Practice..New Band..New Bass Player..Opinions

[Already In Use]

I started playing bass 12/09. Last month got into a band. Working real hard learning the song list and practicing the songs. This has taken away from what I was doing normally for practice. Scales, studying and implementing theory, etc..

I guess I'm looking for experienced opinons to guide me along here. Will I be OK spending much of my practice time working on these songs and less on the other items mentioned. I'm sort of all in at this point and due to my lack of experience I'm not confident every time with what I'm doing.

My long term plan is to play and study until I die.

Am I on the right track learning and playing songs for say 90 percent of my practice time(usually 1-2 hours per day)?

Thanks...This may seem silly to the pros...but hey us noobs need a boost now and then!

Thanks.

[jefkritz]

you'll be fine. learn the songs for your band. once you're comfy with those, you can rededicate more of your practice time to overall musical development.

[Already In Use]

Thanks a bunch.

[MalcolmAmos]

I've been with one band for over 10 years. We have about 250 songs in our gig book, but, rely upon about 35 to 40 same ole same ole for our gigs.

I know them in my sleep. I no longer practice them. Now you probably need to keep practicing the selection the band uses for awhile, but, there will come a time, when you can work on other things.

The other band I'm in is a jam band. I do practice jamming with Internet videos, etc.

And ---- I study. Love to study music. Learn new things every week. What I learn flows into what I do.

Have fun.

[treekiller]

Once you have learned the songs well, go back thru them so you can understand how scales, etc. apply to them in a "real world" situation.

[Already In Use]

Fun! I am having a blast. I guess I need a little encouragement along the way by folks who "know". I cannot find a teacher in my area. I have to rely on TB for stuff like this. I'm grateful for this place.

[LowDown Hal]

Working in a band and learning songs is fantastic experience, and fun. Once you sorta catch up with the songs you can incorporate scales and chord arpeggios in the tunes. You can also get back to a slightly structured practice time.

Most of all HAVE FUN

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by LowDown Hal

Working in a band and learning songs is fantastic experience, and fun. Once you sorta catch up with the songs you can incorporate scales and chord arpeggios in the tunes.

no offense but why would you want to do that?

[Already In Use]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

no offense but why would you want to do that?

Some songs arpeggio's sound pretty good. Brown Eyed Girl is a good example.