Good way to jump into theory/chords? (Beginner bassist)

[TheWumbo]

Good afternoon, Talkbass!

My name is Michael, and I've been playing bass for just shy of two years. I've had some time to get my groove down, but realize that I know almost nothing about the way the musical scale works. I'm beginning to learn by ear, but I love bass solo compositions and re-arrangements (take Tears In Heaven redone by Jeff Berlin). Despite my avid desire to learn theory and chords, I'm having trouble finding a way to understand the scale and how it's transposed on the instrument. This is my first instrument, and I am quite a novice... but that's what Talk Bass is for, right?

Any and all answers will be appreciated!

Keep it low!

[DiabolusInMusic]

First step. Learn your intervals, not only how to name them but how hear them.

Scales comes after that.

[Duckwater]

Play some keys/piano, it makes note theory so much easier to learn.

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

First step. Learn your intervals, not only how to name them but how hear them.

Scales comes after that.

Okay. Do you mean learning like... the 1-3-5, and things like that? Every time I try to figure out that stuff I find videos that just fly into complex theory I can't handle quite yet. By intervals, do you mean learning major and minor, whole step and half step progression? Things like that?

Thank you muchly for expedient reply!

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

Play some keys/piano, it makes note theory so much easier to learn.

I've heard that. Makes it a bit more planar. It's the flipping it back on to guitar thing that I haven't quite been able to nail.

[Duckwater]

It's really simple once you get a grasp on it. The 12 notes on your bass ascend and descend the same as they do on a piano, it's just laid out a lot more clearly with a straight row of keys. Learn the white keys first, they are the 7 diatonic notes, then move onto the black keys which are sharps/flats.

Good-ear.com is great for familiarizing your ears with intervals once you have learned the notes.

[Biggbass]

try watching some of Scott Devine's bass lessons...start with the beginner lessons.

http://scottsbasslessons.com/online-video-bass-lessons

[Swakey]

I actually find it easier to learn and adapt theory on a stringed instrument. Learning intervals on the bass is easy because of its tuning. All intervals follow certain patterns on the bass, so theory is much more visual on the bass than on keys.

For instance the essence of the bass which is root and fifth, i.e. 3rd fret on the A string (note c) and 5th fret on the D string (note g) can easily be found over every possible root note, just apply the same fingering.

Of course picking up a theory book would make it much more clear so long as you have the patience to study it

[Biggbass]

PS: you might also check your local community colleges for a music class that would meet your needs. School is a great place to learn the basics of theory and one voice notation.

[Mushroo]

The best method I know to learn theory is as follows:

Listen to songs. Songs you love in your favorite genre, and also songs in genres you might be unfamiliar with. Learn the chord progressions of the songs, and discover which chord progressions are most commonly used. Try to learn at least one new chord progression each week, and really master the sound of it, to the point you can turn on the radio and instantly hear if a song uses that progression.

I recommend you start with I-IV-V which means all major chords (upper case roman numerals mean major chords; lower case means minor chords) built on the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes of the scale. So in the key of C: C-F-G. In the key of E: E-A-B. And so forth. Learn this progression in all 12 keys on the bass and singing (and on the piano, if you have one) and then listen to the radio for songs that use this progression.

Then next week you might learn I-V-vi-IV (remember that lower case vi means minor chord; in the key of C this would be Amin), the week after that, the 12-bar blues form, and so forth.

Stick with this and after 1 year you will have learned over 50 chord progressions which should be enough for 90%+ of the music you hear on the radio. Good luck!

[DiabolusInMusic]

Originally Posted by TheWumbo

Okay. Do you mean learning like... the 1-3-5, and things like that? Every time I try to figure out that stuff I find videos that just fly into complex theory I can't handle quite yet. By intervals, do you mean learning major and minor, whole step and half step progression? Things like that?

Thank you muchly for expedient reply!

Start here.

Intervals are the building blocks of music, they are like the atoms that make up music. This is where I start my students on the theory path. I am assuming you know your chromatic scale at least, if not I would learn that first. (The chromatic scale is merely all the notes from A to G and their incidentals)

[fearceol]

[quote=DiabolusInMusic;13916733]Start hereQUOTE]

+ 100 for the "Study Bass" site.

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by Duckwater

It's really simple once you get a grasp on it. The 12 notes on your bass ascend and descend the same as they do on a piano, it's just laid out a lot more clearly with a straight row of keys. Learn the white keys first, they are the 7 diatonic notes, then move onto the black keys which are sharps/flats.

Good-ear.com is great for familiarizing your ears with intervals once you have learned the notes.

Thank you, very much!

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

try watching some of Scott Devine's bass lessons...start with the beginner lessons.

http://scottsbasslessons.com/online-video-bass-lessons

Will check this out, thanks so much. I can't believe how helpful everyone is here.

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

Start here.

Intervals are the building blocks of music, they are like the atoms that make up music. This is where I start my students on the theory path. I am assuming you know your chromatic scale at least, if not I would learn that first. (The chromatic scale is merely all the notes from A to G and their incidentals)

Yes, Chromatic I am familiar with for sure. Maybe now I can kick it up a notch. Thank you!

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by Swakey

I actually find it easier to learn and adapt theory on a stringed instrument. Learning intervals on the bass is easy because of its tuning. All intervals follow certain patterns on the bass, so theory is much more visual on the bass than on keys.

For instance the essence of the bass which is root and fifth, i.e. 3rd fret on the A string (note c) and 5th fret on the D string (note g) can easily be found over every possible root note, just apply the same fingering.

Of course picking up a theory book would make it much more clear so long as you have the patience to study it

Thank you very much. I did very quickly learn fifth and root, but I am so eager to learn how to make my playing dynamic. Any book in particular you would suggest?

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by Biggbass

PS: you might also check your local community colleges for a music class that would meet your needs. School is a great place to learn the basics of theory and one voice notation.

As soon as I get the existing loan squared away, I plan on checking out school. I'm just afraid of going and becoming a mechanic robot borne of academia; I hear horror stories of people who go to school and lose their soulful playing. I suppose it's all a matter of persepective.

Thank you, Biggbass!

[TheWumbo]

Originally Posted by Mushroo

The best method I know to learn theory is as follows:

Listen to songs. Songs you love in your favorite genre, and also songs in genres you might be unfamiliar with. Learn the chord progressions of the songs, and discover which chord progressions are most commonly used. Try to learn at least one new chord progression each week, and really master the sound of it, to the point you can turn on the radio and instantly hear if a song uses that progression.

I recommend you start with I-IV-V which means all major chords (upper case roman numerals mean major chords; lower case means minor chords) built on the 1st, 4th, and 5th notes of the scale. So in the key of C: C-F-G. In the key of E: E-A-B. And so forth. Learn this progression in all 12 keys on the bass and singing (and on the piano, if you have one) and then listen to the radio for songs that use this progression.

Then next week you might learn I-V-vi-IV (remember that lower case vi means minor chord; in the key of C this would be Amin), the week after that, the 12-bar blues form, and so forth.

Stick with this and after 1 year you will have learned over 50 chord progressions which should be enough for 90%+ of the music you hear on the radio. Good luck!

It's incredible what you can learn when you reach out for help. Very cool. Never thought if like that, and I have just begun to ditch tablature and learn by ear, so this could be an exciting new way to learn. Thank you very much for your reply!

[basskidd]

I posted something about this kind of theory in a thread a while back: Practice routines...

not sure if it would help, but if you have any questions about it ask

[phillybass101]

I'd say find serveral different teachers for different things you want to learn. If you want to learn theory and playing through chords etc. Have one of your teachers be a Jazz Bass Player. Have another to show you the mechanics of dealing with your electric bass and how to play electric, and find an old school funk guy to teach you how to thump and pluck.