I need really to improve, Help?

Jared92 · #1 10-14-2008, 07:24 PM

Basically been playing bass for 2 years. I started out crap of course. Got a lot better. No lessons or anything, self taught.

I have come to a place where i cant seem to improve. I'm playing the same old RHCP and maiden licks day after day. I feel that i will never improve if i keep this up.

What should i do to keep going on?! I would consider my self an intermediate player. I know techniques but cant seem to apply them to stuff. I cannot afford lessons nor do i really have time to take them.

Is there books or any other recommendations you guys have? I really would like to improve on slap and funk, but bass in general is good also.

thanks so much

GearHeadBassMan · #2 10-14-2008, 07:26 PM

listen to things besides maiden and rhcp

also, join a band

they will help

Jared92 · #3 10-14-2008, 07:36 PM

I listen to tons of stuff. I just listed some that i play often. The last 2 bands I played with did not work out at all.

StyleOverShow · #4 10-14-2008, 07:40 PM

There are plenty of things online and if you search around on TB you'll find links to them.

Are there other genres that you are interested in? You could start by expanding out into similar music. Its about learning how to create the feel/groove of new music. Some of it is technique and most of it is style. Sounds like you have the technique part down, now all you have to do is learn new styles.

Frederickbass · #5 10-14-2008, 07:40 PM

THE BOOK SLAP IT! TO LEARN HOW TO SLAP

Jared92 · #6 10-14-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

There are plenty of things online and if you search around on TB you'll find links to them.

Are there other genres that you are interested in? You could start by expanding out into similar music. Its about learning how to create the feel/groove of new music. Some of it is technique and most of it is style. Sounds like you have the technique part down, now all you have to do is learn new styles.

I love funk, metal (not recent metal so much as 80s') rock, ambient, alternative, psychedelic. etc

I'll look around the forums here for some links.

Zombbg4 · #7 10-14-2008, 07:49 PM

Venture into another genre of music, like fusion. Then maybe jazz.

Do you know you scales, chords, modes?

Learn to read, write some tunes.
Post ads on craigslist or music shops saying you'd like to get together and play or jam or just talk bass(!). I actually found a guy on here whos willing to give me "lessons" for free because he has the chops, but hasnt taught before. Or just try to scrounge some cash for one lesson from the best teacher in your area, who knows he may even cut you a deal.

Jared92 · #8 10-14-2008, 07:57 PM

I know some scales and chords. Which maybe my biggest problem. I dont know the best place to learn them. =\

superfunk47 · #9 10-14-2008, 07:57 PM

Get together musicians who are willing to make a time commitment and start a band. Practice together, play some gigs, covers or originals, or both.

Play songs that seem just a bit beyond your reach (Rush is a treasure trove of practice material for any bassist...anything from the 2112 overture for beginners to YYZ for those with more experience.)

Study music. Learn theory. Chords, modes, scales, patterns, etc. Learn what it does in music. Try to apply it.

Write some music. Don't feel self-conscious, nobody but you ever has to know the songs.

Try to teach someone. Teaching someone something solidifies it in your head really fast.

Keep on playing, don't give up

Jared92 · #10 10-14-2008, 08:03 PM

I love bass so much I wouldnt give up.
I do love Rush. Im just under mastering YYZ. Anything off that album i can play. Besides YYZ with the same track speed. And the Vital signs intro. If that can give you and idea of where im at. Haha

SuperDuck · #11 10-14-2008, 08:08 PM

Two ways I would recommend:

1) Get a teacher. I know you said you don't have money for one, but perhaps you can look into lessons every other week instead of weekly. As far as time goes, if you have time for practicing and playing bass at home, you have time for lessons!

2) Get out and play with other musicians. Specifically, get out and play with musicians that are better than you are. Nothing makes you get better quicker and having to bust your hump to keep up.

iamthebassplayr · #12 10-14-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jared92

The last 2 bands I played with did not work out at all.

Why didn't the bands work out?

Jared92 · #13 10-14-2008, 08:19 PM

Bands didnt work out because either; the other two members hated eachother.
Or the singer is a bag of douche and got everyone to hate him. And everyone went their separate ways.
So yeah...

SuperDuck · #14 10-14-2008, 08:21 PM

So yeah... you just need to find more bands. You're not going excel while living in a vacuum. Most musicians go through many, many bands in their lifetime.

Jared92 · #15 10-14-2008, 08:24 PM

Alright, I suppose the best thing i can start on right now is scales. Is there a list on TB or known sites, with many many scales listed, that someone could share?

**Pacman** · #16 10-14-2008, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

Two ways I would recommend:

1) Get a teacher. I know you said you don't have money for one, but perhaps you can look into lessons every other week instead of weekly. As far as time goes, if you have time for practicing and playing bass at home, you have time for lessons!

2) Get out and play with other musicians. Specifically, get out and play with musicians that are better than you are. Nothing makes you get better quicker and having to bust your hump to keep up.

Money in the bank, right there.

nortonrider · #17 10-14-2008, 08:31 PM

http://www.studybass.com/tools/chord...-note-printer/

This site here will help alot.

lexxmexx · #18 10-14-2008, 10:03 PM

Get the "bass guitar for dummies" book, it might help you in some way.

winstonthecat · #19 10-14-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperDuck

Two ways I would recommend:

1) Get a teacher. I know you said you don't have money for one, but perhaps you can look into lessons every other week instead of weekly. As far as time goes, if you have time for practicing and playing bass at home, you have time for lessons!

2) Get out and play with other musicians. Specifically, get out and play with musicians that are better than you are. Nothing makes you get better quicker and having to bust your hump to keep up.

As Pacman said, +1

Having never taken a lesson, I can only comment that playing with a band pushes you to learn more songs, and to learn to play with other musicians. If you're playing originals, you will start creating your own bass lines. Even playing covers you can have some flexibility to create your lines or special riffs. This all leads to improving your musicianship.

MadMan118 · #20 10-14-2008, 10:23 PM

Sometimes we all hit a point where we seem to "level off". And that no matter how hard you practice you feel stuck. My best advice for you is to start trying things out side your comfort zone. This will force you to change up some things in your technique, as well as exposing some bad habits in your playing you might have picked up. Start playing with other people, try playing different styles of music. Sometimes I'll pick a piece of music just above my abilities and push myself to learn it. Also getting a good teacher is a nice idea. A good teacher will push you to improve as an instrumentalist.
All in all just keep trying and push yourself a little harder each day. Hell Ive been playing for years and I still get stuck sometimes too.