Does anybody have tips on learning a guitar after bass?

Ways/tips on becoming better, faster,and smarter with playing the bass guitar? More info on my intrest inside?

• Ways/tips on becoming better, faster,and smarter with playing the bass guitar? More info on my intrest inside? Hey, I really enjoy playing the bass guitar but I'm not to experienced at it and it gets really frusterating when I try learning songs of the music I like. For example, songs by parkway drive, any texas in July songs, onward to olympas songs, Norma Jean songs ect. (basically the genre of the bands I listed). My problem with playing is that I can't move hands fast enough especially my left hand, (fret board hand). So what can i practice to become faster at playing? What about galloping? How can I become fast for galloping? One thing I really want to learn more than anything is to be able to come up with really cool and fun bass lines on the spot and also learn to play by ear. So what or how could I learn to do that? Basically I just want to be able to play as best as I can and I would like to eventually form a band and just create music and be able to have fun with it, with out frustrating my bandmates and they wouldnt even want to play with me ya know? That is what I am super worried about as well so I just want to become a great bassist and know as much as I can about it. So if there is anything else I would probably need to practice please let me know! Thanks so much! It really means alot to me! :)

• Answer:

  The best, fastest way to improve your playing is with lessons from a good qualified local instructor. A good teacher can give you various exercises and show you basic techniques to improve your playing. There are no shortcuts to becoming a better player. It is all about practice. Bass lines are derived from basic scales and arpeggios. Hammer ons and pulloffs will increase your hand strength and dexterity. "galloping" is a matter of working on your picking technique. I recommend using your fingers but there are many bass players who use a pick. The thing to remember is that speed is a by-product of accuracy. By practicing scales and other exercises with a metronome and gradually building up speed you will become much more accurate and, as a result, faster.