Struggling to progress - intermediate level

Reflective · #1 09-06-2009, 10:39 PM

Hiya fellow bassists. I've been playing bass for about 7 years and I feel that I've been hovering around the same skill level for some time now and I'm just not really sure how to break through this wall I seem to be up against. I just don't feel like I'm progressing.

I practice scales and chords, learn songs by ear, practice sight reading and do speed drills....I'm good at imitating somebody else's playing or learning something by ear but when it comes to trying to make up lines I'm lacking.

Anything I should be doing that I'm not... or just any general advice? Thanks a lot

5string5fingers · #2 09-06-2009, 11:31 PM

Are you currently in a band? If not getting in a band setting and playing with new musicians,as I have found out myself after years of wood shedding,opens a lot of doors. You're introduced to new ideas,practices,and ways of doing things. It also helps making you own basslines. If you know the chords and scales,then just have a drummer start a simple beat(or even get a drum machine) and start throwin down some grooves.

Also,try listening to some music you're not familiar with or don't normally listen to. Listen to what other instruments are doing as well as bass. Just because you play bass doesn't mean you have to play what all other bassist play,or get inspired by just bassists. Just keep and open ear.

Sometimes progressing requires taking a step back. Study more simple music,or go back over somethings you already know. Or just take a break from bass for a week or so,sometimes taking a break and comming back brings new ideas.

Ed Fuqua · #3 09-06-2009, 11:33 PM

I had been playing professionally for over 20 years when I started studying with my teacher about 11 years ago. I've made more progress in the last 11 than in the first 20...

anthowl · #4 09-06-2009, 11:39 PM

maybe try playing at an open jam and learn improvised playing.
i did that with the local blues society a bit last year. there were tons of people playing guitars and drums and harp but so few people wanting
to jam the bass, i became a session member by the end of it.

bassandbeyond · #5 09-07-2009, 01:16 AM

Try learning songs more completely (i.e. get beyond just the bass lines and analyze the chord progressions, melodies, modulations, etc.) That can give you more insight into why the bassist chose the notes he's using, and thus help you to put your scales and arpeggios to better use in creating your own bass lines.

ShirazBop · #6 09-07-2009, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anthowl

maybe try playing at an open jam and learn improvised playing.
i did that with the local blues society a bit last year. there were tons of people playing guitars and drums and harp but so few people wanting
to jam the bass, i became a session member by the end of it.

^ Great IDEA!!! I need to check this vector out!

**Stumbo** · #7 09-07-2009, 02:58 PM

Here are a few links you may want to check out:

~Getting creative
Where does creativity come from?

Creating bass lines
Target Approach
Walking bass line examples
Ed Friedland on walking bass lines

For a jam
Jammin'

Playing scales

Playing behind/ahead of the beat
"Feel"
Playing "in the pocket"

Check out more great TB info in the links from my sig. below.

**Stumbo** · #8 09-07-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassandbeyond

Try learning songs more completely (i.e. get beyond just the bass lines and analyze the chord progressions, melodies, modulations, etc.) That can give you more insight into why the bassist chose the notes he's using, and thus help you to put your scales and arpeggios to better use in creating your own bass lines.

+1

Also, you might try creating bass lines for songs you already know. If someone had presented the song to you w/o a bass line, what would you do?

basskopf · #9 09-07-2009, 04:21 PM

+1 on finding the right teacher, who will accurately assess your playing strengths and weaknesses and help design a program for you accordingly.

then spend a few years trying to jam along to john coltrane's giant steps, a hard bop jazz tune played at about 240 BPM... classic challenge for bassists (was originally played on a double bass of course by the inimitable paul chambers ... see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Chambers ).

i tend to get a lot of inspiration and new ideas from the classic bassists. just read willie dixon's biography, i am the blues (he was the bassist and producer for chess records in chicago, the great blues label). now i'm reading jamerson's biography, standing in the shadows of motown. even if you don't love the music, there is a heck of a lot to be learned. latter book includes 2 cd's, charts, etc.

IdealWay · #10 09-09-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Here are a few links you may want to check out:

~Getting creative
Where does creativity come from?

Creating bass lines
Target Approach
Walking bass line examples
Ed Friedland on walking bass lines

For a jam
Jammin'

Playing scales

Playing behind/ahead of the beat
"Feel"
Playing "in the pocket"

Check out more great TB info in the links from my sig. below.

Good stuff Stumbo! I'm gonna use Toronto Bassist's method of breaking jazz charts down into smaller phrases and looking at the myriad possibilities within those phrases. AWESOME!