversed" so that if he looking into a mirror, that image would like he a "right hander" playin a normal instrument? He doesn't play, however, the "specially designed left handed guitar". Am I making sense? lol

There are only 12 major triads. How did come up with 15? Same for the minor triads. Well, if you include inversions, I guess that is technically 36 spellings, but 1/3 of those are not typically used as a "major chord", but what they call 6-4 chords, more for cadences (endings of phrases, movements, etc). Here's a quick google result when pluggin in 6-4 cadence:
http://musictheoryminute.com/Cadential64.htm

The chromatic scale is the easiest to play, arguably. Definitely takes the least amount of brain work. Because every note on the instrument is part of that scale.

Well, from memory I guess. I thought there were 15 Major/Minor scales which can be augmented or diminished. However, that may not apply to all instruments I dunno. I took some Music Theory in HS, so it has been a while. Perhaps, too long........LOL!!!! Thanks for the link and the info.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Stu Hamm is my favorite bass player. He has done some solo albums as well as worked with such greats as Steve Vai and Joe Satriani. My favorite piece is his version of Moonlight Sonata on the bass, it is amazing. I love his slapping/tapping technique with the bass. Checkout Stu Hamm version of Moonlight Sonata, it is sooooooooooo goooooooood!

I will do that. Is Stu left-handed? Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[jamie2112]

Hey Phil...I think you should check out Rocco Prestia out on youtube. He is most likely one of the best ever. He plays with Tower of Power......Killer stuff...

 

[speakerman39]

Hey Phil...I think you should check out Rocco Prestia out on youtube. He is most likely one of the best ever. He plays with Tower of Power......Killer stuff...

Thanks Jamie I will do that. I take it he is left-handed? I really like listening to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers bass player aka Flea. He is amazing. Too bad he is right-handed though. Thanks for the info my friend.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[mazersteven]

You should be taking lessens from this guy

Geddy Lee

 

[speakerman39]

You should be taking lessens from this guy

Geddy Lee

Dang, he is very good. Wish I could afford someone like that. Thanks Maz much appreciated.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[MinusTheBear]

I will do that. Is Stu left-handed? Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Phil

No, but his two hand tapping technique is incredible!

 

[speakerman39]

No, but his two hand tapping technique is incredible!

I bet it is. As such, I will surely check him out. Just wish there were a very good left-handed bass player out there. Oh well, nothing wrong with wishful thinking.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[skizzerflake]

I am probably too late with this suggestion, but just in case...as a left handed guitar player, I experimented with both and realized that is made no sense to play left handed. It's not like you have one hand that doesn't do anything, you need to have dexterity and speed in both so whether your "good" hand plucks or works the frets pretty much doesn't matter; both will be busy. Once you go lefty you are stuck with either rare left handed instruments or Hendrix styled upside-down instruments. Unless you are really militant about left-handed rights or something like that, life is easier if you learn to play right handed. Then you can play everybody's instruments.

 

[speakerman39]

I am probably too late with this suggestion, but just in case...as a left handed guitar player, I experimented with both and realized that is made no sense to play left handed. It's not like you have one hand that doesn't do anything, you need to have dexterity and speed in both so whether your "good" hand plucks or works the frets pretty much doesn't matter; both will be busy. Once you go lefty you are stuck with either rare left handed instruments or Hendrix styled upside-down instruments. Unless you are really militant about left-handed rights or something like that, life is easier if you learn to play right handed. Then you can play everybody's instruments.

Hi skizzer. Well, to be honest I will never be able to play bass with my right hand. If, I can't learn to play as a lefty, then I guess it will never happen. Thanks for posting.

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Hey Peeps, just found this clip. It is Flea whom plays bass for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers. He is just absolutely amazing. Here is a link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB-BTBCZvHI

I also found this one with Chad (the drummer) whom looks a lot like Will Ferrell imho. Do you agree?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSdvqkwFj_s

Anyways, both are incredible musicians. Very impressive to say the least. Enjoy!!!!

Cheers,

Phil

 

[speakerman39]

Wow, figured I would get at least someone to agree with me on this one.........LOL!!!!! I think Chad aka the drummer for the Red Hot Chilli Peppers looks a lot like Will Ferrell. If, any of you do please say so. That way, I won't feel all alone-"throw me a friggin bone here".....LOL!!!!

Cheers,

Phil