I'm a P-Bass guy myself, but many guitarists I know like the Jazz Bass since the neck gets a little thinner as you approach the headstock.

As far as pointers go, if you're looking at surf bass, there isn't a hell of a lot to learn beyond finding interesting ways around the "root-5" combo, and the ever-essential "half-tone hammer on".

~B~

Don't listen to those two, you aren't cool unless you play a Jazz bass. Also, buy ash tray covers for the jazz bass. The Jazzbass ashtrays look cooler than the p-bass ones.

I'm an expert...

dp,

i am alittle more concerned with right hand technique. Do you use just the pointer and middle finger? Is that like alternate picking? Does right hand technique just start to come natrual with practice?

WaimeaBay
dp,

i am alittle more concerned with right hand technique. Do you use just the pointer and middle finger? Is that like alternate picking? Does right hand technique just start to come natrual with practice?

Waimea,

Yes! Practice alternating with your index/middle fingers, trying to get the tone to be the same with each finger. Example: play just one note, say a G on the E string, third fret. If you pluck quarter notes with just your index at, say 120 beat per minute, you'll hear what that should sound like. Try to match that by alternating your i/m so that it sounds smooooooth.

Regarding arpeggios, scales, etc., don't forget the 'third' in there, whether minor or major. Some tunes, I just play root/three/five/three/root or sometimes, root/three/root/three/root/three - depends on the tune.

Check out what I'm doing on my tune in the Demo section in Downloads called Kilawaimea. The bass is doing a "root-root-three-flat7-root-flat7-five-flat7" ostinato pattern, which is what's really driving the tune, along with the drums. It's in B minor.

Sometimes I'll do a "root-root-two-minor3rd" thing over and over, or some variation, again, to drive the tune.

As a general rule of thumb though, root, third, fifth and seventh are the primary outlines for bass (in this context).

My way ain't 'the only way' though, so keep on digging and learning but above all else -- listening to those you want to emulate.

YMMV...
TJW

Aloha,
Kanekila

In gearing up toward one-man-band recording efforts, I'll be adding a Fender Standard Jazz Bass for styles where a Precision would be too harsh. If it means trying a ton-and-a-half of Standards, against more expensive models to find a Standard that don't sound like shit, I'll do it (my wallet will appreciate me for the effort).

I've never managed to get comfortable using a pick for bass, so I go with finger picking with occasional thumb down strokes, depending on what I'm playing. I need to start listening to, and following along with my surf CDs, so that I can develop my own surf bass style, as I've concentrated a tad too much on surf guitar playing. Otherwise, I love playing 12-bar blues lines, straight-8s and 4-square lines. 12-bar blues is about as close to walking bass that I can get, at the moment, so I'll need a bit more practice, there. I can play some walking bass lines, but I'm lacking accuracy and speed.

Matt

Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

I'm jumping in a little late here, but you might also consider the new Jag Bass from Fender. It's essentially a souped up Jazz with a new body style. Nice slim neck and decent appointments.

Mojito
I'm jumping in a little late here, but you might also consider the new Jag Bass from Fender. It's essentially a souped up Jazz with a new body style. Nice slim neck and decent appointments.

haha, didnt even see that post there, sorry.

but yeah, they are awesome.

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Hearteater

BillAqua
All you need is the Jazz Bass neck pickup and you've got that classic Fender bass sound. I wouldn't touch one of those new Fender Jaguar basses with a 10 foot poll because of the reasons listed above.

doesnt a jag bass have jazz bass pickups?
and why wouldnt you touch one? they are nice and play really well.
how about with an 11 foot pole?

Who ever heard of putting batteries in your guitar?
It reeks of a marketing ploy by Fender plus Leo didn't design it.
What was wrong with Jazz Bass.

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Hearteater
Well that's an awesome feature of The Jaguar Bass. You actually don't have to put any batteries in it. It can run passive, just like a Jazz Bass. However good Jazz basses (especially the '62 RI) cost quite a bit of money. Plus alot of people have always wanted Fender to make a Jaguar Bass.

Then get it.

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