stuck...

[bass_is_lyfe815]

hey everyone, ive been playing bass for 3 years now, been in a couple metal/rock bands, but i feel stuck.

i have the mechanics down on the bass, my right hand is in great form, im just having trouble with my left hand. i know the patterns of major and minor scales and also the 7 modes.

does anyone know of any good exercises that i could do that would help me use scales and modes to their full potential?

i've also thought that maybe its the style of music that i play that wont let me use these scales (metal), but then i heard rex brown from pantera and he's all over the place on his scales while still playing heavy music.

any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks

[DudeistMonk]

Have you studied chords yet? That might get you further.

[EADG mx]

Originally Posted by bass_is_lyfe815

i have the mechanics down on the bass, my right hand is in great form, im just having trouble with my left hand. i know the patterns of major and minor scales and also the 7 modes.

You know the what. Do you know the how, the why, and the when?

Originally Posted by bass_is_lyfe815

i've also thought that maybe its the style of music that i play that wont let me use these scales (metal)

Not a chance.

[Stumbo]

Really, there's no magic to this stuff. Maybe these TB threads will help you out:

Best musical advice you ever got Best musical advice

Introduction to Scale and Chord Theory Intro to scale and chord theory
Modes...How to use them practically in music. Using modes
Reading Music Learn to read music
I need to learn how to read music for bass, how do i do it? Learn to read music
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/sight-reading-486398-post6521582/ Improve site reading
Need help reading bass clef Read bass clef
Introduction to Scale and Chord Theory Theory (from the DB side of TB)
I need basic music theory help... Theory
Theory Forum FAQ and Links Theory
Things every bassist should know? Things every bassist should know
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99676 Theory Book Links
Music Theory/General Instruction Links and Book List GI links list
jazz scales? not played bass in over a year Jazz Scales
Blues Turnarounds Blues Turn arounds
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f30/creating-bass-lines-8154/#post80043 Creating bass lines

Online study of music theory/ear training.
http://www.teoria.com/ Check out the tutorials, exercises and reference(dictionary).
http://www.good-ear.com/
http://www.studybass.com/
http://www.activebass.com/

Books and instructional materials
http://www.bassbooks.com/shopping/default.asp

Free Jam tracks
http://www.freejamtracks.com/index.html

Free online lessons
A LOT of Free Lessons, how to's and other stuff from me!

This is a very helpful program for learning the notes on the bass clef. (as recommended by AlphaMale)
http://www.download.com/NoteCard/300...cdlPid=1509909
http://www.playthebass.com print flashcards for learning bass clef, print staff paper