How Do I Progress From Here?

[Daniel Mcardle]

I've reached a point in improving my bass skills where I don't know where to go.

Recently I've been learning Metallica songs and I've been wondering if I should start studying musical theory and learning to improvise before I continue to learn songs.

I've been playing for around a year, do any more experienced players have advice that would assist me?

Thanks.

[billhilly66]

Yeah, learn to rean standard notation. Also, learn tunes all styles of music.

[smeet]

Do everything. At the same time. Seriously. Spend some time each day learning some theory. Some time practicing technique. Some time practicing your reading. Some time improving your ear learning tunes from the recordings. Some time learning tunes you love. Some time learning tunes you hate. You do 5 minutes of each of those a day, that's 30 minutes well spent. And play with other people, in any style or capacity you can.

[MalcolmAmos]

I think you have been learning how to play specific songs. You've now got several into memory and you want to know what is next. Right?

Well you can keep learning specific songs, and in a couple of months you will be able to play eight songs most of the way through -- or you can learn how to build your own bass lines and provide accompaniment rhythm to hundreds of songs. Up to you which way you go.

WWW.studybass.com is a good place to start. And a bunch of us have decided to study the book Building Walking Bass Lines by Ed Friedland and then discuss the lessons here on this forum. Join us.

You will learn how to use acceptable generic bass lines that will let you lay down a groove to just about any song you would like to tackle.

If that sounds like something you would like, get the book and join us. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_no...C+Ed+Friedland

[JimmyM]

+1 to what these guys tell you. teach a man a metallica song, he'll play for 5 minutes. teach a man how to make up his own parts through theory, he'll play for a lifetime.

[masonsjax]

The next step is to learn some Pantera songs.





J/K, follow the real advice from the real musicians.

[Already In Use]

I'm a new player going on 7 months in. I started learning theory, scales, technique etc before learning any songs. 1 month ago I started playing with a band. I have to play bass from lead sheets with just chords and changes on them. I have basically taught myself how to play thru mucho help on this site. I spend much of my time practicing and learning songs.

I had the same question. What next? So I signed up with a teacher thats the only real bass teacher in my area(45 minutes away). To get to the next level I need help. Hopefully this teacher will take me there. That was my answer. I felt if I stayed the current course I would never improve much over time. I dont want to be a human juke box.

Example..I went to an open mic event in my town. 1 guitar/singer showed up. He could play songs and sing like a son of a gun. Being new with the bass I couldnt just join in. So I asked for chords and notes from him. He didnt know what chords and notes he was playing...but he could play a mess of songs. I do not want to be that guy.

[JimmyM]

already, sounds like you're well on the road to musical indepdence. thumbs up!