One bit of music theory after basics:

[Casezilla]

After learning the basic bits of music theory (basic rhythm, basic scales, etc), what would be the one bit you would say is THE most important? Or, maybe, the two most important.

I personally would say the two first and foremost things are..
Intervals -- knowing them well can improve your improv, writing, and knowledge of a song you're learning. Plus they help with synthetic scales, and filling in the blanks for chords/scales one doesn't know.
Next, I would say tension/resolution -- It's what makes up every song. It's extremely important, as it, in my opinion, is the biggest determiner in the mood and excitement of a song.


What would you guys say?

[tjmdetroit]

Technique...play a half note...don't play a half rest. Playing notes cleanly...I hear alot of bass players play the right notes but ever note is like a 32 note....no feeling. I agree with you about the tension/resolution.... you have to convey the feeling to the listener. Soul. It ain't what you play, its the way that you play it!!!!

[Rockman]

Voice leading and species counterpoint.

[JimmyM]

make it sound like music, not theory.

[Funkturnal]

I think it's important to learn arpeggios starting on each note of the major scale.

I Maj7
ii min7
iii min7
IVMaj7
V7 (Dominant)
vi min7
vii min7b5

Not only how to play them, but how they sound against the chords themselves. Also work on starting the arpeggio from chord tone other than the root (inversions). Extending the arpeggios to play 9ths, 11ths and so on is also good for learning the fingerboard and harmony imo.

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by Casezilla

After learning the basic bits of music theory (basic rhythm, basic scales, etc), what would be the one bit you would say is THE most important? Or, maybe, the two most important.

1. How to write melody. http://www.archive.org/stream/exerci...ge/n0/mode/1up
2. How to harmonize melody. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+a+melody+line

[mambo4]

If we are talking about what theory to learn after basic rhythm and basic scales, I'm with Funkturnal.
learn how chord are constructed and how to harmonize the major scale.
This will necessarily include intervals and tension/resolution.

The bass has the primary function of supporting the harmony of the song in a rhythmically appropriate way.
You have to know what's going on harmonically in order to do that most effectively.

Edit: actually, to me, chord construction and harmonizing the major scale is "the basics" of music theory.
If you're not there yet, then you don't know "the basics"

[Rockman]

Originally Posted by MalcolmAmos

1. How to write melody. http://www.archive.org/stream/exerci...ge/n0/mode/1up
2. How to harmonize melody. http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...+a+melody+line

Also known as: counterpoint and voiceleading.

[togglehead]

besides whats already been said. MODES! If you ever want to walk a bass line...(or, anything else that door opens for you)...you should know the modes of each key.

Arpeggiation is another that sticks out in my mind...which in turns comes chord value recognition.

But i'll leave it to JimmyM for his eloquence. dont think too much...just play...

[mambo4]

I am compelled to emphasize: Chords before Modes! Learn your -I ii iii IV V vi vii. Before spending a ton of time learning the modes...yes they interrelate, but chords are the reason for using modes, generally speaking.

[Funkturnal]

Originally Posted by mambo4

I am compelled to emphasize: Chords before Modes! Learn your -I ii iii IV V vi vii. Before spending a ton of time learning the modes...yes they interrelate, but chords are the reason for using modes, generally speaking.

I agree. Modes are something that everyone should learn at some point. But the real core or building blocks of the harmony is found in the chord tones. When I was first starting, I made the "mistake" of emphasizing the modes a little too much. I learned the arpeggios (chord tones) as well, but I didn't see just how important and fundamental they were at the time.

That's not to say that modes aren't useful, because I draw a lot from the modes as well. It isn't as if I only play vertically using chord tones. I use a lot of scale tones (modes) as well as a lot of passing tones (chromatic) that aren't part of the scale. But often (not always) I see them in relation to the chord tones.

Anyway, I don't mean to be preachy or give the impression that this is the only truth because I'm sure there are many paths, and there are many ways of looking at things. But IME, knowing and being able to hear the chord tones will help you to use the "other" notes (both scale tones and non-scale tones) more effectively.

[Chris K]

If you already can't, learn to read music and to play on sight.

A free rendering of what Jimmy wrote: the need for knowledge will show itself from what you do in your actual playing. You know the basics; the rest can be learned in any order. It will be integrated into your musical education when put into practice right away.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by mambo4

..., but chords are the reason for using modes, generally speaking.

-1
But I'm not in the mode to argue about that - again.

[Dubista]

I'm no pro, but I'd have to say being able to listen and being able to play according to what you hear is one of the most important skills.

[Swampman Cory]

I would also say chord structure.

[wideyes]

Y'know, this is one area where I would really recommend picking up a guitar.



Seriously, though, knowing your way around a guitar fretboard, and studying your guitar chords, will give you a music theory fluency on the bass that would be, IME, harder to gain through bass alone.

I'm not interested in debating this, just that I pull all the time from things I learned chordally on the guitar when playing bass. I think playing one can only help your skill on the other.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by wideyes

Y'know, this is one area where I would really recommend picking up a guitar.



Seriously, though, knowing your way around a guitar fretboard, and studying your guitar chords, will give you a music theory fluency on the bass that would be, IME, harder to gain through bass alone.

I'm not interested in debating this, just that I pull all the time from things I learned chordally on the guitar when playing bass. I think playing one can only help your skill on the other.

Keyboard would work also, maybe even better.

[mambo4]

, but chords are the reason for using modes, generally speaking.

Originally Posted by Chris K

-1
But I'm not in the mode to argue about that - again.

I probably was being too terse...posting via cel phone on the bus and all. I agree Modes have many reasons to be used beyond the "play Foo mode over this chord" formulas we generally encounter when first learning about them - the "generally speaking" qualifier was meant to encompass the this case.

But would you agree that one should learn chord structure, and harmonizing the major scale, and what the heck those roman numerals mean, before one delves deeply into modes?

Not trying to argue, I ask because your posts are among the better informed around here, so your view interests me.

[Chris K]

Originally Posted by mambo4

But would you agree that one should learn chord structure, and harmonizing the major scale, and what the heck those roman numerals mean, before one delves deeply into modes?

Absolutely.

1. read music
2. scales
3. intervals
4. chords
5. harmonic functions (yes, Roman numerals included)
6.
7.
8.
9. modes

[sackvegas]

Can you print that melody book all at once or do you have to do it page by page?

Sorry I'm pretty bad with computers