Top Three Things Every Bassist Must Practice?

[::::BASSIST::::]

I'm an upper intermediate player (not sure about the 'upper' part) and I am trying to bring my playing to the next level. I strictly play fingerstyle (no interest in slapping and all that) and I can play most of the typical rock songs given enough practice time.

What are 3 things a bassist at my level should practice on a regular basis?

[Muyy]

I would say, all styles of music, keep playing things that are too hard and actually make you improve after learning and playing them, and your groove whether it's with a band or by yourself

[Dark Horse]

1) listening
2) listening
3) listening


After you've mastered those three things (tougher than it sounds), then you can move on.

Train your ears, then train your fingers to follow.

I've often found that taking a rest from playing for a week and just "truly listening" to music ...ALL the parts...harmonies, notes, tones, structure, etc...gives me a fresh outlook and allows me to evaluate my playing better.

YMMV

[::::BASSIST::::]

Looking for 3 *specific* things.

[Dosed_Mind]

1) Rhythm
2) Melody
3) Harmony

[ronniequeue]

time
time
time

Hmmm, did I mention time? Groove/time to me is the most important. Technique is also a must. Thirdly, music theory. Theory can fall into the technique category if you're practicing scales and arpeggios. Sight-reading and ear training also fall into the theory category if we're being real general. They all kind of overlap, which is the idea. You can't get the most out of one thing without working on another. Listening is of prime importance as well. It could be filed under the theory category or groove/time if you're playing along with records. Only three things, that's a toughie. Good luck on taking it to the next level! So, in conclusion:

groove/time (listening)
technique (applying the theory you have learned)
music theory (sight reading and ear training, listening)

[kesslari]

1. Groove. Play grooves from different styles that are of interest to you. Work on the feel, making them groove (rather than "OK, I can play the notes, now I'll move on). This will get you more gigs than anything else, and is fun as well.

2. Fingerboard harmony - learn the notes on your neck, all over your neck, and what they sound like. An exercise I'm currently doing is to play a 12 bar blues with a I-vi-ii-V turnaround, at a slow enough tempo that I can think it through, and move to different areas of the neck with each chord change (so I don't simply play as a pattern in one position). Do it in keys that you don't normally play, like C#. It forces you to think "what's the vi of C#?" and "where does that live on my bass?

3. I have to go with "listening" as well. Develop your ears and brain as much as your fingers - that's what will enable you to "play what you hear". Take basslines or melodies, and figure them out while you don't have the bass in your hand. That part's important, it takes the "my fingers know where to go" part out of the equation. Figure them out in your head, then go to the bass and play them and see if you were right. Rinse and repeat, you should get better over time.

[Dark Horse]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Looking for 3 *specific* things.

Those are "specific".

If you need to question it, then you haven't taken the time to properly learn to "listen" to music.

When I first started learning to write songs, I took my favorite 100 songs and broke them all down. Arrangements, keys, tempos, etc. I made notes on any time changes, quirks, "mistakes", how the instruments worked together, etc. At the end of doing this I was able to apply these things to my own playing and writing.

Seriously. Sit in a dark room and just "listen".

After you've REALLY done that, go back and evaluate your playing....then you won't need other people to help you figure out what to learn next, as you'll already KNOW what you need to work on.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Okay, let's try again.

Putting all the "listening"stuff aside (as valued as it may be) the intent of my OP was to see what 3 specific things might improve my playing.

After some thought I've come up with some examples:

1. Scales (which ones are most useful for the rock / blues bassist?)

2. Theory (what specifically?)

3. ?

[ugly_bassplayer]

Find a good teacher. He's going to know what tools you need.
IMO

[ronniequeue]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Okay, let's try again.

Putting all the "listening"stuff aside (as valued as it may be) the intent of my OP was to see what 3 specific things might improve my playing.

After some thought I've come up with some examples:

1. Scales (which ones are most useful for the rock / blues bassist?)

2. Theory (what specifically?)

3. ?

I would start with your major and relative minor scales, then move on to some modes like mixolydian (start on the 5th scale degree of the major scale and play within that key) and dorian (2nd scale degree), which would be useful to you. The blues scale is a must, as well as the pentatonic scale. One octave then two; or more depending on how many strings you have/use. Listen to bassists who make obvious use of these scales as you are learning them so that you will be able to apply these scales to your own playing. As for theory, try musictheory.net, it will keep anyone busy for a while, it has it all. There's also a 6-book series I worked out of in high school that I sometimes use with my students called the "Master Theory" series. It's tedious and boring at times, but pretty thorough. Since I don't know what your level of understanding is theory-wise, explore that site for a while and hone in on the things you don't quite understand. As for the third, maybe to help the listening thing make sense, try transcription. Listen to and write out (on staff paper, no tab) rock and blues bass lines from records you like. Then the scales and theory you are learning will have more meaning than being separate technique and workbook exercises. Hope this helps.

[ronniequeue]

Originally Posted by ugly_bassplayer

Find a good teacher. He's going to know what tools you need.
IMO

+1

[onlyclave]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Okay, let's try again.

Putting all the "listening"stuff aside (as valued as it may be) the intent of my OP was to see what 3 specific things might improve my playing.

After some thought I've come up with some examples:

1. Scales (which ones are most useful for the rock / blues bassist?)

2. Theory (what specifically?)

3. ?

How's your reading?

[reedo35]

Originally Posted by kesslari

1. Groove. Play grooves from different styles that are of interest to you. Work on the feel, making them groove (rather than "OK, I can play the notes, now I'll move on). This will get you more gigs than anything else, and is fun as well.

2. Fingerboard harmony - learn the notes on your neck, all over your neck, and what they sound like. An exercise I'm currently doing is to play a 12 bar blues with a I-vi-ii-V turnaround, at a slow enough tempo that I can think it through, and move to different areas of the neck with each chord change (so I don't simply play as a pattern in one position). Do it in keys that you don't normally play, like C#. It forces you to think "what's the vi of C#?" and "where does that live on my bass?

3. I have to go with "listening" as well. Develop your ears and brain as much as your fingers - that's what will enable you to "play what you hear". Take basslines or melodies, and figure them out while you don't have the bass in your hand. That part's important, it takes the "my fingers know where to go" part out of the equation. Figure them out in your head, then go to the bass and play them and see if you were right. Rinse and repeat, you should get better over time.

This gets my vote as the best advice so far. (Besides getting a teacher)

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Okay, let's try again.

Putting all the "listening"stuff aside (as valued as it may be) the intent of my OP was to see what 3 specific things might improve my playing.

Readin'
Writin'
'Rithmetic

Same as it ever was.

But if you want just one thing, work on your singing skills.

[LaklandBass]

Slap
Tap
Pick

I know that you said you only have an interest in fingerstyle but trying the others will also advance your fingerstyle. When slapping, tapping or picking your left hand will tend to do different things than when you are doing fingerstyle. Trying this will give you a fresh outlook that you can carry over to your finger playing.

Also pick a couple genres of music that you dont like start listening to them. Many musicians have done this and the results are almost always good. One example though I dont like him too much is Fieldy from Korn. He mostly listens to rap and hiphop which he carried over to more of a metal sound and has had great success because of it.

Another good idea is to drastically change your tone. Switch between flats/rounds or just start turning knobs to get a tone that youve never really done. Itll force you to try new things.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Yeah, singing would be a great choice for 3rd. It would definitely help my band.

At this point I really want to focus on what skills I can learn that will translate to improving my playing with my band on stage. Then I will go after what I can do to become a more well-rounded player. I have limited time so I'm going to focus on what I can use 'right now'. I already have a working knowledge of some of the scales but it is more based on ear/instinct than theory. Need to work on that.

[::::BASSIST::::]

Originally Posted by LaklandBass

Slap
Tap
Pick

I know that you said you only have an interest in fingerstyle but trying the others will also advance your fingerstyle. When slapping, tapping or picking your left hand will tend to do different things than when you are doing fingerstyle. Trying this will give you a fresh outlook that you can carry over to your finger playing.

Also pick a couple genres of music that you dont like start listening to them. Many musicians have done this and the results are almost always good. One example though I dont like him too much is Fieldy from Korn. He mostly listens to rap and hiphop which he carried over to more of a metal sound and has had great success because of it.

Another good idea is to drastically change your tone. Switch between flats/rounds or just start turning knobs to get a tone that youve never really done. Itll force you to try new things.

Tap would be interesting for sure, but more for at home. Definitely would not suit my band's style (roots rock, surf, rockabilly). Slap not so interesting to me.

[LaklandBass]

Im not saying to use them in your band but rather practice all of them at home so you have a fresh approach. Learning to slap will help your fingerstyle.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

Yeah, singing would be a great choice for 3rd. It would definitely help my band.

At this point I really want to focus on what skills I can learn that will translate to improving my playing with my band on stage. Then I will go after what I can do to become a more well-rounded player. I have limited time so I'm going to focus on what I can use 'right now'. I already have a working knowledge of some of the scales but it is more based on ear/instinct than theory. Need to work on that.

What I'm actually getting at is that singing is a great mechanism for learning everything to do with music, even if you never get anywhere near a mike. It greatly simplifies reading and writing, interval recognition on the fly, melodic concepts for soloing, grokking chordal harmony, and so on. If you can sing it you can play it, plain and simple.