scales...

Re: have never played a musical instrument,

marena said:
Hey, I'm 35 years old and have never played a musical instrument, but I'm ready to learn. I want to play mainly guitar. What's the best way to learn how to play guitar DVD or lesson? I prefer a DVD, Can anyone recommend one? I just recently got an Ovation Guitar and I want to learn to play. I have a little confusion about this lesson. I need your opinion. Thank you in advance.
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Hi marena & welcome.
This is a BASS guitar forum.You'll get much better advice by asking this on a guitar forum,like Harmony Central perhaps.Best of luck with your playing mate. :)
 
BUT anyway, try getting a book at a music store. They show you the chords. How to play them, and the lyrics.:)
 
One thing that I have done with scales is play a very memorable song along with the scale. I'll give you two exaples:

*I can't assume what people know, so in case you don't know, the numbers i'm using are scale degrees not frets.

Major scale (1-2-3-4-5-6-7-1) backwards is "Joy to the world"
So I'd play a major scale then mess around with "joy to the world"

Harmonic minor scale: (1-2-b3-4-5-b6-7-1)
I messed around with it and played the theme to the cartoon series "Inspector Gadget." Then I messed around with that. It's not entirely harmonic minor, but it starts off with harmonic minor and ends with (7-b6)

I think it helps internalize HOW the scale sounds, and helps your fretting hand FEEL the scale. It will become muscle memory sooner or later.
 
Mel Bay's Deluxe Jazz & Rock Bass Method, by Vincent Bredice.

Can't recommend it enough:

Page one starts with how to hold it. Page 2 is how to play it. Page 3 starts you reading notation properly. Page 4-200(?) is what to do with those notes.

I have owned a couple of copies over the past 20 years. Do yourself a favor and go to Yon Guitar Store and order it. They don't stock it. Yes it is still in print.

From "these here fingers" to improvising through weird chord changes in screwed up meters.

Do not move to the next page until you have mastered the last. When you finish the book, do it again. Repeat. Buy a new copy, it'll be worn out and falling apart by then.
 
When I started playing guitar, I skimped out on learning the scales. Thus lead to the inability to play lead guitar. It also limited my knowledge of knowing all the notes on the fret board. Since I started playing the bass I have focused on nothing but the scales. Learning this will give you the ability of playing runs off what the guitarist is doing. Learn the majors and the minors also focus on the pentatonic scales.
 
I recommend concentrating on the chordal tones first, then learn the scales that incorporate that chord. You'll be better able to build your foundational bass lines no matter the key in that case, and learn better how to emphasize the parts that contribute to the overall sound of the piece.

Just my $0.02. There's no real right way and no real wrong way.
 
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