I decided to learn how to play bass (already play e guitar). I have BIAB UltraPak+ , so wondering what would be the best way to use this program to learn bass. Obviously I can pull up any chord progression and style and mute the bass part to play along...so there is that, but I am also wondering what are the best resources in this software package for learning bass lines and grooves (which I can then later mute the track and play myself)

I see there only a couple of instrument studies for bass. That's a start, but there are only a couple. Generated bass style bass parts tend to be kind of simplistic, but obviously I could just look at the notation for those and attempt to learn to play those...

Are there any other good sources of good bass playing in the band in the box universe and what would be the best way to go about learning bass (in addition to being able to mute the bass part and experiment play along).

I also am a guitarist whom also plays bass. A guitarist learning bass can be a very good thing or a very bad thing. While playing bass you MUST think like a bassist, ALWAYS in the pocket with the kick and snare, and not like a guitarist, who has liberties to do as he wishes when it come to timing and phrases.

I would start with MIDI styles as the bass lines will always have notation. A lot of RT styles also have notation, look for the line under bass. Start with simple songs even though you may not like the genre. Later you can get into more complicated styles. Of course this assumes that you can read music.

As a 4 string bass notes' names are identical to the bottom 4 strings of a guitar, only one octave lower, you probably already have some guitar lines you can convert to the bass.

Knowing how to read music and have at least some knowledge of music theory can help. Even if you don't know theory but you know that the notes C-E-G make a C major chord you already know what bass notes will always work for a C major chord. The same works for any other chord that you know the note names.

I hope this helps and good luck.

You may find the Bass Fretboard Window useful. You can access it by using the menu of Window > Guitar Window or the keyboard shortcut of Ctrl+Shift+G. Once the window is open select the Settings button and select the Bass fretboard.

If you play guitar I assume you know the relationships of root, 3rd, 5th and octave.
If you know the box those live in then I'd suggest just using the chord chart for stuff you've done in BIAB and start with just playing the root until you get your timing & groove, then add the 5th and re-establish the timing then use the 3rd to sketch out SOME walks n runs.
BIG clue, as mentioned, don't think like a guitarist - particularly a lead player.
Keeping the bass "in service of the song" means using it to set a foundation with drums, to reinforce the rhythm, to help describe the chord and to poke out when it suits.
OH, get some foam to stuff under and in front of the bridge to reduce strings ringing...muting strings with palm and fingers is a little harder but even more necessary than with guitar.
ALL of that being said...do your own thing...AND get a Behringer BDI21...a superb Sansamp clone that'll give you tone, colour and DI VERY cheaply.

Consider 4-5 lessons with a local bass teacher first.
Learn the significant difference between playing guitar and playing bass from someone who plays this new instrument

You'll start off on the right foot.
It may also help convince you the bass is not for you

All good advice here.

What I would add is:
1. Build yourself a nice little BiaB song, maybe just a "2-chord wonder" to start.
2. Mute the bass in this song and Save Special as an MP3 file.
3. Import this file into your DAW.
4. Play along with the BiaB song while recording your bass.
5. Mix the BiaB song and your bass recording, save as MP3 if you need to.
6. Compare the groove from Step #1 and your groove from Step #5.
(Most likely you will hear issues in your playing such as timing, length of notes, fret buzz, sour notes, too simple, too busy, etc. You may also find that you think you sound good while you are playing but conclude differently once you listen to your recording)
7. Repeat Steps 4 thru 6 until you are happy with your bass recording.
8. When happy, increase the complexity of the BiaB song and/or change the genre/style and repeat the entire process.

Note: This can be applicable to other instruments as well and always remember you have 2 "legs"

I KEEP forgetting about this.
This is the way I learnt to navigate bass and chords when I 1st started playing in 1974 or so.
The simplest walking bass of 12 bar blues n rock was something I was taught and learnt as rote applying it every & anywhere I could. Eventually I noticed the relationship of the notes to each other & the chord being played.
Light bulb light up & blew a fuse at the same time.
From the relationships lots of note options for a chord become easily available, almost under the fingers and easy to reach.
It can be moved up n down the neck and be based on the E or A strings without any modification.

Ray is correct,

With these two scale positions alone, the "G scale" position and the "C scale position" moved up and down the fretboard you can play any song you want.

Get someone to show you how scales in each key relate to standard pop chords in each key.

It is worth a lesson or two. Trust me.

Unless you are in a Prog Rock band.



Seriously though..... if you play guitar even reasonably well, you should have a basic understanding of the bass. It's simply one octave lower and yes..... you do need to think differently and have the mindset that you are one half of the rhythm section of the band. Your job is to provide the foundation.



That said.... once you have the foundation aspect and keeping the pocket and groove is second nature, there are still a lot of things you can do to embellish the bass lines and provide interest to the song. Tasty fills and runs are all part of a good players repertory.


Listen to and watch the bass in this video. Notice the way he follows the kick drum. Notice the fills and runs.