How do i become a better bassist? -,not in terms of skill-

[castleshade13]

hey guys!

I have realized my "skill" has taken a landslide

i can "play" i can slap fine tap fine i play with three i fingers, i can play "advanced" pieces

But my writing has become worse, i can't seem to lock myself in the pocket all the time now


can any one give me tips on how i can revitalize, my skills?

I'm a mediocre bassist at best now, despite the fact i can play all this complex stuff



Adam

[DRafalske]

My advice would be to try and get back to basics. Simplicity, often times, is key (IMHO, of course).

Here's the best piece of advice I've ever received:
"Dave, sometimes it's what you don't do that matters".

Good luck man,
Dave

[martyman5000]

I've found this thread very helpful...


A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me!

[TOOL460002]

play everything by:

stone temple pilots
our lady peace

as for writing, the beatles get me going. make yourself write in keys/modes you normally dont use.

[Bakursa]

Usually, I just sit down, think of how I feel today, think of the band I listened to mostly in the past few hours, then try to incorporate their techniques and my feeling into a simple improv. For example: Today I feel down, and I've listen to Iron Maiden almost exclusively. So know I just hum to myself for a bit till something sounds good, then play it, record it, and do anything else to help me remember what it sounds like.

If your writing a bass part of a song, just follow the chord progression while incorporating modes and scales, like the pentatonic scale and Lydian mode. Good luck getting your writing back.

[funkybass4ever]

put down your bass and take a break from the instrument. As musicians we inundate every aspect of our lives with music and sometimes although we love music we need to step away from the closeness we have with the instrument.
I have come extremely far in a relatively short time- 5 years- and when i find myself "going backwards" i put down the bass and wait until i feel inspired to play. Usually it is a couple days- but it makes such a difference. Kind of like the heart grows fonder with distance kind of a thing.

[John Wentzien]

Jam with a good drummer as often as possible.

[Phalex]

Listen to a style of music that you don't listen to at the moment. Absorb new ideas.

[IconBasser]

listen to jazz.

[JimmyM]

First step to fixing this problem is realizing you have a problem, so good for you. Slow yourself down, and drill yourself with a metronome on slow speeds playing 8th, quarter, half and whole notes, and concentrating on being right with the metronome every single time and not rushing. As soon as you master one of your exercises at a slow speed, slow it down even more, and keep doing it until it becomes second nature.

Then listen to some AC/DC and appreciate the brilliance of how Cliff Williams can play the same riff for 5 minutes and never rush or slow down, always right on the beat, never missing a note. Most bassists who are quick to put Cliff down as a player can't do it. You'll know you're onto the right track when you can play "Back In Black" without rushing

[Past 11]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

First step to fixing this problem is realizing you have a problem, so good for you. Slow yourself down, and drill yourself with a metronome on slow speeds playing 8th, quarter, half and whole notes, and concentrating on being right with the metronome every single time and not rushing. As soon as you master one of your exercises at a slow speed, slow it down even more, and keep doing it until it becomes second nature.

Then listen to some AC/DC and appreciate the brilliance of how Cliff Williams can play the same riff for 5 minutes and never rush or slow down, always right on the beat, never missing a note. Most bassists who are quick to put Cliff down as a player can't do it. You'll know you're onto the right track when you can play "Back In Black" without rushing

+1. Yes...it is very, very easy to fall out of the pocket on a long, slower, pulsating groove. "Too Rolling Stoned" (Robin Trower) and some Fleetwood Mac songs come to mind too. It can become pretty tedious. I still have troubles with this from time to time too. It's powerful stuff when it's on the money.

[cnl83]

I have been going through that so I started playing my guitar. When its time to get back on the bass, it just feels better.

[yem]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

drill yourself with a metronome

Yep