Bass Hangout - Bass Playing Advice Forum Feed

Bluegrass Bass -- 21st Century Edition

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 1 Apr 2010 19:10:47 CST

Bluegrass Bass -- 21st Century Edition Complete Instruction Guide to Playing Bass 173 pages, 2 CD’s, full color, spiral bound so it lays flat as you play www.AustinPickinRanch.com Howdy Bass Hang Outers, I am Ritchie Mintz, also writing for my old amigo and co-author Ned Alterman. I am the author of a revolutionary banjo instruction book, Conversational Bluegrass Banjo that teaches banjo picking without TAB. But today I’m here to talk bass. Ned and I wrote Bluegrass Bass in 1976 and Oak Publications released it in 1977. It was a pretty big deal for us because Oak had a prestigious series of bluegrass instruction books. The fiddle book was by Gene Lowenger, the Dobro book by Stacy Phillips, the banjo book by Pete Wernick and the bass book by Ned and me. By the 1980’s the book had sold out and Ned and I forgot about it. Imagine our surprise that by 2005, Bluegrass Bass had become a cult classic that trained 3 generations of bass players and was selling on eBay for $50 (it was $6.95 new). In 2006, we got our copyright back and now we are proud to announce Bluegrass Bass – 21st Century Edition. This is a blockbuster bass instruction manual that is complete with theory and technique, plus exciting interviews with the top bass players in all of bluegrass. It features simple, understandable explanations of scales, chords, progressions, and how music works. It includes a CD of the original floppy soundsheet from the original book that features the songs of the book in stereo. The bass is in the right track and the rest of the band is in the left track so you can isolate the bass and learn the parts. You can play with the bass and the band combined and then tune out the bass and you are the bass player in the band. You can set your CD player to ‘repeat’ and play along until you get it. Thank you for welcoming our roll out of Bluegrass Bass – 21st Century Edition. We are proud to call Bass Hang Out our new home and we thank Eric for taking us on as the very first advertiser. We look forward to a long association. So, here’s to the low tones. Ned Alterman & Ritchie Mintz

'On The Sunny Side'-Welcome Greg Connor

eric@basshangout.com — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 12:56:40 CST

Hello Greg Connor - Bass Hangout is a neat place ...don't have all those thousands and thousands of Banjo Hangout guys but this Hangout is growing. I think Eric has another home run in process with this Hangout. I like the song you posted 'On The Sunny Side': http://www.basshangout.com/myhangout/media-player/audio_player2.asp?isjukebox=no&musicID=6327 I know you write the songs, play all the instruments, sing, produce, etc. (I am not sure I like you) [:D]. Welcome! Phil

Thoughts / experiences with the Ahsbory Bass?

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 17:37:33 CST

My friend just got an Ashbory Bass and is having some fun with it - it sounds awesome! He has had some trouble with tuning in these first few days but he says it is getting a little easier to keep in tune but that aspect is still a bit painful. The guy from 'largesound.com' told him when he ordered the bass to not plan on attending any jams for a couple of weeks because it takes time to get the strings settled into decent tunings. This was 'sound advice' for sure! Does anybody have any experiences or thoughts they might share about tuning the Ashbory and any thoughts about how long it takes to get some stable tunings?

Nashville Number System

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:08:21 CST

Anyone here making active use of the Nashville Number System (NNS) in their bass playing? I have recently begun practicing playing my bass "by the numbers" as a way of better adapting to the sporadic last-minute key changes that happen at my church services.

...electric bass (w/amp) @ Bluegrass jam?

eric@basshangout.com — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:23:51 CST

What are the feelings on the use of a Carvin solid body electric bass w/amp in Bluegrass jams? Thanks for any comments.

Having a hard time getting started

eric@basshangout.com — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:24:01 CST

Hey guys! I'm a Banjoist! Not a particularly advanced one.. I can Jam.. understand chord SHAPES for major, minor, 7th and a couple more.. in other words I feel fairly confident in my KNOWLEDGE about the banjo... and spend time studying theory.. I just got my 1st bass.. I can play a couple bass progressions, and have been practicing some different right hand techniques.. but I want to understand how to find and lay out proper chords on the bass.. On the banjo, there were only three primary shapes, and I could use those with counting, to find any chord on the fretboard.. is it the same with Bass? Any good web sites or videos I can look at that explain some bass theory? I feel that everything I've found so far discusses technique instead of true understanding..

8 string basses

eric@basshangout.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:51:41 CST

I am considering purchasing an 8 string bass -- also known as an octave bass -- i.e. where the basic 4 strings are doubled with octave-up strings. I have a few questions and would appreciate anyone's input: (1) Hagstrom was the innovator of the 8 string bass in the '60's and recently introduced a modern version. What would be a better approach: To try to find a good condition '60's original or to buy a new, modern version? Any insights? (2) All octave basses I've seen have the high octave string at the "top" (as the bass hangs around your neck on the strap) and the thicker, low string on the "bottom" of the pair. With this configuration it seems that anyone who plays bass by plucking (like me) will end up mostly missing the higher, thinner string as you pluck the lower, thicker string. Is this true? Can a "finger-plucker" effectively play an 8 string strung like this and will the high, octave strings sound? Or is downstroke pick playing required? (I don't think the strings can be reversed because of the size of the slot in the nut. It is sized to accomodate the string in question and so if the strings were reversed there would be problems.) (3) Should I give all this up and just get an octave-up effects box for my ordinary 4 strings?

Chord Substitutions.

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 20:25:58 CST

Hello Bass players , I have been playing with a lot with different ideas about chord substitutions lately. The basic theory is , as long as a triad shares 2 notes of the original triad you can use it as a substitute. Take the very popular Vi - I sub ( an E min for a G maj. ) G Maj. G B D E Min E G B There is a simple pattern that the Chords and there corresponding Substitutes follow Look at the Chords in the key of G : [img]http://www.hangoutstorage.com/basshangout.com/storage/photos/large/10783-112152126112009.jpg[/img] Notice how in row Sub 1 the Chords are in order from Vi - V , and use the 1 and 3 while in in row Sub 2 the Chords are in order from iii - ii and use the 3 and 5. While these will not work in all situation , by using them in the proper places , and with taste. substitutions can add some real interest to your playing , and a nice amount of tension. You can take this even further by adding the 7 or the flatted 7. I hope this gives you some ideas to work with at you next jam. John

Timing and chord changes

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:56:59 CST

I'm in the process of trying to learn to play the Mandolin. My instructor thinks I should try a bass to help my timing and chord changes. He's willing to loan me a bass. Any thoughts?

Make an electric sound acoustic?

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:45:48 CST

What would be the best way to make my electric Fender Squire P-Bass Special sound more like an acoustic bass? Any tricks? Thanks, -cool

Acoustic vs. electric

eric@basshangout.com — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:43:38 CST

I expect this is a pretty basic question, but an answer elsewhere online eludes me. So, I have acquired an inexpensive Washburn in the last year and have been busy learning to play it. At some point, I might like to transition to the acoustic upright bass. This brings me to my question. Are acoustic and electric bass instruments tuned the same? I understand the many differences between these instruments, but I have to think the transition from electric to acoustic will be much simpler (one less thing to learn) if the tuning is the same. Thanks, Patrick

pick ups on fretless/freted basses differ-WHY

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 2 Sep 2009 07:31:19 CST

the pic ups on "from the factory" fretless basses are toward the front and back og guitar---unlike freted basses which has theirs in center---why is this?

Music Man vs. Fender Jazz Bass

eric@basshangout.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:30:17 CST

Hey y'all, I've been doing some research on basses and am looking to get a better quality bass then what I have now (Fender Jazz Bass - Mexian). So far I've narrowed it down to 2 basses. I was in the music store the other day and played both a Fender American Deluxe 5-string Jazz Bass (listed around $2,000) and a Music Man String Ray 5-string (listed around $1,700). I'm used to the feel of a Fender and am comfortable with them. However, I really liked the Music Man too (if I could, I'd buy both....but that's not going to happen). I know this is a big investment and want to get a bass that will last me the better part of my life. What are your thoughts on the 2? Or do you have any other suggestions I may not have tried? Here's my requested specs: 5-string Active electronics Graphite reinforced neck At least 22 frets (I would prefer a full 24 frets) Similar body size/feel to a Fender/Music Man (Ibanez too small...I'm a big guy). Thanks everyone for you're advice. Top Cop

new looking for advice

eric@basshangout.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:49:29 CST

what type of bass should I begin with?