Advice on practicing

louismcohen · #1 02-22-2009, 01:14 PM

I'm new to playing bass and and any musical instrument for that matter. Have no music theory education or practicel playing experience. Picked up a bass several months ago and am now playing through 10 or so riffs.

Does the group rececomend buying a drum machine or some other device to play along with? I'm in my mid-50's and there really isn't anyone available to jam or practice with. Sort of limited that respect.

Just plowing through websites and a few instructional books. Any other advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

oldrookie · #2 02-22-2009, 01:39 PM

I started trying to teach myself at 48. Purchased a Tascam Bass Trainer and it has proven to be invaluable. Can slow down songs, loop parts and plug bass into it to play along.

Get Ed Friedland's books with CD's. Very helpful.

Good luck and hang in there.

louismcohen · #3 02-22-2009, 01:55 PM

Thanks for the tip.

bnutz · #4 02-22-2009, 02:00 PM

Devices that slow parts down like Bass Trainer or a piece of software called Amazing Slowdowner are very helpful. I don't think you'd have to have a drum machine, but a metronome is essential. Developing a good sense of time and rhythm from the beginning will make learning new licks easier and make playing a lot more fun, because your playing will sound "right" even if you are playing simplified licks or playing licks at slower tempos.

I know it can sound daunting when you are starting from scratch, but on piece of advice that someone gave me when I was starting an instrument (trombone and not bass, but it applies to any instrument) is to start slowly. Play riffs, exercises, tunes, etc. only as fast as you can play them perfectly. It isn't a lot of fun at first, but it's a very effective practice method.

I'd also look for some kind of teacher. Even a just few lessons can get you off on the right foot and help you avoid building bad habits.

bnutz · #5 02-22-2009, 02:05 PM

Oh, and I just thought of this, too...

Check out YouTube and watch what other players are doing. Their physical technique (where they place their hands, where the bass sits, where they rest their thumb, etc.), how they move around the instrument and also what they're actually playing. I'd give the same advice for checking out live shows. Watching a great player play is like getting a lesson if you're keyed into paying attention to what they're doing.

Enjoy.

-b

RedLeg · #6 02-22-2009, 02:07 PM

metronomes, drum machines, computer software will only help; but you gotta practice everyday at least a little. I am not a fan of feast or famine when it comes to practice.

Bassic83 · #7 02-22-2009, 02:14 PM

Trombone solo books (they're in the same range as bass guitar), practice slowly, easing the tempo up. Trombone books are what I used. You can even get a trombone method book (just don't pay attention to the mechanical aspects, don't oil the frets, etc..

)

Ear training. Play what you hear.

Record yourself, even playing along to a cd, and find the mistakes.

Relax, you're in it for life!

Mr. Mig · #8 02-22-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedLeg

metronomes, drum machines, computer software will only help; but you gotta practice everyday at least a little. I am not a fan of feast or famine when it comes to practice.

Even practicing 30 mins a day is for more effective than plating 2 hours a few times a week. Think of it like cramming for a test and how that doesn't really work.

Dbassmon · #9 02-22-2009, 02:19 PM

Lou,
First, congrats on making a bold move. Not that 50 is old but some people are not will to take on anything as difficult as a musical instrument at that stage of the game.

A couple of questions about what you would like to accomplish. Jam with recording? Find some guys and play? Get into a working band? Become a bass monster?

Some suggestions as tools you will need are right on, metronome/drum machine, slow downer or slow gold... very helpful, I would add a good recording device. Zoom H2 or similar device is very helpful to have. You learn a lot by listening to how you sound.

Finally, you do not want to waste time. Get a teacher! It will cut the learning curve exponentially. A teacher will focus your efforts on the right stuff and save you having to find what to practice, how to practice and efficient use of time and energy. Face it at 50, you do not want to be chasing your tail too much.

Hope you find these suggestions useful.

Cameronj · #10 02-22-2009, 05:18 PM

I also think a teacher would be a good choice. The teacher can help you improve technique and tone as well as help move you along.

Having a teacher that uses the Hal Leonard Method books is another good way to progress as these will help you on reading music. The books are well done and move at a pace that works well to keep you moving along without being frustrating. They also have good small backing tracks that make things interesting.

Another suggestion might be to get a Tascam Bass Trainer. You can load it full of MP3s that you want to learn. Then you can slow it down to learn the grooves and you can mix out the bass so you can then be the bassist for that band

Stumbo · #11 02-23-2009, 12:02 AM

Check out the link in the following TB post. It'll keep you busy for awhile.

Lots of great links to free software, online metronomes, jam tracks, and more:

Hey, Am N00b

Don't forget to record your practicing to really hear how you sound.
Also, I suggest getting a notebook and filling it with charts of songs you know.
Good luck.

bassalo · #12 02-23-2009, 11:03 AM

If you happen to be a Mac user, Garageband is a great program (comes pre-installed) where you can selected from tons of drum loops, guitar loops, etc. and change the tempo, record your play alongs and what not. I've found this to be a great trainer for a newby like me, especially being able to slow down the drum loops until I can play whatever I am attempting properly, before slowly speeding up the tempo.

Another excellent free resource I tend to use frequently is http://playbassnow.com
This is a site put out by Thomas Risell of Denmark, aka 'MarloweDK' on YouTube. He posts a lot of free, quick lessons that shows both regular tempo and slowed-down versions of the lesson. Lots of good examples of applying scales and chords to very cool licks. Check out the "Lick of the Day" section.

**funkybass4ever** · #13 02-23-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassic83

Trombone solo books (they're in the same range as bass guitar), practice slowly, easing the tempo up. Trombone books are what I used. You can even get a trombone method book (just don't pay attention to the mechanical aspects, don't oil the frets, etc..

)

Ear training. Play what you hear.

Record yourself, even playing along to a cd, and find the mistakes.

Relax, you're in it for life!

I also practice using trombone books since I played trombone before playing bass. If you can find one get a book that is written for a trombone with an f attachment or a bass trombone book- the trenor trombone books are fine but their range can be high.

gnome01 · #14 02-23-2009, 12:11 PM

Here's a tip that helps a lot of my students -- after any riff or tune that you learn, the true test of whether or not you can REALLY play it is to play along with the recording. Not only helps your time feel but also to hear how your part fits in to what the entire band is playing.

barbarbass · #15 02-23-2009, 12:14 PM

Learn to read music.

ColdSteelRain · #16 02-23-2009, 12:30 PM

I use Guitar Pro. It was much less expensive than a drum machine and more versitile, but I practice near my PC.

lomo · #17 02-26-2009, 08:13 AM

I started at 39. If there is ANY way you can find a good teacher, I highly recommend it. Books and CDs and the 'net are great, but they cannot watch, listen and correct what you're doing or thinking wrong.

NickInMesa · #18 02-27-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ColdSteelRain

I use Guitar Pro. It was much less expensive than a drum machine and more versitile, but I practice near my PC.

+1 on GP. It's a great tool.

I often memorize finger positions, then turn off the tab view.

I use a modeler (a Korg Pandora PX4D, just like MarloweTK, by the way) and aux in from my PC.

I sometimes use it to improve on some existing bass lines, for instance Eye Of The Tiger is one song where the bassist was probably sleeping in studio, because he only plays 4 notes and you can really build on top of that.

I also put a song on and try to figure out what the root note is at a given moment. Often I am right from the start, often I am off by half a tone and adjust.

Theory is important, but it is not that hard to learn because it makes sense. There are things that sound right, others that don't, it's just the way it is, and sometimes by just arpegiating you can figure out what works what does not.

Do you have any good loops for Guitar Pro?

I chat with the GP guy once in a while, as we both are French, I am even going to be in the beta test.

NickInMesa · #19 02-27-2009, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbarbass

Learn to read music.

Stop with that. I can read music and it does not help me play.

It helps me read music, but not play.

There is a difference between reproducing someone else's bass line and improvising a bass line.

joehaven · #20 02-27-2009, 09:42 AM

Hi, a simple metronome is a good start. In my opinion it's always best to start as simply as possible. Get a $20 metronome for practicing scales and technique, and play along with your favorite recordings. After your a little more comfortable on the bass, then start adding gadgets, gizmos, software, etc. Both as a teacher, and a play I have come to realize the benefits of introducing one idea at a time.