some problems in my playing

[Specialsauce]

im very new to bass and im having some problems playing... first, my sounds are very inconsistent from note to note, like one note will have a totally mellow sound, and the next note is very sharp and harsh

second, i have alot of trouble alternating my middle and index fingers, and i dont really know when i should use each, sometimes ill play a groove using only my index finger, and i know thats not how im supposed to play

third, i have a retarded sense of rythm. its not like i am not good musically, i played sax for five years and have a good sense of rythm, but i just cant seem to translate that to my fingers

how can i fix these problems?

[Mr. Pickle]

First: try to work on a consistent strength between your fingers when playing fingerstyle

Second: practice using all the fingers you want with just open strings, and alternating strings as needed

Third: try playing along with some flea stuff, his stuff really helped me with rythm

[ZMM]

If you just started, you won't be able to play most Flea stuff though.

Get a metronome also if you don't have one.

[rhynocerous]

Practice is the best way to alleviate any problem you have with playing. Your rythm will get tighter and more accurate as you jam more. When I was first starting out I used to jam along with a CD player or the tunes on my comp. You'll get it man, just takes a little time and effort.:thumb:

[kilian]

^^He's right. It will come out eventually! Keep practising and also play boooooring simple songs. This will give your body a rest, I know that your mind wants to play the kickass songs. ;)

[symphony21]

what bass do you use? a trashy brand will sound really bad even if you play it properly.. nd practice moving your fingers even while not on your guitar.. jus move your fingers, gaining individual control in each..

[Specialsauce]

im on an ibanez GAXB150: http://samash.com/catalog/showitem.asp?ItemPos=1&TempID=2&STRID=165949&Method=3&CategoryID=180&BrandID=1380&PriceRangeID=0&PageNum=0&DepartmentID=2&pagesize=10&SortMethod=2&SearchPhrase=&Contains=&Search_Type=Department&GroupCode=

[BeeDo]

If you just started, you won't be able to play most Flea stuff though.

Get a metronome also if you don't have one.

I just started Bass also, whats a metronome?

[ZMM]

I just started Bass also, whats a metronome?

It's a little thing that counts off time for you, a lot of people use them in music. You can use it and just try to get your fingers alternating, and get every note right on the "click"

[Liebensaft]

I just started Bass also, whats a metronome?
It is a device that produces a steady clicking sound for whatever number of beats per minute you set it. The old fashioned metronomes are manual. You wind them, slide a weight on metal bar to the desired bpm, nudge the bar, and it moves back and forth like an upside down pendulum. These days, they have electric metronomes though. I assume they're cheap.

Well, it appears they range quite a bit in price, but the lowest-priced are quite cheap.

Metronomes (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/navigation?q=metronome)