Time Spent Practicing Not Translating

[Anonymatt]

Uh, I just listened to YYZ for the first time in a few years... I guess it's kind of a bit much for a first year player. Shouldn't be much trouble much later after that. There's a lot of different spots, but it's all kinda typical stuff being played over everything...

But aside from that, it's basically the un-hippest piece of music I've heard all year! I'm sorry! I just have to say it! I know some people grew up w/ Rush. I grew up w/ Radiohead. I guess I turned out just fine... Maybe I'd have more chops if I was big into Rush in high school?? Maybe. Gosh, if you'd just learn something w/ some style in the meantime, after a while you'll just be able to go play YYZ any old day. Really! Does anybody have my back on this??

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by Anonymatt

Uh, I just listened to YYZ for the first time in a few years... I guess it's kind of a bit much for a first year player. Shouldn't be much trouble much later after that. There's a lot of different spots, but it's all kinda typical stuff being played over everything...

But aside from that, it's basically the un-hippest piece of music I've heard all year! I'm sorry! I just have to say it! I know some people grew up w/ Rush. I grew up w/ Radiohead. I guess I turned out just fine... Maybe I'd have more chops if I was big into Rush in high school?? Maybe. Gosh, if you'd just learn something w/ some style in the meantime, after a while you'll just be able to go play YYZ any old day. Really! Does anybody have my back on this??

Yep, it's boring as hell to me too. I visit quite a few music forums, and it seems bass players are the only people who rave about Rush (constantly, I might add), and I just don't get it. I find them dull as dishwater myself. So you're certainly not alone. They're about as far from "hip" as you can get in my book.

[Anonymatt]

Yeah, I just want to add that my above statement isn't to take away from those guys as players. Geddy's great and I really get a kick out of some of their tunes. I would probably make more out of that guy's singing than I would the bass playing or drumming or whatever.

[Coeball]

Also, to go back on topic, I think you need to be in the right mindset to get the most of your practice regime, make sure you are having fun. If you are not having fun when practicing your progress will be slower, people learn better when they are enjoying themselves. This does not mean only sticking to easy material, it means making hard ball busting stuff fun.

[catcauphonic]

Originally Posted by bander68

Rush released an album of cover tunes called Feedback in 2004.

Copied/pasted from wikipedia:


1. "Summertime Blues" Eddie Cochran/Jerry Capehart Eddie Cochran, Blue Cheer, The Who 3:43
2. "Heart Full of Soul" Graham Gouldman The Yardbirds 2:52
3. "The Seeker" Pete Townshend The Who 3:27
4. "For What It's Worth" Stephen Stills Buffalo Springfield 3:30
5. "Shapes of Things" Paul Samwell-Smith/Keith Relf/Jim McCarty The Yardbirds 3:16
6. "Mr. Soul" Neil Young Buffalo Springfield 3:51
7. "Crossroads" Robert Johnson Robert Johnson, Cream 3:27
8. "Seven and Seven Is" Arthur Lee Love 2:53
Total length: 27:08

They are ALL amazing covers that maintain the spirit of the original songs Only think they are lacking is nobody is singing backup vocals

OP ~ keep up the great work. Sounds like great progress whether you notice it everyday or not

[Jazzdogg]

Take a look at this thread:

Pacman's sure-fire scale practice method

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by catcauphonic

They are ALL amazing covers that maintain the spirit of the original songs Only think they are lacking is nobody is singing backup vocals.

I just had a listen to that album, and while I liked their song choices, it's a truly lame album. They didn't do justice to any of those songs (in my opinion, of course).

[sammyp]

Here's some perspective for you!

I started bass 3 years ago after 25 years of lead guitar, so I am not dealing with any left hand issues that a brand new player would! I too started messing with yyz and would say on the past few months my right hand is up to it.

I've been in the same boat as you years ago practicing shred guitar! The same questions..... Why is this not coming quicker? Etc.

I have enjoyed bass so much more by teaching myself via similar advice these guys have given.... Learning tunes that come together pretty quick! I have very few tunes like yyz that I work on and I don't obsess on them!

Having said that, I can dig the ambition and passion of a new player who knows he has found a life long endeavour.

If you must push yourself with stuff like yyz, my advice is to think and measure yourself way less.... Keep your head down and practice technique without looking for instant increments of improvement.

Just keep at it!

[soitainly]

Geddy Lee is a poll winning bass player who many consider a virtuoso. When YYZ first came out it was considered among rock bassist to be a really breakthrough song for bass players. I imagine there are plenty of pro bass players that can't play it.

I see this syndrome to play virtuoso pieces as a beginner a LOT in music students of all instruments and genres. For the most part I see it as a big mistake except for a handful of child prodigies. What usually happens is that even if a student somehow learns to play all the notes of such a hard piece, they still don't really get the feel or the timing right. Many of these students that only work on these hard pieces NEVER get to be good players because they skipped the fundamentals. Not to mention some who develop tendinitis from improper technique, a very real problem.

My advice for this syndrome is that there is nothing wrong with working on a project piece above your level that over the years you will grow into. But if you spend all of your time on this you won't be a good player. There is nothing wrong with a few hours of practice if you can handle it and you aren't injuring yourself, but that practice has to be well directed. So spend 20 minutes on YYZ, and maybe in a few years you will be able to play it.

As much as you would like to be playing with your more advanced friends, you really need to say to them (and yourself) that you aren't ready to be playing songs such as these.

[Anonymatt]

Haha, Soitainly is onto something. I got into bass probably a lot because of Jaco. I spent a lot of time trying to play his stuff. Definitely learned a bunch from that. A few years later, yeah, I can still barely play half that stuff.

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by soitainly

Geddy Lee is a poll winning bass player who many consider a virtuoso. When YYZ first came out it was considered among rock bassist to be a really breakthrough song for bass players. I imagine there are plenty of pro bass players that can't play it.

I see this syndrome to play virtuoso pieces as a beginner a LOT in music students of all instruments and genres. For the most part I see it as a big mistake except for a handful of child prodigies. What usually happens is that even if a student somehow learns to play all the notes of such a hard piece, they still don't really get the feel or the timing right. Many of these students that only work on these hard pieces NEVER get to be good players because they skipped the fundamentals. Not to mention some who develop tendinitis from improper technique, a very real problem.

My advice for this syndrome is that there is nothing wrong with working on a project piece above your level that over the years you will grow into. But if you spend all of your time on this you won't be a good player. There is nothing wrong with a few hours of practice if you can handle it and you aren't injuring yourself, but that practice has to be well directed. So spend 20 minutes on YYZ, and maybe in a few years you will be able to play it.

As much as you would like to be playing with your more advanced friends, you really need to say to them (and yourself) that you aren't ready to be playing songs such as these.

I agree. When I first started learning guitar I tried learning things that were far too advanced, and I just ended up frustrated and doubted whether I had any talent at all. I was lucky, as I hooked up with a very talented musician who taught me I needed to learn the basics first. I took his advice, and the improvement in my playing came much, much faster.

I've been playing bass for quite a few years, and I wouldn't attempt to play that song. Ambition is fine, but you have to be realistic about your abilities. It's just one song, after all. Do you really have to be able to play it? And I can tell you this: even if you learn that song note for note, it won't make any difference to your playing, you'll just be able to play one song. So what?

Regards,
MarkM

[sammyp]

Originally Posted by soitainly

Geddy Lee is a poll winning bass player who many consider a virtuoso. When YYZ first came out it was considered among rock bassist to be a really breakthrough song for bass players. I imagine there are plenty of pro bass players that can't play it.

I see this syndrome to play virtuoso pieces as a beginner a LOT in music students of all instruments and genres. For the most part I see it as a big mistake except for a handful of child prodigies. What usually happens is that even if a student somehow learns to play all the notes of such a hard piece, they still don't really get the feel or the timing right. Many of these students that only work on these hard pieces NEVER get to be good players because they skipped the fundamentals. Not to mention some who develop tendinitis from improper technique, a very real problem.

My advice for this syndrome is that there is nothing wrong with working on a project piece above your level that over the years you will grow into. But if you spend all of your time on this you won't be a good player. There is nothing wrong with a few hours of practice if you can handle it and you aren't injuring yourself, but that practice has to be well directed. So spend 20 minutes on YYZ, and maybe in a few years you will be able to play it.

As much as you would like to be playing with your more advanced friends, you really need to say to them (and yourself) that you aren't ready to be playing songs such as these.

Well stated!