Bass Guitar
FAQs
Do I need my own instrument to learn bass guitar?
If you have an instrument at home you will learn more quickly than if you only play at your lesson.
What are the age limits on playing bass?
A bass guitar is much larger than a guitar and child sizes are not as easily available. We would therefore recommend consulting a member of JG Windows’s staff and getting sized up before booking a first lesson. There is no upper age limit!
Do you need any previous musical experience to learn?
Absolutely no experience is required! Complete beginners are welcome.
Will I learn to read music?
You can learn to read music as part of the process, but you can also learn to play by ear if you prefer.
Do I have to learn guitar first?
No. Some of the techniques and theory you learn for playing guitar will cross-over to bass, but it isn’t necessary to have had any previous experience of another instrument.
Will I need to bring my bass and amplifier?
If you are having a taster lesson, you can borrow a bass from the Academy. However, if you wish to continue you will need to bring your own instrument but you can use the amplifiers at the Academy.
Does it matter than I'm left-handed?
No! Some left-handed bassists choose to learn the "standard" way, and others choose to play the opposite way round. You can decide this with the teacher at your first lesson if you don't know yet which will suit you better.
Who is the teacher?
Our guitar and bass teacher is Brian Emerson. Learn more about him here.
What equipment do you need to learn bass?
Most people start with an electric bass, so you will also need an amplifier and a lead. You may also need:
- a bass guitar case: this will be very important when transporting your bass to your lesson. Padded or unpadded gigbags and a hard cases are available.
- a plectrum: this is for strumming and plucking the strings
- a tuner: your bass can go out of tune when it is left for a while or even during playing, and it's important to be able to tune it at home while practicing
- a music stand: if you are using music sheets or books, a music stand can be a very useful tool but isn't essential
- a strap: you will mostly be playing sitting down while you are in your lesson, but some people prefer to stand when playing which requires a strap
What other costs are there with learning bass?
Most of the time, your bass won't need any extra maintenance besides being tuned. However, you may sometimes break a string which will need replacing and every few months, you may want to change the strings to improve the sound. A set of strings starts at about £20. You can restring your bass yourself, or member of staff at JG Windows can help you for a service charge of £2 per string or £10 for the set.
Do you offer exams and will I have to take them?
Our teachers can put you through exams should you wish to take that direction. However, there is absolutely no obligations. You will learn at your own pace and your teacher will cater their teaching to your needs and requirements.
How much practice do I need to do?
Fitting practice into your already busy routine can seem like an impossible challenge! However, practicing little and often is better than no practice at all, so even a regular 10 minutes will make a more of a difference than one hour-long session.
Are the lessons available online?
Yes, all of our tuition is available online if you aren't able or would prefer not to travel to the shop. Click here to learn more about online lessons.