Best Way to Practice

Joesoef · #1 05-09-2011, 07:03 AM

I'm rookie in the bass world and I want to know what do you guys think is the best way to practice?

What I usually do is look up tabs on the web but I want more than that. I'm thinking maybe a website or video or whatever that gives you guided instructions, finger exercises etc.

And I hope you all understand what I mean, English is not my first language, sorry.

DONZI97 · #2 05-09-2011, 07:07 AM

This is a great start, STUDYBASS

schmig · #3 05-09-2011, 07:11 AM

My present recommendations (relatively new to it myself):

- Don't waste time noodling around on stuff you can already do
- Set goals...examples: play 4ths cleanly with a metronome as so many BPM, play C major up and down the next cleanly without pain or discomfort/confusion (across strings / over one/two strings)
- Don't overwhelm yourself with too much material. I've seen one drummer, in particular, with a LIBRARY, hundreds of instructional videos etc, who cannot drum very well at all. Pick your target and master it before moving to something else.

That said, don't take my word as gospel...just make sure you have goals - things you cannot currently do - and patiently get them under your belt. Expect serious progress / video game levelling type stuff over the course of years, rather than weeks or months.

The more I get to grips with the bass I think about:

- The massive importance of the interval of a third (major or minor, i.e. 3 or 4 frets).
- I wish I didn't engrain the patterns for scales over multiple strings early on. Always practice equally across a couple of strings..play your major third on the same string, sliding in from the minor one fret before, etc.

TOOL460002 · #4 05-09-2011, 06:09 PM

+1 to setting a goal. if it takes a year, so be it; you still get it done.

you start getting tabs and playing someone elses material. then you learn your scales and modes. then you have the resources to play your own music. you dont have to know theory to write, but it sure does help.

AndreyR · #5 05-09-2011, 10:41 PM

1) Write out a detailed outline.
2) Make deadlines and set dates.
for example, here is a mockup schedule:
a) warmup 5 min
b) right hand technique 5 min, left hand technique 5 min
c) scales 10 min, one scale a day, all modes, groove
By the end of the week, I want to play 16ths at 120 bpm, so I will increase 1-2 bpm each day. I need to watch for tension.

Doesn't have to be exactly like this, but something close!

TOOL460002 · #6 05-09-2011, 11:50 PM

or the tom morello method: go to harvard; play 4+ hrs a day in 1hr segments. i wanna say his structure is online somewhere.

chawk610 · #7 05-10-2011, 08:55 AM

Practice needs to be challenging... if you are learning fills... don't rush through them... play them cleanly and slowly... the timing and speed will come.

LIONFURY · #8 05-12-2011, 09:31 AM

I play songs while listening to them when i practice. Helps alot for me

avengeance · #9 05-16-2011, 01:10 AM

I use the Hal Leonard Bass Method complete edition and I practice at least 1hr. a day usually in the beginning of the day to make sure I do it. I usually complete about a page a day because I use my drum machine as a metronome. I do each exercise about 5 times 60,80,100,120,140 BPM. I do not progress to the next BPM until I get the exercise done correctly. Yes there is lots of frustration especially when you mess up right towards the end, but hey practicing an instrument is like a relationship you have to keep on working on it and don't give up. After I finish an exercise for the day I go to the Bass Guitar cheat sheet for dummies and I study the chords, scales, etc. Then I read my Music Theory for Dummies book (Just to refresh my knowledge), then I go about and read some of my Songwriting for Dummies book. After that I check out my bass hand exercise handbook and do a few exercises in that. As you can see I read a lot of dummies books but hey I really like how they break down everything, plus it's not really how we get there because we're all going to same destination. Each thing is usually considered due to how much time in the day I have, but I definitely get the exercise and cheat sheet everyday.

I've only been playing constantly for about a 2 weeks. I started officially in December and so far I've progressed pretty nicely.

My sole inspiration in bass is to be like Thomas Bangalter :P

stoob · #10 05-16-2011, 04:36 AM

A great idea is to go to bed early. And get up early and practice, your brain is so much more attentative and ready than going to bed late practicing. I encourage all bassists of all levels to try this

Also, play slowly to a metronome and record yourself to see if you are playing cleanly.

stratovani · #11 05-16-2011, 06:30 PM

Play along with your favorite songs! Along with all the other things you're practicing, listen to your favorite songs, pay close attention to the bassline, then try to play along. After all, the main purpose of playing an instrument is to make music, right?

john grey · #12 05-17-2011, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avengeance

I use the Hal Leonard Bass Method complete edition and I practice at least 1hr. a day usually in the beginning of the day to make sure I do it. I usually complete about a page a day because I use my drum machine as a metronome. I do each exercise about 5 times 60,80,100,120,140 BPM. I do not progress to the next BPM until I get the exercise done correctly.

There's some really good ideas here.
I've been playing a long time but I have long term layoffs and get back to it via some design & method. This stuff is pretty subjective, but there ARE some things that come up consistently.
I have seen some of the Hal Leonard stuff and it's very well thought out to make practice enjoyable. A drum machine is typically used as a metronome. But regardless of what you use; you really DO have to have some time keeping technique to teach you working on or behind the beat, tempo elements in various technique applications (Slap, or style directions). And notice the guy said he gets something wired first - THEN moves on. It would be great if I could play Bach, the 1st time I bought some music but that's a "stage and progress" issue.

Speaking only for myself I keep myself from noodling around; when I pick up an instrument I play something that will benefit me, even scales I already know but I work on subtleties of technique. I do my level best to stay disciplined.

I happen to have tried both a drum machine & a metronome & each has good points (& not many bad ones). But timing practice is vital.

Only my opinion, but it's discipline that separate someone who "plays" from some one who "can play". There was no better feeling in music than the feeling that comes from getting a new technique and not having it be 'accidental" but really understanding that technique.

There are books that tech the re-positioning of fingers in scale patterns. That & knowing the fret-board notes (IMO) are also vital.

Always remember that the stuff in any internet discussion is opinion based on the individual's experience. Just because I may agree with someone doesn't make our collective opinion the only one either. You always need to find what works for you!

TSkills · #13 05-18-2011, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by avengeance

I use the Hal Leonard Bass Method complete edition and I practice at least 1hr. a day usually in the beginning of the day to make sure I do it. I usually complete about a page a day because I use my drum machine as a metronome. I do each exercise about 5 times 60,80,100,120,140 BPM. I do not progress to the next BPM until I get the exercise done correctly. Yes there is lots of frustration especially when you mess up right towards the end, but hey practicing an instrument is like a relationship you have to keep on working on it and don't give up. After I finish an exercise for the day I go to the Bass Guitar cheat sheet for dummies and I study the chords, scales, etc. Then I read my Music Theory for Dummies book (Just to refresh my knowledge), then I go about and read some of my Songwriting for Dummies book. After that I check out my bass hand exercise handbook and do a few exercises in that. As you can see I read a lot of dummies books but hey I really like how they break down everything, plus it's not really how we get there because we're all going to same destination. Each thing is usually considered due to how much time in the day I have, but I definitely get the exercise and cheat sheet everyday.

I've only been playing constantly for about a 2 weeks. I started officially in December and so far I've progressed pretty nicely.

My sole inspiration in bass is to be like Thomas Bangalter :P

There's a really good "For Dummies" book out there called "Bass Guitar Exercises For Dummies". It breaks down a recommended practice session and tells you just what to practice to improve. Check it out, see if it's for you.

avengeance · #14 05-21-2011, 03:16 PM

If you're looking for bass hand exercises i would recommend getting the "Bass Fitness - An exercising handbook" by Josquin Des Pres. John grey is correct I do believe discipline is such an important factor. I do recommend waking up eat a nice actual breakfast (You wouldn't believe how important this is) then begin warming up practicing your scales then begin with exercises that you can find at studybass.com or any other form of learning method. Consistency is very important as well just try and take 15min - 1hr. of your day. which is really not a lot when you think about it. If you can't practice 1hr. at a time then break it up. 15min when you wake up, 15min in the afternoon, 15min in the evening, and then 15min before you go to sleep. That right there alone is already one hour and one thing that's good about breaking up the exercises is that they'll be fresh in your head throughout the day. Motivation, Consistency, and Determination the three things in which I believe are to succeed in just about anything.

john grey · #15 05-26-2011, 09:51 AM

A great many folks like "Bass Fitness" (including me).

And that's a damn good example of a disciplined approach to working on technique, etc. I xeroxed a few pages and it's not particularly a "joyously fun" collection of lessons. Frankly (only my opinion) but since some elements don't resemble common themes or make related musical sense, they are rewarding only if you realize what you're getting for your efforts:a powerful furtherance of co-ordination.
To work your way through that book and continue takes serious discipline. All too often folks are attracted to "making music" while practicing or believing that something must make very direct or obvious musical sense to be of benefit. I don't think that's true in many cases.

Superficially simplistic timing exercises can become very challenging as they become enhanced by integration (with a scale for instance). Frustration may occur because the reward (actual music) may not be there for awhile. I don't think it's uncommon for many players to get frustrated without the reward of "actual music" in practice. My belief is that's where the rubber meets the road in disciplined practice.

However to address the OP's topic I'm not sure if there IS a "BEST" method because we all have individual needs, skills, & desires from music & ourselves.

89JazzMan · #16 05-26-2011, 11:01 AM

Always remember that bass is as much a rhythmic instrument as it is a low end supporter. Always practice slowly then work your way up. It is more important to play something in tempo than to blow through it in any old pattern or speed.

Listening to great drummers kick drums can help too. (Antonio Sanchez, Bill Bruford, Teddy Campbell, really any gospel or pop drummer.) Also learn to play what you love. Use a metronome and develop a feel for time within music.