Question on playing

[METALbassMAN]

Ok I play Heavy Metal on my bass. I play by using tabs (cant read music) and am self taught (as I assume most of you might be)

Now their are many parts in songs where I know exactly how the bass is played (the rythem, and speed) but when it gets to parts in a song where the bass is completely smothered by guitar drums and vocals I have no clue! is their any way to know?

[Bathead]

Umm, if you don't know how to read music...
I guess you could find covers of the song on YouTube and it may clear it up a bit... or ... learn to read music.

[chrism2sych]

If you can't read....then there is only one solution....listen...listen....listen..... listen hard w/ bass in hand and you'll figure it out......eventually. If your not planning on learning being able to identify intervals would be an invaluable tool in the listening process

[METALbassMAN]

Yeah I usually use youtube covers to help me out lol. I guess I can only listen... listen... listen!! I have no way to learn to read music (besides most metal bassists out their dont know how to read music either)

[debassr]

Try a set of headphones (not earphones) with the bass turned up some while listening to the song. Works for me.

[tom once dead]

tab?

[METALbassMAN]

You dont know what Tablature is?
fig.1 do this a couple times
G |-------------|------------------|-------------|
D |-------------|----------5-------|-------------|
A |------3------|---5-5/7-----7-5-3|-5------5----|
E |5-3-5-----5-3|-5----------------|---3------2--|
fig.2 do this a couple times
G |-------------|------------------|
D |-------------|----------5-------| repeat these first to parts
A |--------7-7--|--------5---5-7---|
E |-0-0---------|--0-5-7-----------|
then do this
G |-------------|------------------|
D |-7-----5-----|------------------|
A |---7-----5---|------------------|
E |-----5-----3-|-1----------------|



^ thats called tablature is an alternative to sheet music.

[tom once dead]

i know what tab is. I missread you original post. I was suggesting you use tab

try getting a hold of guitar pro

[METALbassMAN]

Oh sorry I did not know.

I think.... I might.. have guitar pro (well my brother... I will go ask him right now) *walks away curiously*

[debassr]

BTW, reading music and understanding where notes are on the fretboard are two different things. If you can understand stuff in tab like 0-5-5 you can very easily train yourself to think E-A-A instead. Once you've done that to death and memorized every note on the fretboard, then you've mastered one of the major keys to reading sheet music. Sheet music is truly better than tab if only for the fact that it gives you MUCH more information about how to play the song without actually having to listen to it.

I'm not knocking anyone for using tab, it's just not that difficult to sit down and learn how to read.

[METALbassMAN]

Well in that case you got any good sight that will help me on my way?

[OxJohnson]

Originally Posted by METALbassMAN

You dont know what Tablature is?
fig.1 do this a couple times
G |-------------|------------------|-------------|
D |-------------|----------5-------|-------------|
A |------3------|---5-5/7-----7-5-3|-5------5----|
E |5-3-5-----5-3|-5----------------|---3------2--|
fig.2 do this a couple times
G |-------------|------------------|
D |-------------|----------5-------| repeat these first to parts
A |--------7-7--|--------5---5-7---|
E |-0-0---------|--0-5-7-----------|
then do this
G |-------------|------------------|
D |-7-----5-----|------------------|
A |---7-----5---|------------------|
E |-----5-----3-|-1----------------|



^ thats called tablature is an alternative to sheet music.

I didn't think that Carry on Wayward Son was metal. Who knew?

Ox.

[METALbassMAN]

Originally Posted by OxJohnson

I didn't think that Carry on Wayward Son was metal. Who knew?

Ox.

lol I know its not metal but I really like that song I will try to play the occasional old rock stuff.

this version is metal tho! lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_Yfq0F0WE

[OxJohnson]

I am just pulling your leg. It is a great tune.

I saw the tab there and thought hey... wait a minute... I know that tune!

Ox.

[METALbassMAN]

hehehe its ok. I can get the begining part.

but suck at doing this part nice and smoothly

G |-------------|------------------|
D |-------------|----------5-------| repeat these first to parts
A |--------7-7--|--------5---5-7---|
E |-0-0---------|--0-5-7-----------|
then do this

not the 00 77 part lol.

[OxJohnson]

I assume the problem is between the A and D strings (D and G notes, 5th fret). Just barre them with one finger (hold down the 5th fret on all strings at once and use your ring finger on the 7th fret). You should be able to get it in no time! Hang in there...

BTW The same holds true with the last section of tab that you have there. Just form a barre and move it down the neck.

Ox.

[METALbassMAN]

Dude! thanks man! I never thought of that! man I feel stupid! hahaha.

[dannster]

Originally Posted by METALbassMAN

...I have no way to learn to read music (besides most metal bassists out their dont know how to read music either)

This has got to be the..... YOU'RE ONLINE. GO LEARN! THERE IS A METRIC #%$#$-TON of sites that show you how to read music. google "learn to read music" & "read music for bass"



Now that that is out of the way, the part you can't hear is probably pretty close to the parts you can or at least connects the two. play along and try what you think will work. If it doesn't sound right try a different approach. You'll come out the other side a better player with a better understanding of how things go together. Listen to the song in different places if you are at a sticking point. headphones, computer, car, stereo....etc. you'll be surprised what pops out at you once you are really in there picking a song apart.

[METALbassMAN]

http://www.studybass.com/lessons/reading-music/

Well I found this website! ^ it looks good. I suppose I will start learning lol.