Stuck in a Rut...Pentatonics...

rarisgod · #1 07-08-2008, 08:23 PM

Alright, for awhile now I've been having a problem. When I first took interest in playing bass, I got into a lot of Sabbath stuff. This improved me quite a bit at the time, but then it got me stuck too much in the same pattern. Early Sabbath stuff, the most famous stuff, used too much pentatonics, so whenever I improvise I use the same scale.
I have moved into Rush now, and a lot of jazz/jazz fusion (Jaco, Wooten, etc.) but I still find myself improvising along the same areas. Is there anyway to push myself right out of this rut? Any other improvisational tips? It's so simple to solo within the pentatonic scale, but I can never come up with any other ideas. Any suggestions would be QUITE appreciated...

mambo4 · #2 07-09-2008, 09:20 AM

I'd suggest transcribing solos (or just basslines) that you like , and then reverse-engineering them to see how the notes relate to the chords.

also, practice moving around the neck using only chord tones for a while, to break the habit of sticking to the pentatonic shapes all the time.

finally, take trad. jazz approach: learn to play the vocal melody for the song, and improvise around that. If you are serious about this approach, see here:
REALLY Learning a tune

rarisgod · #3 07-12-2008, 09:43 AM

Thanks a lot! I'll definitely be looking into that. I'm not exactly sure where to start, as I've thought of it before, but I think I may have found something to take this method on. Thanks!

**BullHorn** · #4 07-12-2008, 10:10 AM

I'm in the same problem as you. I've been in this for at least a year though, still can't get out of it. :/

rarisgod · #5 07-12-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BullHorn

I'm in the same problem as you. I've been in this for at least a year though, still can't get out of it. :/

Well I know your feeling! I wish you luck as well in getting out of this rut!

Alejandro Lozan · #6 07-12-2008, 01:50 PM

Don´t worry guys this is the final solution, after that your life will change. Guaranteed!

My 10 rules to erradicate this very common problem

http://www.alejandrolozano.net

My web site very soon!

ryco · #7 07-12-2008, 02:30 PM

You can dig around in this for some good info/ideas. Don't let the J word scare you - it's all just music.

Check the first three play-alongs, too.

rarisgod · #8 07-14-2008, 01:40 PM

LOL the J word? As in "Jazz"? I love jazz! I originally started in rock (mostly Sabbath) which got me into this rut, and now I've moved on to mostly listening to jazz.
Thanks!

steve66 · #9 07-14-2008, 01:54 PM

Try improvising using R, 3, 5 notes and their octaves only. Then add inversions, chromatics and space. When you feel comfortable add extended voicings 7th, 9ths, 11ths, 13ths

Widdershins · #10 07-14-2008, 05:41 PM

All great advice!

If you like playing along with songs, you might like to try The Beatles.
Yeah, I know it's cliché, but the lines are relatively simple and, unless you have been living under a rock, you're probably already familiar with a great deal of their work.

rarisgod · #11 07-14-2008, 06:54 PM

Oh definitely, I've actually looked into a few lately. The Beatles are great!
As Widdershins said, this is all great advice that I look forward to using at the nearest opportunity! Thanks a bunch!

amos · #12 07-16-2008, 12:50 AM

This is a good thread. I also suffer from this issue.

rarisgod · #13 07-16-2008, 01:39 PM

I have always doubted that I was the only one LOL I've been asking many places, and it's difficult to find a good answer. Here, I have been provided with an excellent answer. I do not regret joining at all! Now to put this all to use...

fishhed · #14 07-16-2008, 07:19 PM

I played guitar (home schooled) and am locked into pentatonic and blues scales. It sounds good but is frustrating because I cant get out of that box, even if the tune I am playing needs something else. I got a good bass teacher who studied at Berklee learning jazz bass (now he just plays funk so it just goes to show jass exercise produce more than just jazz bass players...).

Basically he had me do exercises for each of the modes with each root, now I can play both lines and solos in modes that correspond to minor and 7th chords as well as major (OK not ready for dims etc. yet) and its intuitive. I basically played modes 1-7 for each root from 3rd fret E string (G) to 13th fret E string (F) for 30 minutes a day for six months. Its not quick but after a while your fingers remember it all by themselves.

You can get the modes off of here or ask a teacher.

http://www.cyberschoolofbass.com/

Now I have to learn how to use my right hand. :-)

Good luck and anyone feel free to PM me with questions (or teacher intro if in Los Angeles).

Fishhed