I recently joined a new band and I Am stressing hard over learning the songs. We have gigs pretty much every weekend starting in March. I would catagorize myself as slightly below intermediate, but not a beginner. I do not read music but I understand the basic of octaves, scales, chord progressions, 12 bar blues, minors, majors, etc.

The music is not entirely complex, some is, but my main problem is I have a hard time picking out the bass parts. My ear is not grabbing the bass lines and some of it is just beyond my technical ability right now, as the former bass player is pretty darn good. So, I am trying to learn pretty tight, fancy bass lines by ear at my level and I am going nuts. Some songs I connected with easily but others are driving me bonkers.

So, I have no idea how to learn the tunes faster. It seems like I am not even able to technically hit the right parts because the other player is more talented. So, do I deviate from his bass lines and try to adapt to what I can do? The band seems to not mind if I play it my own style--I was told they care about timing, intonnation and groove.

Some of the rythms are also hard to follow and groove to and that is probably even tougher than the notes. How do I find my groove in a song? Any tips?

thanks. I stress pretty hard when I want to do well and I work hard at it (going to play after this post) but I can also realize this has only been three practices with these guys and I've got about 6 songs down well and maybe 8 about there.

But I am looking for some suggestions.

thanks so much

the rev

Not entirely an expert advice, but I would familiarize with these songs as much as possible. Put them to the headphones and have it on for as long as humanly bearable :)
Then you will be at home with the songs structure and feel of different parts of the song and from that you can get into the groove. I wouldn't hesitate to build a new, simplier basslines, less is sometimes better and this could be for the benefit of the song as well. My 0.02 CZK.

Break the songs down into sections and focus only on those. I have my computer hooked up to a stereo so I can click and skip around tracks easier than I can on a regular CD player. If I'm having trouble on a song I'll focus just on the intro, or the chorus, or a verse. Usually if you break the songs up into smaller sections and try and pick those up, it becomes a bit less overwhelming.

If you're not comfortable playing the old bass player's parts yet, you can just focus on getting the root note for each part and then embellishing on it as you get a hold of the song.

Take it bit by bit, and you can get the songs down eventually. :)

It sounds like you are on your way to learning the songs. I would substitute the too difficult parts with something easy just to get through the songs for now and add more fancy stuff later. (Then again, I don't have much experience)

Listen to each tune a few times before you work on the bassline. Then start ot learn the line.

Most CD players had a "loop" feature where you can set the start and end point.

So maybe you want to loop a verse, a chorus, or just a small section. Listen to that carefully and it will make sense.

Always use headphones.

There are a couple of devices on the market that may help like the Tascam bass trainer. or the Reed Kotler bass enhancer/frequency remover. I think it the LB100 model.

Sometimes tab can get you started on a line but don't become dependent because tab is never right and you will wind up back at the recording. (I prefer to pull the line myself than use and curse at the tab that people try and pass off as accurate)

You said the former bassists lines were fancy and complicated, look for a 'core' to the lines. Leran that. Most 'complicated' basslines that seem to vary alot are just little variations of simpler lines. Figure out these lines, and learn those cold. Then improvising off them will come much more easily.

Yea thats what's great about being a bassist. You can sub a lot of stuff in.. Learn the main grooves (which are 99.999% the easiest parts of the song) and u don't need them perfect.. just make up ur own as long as they jive with what's going on with the rest of the guys...and then on the harder stuff or the fills just throw something in there experiment...I don't wan't to insult anybody, but you're not in a band to "make it big" you're in a band to further your musicianship.. if you're gonna cookie cut your way through the bands songs, you will never evolve..

- "Sketch" the tune first - just laying out the chord structure and sections

- Build simple lines first - you can always go back and flesh them out After you have the simple versions under your belt

- Write stuff down as you work them out. Trusting them to your brain can come later, after you have the simple versions completed.

- If you are compressed for time, grab some chord and tab charts online. Yes, they are sometimes funky or wrong, but they can also save you some time.

- Listen to the music even when you are not at your bass.

When I joined the current band I am in, they wanted me to jump into the gigs Immediately after they chose me. I auditioned on a Tuesday, and I played my first gig with them that Saturday, cramming simple versions of almost 50 tunes that week. It was stressful, but it felt great when I surived it.

These are all originals. I have until March 4 to get about 15 tunes down strong. It worries me and sort of pisses me off because most bassists probably would wing this stuff. I am learning a crapload of stuff though and my fingers are moving in ways they never have.

Don't let it piss you off. This is a Great experience for you.
Have fun with it. You have time. ;)

hey man even if the band kinda bombs at least think of how much you're learning and think of how much motivation you are getting to work your ass off!

I joined a university jazz band this year and man it was scary. they threw down a bunch of charts first day and everyone had played these tunes a million times and I'd never seen any of them. I hadn't even read music since I was playing piano when I was 10.

I had to weakly admit my grasp of reading music was very weak but if they photocopied the charts I could take em home tab em out and learn them on my own time and also promised I could be there every week for practice, and the diretor said good enough. And although it was kinda intimidating being the worst muscian there by miles I learned a ton and the shows we played went over great and they even gave me a solo in Birdland. All though it was dicy for the first couple weeks its been a great experiance and I'm looking forward to the rest of this semester and comming back nenxt year.

Lot's of good advice here. All I would add is to not let it get in your head what you think 'other' bass players would do... or even what former bass players in this band have done. YOU are the bass player now. Do what you do best.

As long as you are in the harmony and supporting the groove, you'll be fine.

And in the end, its far better to learn this way than to practice for years in your bedroom waiting to get perfect.

It's a stressful time. I'm coming along, but I am putting in at least 3 hours of practice a day. It seems to be paying off, but these little changes are really confusing me. And, because none of the music is written out, it is hard to know where I am going when guitar player is soloing--I am expected to listen to the key note that tells me when to change. That's f-ing hard, but I am learning a lot buy it.

In 3 full band practices, I think I've learned about 8 songs. 16 I have the framework for and 3 or 4 are really bugging me.

March is full of weekend gigs. Is it possible to make leaps and bounds in 1 month? I hope so. Whose got some feel good stories of reaching that new platuea when the pressure was on.

It's a stressful time. I'm coming along, but I am putting in at least 3 hours of practice a day. It seems to be paying off, but these little changes are really confusing me. And, because none of the music is written out, it is hard to know where I am going when guitar player is soloing--I am expected to listen to the key note that tells me when to change. That's f-ing hard, but I am learning a lot buy it.

Write yourself out some lead sheets - chord changes, key breaks and intros, solos, etc. Use them in a few practices.

Makes a massive difference to getting the structure right.

+ record your rehearsals and listen to it later.

+ record your rehearsals and listen to it later.
yes and it is always better to play with better musicians then yourself,it will help you improve faster and try jamming with just the drummer or guitarist,private.

a lot of my progress came from doing just what you are doing, bite off more than i could chew, and then find a way to live up to it. it really helps you to apply yourself and push yourself to do things you werent sure you could do. and in the end you learn that you can do it. worry about being solid more than flashy, and try to have fun with the music, it will help your groove

Lot's of good advice here. All I would add is to not let it get in your head what you think 'other' bass players would do... or even what former bass players in this band have done. YOU are the bass player now. Do what you do best.

As long as you are in the harmony and supporting the groove, you'll be fine.

And in the end, its far better to learn this way than to practice for years in your bedroom waiting to get perfect.

+1

Remember, if you're the bass player, make those lines yours! Rewrite them the way you want them. If you weren't good enough for the job, you wouldn't have been hired for it. Surprise them with what you know by making the songs yours.

I to am stressing about learning songs, I'm a self thought Bassist and play by ear!! I play in a Rock\Pop covers band and try to work out the songs note perfect. Some times I find it hard to work out the faster parts. Then I got the Tascam BT1MII this has made it a lot easier. I also use tabs or chord charts.

All the best.

Paul

I'm a newb too and when I had a chance to jam a few songs with some friends one day I had a problem with "Are you gunna go my way" by Kravitz so I just kinda did it my own way on certain parts and it sounded just fine.

Most people in the crowd are not gunna notice litte nuances or you deviating from what was exactly written by the original performer. Just dont get outa time and stay in key and you will be ok.

It's a stressful time. I'm coming along, but I am putting in at least 3 hours of practice a day. It seems to be paying off, but these little changes are really confusing me.

March is full of weekend gigs. Is it possible to make leaps and bounds in 1 month? I hope so. Whose got some feel good stories of reaching that new platuea when the pressure was on.
If you're practicing at least 3 hours a day you'll definitely have leaps and bounds, but they'll also be punctuated by troughs and valleys.
From what I've read in here so far it sounds as though you're serious and will make the deadline, but by keeping the pressure on yourself you'll also go beyond your immediate goal as well.

One of my favorite ways to up practice time is to try practice, even if only for 10 or 20 minutes, right the moment I wake up, and just up until going to sleep.
This causes your subconcious to lock into the music and you'll end up dreaming the songs and will often wake up able to play parts you hadn't understood the night before.
Also practicing when you're not at your best helps give you the ability to still kick ass onstage when you may not be at your best and forms a background mentality to not let your condition affect your performance.

Well, our 10th practice Saturday and things are moving along well. I guy who has attended most of these practices said last night that "You guys are ready to play on stage." That was a great comment to hear. We ran through about 12 songs---a good 1.15 hour setlist or more.

However, he said I had "tone" problems and said it sounded like I have Fisher Price equipment. That comment pissed me off as I have a Thunderfunk amp, raezer edge cabs and a reverend bass.

Although he didn't really know what he was talking about, he is right in that my tone is not too great. These cabs are not meant for aggressive rock music...so, they will be sold. I got an Avatar 2x12, which should do all I need. Should get it by Wednesday next week. Paired with the TFUNK and I think my tone will improve.

He said he could hear me hitting the strings more than the sound of the notes---that might have been some sloppy tehnique he heard, but in also, the non colored tone of these cabs. It doesn't cut it for rock music.

But, I felt pretty good last night. Stay Tuned. First gig is March 4. We also play huge gig on St Pattys

I'm glad to hear a positive update. I was thinking about your situation recently.

The previous suggestion about practice before you sleep is a good one.

Tell the guy with the "Fischer Price" crack to stay home next time. :)

See if you can get another bass player or some other musician to help you work on the tone. You probably have enough good equipment right now to do just fine.

Keep us posted. I'm looking forward to reading about the success - and fun - ahead.

As for learning, I import the tunes to my computer where I can loop, EQ, slow down, etc. I then listen a couple times. Sometimes with headphones, sometimes with speakers. sometimes close, sometimes far away (Oddly, you end up hearing different things depending on placement - although in this paticular case it turned out there were 2 sequenced bass parts I was hearing heh).

Then I start with the basic structure of the song - general key and roots. Then I start embelishing.

Sounds like you're making great progress.

As for your tone, if they don't like it you should take time at your next practice to tweak yoru knobs, have them say what they don't like - something more constructive than the fisher price comment. Ie "too muddy" or "I think you need to cut everything below 500hz" :)

Thanks. Honestly. I just think it is the cabs--a single 12 inch and a 10 inch, cabs made for jazz music, uncolored tone type stuff. I was using them in my old band, where we played at lower volumes. Pumping notes through them, I get a lot of flaps and clips.

Then again, it could be a setting. It could be anything. Sadly, I just don't really know a lot about dialing in a good tone. I like the low down more than brightness as I don't slap and pop. I like a little growl.

I think the Avatar should help, at 1000 watts, I can pump and play aggressive and probably won't get clipping or "splats"

At least I hope. I have small hands, and my technique can get bad sometimes, and I think that affects my tone,too. I noticed when I play lighter, the tone improves, but music makes me emotional, and when things are pumping, I pound on my bass. I just let loose and it feels so good. These cabs cannot handle it.

I wish I never sold my Ampeg SVT 3 and the Ampeg 4x10 HLE. DUMB MOVE!

I'm glad to hear a positive update. I was thinking about your situation recently.

The previous suggestion about practice before you sleep is a good one.

Tell the guy with the "Fischer Price" crack to stay home next time. :)

See if you can get another bass player or some other musician to help you work on the tone. You probably have enough good equipment right now to do just fine.

Keep us posted. I'm looking forward to reading about the success - and fun - ahead.

The guy who made the comment is not a musician. He wouldn't know what to suggest.

I have no idea and none of the guys would know what to cut or boost. Is there something I could read that could explain my settings? My Thunderfunk has a manual, but I cannot say it is that helpful.

Sadly, I also keep forgetting what my knobs do on my reverend, after a dozen people tell me. UGH!!!




As for learning, I import the tunes to my computer where I can loop, EQ, slow down, etc. I then listen a couple times. Sometimes with headphones, sometimes with speakers. sometimes close, sometimes far away (Oddly, you end up hearing different things depending on placement - although in this paticular case it turned out there were 2 sequenced bass parts I was hearing heh).

Then I start with the basic structure of the song - general key and roots. Then I start embelishing.

Sounds like you're making great progress.

As for your tone, if they don't like it you should take time at your next practice to tweak yoru knobs, have them say what they don't like - something more constructive than the fisher price comment. Ie "too muddy" or "I think you need to cut everything below 500hz" :)

Here's a good suggestion that works nicely: Turn the knobs until it sounds good. Seriously. Eventually you'll learn what it all means. It would be very helpful if you had someone to turn those knobs whiel you find the right settings while you & the band played - often times settings that rock for playing solo are terrible in a band setting.

I am similar in experience, and my drummer told me the same thing.

"The most important role of the bassist is to be on time and lock-in with the drummer".

So, less is more right now. Relax.

A couple thoughts for you...

1. The non-musician that commented on your tone: He may not be a musician but he probably does represent your audience. Don't be a snob about it. Get some other opinions if you can, and maybe ask your bandmates to just hack around a bit with you so that you can play with your EQ to find a tone you like.

2. Finding the right tone: It depends on the style you're playing. Do you need to rumble with minimal note definition? Pick continuous overdriven 8th notes? Walk a punchy line with the occasional upper-register fill? You should be able to find a lot of comments here and elsewhere describing the impact of different frequency ranges to different styles. SWR definitely had some recommended settings in their manuals, and I think EA had some decent info in the iAmp manual as well. Though you don't use that equipment, you may be able to interpret those settings and apply them in your situation to get ideas. Even the best gear can be misused to produce lousy results.

3. Learning songs: The bass has different roles in different songs. If a tune is driven by a signature bass line, then you pretty much need to nail it. Otherwise, feel is way more important than hitting the exact right notes. When I am playing originals, I am mostly interested in the giving the author what he/she wants.

good luck!

The guy who made the comment is not a musician. He wouldn't know what to suggest.

I have no idea and none of the guys would know what to cut or boost. Is there something I could read that could explain my settings? My Thunderfunk has a manual, but I cannot say it is that helpful.

Sadly, I also keep forgetting what my knobs do on my reverend, after a dozen people tell me. UGH!!!

I found this FAQ (http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144312) in the Amps forum to be extremely helpful in understanding EQ settings. Many thanks to IvanMike for putting it together.

I think the advice here is good. I usually start with the most basic root to root movement for a song. Hopefully the guys in the band can at least tell you what the chord progressions are if you have trouble finding them yourself (which can be great ear training practice btw) especially if time is of then essence . Then from there, more than likely, the other tones in the previous bassist's lines will be notes from the chords and scales of the harmony; I dare not say always because there are always exceptions but probably 98% of the time. Most rock 'n roll music, much as I love it, tends to be pretty simple harmonically.

Not entirely an expert advice, but I would familiarize with these songs as much as possible. Put them to the headphones and have it on for as long as humanly bearable :)
.
I totally agree. I'm an experienced bassist (18 yrs), and when I have to learn new songs, I drill it in my head over and over and over again. That's the only way for me to get the basslines stuck in my head:bassist:

Hi Dan, would you PM me the name of the band and the date of the show? I'd like to try to make it to show support and check out the show!

Brian

By the way: If/when you get to a part of a song where you feel lost:

1. Take a deep breath (it will help you relax and focus)
2. Find the root note
3. Thump it in the same rythm that the drummer is hitting the kick drum

The audience is not going to discern between the way you and the last bassist played the tune. What they WILL notice is if you freak out and drop the beat. It's like rodeo--once the bull is out of the gate, just do your best to hang on and not fall off.

And +1 on the comment above on your tone. With tone, as with other areas of life, take feedback from others as a gift. Disregard the emotional side of it, and decide for yourself if maybe there's some truth to his comments. If he says you're clacky, drop the treble, boost the low mids, and see if you see an improvement in the way others hear you....

I was pointed to this thread as I'm in a position where I need to learn 40+ songs in 8 days. I have probably 10 songs nailed and another 10 I can fake by playing roots/chord tones which leaves another 20+ songs, a few of which I don't have a copy of the original to listen to.

It's my first ever band/playing out situation so I'm wicked nervous/scared/excited/panicked about getting everything right.

You've got to get copies of the songs. Whatever band threw you into the pool - let them spend the time getting you the remaining songs while you work on the ones you already have.

My approach is to always do this in layers. Get the absolute basics down first, and then embellish as much as you can with time remaining. No point in learning the nuances of one song if it means you don't get to 10 others.

In this situation, it Really Is a matter of Quantity, not Quality. :)

8 days, 40 songs, first band?

That's a tough call.

You're going to have to make do with "good enough". Get those 40 songs onto whatever personal stereo you've got and play them whenever you have the opportunity. Get the charts from the guitarist or keyboard player. Write them out and have them ready when you're playing. Get the basics down on all the tunes before you start worrying about getting them note perfect... root notes will get you through most songs. If there's any particular song that's giving you trouble, leave it and tell the band you don't want to play it. Get the easier songs down first.

It would seem my excitement was unjustified. One of the bandmembers got their information wrong so I'm not playing the whole show this week. :( But I'll probably sit in on a few songs which works for me. :)