Question from someone who is starting to learn an instrument (bass)

[Y1NZ3R]

Hey, I'm looking for any bassists out there who might be able to answer a question for me.

I finally took the plunge and bought an actual instrument to try and learn. It's been something on my life's goals list that I've put off for far, far too long. I picked bass because A.) I love Rhythm instruments and B.) I love the sound and rumble of a good bass line.

I decided to pick up a Squier J-Bass and Fender Bass Amp.

I have no musical experience. Never learned an instrument before and my knowledge of music theory is very cursory and basic (EGBDF FACE - Treble Clef, GBDFA ACEG - Bass Clef, etc.)

So far the only things I've learned to do is tune it with an electronic tuner and some fingering exercises from the Half Position.

Sorry for the long exposition, but I just wanted to give anyone who might be see this a clearer picture of the fact that I am the most beginner of beginners when it comes to this, so snarky responses can crammed up places where things may be traditionally crammed.

that aside, here's my question for the bassists out there. I didn't see anything in the manual for my amp, but what is the acceptable routine for plugging in and turning on your bass amp and conversely, what is the acceptable routine for shutting down and unplugging?

What I mean is, do I plug in the Bass into the amp and then turn on the power or do I turn on the power first and then plug it in? Should I have the volume down at zero when it is turned on and off? I wasn't sure if there were issues like power surges and the such that you might have to be cautious of and and I would prefer not to fry my new bass within the first few weeks on owning it.

So can someone with more experience than me give me the break down of the proper order of doing this? Thanks.

[AxlVanHagar]

Generally I've never worried about it though back when I was playing with a Marshall stack I would turn the volume down before plugging/unplugging. Been playing guitar since I was 17, 39 now.

Sounds like you picked up the same bass and amp as I picked up a couple of months ago, how you liking it ?

[citric_bullets]

Generally, you're gonna wanna plug in before you turn off, and turn off before you unplug. Simply an etiquette thing so you don't get a lot of noise. Good habit to get into.

Also, great to hear somebody's picking up bass. Good luck!

[Y1NZ3R]

Thanks for the input. That helps me a lot.

I'm digging the tone and sound quality a lot. Still not sure how to adjust the knobs properly on the J-Bass itself, but I think I have them at least balanced out because I'm not getting any distortion.

I am quickly understanding what Foreigner meant when they used the line "Played it til his fingers bled." After only one session of tuning and some fingering exercises, my fingers tips were hurting. No doubt, i'll be developing some wicked callouses in the next few months.

One thing I plan for sure is to find a teacher. Self Teaching and Instructional books and DVD's are okay and all, but I'm learning quickly than they don't lend very well to Q & A. But until I find one, I can still practice what little I do know.

In any case, I'm thoroughly enjoying the process of discovery.

[AxlVanHagar]

Awesome , good to hear! Keep us up to date on your doing. :) I'm currently working on learning some Dennis Dunaway basslines. Dennis is my favorite bassist of all time, very tastey lines indeed.

These are 3 I'm working on atm. Got the first 2 down pretty close to 100% but the 3rd one is giving me some issues. :o It's tough going from a pick to fingers.

Big Apple Dreaming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G_1jUPRpXI

Blue Turk
Vid was removed bleh.

Halo of Flies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm8lM5By-38

[trench762]

one of my fav songs to play on bass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7ddvUvnNw0

Manic depression by hendrix is alot of fun also

[AxlVanHagar]

That's a nifty bass line trench, I may wind up having to give that one a go at some point.

[harbingerofdoom]

as far as plugging in & unplugging, your not going to hurt anything by doing it any way, but if your amp is on when you plug in, your going to get some pops and audible buzzing while plugging in and if your not plugged in and your amp is on. its annoying to some people but never bothered me

on the settings for your amp, play with them and find the sound that you like the best. i always liked a middle of the road approach on the tone and every so often i would use effect pedals depending on what i was doing.

If you can afford to take some beginners lessons, i would suggest it. you dont have to (i didnt and most of the bass players i know never did either) but its sure not going to hurt anything (except your wallet maybe)

also, once you start to get your bearings, beaver felton has an instructional series on slaps & different chops. he is a really amazing bass player... you might want to check some of those out.