Prioritizing Learning

[Mharris]

I've been playing bass for nearly eight years. I'm young - 21. I've always dreamed of making money playing music... You know, the whole follow your dream thing. I'm not trying to be a rock star or anything; that isn't really me. Growing up I've always thought to myself -- what do I really want to do with myself? And there was always that voice saying "music". I visualize myself being in the body and looking out the eyes of a self who can say "I'm a professional bassist". But the "real world voice" always seemed to think I needed a desk job from 8-5, that type of thing. Well after eight years I've finally decided bass, my dream, is what I want to pursue - failure not an option.

I've recently start talking lessons from the best bassist I was able to find in my area and I've made friends with people who know a hell of a lot more theory that I do. As frustrating as it is, I've been attempting transcriptions, something I should have start long ago. I've begun developing a practice routine and schedule. I've bought books trying to comprehend everything that was available and become fully engaged in the material. I've recently started learning how to sight read which is, I believe, essential to being a professional bassist. I've begun dabbling in keys, progressions, and improvisation but I'm still very new to all of this. All these things that I wish I would have done so long ago.

[I would consider myself very good when I comes to physically being able to move around and play the bass. I believe I have very good technique, strength, and endurance. My problem is that sometime I get "lost" on the fretboard.]

What I wanted to know from you guys, preferably the pros or the folks with first hand knowledge, is: How should I prioritize my learning? I don't want to attempt to build an apartment complex here only to find out later my foundation was built on quicksand. I want a firm grasp of bass playing as a whole. What are some things I need to be focusing on at this early stage of technical infancy? I apologize if I'm being too vague but that's almost why I'm posting this.

I'm interested in all types of music if that helps clear anything up.

Thanks for your time.

[Bruce Lindfield]

What you haven't mentioned there is "playing with other people" !?

So by age 21, I had played with loads of different bands and at open mic nights etc. and to me this is what it is all about.

Unless you are aiming strictly to be a solo bassist then a big part of your job is going to be supporting other musicians and there is no substitute for getting out there and doing it as often as possible!

Seriously - nobody is going to hire you as a bass player for your knowledge of theory (teacher maybe?) .

Why they will hire you is if you have a good feel, can play many tunes easily, are easy to get on with and are reliable. Image may come into it - but I never found it a barrier when I was young - what is important is that you can turn up and cut it live.

So my Number 1 priority for learning would be - get out and play with as many people as possible - no matter what the situation!

[Mharris]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that. It seemed sort of obvious in my mind when making the post; I must have just spaced it. I've been in a couple bands where I had experience writing songs, touring, and recording. There's also been countless jams with random people. Thanks for the advice though. Playing with people is the ultra practical.

[mambo4]

+1 to playing with others- the fast lane of learning practical bass.

here's a few responses I posted to older threads, sorry if they are not entirely appropriate for your level:

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LEARNING THE FINGERBOARD (you mentioned getting "lost")
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when I first picked up the bass I memorized the open strings (EADG) and then memorized each "dotted" fret up to the octave:
open:EADG
3rd fret:GCFA
5th fret:ADGC
7th fret:BEAD
9th fret:C#F#BE
Ocatve:EADG

With those notes memorized, I could quickly figure out "in between" notes based on the dotted ones. If you can instantly find E then you can almost as instantly figure out where E flat is. It was enough to get me by at first.

I never made a deliberate effort to memorize the rest of the neck, eventually I just absorbed the knowledge via experience.
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THEORY PROGRESSION
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I'd say the logical progression learning music theory is kinda like this:

1.) learn the major scale, and how it's constructed
2.) learn the minor scale and the dominant scale and how it relates to the major scale
3.) understand how other 4 modes of the major scale are derived (less important to memorize these other modes at first)
4.) Learn how to harmonize the notes of a major and minor scale by building chords / stacking thirds
5.) Learn to look at common chord progressions as "numerals" (eg, I-IV-V ect) to understand how the chords relate to the song's key.
7.)Learn arppegios/chord tones, and pentatonic scales for major/minor/dominant scales.
8.) dive back into modes for more detailed ideas about what "goes" with what chord.

Improvising is basically a matter of knowing what to play over various chords. It may seem daunting at first my practical experience (bass in pop/rock) has been that I mostly use Major, Minor, and Dominant 7 related bassline patterns, usually based on chord tones and pentatonics.

If Jazz is your thing, you will probably be learning theory forever.

Also, learn songs you like and pick them apart to see how the bassline relates to the chords. Very helpful.