If you had to choose..

[OnlyJerry]

.. which way/method/technique of learning to play the bass would you say is the best? I know a combination of both is good, but let's say you had to choose one way.

- Transcribing(learning by ear)

- Learning by theory(books, CDs, courses)


PS: Purposedly left out option #3, lessons

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by OnlyJerry

.. which way/method/technique of learning to play the bass would you say is the best? I know a combination of both is good, but let's say you had to choose one way.

- Transcribing(learning by ear)

- Learning by theory(books, CDs, courses)

There are many ways to approach learning the bass and each have their own merits. There is no straight answer to your question IMO. Why limit yourself to just one way ? All are good.

[bassybill]

The best way? Put the hours in. I'm not being flip, that's honestly my best answer. Study, work, practice, listen, immerse yourself... and enjoy the journey.

[steve_rolfeca]

We are multi-sensory beings. There's all kinds of research showing that the more neural pathways you excite, the faster you learn, and the deeper your learning goes.

So don't short yourself- do it all. Listen. Transcribe. Play. Run scales and finger exercises. Dance. Copy. Study rhythm. Write original music, even if you'll never show it to anyone else. Learn another instrument. Study other styles. Form bands. Study harmony. Take private lessons. Teach.

In short, immerse yourself in the art form.

[FretlessMainly]

All good responses so far, but the OP asked a very specific question. If I had to choose purely technical or purely by ear, I'd go with the purely by ear method. I say this as someone with 30 years experience with theory and with listening. Of course they're both important, but I get the sense that, assuming a good set of ears, the music that would result from the just by ear approach would be a bit more flowing and natural than the music that would result from a purely technical approach.

Of course, I'm generalizing; then again, the OP asked a very specific theoretical, if not rhetorical, question.

[waveofthinking]

Originally Posted by OnlyJerry

.. which way/method/technique of learning to play the bass would you say is the best? I know a combination of both is good, but let's say you had to choose one way.

- Transcribing(learning by ear)

- Learning by theory(books, CDs, courses)


PS: Purposedly left out option #3, lessons

If I had to choose one it'd be by ear, however theory and ear development go hand in hand.

[fdeck]

Personally, I think that if a person who is musically inclined pursues the formal approach, and plays a lot, a good ear will develop on its own.

[ThorGodOfBass]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

We are multi-sensory beings. There's all kinds of research showing that the more neural pathways you excite, the faster you learn, and the deeper your learning goes.

So don't short yourself- do it all. Listen. Transcribe. Play. Run scales and finger exercises. Dance. Copy. Study rhythm. Write original music, even if you'll never show it to anyone else. Learn another instrument. Study other styles. Form bands. Study harmony. Take private lessons. Teach.

In short, immerse yourself in the art form.

+1
good to hear some open mindedness in an otherwise dogmatic section.

[icecycle66]

wing it.

learn on your own.

discover anew what has been discovered over and over again by so many others.

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by FretlessMainly

All good responses so far, but the OP asked a very specific question. If I had to choose...

Agreed. What I was trying to say in a diplomatic way, was this: if you choose, you lose.

Why limit your learning? Trying to do so, ignores the way we're wired to learn.

[Freddels]

You need both but after a life time of learning, I really believe that you can learn a great deal by transcribing. Learning to play by ear is invaluable.

[FretlessMainly]

Originally Posted by steve_rolfeca

Agreed. What I was trying to say in a diplomatic way, was this: if you choose, you lose.

Why limit your learning? Trying to do so, ignores the way we're wired to learn.

I think you did say it very diplomatically and I agree w/ you. My point is that I had to decide whether the OP was actually asking for advice on how to learn or simply asking a philosophical question. The OP did indicate that a combination of both was best, so I opted for responding to the question as a theoretical; "if you could only have one thing on a deserted island" type of scenario.

[bassbully]

Ear, music is from the heart and soul not a book.

[dougjwray]

Since I'm supposed to choose one and only one, I'll back up a bit and humbly suggest that it depends on what area you'd like to go into.

If you're excited by the idea of getting steady paychecks by recording movie soundtracks and jingles and playing in theater pits, reading is more important than ear training (or theory, for that matter).

If you're excited by the idea of playing more improvised music, INCLUDING some session work which doesn't involve reading notes so much (as in Nashville), ear training is more important than reading.

Also, the OP is confusing matters slightly by lumping "by ear" in with "transcribing"; to me, "transcribing" can mean writing notes down on paper, and there are obviously many non-"literate" players who have great ears.

[OnlyJerry]

Lots of good answers. I'm not asking this question to good consciously limit myself to one or the other. It was just a mere question to gauge the general attitude.

Though, the answer is relevant for me, since I'm pretty new(6 months), and have stuck mostly to theory and instructions so far. About a week ago I determined to really start transcribing, and I've noticed very decent progress in ear development and musical sense.

Also, in dougjwray's note. I may have confused the matters a bit, by 'transcribing' I mean to learn a song by ear and (if necessary) tab or notate it.

[u84six]

Here's something to ponder. I learned how to play bass by ear, playing in bands, and some books. I learned how to play banjo by taking private lessons. I must say, I learned banjo much faster just by having the opportunity to ask questions and get an immediate answer.