At the moment I've dusted off a guitar and a bass I bought close to 20 years ago, an Ibanez EDB300 bass guitar
and my FrankenFender
a modified/mutilated Fender MusicMaster.
Without more experience then just messing about with a bad accoustic I thought those weren't to bright purchases, but at least I had a chance on getting to learn to play them, although I just started last month. (after fixing the FrankenFender, the added pickup is dead)
When shopping for some useful additions (tuner, neckband, stand) I however found the Fazley FMB218NT
at a very low cost, so I just added it to the basket before checking out. I think for now, buying a fretless bass when just learning to play tops it (for now), although I hope it manages to force me to concentrate more on the left hand.
I guess I'm not the only one that was a tad to enthusiastic when starting, what do you all consider as your (initially) bad decisions and how did they turn out?
Edit: Layout corrections and used my own pick for the Fazely instead of a static one from the shop (that didn't work in [email protected])
As I'm cleaning up and finding instuments (plural) of different types (guitars, synthesizers, violin, clarinet, trumpet, french horn), the 1st goal is to get sound from them, then a tone, then to be able to play at least something with them, without injuring myself. (But that's to broad for here)
At the moment I'm concentrating on the bass, as it forces you to 'keep time'. (Not sure if that's the right term) Also the strings are a tad more spaced (at least on a 4 string) so I have a chance to hit one instead of 2 (or more) and the bass I have (the Ibanez) is in a better state then the Fender (I need to fix tnat one 1st). The 3rd reason it that's a different use of your fingers then typing (I work in IT), thus preventing RSI (a tad).
Main goal(s) for the bass are now:
Can you direct me to some stretching excersizes for stretching wrists and fingers? That could help me while playing. (And I guess professional) As I started playing past 50 I could use some stretching tips. ;)
As someone who's coming back to playing after more than a decade, this made me laugh :D
You're welcome. ;)
That there are muting techniques I guessed, but I just had to either figure it out or find a vid. I'm glad there is a lot online now, which helps a lot. With piano the muting is done for you, on the guitar it was something I didn't like not knowing how to do. In hindsight totally logical, but there is a lot to learn at once. Play the intended string, use your fretting hand correctly and muting the rest. Practice makes perfect, or at least less bad. ;)
Those are great goals. As a fellow IT worker, I understand your pain.
Keeping time on bass is critical, as it's part of the rhythm section and more importantly, bridges the rhythm and melody sections into one coherent sound.
Someone else already suggested a metronome, and that is super important.
Seymour-Duncan has some stretches on their site that I would recommend. Just be careful you aren't stretching your wrists too hard/the wrong direction. https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/the-players-room/keep-it-loose-stretches-for-guitarists
Thanks for the stretching link, I'll try them out. (and yes, 1st one is already a challenge, I need to loosen up a tad I notice ;) )