Frustrated - can't hear the bass!

Metal Chuck · #1 07-15-2006, 03:36 AM

Okay, when I attempt to learn a song. I listen to it and then I look at the tabs. Unless they're really obvious songs (like Maiden and the Chili Peppers) I can NEVER hear the bass, so I can never learn the songs. This frustrates me, so HELP.

**Vorago** · #2 07-15-2006, 03:40 AM

What song are you attempting to learn? Maybe it's a song where the bass is copying the guitars and has lots of distorsion on it..

avast_bass · #3 07-15-2006, 03:41 AM

just keep listening. Try putting good quality headphones on and see if you can hear the bass then... Not assuming anything, but I think you just need to refine your ear more - I can't stop hearing bass in everything, so much so that it distracts from the rest of the music!

parkerd · #4 07-15-2006, 03:48 AM

Yeah, I know what you mean. It took me a while to be able to hear bass over guitars and drums, but you get the hang of it eventually. In most cases, the bass does the same as the guitars, so you can just play that.

Metal Chuck · #5 07-15-2006, 06:57 AM

Well the stuff I find easy to learn are:

Stevie Ray Vaughn
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Iron Maiden
Cream

THe stuff I find really, really hard to learn (only examples, not being really specific):

Jimi Hendrix
Ozzy Osbourne
Pantera
DragonForce
---------------------

I'm not really learning a song now, but I'm just worried incase I have to play bass. A lot of my friends need me to play for them at (god forbid) rap gigs and (god forbid x2) R&B gigs, so sometimes I'll need to learn songs fast.

morf · #6 07-15-2006, 07:09 AM

Man and me who thought Black Sabbath and Hendrix were some of the easiest bass lines to catch...

SoulPatch · #7 07-15-2006, 07:12 AM

An R&B gig would be sweet! You should definitely be able to find the bass when listening to that ... especially old R&B

Metal Chuck · #8 07-15-2006, 07:18 AM

Bro, no, this R&B gig consists of (god forbid) Rihanna, (god forbid x2) Mario Windelles and (god forbid x3) Snoop Dogg *dies*

Cerb · #9 07-15-2006, 08:38 AM

Mr. Snoop Eastwood has got to be one of the coolest mofos around. Him and Dre are in constant play on my computer. As for the other two, I feel your pain.

SBassman · #10 07-15-2006, 08:43 AM

Keep at it. It will come.

How long have you been trying to transcribe?

Also, use Windows Media Player's eq to boost bass and cut some other stuff out of the way. It will help.

The Dave · #11 07-15-2006, 08:46 AM

What are you listening to your music on? You really need some good quality speakers to hear a bass line clearly. Apart from that, it's just like a couple of these guys have said, it just takes time to train your ear to separate the bass from the drums and guitar. So, get some good speakers and just stay at it!

Demon · #12 07-15-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBassman

Keep at it. It will come.

How long have you been trying to transcribe?

Also, use Windows Media Player's eq to boost bass and cut some other stuff out of the way. It will help.

What frequencies should i boost and cut then? I see no 440.

Supergroup · #13 07-15-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon

What frequencies should i boost and cut then? I see no 440.

Just play around with the eq. Sometimes when I am learning songs (which is constantly: coverband) I boost the mids to hear the bass better... sometimes I cut the mids... boost the bass and mids... etc. You just have to play around with it.. every recording is different.

steveb98 · #14 07-15-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Chuck

A lot of my friends need me to play for them at (god forbid) rap gigs and (god forbid x2) R&B gigs, so sometimes I'll need to learn songs fast.

Learning to play R&B would actually teach you the most about playing bass. You will learn more about time, groove, note options, techniques. It will help you play any other style, because all styles of music are about groove.

bumpytrot · #15 07-15-2006, 11:03 AM

I had this problem at first too. Just be patient, and play with the eq like others here said. Everyone hears differently, too. Anyway based on my experience if you keep at it and keep playing you'll start being able to pick out bass you couldn't hear before.

pretaanluxis · #16 07-18-2006, 10:10 PM

I know what you mean!

I tried figuring out Somebody to Love by Jefferson Airplane because I'm pritty sure there is some great bass in there...I just can't hear it!

...I think I'll just go back to Jamiroquai

RockFace · #17 07-18-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Metal Chuck

Okay, when I attempt to learn a song. I listen to it and then I look at the tabs. Unless they're really obvious songs (like Maiden and the Chili Peppers) I can NEVER hear the bass, so I can never learn the songs. This frustrates me, so HELP.

i agree with avast. sometimes it's tough, but that's the battle we must wage as bassists. nowadays, i hear the bass loud and clear so much so that sometimes i don't even notice some excellent guitar parts until i hear them through different speakers or see them live...

i suppose that's not recommendable, but just keep with it man. beware of tabs, some people are very "liberal" with their tabs, but they can definitely help you in this situation. try to listen close and feel out where the bass line is going, and use the tabs to line it up

good luck, bruh.