Chord studies

[dblbass]

I posted this over in Janeks section but I wanna see your guys opinion too.


I picked up "chord studies for the electric bass" by rich applemann last week and I've been working through the first few excersises in it. I've been starting at 40 bpm and working my way up to about 125 bpm. Is this how you would work through these excersises? What should I be thinking about as I'm playing them?

Thanks
Joey

[Eminentbass]

I've got the book as well. For me it's a very long-term project. I'm not too concerned with speed but more about just getting fluid with them and it's definitely helped because I'm not using the etudes to pick up licks but to create awareness of the notes and I'm improving with position changes and having to think less about the chord types I've covered when improvising.

I haven't put any pressure on myself for speed and will spend a few days on an exercise or two, playing them as slowly as I can and then gradually speed them up. It certainly helps with technique because some of those exercises as hard to grasp initially even at a slow pace, so I focus on smooth position changes, economy of motion and just keeping both hands relaxed. I'm not using a metronome at all, just focussing on slow repetition till I'm confident enough to speed an exercise up and trust my internal sense of rhythm.

[jk3]

i just picked up this book as well and i have to say, i'm in the dark about what is happening in the book. a little blurb about each exercise wouldnt be a bad thing.

i'm intermediate when it comes to theory, but maybe someone can offer some guidance about this book?

[Eminentbass]

Originally Posted by jk3

i just picked up this book as well and i have to say, i'm in the dark about what is happening in the book. a little blurb about each exercise wouldnt be a bad thing.

i'm intermediate when it comes to theory, but maybe someone can offer some guidance about this book?

The exercises offer insight into chord tones but my understanding of it is that a lot of them include chromatic approach notes, so while each chord tone is covered it offers a non-scale method of getting around the fretboard. Also, while being non-scale orientated, sometimes all the scale notes do get covered in the form of upper extensions and so on. I think that while it is a book to help with technique and building understanding towards improvisation, the exercises aren't directly useful in that sense because they don't always offer licks as such. It has helped my skills although I can't say I've actually used any phrases or passages onstage, it has helped me navigate the neck and made me aware of position changes and notes I wouldn't necessarily think of if I was just working on scales. It helps to make sense of the exercises if you identify which notes are chord tones and then mark out the chromatic notes and extensions. Another thing I did was write out basic chord types(including 7ths) in all inversions and then did the same adding the 9th, (#)11th, 13th.

[jk3]

Originally Posted by Eminentbass

The exercises offer insight into chord tones but my understanding of it is that a lot of them include chromatic approach notes, so while each chord tone is covered it offers a non-scale method of getting around the fretboard. Also, while being non-scale orientated, sometimes all the scale notes do get covered in the form of upper extensions and so on. I think that while it is a book to help with technique and building understanding towards improvisation, the exercises aren't directly useful in that sense because they don't always offer licks as such. It has helped my skills although I can't say I've actually used any phrases or passages onstage, it has helped me navigate the neck and made me aware of position changes and notes I wouldn't necessarily think of if I was just working on scales. It helps to make sense of the exercises if you identify which notes are chord tones and then mark out the chromatic notes and extensions. Another thing I did was write out basic chord types(including 7ths) in all inversions and then did the same adding the 9th, (#)11th, 13th.

thanks, that definitely helps.

[Eminentbass]

Originally Posted by jk3

thanks, that definitely helps.

Anytime. P.s I forgot to mention that it's an intimidating amount of work and the book will provide you with practice material and insight for a long time I've had it since January and I'm still in the chords types in C section. I don't foresee any ruts or plateaus soon because it keep the info coming.

[DrayMiles]

I bought the book back in 1988 I think. I used to practice it religiously, that and the berklee rhythm studies. I made it through the book once, but I was lucky, because I had a night time residency gig for three years. What else was there to do during the day?
It's a great book, I just bought it again recently and it's as intimidating now as it was then, but it is a fantastic book. Good luck, and don't try to rush through it, technique IMO is not a race, if it takes you awhile to digest it, no problem..

[Billnc]

The #4s and #5s do offer lick ideas and sound quite good. I've had students combine approaches (leading tone, scale step above and enclosure) for years to creat long lines. (I did the sax version on guitar a long time ago)

I follow Jeff's advice, a couple days on each one, review and move on, just regard them. When you are no longer 'searching' for notes in an exercize you've gained from it. The 4's and 5's I do try to get good enough on to play as 8ths to a swing tune solo.

No metronome.

[cire113]

Is this book in tab??

[sedgwick1489]

Chord Studies is a great book. Like many others, I got turned on to it while attending JB's One-Wk Intensive. IMO - the way to work it is to just play through the exercises on at a time (out of time). You will quickly hear the patterns and they will become easier as you get further along. Just let your ear get used to hearing the sounds of chord tones and the approaches from above and below. This book is a great introduction to chord tones and approach notes. There is much information to regard, but it's not meant to be an end all approach to improvisation. It is a great spring board though! Have fun with it and work patiently!

[sedgwick1489]

Originally Posted by cire113

Is this book in tab??

Negative on the TAB.

[Eminentbass]

Originally Posted by cire113

Is this book in tab??

Nope. There are suggested fingerings for some exercises but they're a guideline. Part of the idea behind the book, I think, is to develope fingerboard knowledge, so it's beneficial to experiment and be aware of the patterns in more than one place. I'm not a good reader and there's a lot of upper register ledger line stuff so it's helped a lot there too.

[odin70]

I love this book. I use a metronome. Call me old fashioned but im a metronome beliver.