Improving my technique, and becoming a better bassist (not speed).

[bhass]

I've been playing bass for years now, and I have learn a considerable amount. Despite not being a bad bassist, my technique is far from good. Sometimes I place my fingers in the wrong place, I get a lot of fret buzz, and my right hand technique isn't good either (I'm right handed). Although I can improvise, write my own lines from theory knowledge, I can't seem to improve my technique.

At the beginning of my 'bassism', I just learnt songs like a human record player, memorising tabs. I realised this wasn't the way forward and began to teach myself the correct way, through the Internet, books, and common sense. (As well as some help from my friends)

I have searched this forum looking for others who are in my situation, and cannot find any. How can I improve my technique? What can I practice to improve? I'd love to get a teacher but simply can't afford it. I have spent all my money on my bass and small amp, leaving some in my savings. (Which I'm not spending any time soon)

Got any tips for improving my technique and accuracy?

[Dogbertday]

Well the first thing would be to practice everything slow making sue you are minimizing movement as much as possible and making the correct articulations even while playing slow.

get your metronome (or find one online) and set it to about 40 to practice everything you play. It'll be hard but once you can hear it and i's comfortable a that tempo, try 41

as for fret buzz really pay attention to your left hand and make sure you are accurate at these slow tempos, if you are getting fret buzz don't move to the next tempo

for right hand make sure you're getting the tone you want. if fingerstyle don't collapse your fingers or it will sound sloppy (same with left hand actually). If you play with a pick make sureyour thumb isn't collapsed or it will begin to hurt and you will loose acuracy. also keep a regular picking pattern (ie. always down is ok... if alternating keep a regular pattern such as always down on down beats and always up on up beats, pumping every 8th-note whether you hit the string or not.


aside from that I think a teacher would be the best bet when you come into a little more money

[bhass]

Thanks for all of that. I'll use an online metronome for now, but in the next few days, I'm sure I can afford a cheap one from the local music store.

There's one thing I don't understand though, what do you mean by:

If you play with a pick make sureyour thumb isn't collapsed or it will begin to hurt and you will loose acuracy.

Playing with a pick is what I do about 60% of the time, I prefer the tone. What do you mean by 'collapsed'. Sorry If it's an obvious question.

[VisualShock]

Originally Posted by Dogbertday

...

get your metronome (or find one online) and set it to about 40 to practice everything you play. It'll be hard but once you can hear it and i's comfortable a that tempo, try 41
....

http://www.metronomeonline.com/
is a good place to start...

[Rumblestiltzkin]

Sounds like you could benefit from some time spent really focusing on the subtleties of your tone and dynamics (ie, how loud or soft you can play). I would suggest learning a few scales and play them with no fret buzz or other unwanted sounds. That way, you can kill two birds with one stone: learning a new scale(s) and improve your sound.

[bottomend!]

Originally Posted by VisualShock

http://www.metronomeonline.com/
is a good place to start...

Heres a much better metronome. On this one you can select ANY tempo and you have the option to add accents as well.

http://webmetronome.com/