Ear training?

ajcrm125 · #1 09-15-2011, 02:35 PM

Not sure what it's called... but looking at this video (especially the end where he hums as he playes) you can tell flea knows exactly what sound each fret makes before he even hit it. SO the bass becomes an extension of himself so to speak.
flea bass solo 4 - YouTube

How can one train for this.. is the only way to simply practice for years until you brain memorizes:
a) what each note sounds like
b)where they are on the fretboard

Thanks for any insight!

MonetBass · #2 09-15-2011, 03:06 PM

Go here: Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net. At the bottom there are three ear training exercises. It's a good place to start.

Listen to various songs and try to identify the notes and intervals, then play them. Practice, practice, practice!

**jmattbassplaya** · #3 09-15-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Go here: Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net. At the bottom there are three ear training exercises. It's a good place to start.

Listen to various songs and try to identify the notes and intervals, then play them. Practice, practice, practice!

Man, I'm horrible at this!

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 09-15-2011, 03:29 PM

Interestingly enough, I'm doing really well at scale identification but I'm doing bad at intervals. Hmm.

ajcrm125 · #5 09-15-2011, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonetBass

Go here: Ricci Adams' Musictheory.net. At the bottom there are three ear training exercises. It's a good place to start.

Listen to various songs and try to identify the notes and intervals, then play them. Practice, practice, practice!

Even then... you gotta memorize the fretboard correct?

GeoffT · #6 09-15-2011, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Interestingly enough, I'm doing really well at scale identification but I'm doing bad at intervals. Hmm.

I'll bet that you practice playing scales on your bass more than you practice playing intervals, don't you?

Imagine what might happen if you were to practice lots of chord tones or intervals on your bass regularly.

MonetBass · #7 09-16-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajcrm125

Even then... you gotta memorize the fretboard correct?

Definitely. That will help you tremendously.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffT

I'll bet that you practice playing scales on your bass more than you practice playing intervals, don't you?

Imagine what might happen if you were to practice lots of chord tones or intervals on your bass regularly.

That's where figuring out intervals on piano or guitar can help. If you know the notes in the intervals and where to find them on the fretboard or keyboard, then all kinds of options open up to you.

pbd · #8 09-16-2011, 10:16 AM

good post on this topic, thanks!!

Todd

**jmattbassplaya** · #9 09-16-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffT

I'll bet that you practice playing scales on your bass more than you practice playing intervals, don't you?

Imagine what might happen if you were to practice lots of chord tones or intervals on your bass regularly.

Pretty much spot on. Although, I have a fairly easy time picking up on lines my guitarists play on gigs (we improv a lot). I'd think my ability to hear intervals wouldn't be as bad as it is if I am able to do that as well as I am. But perhaps the difference there is that I always know what key we're playing in, so I already know what notes I have to work with.

I guess as an extension I can add that if you have a bad ear it definitely pays off to learn theory. It'll make your life sooooo much easier.

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 09-16-2011, 10:29 AM

Man, I'm really bad at this intervalic stuff. Tone deaf comes to mind

JP Morin · #11 09-16-2011, 10:47 AM

Try to find the "David Lucas Burge" Ear Training lessons on the web... both perfect pitch and relative pitch Ear Training

Plenty exercises and technique to hear better...

That's the best for developing it I've found up to now and it will help you for everything in your live... Haven't gone all through yet but it helps me a lot up to now !!!

JP Morin · #12 09-16-2011, 10:51 AM

You will also learn all your interval and knowing your fret board with by doing the lessons I recommend you

COOL AND DEADLY · #13 09-16-2011, 10:57 AM

For intervals try thinking of a song that opens with a particular interval. Like a perfect fourth is "Here Comes the Bride" or "Amazing Grace". A minor 6th is "That sad walking away tune from the 1970's Hulk show on tv"