My practicing

[mbaybarsk]

Hi guys! this is my first post in this forum, although i've been browsing a lot. I decided to keep my log online to listen your comments.

I used to play guitar but sucked at it and got bored, then i decided to play bass and got one. I've been practicing more than 6 weeks i think. I also started taking lessons from someone.

My routine (i don't actually have one) looks like this:

Waring up for a few minutes,

Practicing one excercise from "bass fitness" for about 30 mins.

Practicing an exercise from the book "chop builder" for about 15 mins

Triying to sight read (i don't play, just read, "solfege" is the right word i think) from the book "fontaine" (a book in french).

I finish by practicing some scales and a few songs & riffs...

also i've been practicing on memorising the fretboard for a few days...

My teacher says my technique is not bad at all (probably because i played guitar before).


For self-criticism's sake i think i lack the creativity and theoretical knowledge a lot. That is probably because i've only been triyng to improve my technique and play song by reading tabs.

I'm awaiting your suggestions. (sorry for grammer mistakes, i'm not a native speaker)

Thanks...


edit: the title should have been "my practicing log" . I'd appreciate if someone edited this.

[bwv1013]

looks good man. i think the only thing missing is some transcription to tune up your ear and complete your transformation into a bass monster. have fun!

[mbaybarsk]

Originally Posted by bwv1013

looks good man. i think the only thing missing is some transcription to tune up your ear and complete your transformation into a bass monster. have fun!

Thanks for your answer...

I forgot to mention i also have a book and software (GNU solfege and ear master) for ear training. But i don't practice them currently. I couldn't decide how to add them to my routine...

And for transcribing: I think i just can't do that for bass correctly. I just open last.fm and try to accompany pop songs. Does anyone have any suggestion on this? Which songs to start with etc?

[Mike Saville]

That routine might be OK but it's difficult to know from the information you've given.

The starting point for any practice routine has to be a question. What am I trying to achieve? (This is quite wide open - you might think about longer term goals/gigs/music you want to do or it could just be something short term but you should know before you start your session).

Then when you design your routine the things you do should help you achieve it. If the exercises above mean that you meet your goals then great but if, as is often the case, they do not you need to rethink.

Also don't get hung up on time period - 30 minutes doesn't mean a thing - you could play for this time and get nothing done. Instead think 'I want to get this exercise from bass fitness up to 120bpm' When you get there you're done for the day with a real sense of achievement. . . . of course tomorrow that will be 126

[heath_r_91]

Originally Posted by mbaybarsk

I used to play guitar but sucked at it and got bored.

are you saying bass players are just inferior guitarists?

[lowb1970]

While playing bass is a very physical experience, I would caution you on just playing technical stuff and say play as much music as possible. You can do this by ear, or by reading music. If you can't read music, then ask your teacher to help you. Even if you have to take one measure at a time to get it, that is very rewarding and may motivate you when you get bored with the physical routine.

[mbaybarsk]

Originally Posted by Mike Saville

Also don't get hung up on time period - 30 minutes doesn't mean a thing - you could play for this time and get nothing done. Instead think 'I want to get this exercise from bass fitness up to 120bpm' When you get there you're done for the day with a real sense of achievement. . . . of course tomorrow that will be 126

That is exactly what i am doing.

are you saying bass players are just inferior guitarists?

No, of course not.

[Blah114]

"Bass is easy, man.." --Guitar Center Store STL MO USA clerk 2001..

I was testing a Fender Precision bass.

And that is not what the poster is saying.. I just had to share the comment I heard in a store.

I would suggest a scale book.. specifically Bass Guitar Scale manual off Amazon.com.. and just play every song from AC DC to Men at Work.. Learn the songs..

[Mike Saville]

Originally Posted by mbaybarsk

That is exactly what i am doing.

Did you think about the reasons why you are practising? Would be interested to hear to see if you routine matches.

[Zombbg4]

Nice routine. I'd recomend (if you don't already) when you practice out of books to memorize it so your not staring at paper, but should be watching your hands to make sure you're doing the excersize effectively . It will also open up your ears to what your playing.

p.s. i didn't see anything about a metronome...you better be using one!

[eighrule]

one thing that helped me out a lot in creating my own style is learning many differnet styles of songs and taking notice to the progressions and fills the bassists use

[Stumbo]

Here's some TB links that may help you out:
Good luck. PS. Don't forget to record/review your practice time.

Best musical advice you ever got Best musical advice
Practice Practice Practice How to practice bass
Introduction to Scale and Chord Theory Intro to scale and chord theory
Modes...How to use them practically in music. Using modes
Reading Music Learn to read music
I need to learn how to read music for bass, how do i do it? Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/sight-reading-486398-post6521582/ Improve site reading
Need help reading bass clef Read bass clef
I need basic music theory help... Theory
Theory Forum FAQ and Links Theory
Things every bassist should know? Things every bassist should know
Book list for GI Theory Links Theory Book Links
Music Theory/General Instruction Links GI links list
jazz scales? not played bass in over a year Jazz Scales
Blues Turnarounds Blues Turn arounds
Guitar players as bass players...... Guitar players switching to bass

Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference(dictionary).
http://www.good-ear.com/
http://www.studybass.com/
http://www.activebass.com/

Books and instructional materials
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/default.asp

Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

Free online lessons
A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me!

This is a very helpful program for learning the notes on the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...cdlPid=1509909
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper

[mbaybarsk]

Originally Posted by Mike Saville

Did you think about the reasons why you are practising? Would be interested to hear to see if you routine matches.

I practice those because i want left and right hand dexterity and speed. Of course these are not the only thing i want.

one thing that helped me out a lot in creating my own style is learning many differnet styles of songs and taking notice to the progressions and fills the bassists use

Thakns

p.s. i didn't see anything about a metronome...you better be using one!

I use a metronome almost all the time

I would suggest a scale book.. specifically Bass Guitar Scale manual off Amazon.com.. and just play every song from AC DC to Men at Work.. Learn the songs..

Thanks, do you have any suggestions for a song book?