Is it me?

[Depth_Charge]

Since coming across a new method of learning to play songs from the DB forum, I am learning and retaining songs at an alarming rate, for me

One song which challenged me for 2 months before finding this method was Amy Stewarts "Knock On Wood". Until learning this method, I was lost. I could hardly hear the bass, couldn't find tabs etc. And granted, while applying this new method, I was just as lost, but for some reason this time rather than hit the net again, I listened and ended up strumming open strings in frustration!!

And in doing so I tripped over the A/D progression. Verse and chorus fall into place. I stop the recording, play a few scales to hear the notes (minor and pentatonic in this case) over the root, jam to the recording again, and started nailing fills on the first or second time around, and could play it outright the 3rd time around!!

Rinse and repeat on a few "challenging" songs (to me) that I sucked up in no time and now today I don't feel like picking up the bass and playing it to learn more songs. I feel like it's lost some appeal because I "know it" a lot more. I ask, how does that work?
The end result of actually learning to apply some theory correctly is me feeling less worthy as a musician and wanting to learn less, because it's easier now?? Is it just me?

And how do I inject more interest? I mean, I have band practice tonight so expect to play and play well But any suggestions? Technique drills? Explore new genre's?? Pickup a new instrument?? I love playing bass, I don't want to feel this way LOL. Help me, Obi-Wan-Talkbassy

Thanks.

[KayCee]

Huh?

[Depth_Charge]

I'm at a loss how that is not understandable, but I do waffle on and appreciate peoples plight. Sorry, I'll try to simplify that

I've self taught myself bass for ten years and recently someone on TB put me onto a new method for learning and remembering songs by ear.

This method lets me learn songs so fast and see the same patterns repeat constantly that I've started to feel there's really not much to playing bass as an instrument at all and a lot of the mystism behind bass is that people don't realise it's more about injecting feelings through simple fills and rythms than it is about the sounds and note selection/frequency, IMO.

I'm also starting to feel, probably "wrongly", that many basslines wouldn't have been too hard to compose for the artists out there with years plus of study and experience in the methods I'm just starting to discover through TB.

So I'm actually feeling less motivated to play bass when I expected learning more and knowing better would motivate me to want to play and learn more.

And I was asking if that was just me? Or is it a phase in development? And is there anything I can do, since I do still love playing bass. It's just my motivation to learn new things seems lacking lately, and apparantly through learning more and becoming better.

I hope thats better explained. I am Ostrayleyan and don't talk good.

[lemur821]

But what is the method?
^^ Not Important ^^


Why are you less motivated to play when you know that writing basslines isn't so hard? I've never been a song learner myself, but I'm a big fan of song playing.

It sounds like you're falling victim to a common problem: believing that you're not making progress when in fact you are. When you learn something new, don't get disappointed because it seems easy. It's easy because now you understand it.

EDIT: And it's really easy to look at a finished product and say, "I could have done that." It's a lot harder to be the one who actually does it. Frustrating, but true. Inspiration strikes when it wants to.

[BillMason]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

I'm at a loss how that is not understandable, but I do waffle on and appreciate peoples plight. Sorry, I'll try to simplify that

I've self taught myself bass for ten years and recently someone on TB put me onto a new method for learning and remembering songs by ear.

This method lets me learn songs so fast and see the same patterns repeat constantly that I've started to feel there's really not much to playing bass as an instrument at all and a lot of the mystism behind bass is that people don't realise it's more about injecting feelings through simple fills and rythms than it is about the sounds and note selection/frequency, IMO.

I'm also starting to feel, probably "wrongly", that many basslines wouldn't have been too hard to compose for the artists out there with years plus of study and experience in the methods I'm just starting to discover through TB.

So I'm actually feeling less motivated to play bass when I expected learning more and knowing better would motivate me to want to play and learn more.

And I was asking if that was just me? Or is it a phase in development? And is there anything I can do, since I do still love playing bass. It's just my motivation to learn new things seems lacking lately, and apparantly through learning more and becoming better.

I hope thats better explained. I am Ostrayleyan and don't talk good.

What is the easy method for learning songs? Can you post the link to the thread?

And what is an Ostrayleyan?? Kinda sounds like Australian, but I thought most folks there spoke English, at least as a second language if not first.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Q. Is it me?
A. Yes *


(*Well probably. If we knew what you were talking about!)

[KayCee]

Okay, I think that I get the picture. You've started to develop the ability of hear and transcribe bass parts on recordings (albeit simple ones, like "Knock On Wood"), thanks to some advice that you gleaned in the TalkBass DB forum. You've decided that bass is really easy now, just a bunch of patterns that you're a master of, and you're bored. In fact, you don't respect yourself or anyone else that writes this simple stuff now, and you're losing interest in picking up the bass.

Is that pretty accurate?

Technique drills? Yes. Learn all of your major and minor scales and their associated modes from the lowest point of the neck to the highest. Then major, minor, dominant, augmented, diminshed arpeggios all the way up the neck.

New genres? Yes. I suggest that you get a teacher and learn jazz, whether it's your musical goal or not.

Having said that, don't assume that you're a master of "Knock On Wood" just because you know the notes. You need to record yourself and listen to your time feel and ability to groove. That kind of music is ALL about groove...no one ever said it was technically or theoretically tough to play.

New basses? Only if you've got a bunch of money. Gear is nice, but it won't solve your boredom problem for long.

Hope some of this is helpful.

Andy

[El Bajo]

I can understand where your coming from but personally I hardly ever learn covers unless its to be played in a band or dirrectly benifits my playing, e.g Memorizing some Blues Standards for Jams, A bit of Jazz to practice arppeggios and learn to groove, funk for a bit of slap practice, etc.

Try working on technique. Speed, tapping and slapping. Personally its something I revisit so that I can recognize any bad habits I've picked up. I also learn some basic chords on guitar, record them, then play bass grooves over them and try and turn them into basis for songs which I then present to the rest of the band. (I hate trying to explain what I'm driving at when I turn up with lyrics and a bass line because they just dont get it!)

[middy]

Try taking a break. Don't touch the bass or even listen to much music for a week.

Are you going to share this magical method you've discovered, or is it just too embarrassing that you've taken this long to figure it out?

[stedtale]

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Q. Is it me?
A. Yes *


(*Well probably. If we knew what you were talking about!)

So, what's the mysterious new way?

[Bruce Lindfield]

Well there have been 2 talked about on TB recently on the DB side - Ed Fuqua's is the most thorough! IMO of course!

[Scalestein]

since no one seems to want to do it:

REALLY Learning a tune

I'm guessing that is the method he means ('tis by Mr Fuqua at least)

[DocBop]

Originally Posted by Scalestein

since no one seems to want to do it:

REALLY Learning a tune

I'm guessing that is the method he means ('tis by Mr Fuqua at least)

Looking at the link I don't think that is what the OP here is talking about. Ed Fuqua excellent post is on improve. The OP is talking about learning songs. Especially when he mentions Knock On Wood. I think he might be refering to a post in the Lynn Seaton area by BMANBILL

Brain Question

OF course this thread would of me more usefull if the OP had put a link to what he was talking about in the first place.

[KayCee]

Originally Posted by DocBop

OF course this thread would of me more usefull if the OP had put a link to what he was talking about in the first place.

Don't forget that the OP claims that the method left him,"just as lost, but for some reason this time rather than hit the net again, I listened and ended up strumming open strings in frustration!!". It doesn't sound as though he's giving the method much of a recommendation.

In the process, he "tripped over the A/D progression".

Soon afterwards (he doesn't give a time frame here, but "rinse and repeat" on a few more songs) and he's got bass mastered to the point that it's just lost it's former appeal.

I sort of doubt that he's talking about the thread that deals with breaking down "Stella By Starlight". You could rinse and repeat that one for a lifetime or two.

[Depth_Charge]

You guys are harsh! I like it

Originally Posted by Bruce Lindfield

Q. Is it me?
A. Yes *

(*Well probably. If we knew what you were talking about!)

I get it. Thanks.

Originally Posted by KayCee

Okay, I think that I get the picture. You've started to develop the ability of hear and transcribe bass parts on recordings (albeit simple ones, like "Knock On Wood"), thanks to some advice that you gleaned in the TalkBass DB forum. You've decided that bass is really easy now, just a bunch of patterns that you're a master of, and you're bored. In fact, you don't respect yourself or anyone else that writes this simple stuff now, and you're losing interest in picking up the bass.

Is that pretty accurate?

Ouch! That's spot on mate. And well put too! Better than I could in 2 tries. And thats a pespective I didn't consider as such.

Originally Posted by KayCee

Technique drills? Yes. Learn all of your major and minor scales and their associated modes from the lowest point of the neck to the highest. Then major, minor, dominant, augmented, diminshed arpeggios all the way up the neck.

New genres? Yes. I suggest that you get a teacher and learn jazz, whether it's your musical goal or not.

Having said that, don't assume that you're a master of "Knock On Wood" just because you know the notes. You need to record yourself and listen to your time feel and ability to groove. That kind of music is ALL about groove...no one ever said it was technically or theoretically tough to play.

New basses? Only if you've got a bunch of money. Gear is nice, but it won't solve your boredom problem for long.

Hope some of this is helpful.

Andy

Mate that was gold. Thankyou. I'll take your advice on through my practice.

Originally Posted by stedtale

So, what's the mysterious new way?

Originally Posted by DocBop

Looking at the link I don't think that is what the OP here is talking about. Ed Fuqua excellent post is on improve. The OP is talking about learning songs. Especially when he mentions Knock On Wood. I think he might be refering to a post in the Lynn Seaton area by BMANBILL

Brain Question

OF course this thread would of me more usefull if the OP had put a link to what he was talking about in the first place.

I didn't feel what I was talking about related to the chosen method, so chose not to distract people with it. But yes, it was this one:

Brain Question.

Originally Posted by KayCee

Don't forget that the OP claims that the method left him,"just as lost, but for some reason this time rather than hit the net again, I listened and ended up strumming open strings in frustration!!". It doesn't sound as though he's giving the method much of a recommendation.

I highly recommend the method I chose to use it did it's job!
I don't recommend my ears for accurately hearing what I am listening to and I don't recommend my level of patience for learning new things would be more the point.

Originally Posted by KayCee

In the process, he "tripped over the A/D progression".

Soon afterwards (he doesn't give a time frame here, but "rinse and repeat" on a few more songs) and he's got bass mastered to the point that it's just lost it's former appeal.

I sort of doubt that he's talking about the thread that deals with breaking down "Stella By Starlight". You could rinse and repeat that one for a lifetime or two.

I was referring to using the method to "rinse and repeat" learning more songs, not the method itself! Capitalising on my mistakes to promote your method is pretty poor form IMO (joking)

And it was about 2 hours and 7 songs learned, something I've never done before, so it felt pretty easy for a change.

In hindisght, I think the almost overnight improvement, and the knowledge that came along with it, burst a few bubbles about a few bass-related things for me, that's all. I still love the noise and feeling!

Thanks guys. I appreciate the insight within your responses

[KayCee]

Originally Posted by Depth_Charge

You guys are harsh! I like it )

Please don't take my posts in the wrong way. I'm always glad to assist, but it was difficult from your first post to determine exactly what kind of advice to give.

Obviously you're making progress, which should be evidence that you have the natural talent to succeed as a bassist. Be happy with your recent success, then seek out the next level of technique and (more importantly, IMO) musical understanding.

Andy

[Depth_Charge]

Originally Posted by KayCee

Please don't take my posts in the wrong way. I'm always glad to assist, but it was difficult from your first post to determine exactly what kind of advice to give.

I don't blame you, sometimes the truth hits hard when it's not sugar coated
I've seen your post history and know where you're coming from man, hey.

Originally Posted by KayCee

Obviously you're making progress, which should be evidence that you have the natural talent to succeed as a bassist. Be happy with your recent success, then seek out the next level of technique and (more importantly, IMO) musical understanding.

Good advice again, thanks! And I have been. Recently checked out a "Garam Mahal" live jam DVD recommended by a fellow TBer.

It starts with a rendition of "Fly By An Eagle". I was initially shocked and "not my genre"-ing. Almost didn't make it far enough to recognise the song.

I found that pretty inspirational in the end. I enjoyed how they all toyed with ideas, changed things up and gave each other room to both breath and recover from mistakes.

When I mentioned it at practice last night they told me they were thinking of something similar for "Play That Funky Music" with solo's all round. That should take up some learning time