Don't stress out about equipment, all you need to start is an amp that let's you hear what you are doing at low volume. Some kind of practice aid that enables you to play with headphones on will give you extra practice time in the early morning and late at night; your family, roomates, and neighbours will appreciate it and not become an impediment to your practice regimen.

Don't look for the perfect instrument just yet. There are people on this list that have played for decades and are only now able to zero in on what they want in terms of tone, weight, number of strings, etc. There are tons of "low-end" instruments that play extremely well. Buying used is a very smart idea.

Take lessons as early as possible, zeroing in on what notes (and why) make up a functional solid bass line. No matter what style of music you play there are certain fundamental concepts that are, well, fundamental. A good way to learn these concepts is by learning at least a little bit of jazz theory.

Listen to as much music as possible, listening to how the bass player functions in each. Utilize resources like this one. Realize there are no stupid questions. Get a gig bag for your bass (easier to carry around).

Be *YOURSELF*, if there is a killer soloist inside you, go for it, but realize that as a bassist 98% of the people you play with want you to provide competent/inspirational accompaniment, and your soloing will be but a nice bonus. You can only be who you are, so if you want to make every song a bass solo with annoying vocals on top, DO IT, but don't expect to work much.

Of course you must practice. But also listen, listen, listen. The treasures you discover in your musical explorations may stay with you much longer than your foray into playing the bass. Then again, you might become a respected, world renowned player.

A book I like is "Zen Guitar" by Philip Toshio Sudo.

You are embarking on a wonderful journey... enjoy.

Later,

Glen

Good post, Glen...You can learn much from this
advice.


A few things: Keep your eyes open for a drum
machine (the old DR-55 Dr. Rhythm was a good one
for me), preferably with an instrument input and a
headphone jack. Battery powered would be a
complete bonus. Pawn shops are good for this kind
of score. Get in the habit of practising
with it. When you need to practise a complex
rhythm, program it in on the machine and loop it
'til you feel confident. I can't stress how
important this is, and how much fun.


Fun is important...but always keep in mind that if
you're playing something you know, you aren't
practising. That's how you can tell the difference
between practising and jamming. I honestly have
met people who play four hours a day and have for
thirty years, and they never improve. Self-honesty
(not self-cruelty) is very important.



I really like some of the cheapest Squiers, and
Chris Tarry and I were at our local music store a
few months ago and were marvelling over how good
they were versus how cheap. You don't have to
spend much to get a useable bass that you'll play
for years.


On amps: if you play with a band, small speakers
and low power will suck. I doubt at the beginning
you'll want to spend a ton on a great amp, but if
you're serious about playing live, check back in
when you've got some gigs and ask for advice on a
good gigging rig. Until then, ther are some
cheaper SWR combos that suck a tiny bit less that
the competition, you might find one used. Some
folks like the tiny Gallien Krueger, although I
don't personally.



Welcome to the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of the
bass...bassists tend to be the nice, supportive
folks who chose a different route than yer "guitar
gods" or sax wizards. It's our fate to solo
little, to keep the drummer from getting lost, to
call out the chord changes to the new guy in the
band, and to generally make everybody - and the
band - sound great. If you can deal with
that...you're in. Pick up your membership card at
the front desk.

Solo?? You get to solo?? Haha!! Hi Kerry!! Good advice... If you want the be " The Star" then the bass is not for you...that is so true...I had one guy ask me this last weekend..." Are you with the band?' ( Dumb question since I was carrying in loads of gear).. " Yes, I am in the band".. " Are you the chick singer?" " I am one of 4 vocalist in this group, I am also the bass player and the manager"..' Oh? Well, maybe I will hang around and listen to you guys.. The bass player huh? Isn't that that big guitar?( all this riveting conversation while he slooped his drink all over the floor and kept a steady eye on my bustline)!.. This is the reason I make the big bucks!! Yea right!

Yah, this site is so fine. I just started playing the bass. My kids bought it for me years ago and now i'm trying to play it.I play the guitar too.

Jeffrey,
Besides for the standard "have fun," you should definitely check out lessons. They help immensely, especially with getting you over the initial hump where you really don't know how to play at all. Best of luck to you.
Joey