Most important things to learn?

[chilievans]

HI guys, I've been back playing bass for just over a year and I'm currently at a grade 5 level and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
Even though I can feel myself progressing I find myself wondering what aspects of bass playing are the most important as in reading music, transcribing, ear training etc etc.

My current practice regime consists of 30mins of exercises, scales and appergios followed by 30 mins of course work (playing the music for my exam) and then learning new songs of my own choice.

Is this ok and what else should I be doing?

[Basshoofd]

Having fun... I'd rather spend 30 mins having fun with what I'm doing that just endlessly running scales and finger wiggling exercises.

Getting a solid grip on the basic scales and arpeggios is very important too and learning them all over the neck will open up your playing, just make sure you're not doing the same repetitive stuff over and over again. Check out Scott Devine on Youtube for some great lessons.

As for important aspects: Reading, transcribing, ear training, PROPER technique, rhythm development, chord studies, harmonic and melodic studies, diatonic harmony, non-diatonic harmony (like jazz) etc. and I'm sure I'm forgetting some things. Don't worry too much about it, keep finding material to learn and you will always develop. The most important part will always be to forget everything and to have fun doing what you do. If you like to play something, then, by definition, it's good music.

[LM Bass]

To practise efficiently. If you keep track of what you are working on, and tick off small goals every week, you'll develop a lot faster. I agree with Basshoofd above, have some fun too! I always recommend that students do the "hard" work first, and always end a practise session with something fun that you really enjoy.