So I am very much a beginner…new bass player, first time playing a stringed instrument, etc. I’ve been wanting to learn for 30 years and finally decided to try it. I’m on Module 5 and enjoying all the lessons (minus the Billie Jean humbling). I wonder when is a good time to start trying to pick my way through some of the songs that I am excited to learn to play? I know Josh referred to the song list in the Extras, and I look up songs that I love on YouTube to see someone play them with the bass tabs.
I just don’t know if it’s best for me to completely get through the course before I try any actual songs. I’m not going to try YYZ by Rush or anything challenging but I’ll see a song I like and think that the bass line is a little more straightforward and it’s one that I could start picking through, even at a slower speed.
I’m not going to derail taking the course, I’m just excited to start trying these songs along the way. But I can wait until I’m through all 15 modules if that’s a better idea.
Go for it…as you said, start with an easy one. A lot of people start learning whole songs as they are working through the course. I posted my first cover on here before I was done with the course. And then at some point towards the end of the course, try to transcribe your first song…again an easy one. First song I transcribed was “Out on the Weekend” by Neil Young. Have fun!
The best time was 30 years ago, the second best time is now. Just go for it!!
Edit: there’s a lot of us in here, me included, who should have started 30 or 40 years ago. The key thing is to pick some songs where you can get some early wins and build confidence. We have a thriving covers thread, take a look at that and join the fun!!
Were you able to play the U2 - With or Without You chugging exercise from Module 4? Guess what, you know a full song already! Except for a spot where the bass drops out for a bit before coming back in, that’s the entire bassline.
Towards the end of Module 6, Josh mentions that you should be able to handle most of the easy songs from the song pack, and I think I started working on easy songs around modules 5-6, too.
After getting familiar with your fretboard and learning some scales, there’s absolutely no need to wait to learn a few songs.
Not sure what type of music you like, but there are quite a few songs any beginner can learn, even someone who just started learning yesterday.
Like this one.
Only one note, but it’s all about 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 that note.
Nice song for working on your timing, too.
I think the best way to get the most out of your learning experience early on is to go back and forth between lessons and practicing songs.
It gives your brain a chance to rest and absorb the lesson information, while still being able to work out on things that stress it in different ways. Like going to the gym and alternating between upper body and lower body exercises.
Definitely have a go at some of the songs you like. If they feel attainable, great! If they aren’t very easy at the moment, you can always just learn one or a few bars.
Then what’s great about that is as you progress through the course, you can revisit those songs and notice them becoming easier. Kinda like the purpose of Billie Jean but with songs of your preference.
As others are writing, Josh encourages playing full songs, and pretty much right from the start. He says it several times through the course and in some of the free videos on the YouTube. The connection with the reason you’re practicing this instrument (to make music!) and the accomplishment both bring good feelings that keep you coming back.
I just reached the halfway point of the course and I wish I’d started playing songs earlier. I can feel great about crushing a fast workout, and then be totally humbled by simple chugging for three and a half whole minutes.
The first full song I’m learning, Waiting in Vain, was picked for non-educational reasons. It is not hard or fast, but has a few tricky parts and maintaining technique and rhythm is taking plenty of practice.
At least I finally have something to noodle with if I plug in at a store.
I own Songsterr and have been cherry-picking beginner-level bass songs I like and working through them. I’m still at 50% speed for Billie Jean, but I hadn’t been playing consistently for 6 weeks due to some health stuff. I’ve missed holding the bass. Hard to put it down, but I know I’m improving a bit at a time, and that is sufficient.
Not to plug Songsterr, but tried their AI chat and found I can put the cursor on a bar and ask how to play it when I’m unsure of the tab. It’s been helpful.
Thanks everyone! I just finished module 5 and I’m going to start playing through some of the simple ones (thanks for all the recommendations). I’ve seen Songsterr mentioned a couple of times on this thread and elsewhere on the forum. Seems like a good place to go for bass tabs. Do you all have the plus membership? Or do you find the basic one is enough for people who are just starting out?
