One thing that can help is to identify the key. Say if it's D Major, it might be helpful to start with your second finger on the A string 5th fret - on the D. That way a lot of the notes in D Major will fall in easy reach. Things aren't always that simple though - you kind of just get better at it with practice.

Parts can actually sound quite different in diffent positions, so that can help you choose where to play. For example, open strings sound really different to fretted notes. If you're playing a rock song, it can make a huge difference to play it open.

Congratulations on your decision to learn the coolest instrument on the planet!!!! But seriously, here are 2 tips that I think are important for any beginning bassist.

First, buy a bass that feels and sounds good. If your instrument does not have both these factors, then you will not be inspired to play it every day. There are a lot of basses out there in the marketplace today so choose wisely. Maybe do some research on the net, check out some websites or ask some bass-playing buddies for their opinions on what you should buy.

Secondly, find a good reputable bass teacher in your area. A good teacher should balance between teaching you all the fundamentals of the bass and music theory, with having some fun learning bass-licks from your favourite records. Also, try to maintain regular weekly lessons so that you are assigned tasks to complete before the next lesson - this is crucial if you wish to improve at a steady rate.

I hope this info helps. Good luck on your bass journey and keep it low!!

A great place to start is right here on the Libster website! Lib has put together some excellent tutorials on learning how to read and all the rhythms that you will need to know for most situations. And it's free!!!!!

As far as practising goes, try to do at least 15 minutes a day, every day. Learn to recognise the different note values and rests so that you are able to identify and recall them instantly. Then, listen to your favourite CDs and try to figure out what rhythms are being played. Write them down and have them checked out by a music teacher. When I was younger, I used to pick up all types of music (lead sheets, flute, guitar etc.) and tap out the rhythms to see how fast and accurate I was. The key here is doing it every day. It's like learning a foreign language - the more you use it, the more proficient you will become at it!

The best tip I can pass onto you in getting noticed in the industry is to get out there and start to "network". By that, I mean meet and play with as many people as you possibly can. You never know, someone who was in a band you jammed with once may later become a member of a famous band or a well-known producer, musical director etc. The music business is based on "word of mouth" ie. people recommending other people so you will need to have a lot of contacts to increase your future work prospects. Also, check out who is doing the sort of work you wish to pursue and get to know that person. Maybe have a lesson or two with them!

I hope this all helps and good luck!

Yes, A C E G are the names of the the spaces in a staff and the space below the bottom line is F. And, you are right again with the open E string placed on the first leger line below the staff. The purpose of the leger lines is to "extend" the staff to accomodate those notes that are higher or lower in pitch than those notes that reside within the staff.

Also, check out the Libster's excellent reading lessons under Bass Bits at this site for some more info.

Here is one way you can turn scales into music. First, let us imagine that each scale degree is numbered from 1 through to 8, so the first note is 1, the second is 2 and so on. Next, write out a few different numerical combinations and play them. Here are some examples - 1 3, 2 4, 3 5 etc. or 1 4, 2 5, 3 6 etc. or 1 3 5, 2 4 6, 3 5 7 etc. These patterns can be 2 note, 3 note or 4 note groupings.

After you have "broken" up the scale, apply different rhythmic patterns over your new sequences eg. play 8th or 16th notes ascending and descending. Then, insert some rests so that you break up the rhythm a little and presto, instant riffs!