Beginner Bass - Learning Process

[lott1225]

After years of admiring Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, and Rush for their great bassists and sounds I finally pulled the trigger and bought a bass and got a teacher.
Outside of my sessions my teacher has me doing "Hal Leonard's Bass Method Book #1" which is ok but sometimes I get tired of doing scales and exercises sometimes and I've started to learn "Nothing Else Matters" because its fairly simple and I know the song and I just want to play something. Is this typical? I know the basics are the foundation for everything but just listing to the tic/toc of the metronome can get a bit boring.
Is it a good habit to just switch it up ... do some lesson stuff ... then work on my timing and then try to apply what I'm learning to real song.

Thanks for any advice in advance

[MalcolmAmos]

Your instructor is taking you down a specific path, trust that he is doing what is right for you. Scales are part of the learning process.

After you have done all the homework for the week, I do not feel that trying out a song would hurt. You will probably have some questions and you could ask your instructor about them in the next session. If he thinks you are ready to take on more I'm sure he/she would take you there.

[panda bass]

I think its good to learn songs! It helps you recongnize how to get common sounds and the patterns used to get those sounds! If you want, Try some CCR, that stuff is easy, fundamental, and catchy!

[MisterFabulous]

You picked up the bass for the reward of being able to play songs...so play some! Something has to keep your interest in bass going, right?

The lessons and book will increase skills and knowledge, which will lead to more enjoyment. Just don't forget to have fun too.

[LowEndMan2112]

That's totally regular to want to play and learn songs even while working on other stuff in your lessons. Just don't forget that you still have to do your homework for next week's lesson and don't get too caught up in JUST jamming out to songs!

[Saxn]

The short answer to your question is yes... do take a break from the lesson material to pursue the music that interests you. It will give you something to look forward to after the scale exercises, etc are over and keep you engaged in learning bass. Scales, scales and more scales with nothing in between can be a soul-killer for some and, I am sure has caused more than one to drop out of learning an instrument due to sheer boredom. Here comes the however...

HOWEVER

With that said, you need to trust your instructor and those here that have been through the process when we say don't stop - continue with those exercises... As you continue to progress and learn the "why" behind playing those scales, arpeggios, inversions, and numerous exercises that right now seem to be boring, repetitive drudgery, you will find that learning the tunes will become much MUCH easier... and then after that the real fun starts The fundamentals you are practicing now are your gateway to the JAM, my friend, so don't give up on 'em!

Good luck and HAVE FUN.

[bolophonic]

Practice the lessons that your instructor laid out for you, but also play the songs that made you want to pick up the bass. If you study the masters, you will learn even more.

[lott1225]

Cool ... thanks for the advice!

[Cloverfield]

Everyone's already covered the important stuff, but here's my mostly regurgitated two cents anyway:

I've found that "learning" any new instrument always starts off somewhat mundane and boring, but my experience has taught me it's good to focus chiefly on scales and reading music and doing the less fun things initially in order to pave the way for immensely more fun later.
I specifically remember a point when my lessons/learning of bass became fun, and it stopped feeling like work (for the most part). It's great when you get there. Keep at it, and be diligent with the boring stuff!