A bit stuck

Cannabassist · #1 05-31-2010, 04:12 AM

Hi, I've been playing for several years. In this time I've learnt many songs, a fair bit of theory and have good technique. Recently a great deal of spare time came my way, which I've decided to allocate towards bass studying, but I just don't know where to go.

Can anyone spare any insight on what to practice to boost my bass playing to an advanced level. In the meantime I'm intermediate-good but stuck for ideas on how to improve.

Cheers, Cannabassist.

phatbass · #2 05-31-2010, 04:43 AM

If I was in this situation, I'd get a bunch of sheet music (by that I mean notation, not tab) and just read through it.

This would (hopefully) get my reading chops back and, through just actually playing a lot of stuff I wouldn't normally play, improve my Bass playing.

MalcolmAmos · #3 05-31-2010, 05:21 AM

Seek out a good instructor and the two of you discuss where you would like to go. If that is not in the cards, join another band that plays a different type of music you are used to playing. Your church praise band, perhaps a jamming circle. Yes, if you are not jamming that will take you to another level and is a bunch of fun.

Good luck on what ever you do.

#4 05-31-2010, 05:32 AM

Study James Jamerson (and every line John Paul Jones played with Zep), Detroit era MoTown, most forms of Blues... All of which add to a great foundation for nearly any direction.

If you've already done all that, there are a ton of Prog Rock players, and/or Fusion players to study... Jaco, Clark...

Jazz players are fun too.

Then there are the "work-outs..." Scales in every key, and position, fifths, octaves...

Too much to do, and not enough time!!

Enjoy the ride!

rick0link · #5 05-31-2010, 06:00 AM

i have been playing for years and the best advice i can give is read, watch, and listen. i had subscriptions to Bass Player and Guitar World. they provided an ocean of valuable information, and the sheet music is a plus too. be sure to pay attention to other players. watch what they do and how they play. this helped me shape my technique to what it is now. go to shows, watch music videos, buy bands dvds, watch youtube, etc. and most of all, listen. keep your ears open at all times. simply by listening to your favorite tunes and make an attempt to play along will help develop your playing quickly. also, diversify your musical tastes. me, i only play fretless, but i really like to play death metal. jaco is one of my favorite bass players and is worlds away from death metal. i wish anyone the best of luck when it comes to finding your niche in bass playing. it may be very challenging, but is extremely FUN!