Over the past few months I seen lots of threads asking various questions on improving playability, such playing fast.
With the help of TB member threads and posts, I've constructed a systamtic method to show bass players, how to go about developing technique, and also the theory behind the technique. Where's there's technique, there Should be theory! In my mind that is the only way to developing a full-filling music career. This cycle method is based on a Software Development Lifecycle, in which developing technique has many similarities to developing software.
This Diagram shows the overall pattern, that shows four basic phases:
1. what is it I need to learn in order to have a full-filling music career?
2. How to go about learning it?
3. When have I learnt it?
4. Do i really need to keep developing it at the same intensity?
Individual Phase Example Envision
Example:
-Left Hand: Tonic note pull-off to Sub Tonic (wholetone), modulating in semitones (chromatically), along one string, starting at middle C.
-Right: Tonic note is plucked.
Development - see notation examples
Example:
-Day One; 1/4 hour; 1 minute practice; 1 minute rest.
-Day Two; 1/4 hour; 2 minute practice; 30 second rest.
-Day Three; 1/4 hour; 3 minute practice; 15 second rest.
-Day Four; 1/2 hour; 3 minute practice; 10 second rest.
-Day Five...
-Day Six...
-Day Seven...
etc
Day 30; 1 hour; 4 minute practice interval; 10 second rest interval
Test and Verify
Example:
Record the days practice session for peer or self assessment.
At the end of a 30 day cycle, record a short piece of structured music (12 bar blues progression) demonstrating the technique that was developed. Make the recorded music available for peer or teacher assessment. If quality is satisfactory, move technique to the maintenance phase, and start a new cycle.
Maintenance
Example:
2 minutes per day practicing the technique, using various tempos and timing combinations.
The Development Phase Examples
With each day of the Development Phase, there is some notation to learn and follow. This ensures that there is a "Purpose" when learning a technique.
Day One 40 bpm 
Day Two 50 bpm 
Day Three 60 bpm 
Day Four 100 bpm 
Any comments as to changes that could be made, things that could be added, ideas that may be incorrect, or any errors in the logic. Any help is a appreciated, as I'm planning to use this method to teach bass guitar in the future.
Thanks for your help so far
