I've just started (tonight in fact) working of my speed. For my first basic exercise I've simply been using the chromatic scale with this exercise: E, F#, F, G, F#, G#, G etc. up to B on my G string and back down. My routine will be doing 5 minutes up and down solidly, a short break with some stretches, 8 minutes up and down solodly, break with stretches, and then 10 minutes and stop, stretches. I'll do this twice a night. Maybe more if I have no homework.

My question is, how often and how much should I increase speed. Tonight I worked the first half hour at 78 BPM and the second at 80. With my plan in it's current state, tommorow the first half hour will be at 80 BPM, the secong at 82. Get it?

Would this seem reasonable? I really want to get my technique solid so when I play fast it can be with fluidity. So I think going as slow as I can while still progressing is the best plan.

Does this finger work-out seem reasonable to all you teachers/pros out there?

I wouldn't increase the speed so quickly. Being able to play the notes with even subdivisions well and slowly will only help with fluidity later. You should practice as many scales as you know at a certain tempo and their variations (sequences, intervals etc) for at least a week before you move up the speed.

This way you know that you are playing with a solid sound and feel. Otherwise your sound at a higher speed will sound weak and un-polished.

Remember to concentrate on your right hand and it's economy of motion. Keep looking back at it and adjust. Just don't put it on autopilot and think all is well. This is where most of us have had to return to after trying to figure out what we are doing wrong. Make sure you practice string skipping to get your right hand in shape too.

Remember the fastest or most fluid players never look like they are rushing to play. Also, don't try to substitute speed for the lack of content.

All the best,

Gerry

thanks a lot gerry. I know have to progress (In terms of speed) very slowly, but I was never sure what was a good rate of speed progession. That sounds like a very good guideline, so thankyou.

my mantra:

take lessons with the best teacher within an hour drive.

regularly.

practice at least 4 hours a day.

learn the whole musical language, from Bach to today.

TRANSCRIBE!!!!!!!!

as mentioned above, speed is like tits on a bull unless you have meaningful content.

Think about Hendrix. Totally dieified. Made people lose their drug riddled minds with just a couple notes...

speed is a by product of accuracy. so focus on accuracy, speed will come by itself.
you can practice it by emphasing the different 16ths of a group of 16ths(firts 16th on one, 2nd 16th on one, 3rd 16th on one etc. do this with every peace you like or chromatic scale etc.)
i would raise your tempo by 2 bpm every week/3 days and go back to a slower tempo every now and then
good luck!

my mantra:

take lessons with the best teacher within an hour drive.

regularly.

practice at least 4 hours a day.

learn the whole musical language, from Bach to today.

TRANSCRIBE!!!!!!!!

as mentioned above, speed is like tits on a bull unless you have meaningful content.

Think about Hendrix. Totally dieified. Made people lose their drug riddled minds with just a couple notes...

I agree with you completely. I'm already taking weekly lessons with the head of bass at one of London's main music schools (Guildhall). I've been using some of my sister's (opera singer in traing) operatic scores and have worked on multitracking every part on the bass to get my phrasing working much more musically. And as my knowledge of harmony, rhythm and everything has been growing, my speed has been left behind. I simply want to have the chops to be able to play what I want to, when I want to. I'm really not going for any Billy Sheehan type stuff, it just would make me sad to be missing out on any oppurtunities by not being able to play fast later.

Being able to play fast is of highest importance. And you'll know when you have that control when you can play long notes at about 40 bpm and not rush or drag.

The key to playing fast is practicing slowly and precisiely. If you don't you're just playing fast slop. Too many people focus on speed and practice playing scales and simple patterns fast. Then they get on a stage and either can play musical phrases fast or their playing just sound like scales. Boring.

Speed develops on its own with little need for focusing on it. What to play fast find a fast bass line or head to a song you like. Then drop down to a speed you can playing perfectly, then gradually build up to tempo. That way you are learning to play mucisal passages fast. Want to focus on speed work on some Rocco TOP bass lines. Takes a lot of chops to play his TOP lines correctly and cleanly at tempo. To play fast with a laid back confidence.

as usual docbop has great advice.

Rocco with TOP- there's a bunch of wankers out there who can rip stuff up, but couldn't hold down "What is Hip" to save their lives.

Also, as docbop routinely recommends elsewhere, work on Charlie Parker heads and solos- the Omnibook is one of the only references I make advanced players buy.

And

look around here for right hand exercises, esp Alain Caron's miracle 16th note set.

some more obvious stuff- run major scales the FULL length of the neck slowly, and start spending 10 minutes each day pushing the tempo a bit.

There's actually enough info here on talkbass to make anybody fast as they wanna be. Great advice here about starting slow...

my mantra:

take lessons with the best teacher within an hour drive.

regularly.

practice at least 4 hours a day.

learn the whole musical language, from Bach to today.

TRANSCRIBE!!!!!!!!

as mentioned above, speed is like tits on a bull unless you have meaningful content.

Think about Hendrix. Totally dieified. Made people lose their drug riddled minds with just a couple notes...

At least 4 hours a day? What if I devoted 2 hours to ABSOLUTELY FOCUSED practice?

What should we practice?


Please explain: "learn the whole musical language".

Transcribe in the same position (as opposed to just sliding your finger up a fret)?

I think I've practiced chromatic scales for less than 10 minutes in my entire life. It's mindless and pretty much useless. How often will you have to play chromatic scales in real music? Use real music and you'll learn technique just as well (better, actually) AND learn useful musical notions.

chromatic is a great way to play every note on the bass. excellent for finger independence... if you've tried playing Donna Lee and haven't played chromatic scales, you're gonna be hurting the next day!:crying:

blankstare:

Ray Brown, the (imho) greatest bassist yet, told me personally that if you aren't playing 8 hours a day, don't bother. 4 hrs practice+ 4 hour gig= full time job. Duh.

And

By "whole musical language,"

bassists are called on more than any other musician besides pianists, and expected to sound good on any gig. Learn latin grooves-salsa, brazilian, swing, rock, polka, whatever. Know 100 styles insisde out, learn how to read like a pro, bea able to play any gig, and your phone will always be ringing.:bassist::bassist:

Speed develops on its own with little need for focusing on it. What to play fast find a fast bass line or head to a song you like. Then drop down to a speed you can playing perfectly, then gradually build up to tempo. That way you are learning to play mucisal passages fast.


TEEN TOWN;)

blankstare:

Ray Brown, the (imho) greatest bassist yet, told me personally that if you aren't playing 8 hours a day, don't bother. 4 hrs practice+ 4 hour gig= full time job. Duh.

And

By "whole musical language,"

bassists are called on more than any other musician besides pianists, and expected to sound good on any gig. Learn latin grooves-salsa, brazilian, swing, rock, polka, whatever. Know 100 styles insisde out, learn how to read like a pro, bea able to play any gig, and your phone will always be ringing.:bassist::bassist:


Why 8 hours? I'm in high school right now, so time is scarce.

Why not 2 hours of SMART practice instead of 4 hours? Can you please direct me towards what to practice in the limited amount of time that I have?

The only thing I'm doing now is right hand technique exercise (rest left hand on all strings and use right hand as if I were to play, alternate strings, moderate speed) and then using your advice on using my fingertips for the left hand.

I have two instruments and I'm not sure which one will provide the better life for me, though I am well aware that at some point I must choose.

Funny

I was able to practice more in high school than in college and working life combined.

Two a day is ok, but 4 is sooo much better.

If you only have two, be strict with your practice time- don't waste ANY time playing stuff you already know well. No noodling.

When I go to the Bass Institute next year, I'll have a 16 hour school week. All of bass, the rest of the week, I can practice. I just don't want to waste any time now, I'm spending as much time working as possible.

Just one of my problems as far as time is concerned is that when I'm at my dad's house, where I don't have an amp, a lot of the time I don't have my music with me. And I can only play appergio's and scales solidly for so long. I'll do them for about an hour and a half, and I could do more in a day, probably the same routine again, if I had more time and things to do inbetween. But I don't.

What kind of exercises can I do that aren't just repetitive scales/arpeggios that could really benefit my playing.

And by the way, the reason I have so little practice time - about 2 hours, 3 hours max a weeknight - is generally because I'm jamming with other players for about 1 or 2 hours most days. I just don't include this as part of my practice schedule. And this is my method in getting my feel, groove and "musicality" up)

Funny

I was able to practice more in high school than in college and working life combined.

Two a day is ok, but 4 is sooo much better.

If you only have two, be strict with your practice time- don't waste ANY time playing stuff you already know well. No noodling.

I'm in a stressful school environment. Kids today have to learn a hell of a lot more than you had to learn when you were our age (I'm not being condescending, it's just a fact). College is EXPECTED for a large percentage of students; it is no longer only the "elite" that attend.

Due to this college prepatory environment that high school has become, I have less practice time. In college, though, I expect to REALLY hunker down and practice at least 2 hours a day for each of my instruments (bass guitar, bass trombone).

I'm going to be honest, I only play about a half hour every other day, but after marching band season I intend on:

1) Buying Single String Studies and really KNOW the notes on the neck

2) Getting my hands on tons of etude books to apply the note-learning

3) Playing with other people (which I rarely if ever do)

4) Getting a teacher

When I go to the Bass Institute next year, I'll have a 16 hour school week. All of bass, the rest of the week, I can practice. I just don't want to waste any time now, I'm spending as much time working as possible.

Just one of my problems as far as time is concerned is that when I'm at my dad's house, where I don't have an amp, a lot of the time I don't have my music with me. And I can only play appergio's and scales solidly for so long. I'll do them for about an hour and a half, and I could do more in a day, probably the same routine again, if I had more time and things to do inbetween. But I don't.

What kind of exercises can I do that aren't just repetitive scales/arpeggios that could really benefit my playing.

And by the way, the reason I have so little practice time - about 2 hours, 3 hours max a weeknight - is generally because I'm jamming with other players for about 1 or 2 hours most days. I just don't include this as part of my practice schedule. And this is my method in getting my feel, groove and "musicality" up)

Bass Institute?! What is that?!