What to do next?

E-hannon · #1 12-07-2007, 01:05 AM

Hey I'm pretty new to the forums (created an account a year ago and never used it) so sorry if i put something into the wrong section.

I'm currently playing in a 4-piece band with some friends of mine, we're holding our first concert soon. I feel relatively confident with my bass playing, but i don't know what to do to improve anymore. I'm not trying to say I think I've reached my pinnacle of success or anything, I'm just not sure what to practice. I've got a great bass teacher but he's always traveling around some place and is hardly ever in town. If anyone has any ideas on what a mediocre bassist should do to improve, please give me some input, good or bad

I've got a copy of a song my bad recorded at our myspace if anyone wants to hear me play if it helps at all

http://www.myspace.com/thewaywardspacecadets

cowsgomoo · #2 12-07-2007, 06:59 AM

I would recommend ear training, above everything else...

if you have a fantastic ear and can pick up instantaneously everything that's going on in the music around you, and have the ability to then go straight to the right notes on your bass, then that's arguably a more valuable skill for more real world bass situations than having fantastic technique or fantastic theory skills, or fantastic sight-reading skills

backing up your fantastic ear should be taste (note choice, timbre etc) and a great sense of timing

RiddimKing · #3 12-07-2007, 10:10 AM

E-Hannon,

I really like the bassline in that song, and the bass tone. Good work.

mambo4 · #4 12-07-2007, 02:31 PM

You should probably describe what areas of bass playing you already feel confident in. Which of these areas do think you're lacking:

-Reading
-Theory
-Ear Training
-Technique
-knowing lots of songs in lots of styles

based on what you've posted would suggest learning lots of songs in lots of styles. every song you learn will contribute to your bag of tricks, especially if you have the theory chops to break it down harmonically and transpose it to other keys.

E-hannon · #5 12-07-2007, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the advice, generally i wanna improve in both my understanding of music theory and my ability to groove, and I'm not sure what would be the best course to do that. It seems when i play something it is always in the same style.

E-hannon · #6 12-07-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiddimKing

E-Hannon,

I really like the bassline in that song, and the bass tone. Good work.

thanks

its our first song hopefully the others will be up soon too.

Jeb · #7 12-07-2007, 06:37 PM

Once I understood how chords worked and the modes of each scale tone, I was off and running. I made up my own scales but later found out that they already exist! I could predict where songs were going when playing unfamiliar pieces with other players and create my own lines when given chord/rhythm charts. If you have a teacher, I assume you're getting some of that. My reading is analagous to a childrens book. I'm working on that and many other things - you are never "done." I'm not into 'tab' and can't think of a single reason to recommend that. Listen to as much as you can, you'll hear lots of similarities done differently if that makes sense. I'm an amateur, but have noticed improvement in my playing over the years. Confidence plays a huge part, but in proper measure.

From what I heard on the myspace though, your drummer sounds like he'd be fun to play with from a bass player standpoint!

E-hannon · #8 12-07-2007, 06:57 PM

Yeah he's really good. Everyone in the bands played together before except me ><. It's hard to keep up especially since this is my first actually band experience.

Jeb · #9 12-07-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-hannon

It's hard to keep up especially since this is my first actually band experience.

Challenge is also an excellent teacher. You are in a great position that many (count me) would envy.

No one would ever know it was hard for you to 'keep up' unless you pointed it out (as you did). You fit right in and I enjoyed your playing. I already stole a few of your licks, hope thats OK!

E-hannon · #10 12-07-2007, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeb

Challenge is also an excellent teacher. You are in a great position that many (count me) would envy.

No one would ever know it was hard for you to 'keep up' unless you pointed it out (as you did). You fit right in and I enjoyed your playing. I already stole a few of your licks, hope thats OK!

I am honored good sir

mambo4 · #11 12-10-2007, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E-hannon

generally i wanna improve in both my understanding of music theory and my ability to groove

Then I reiterate my advice: learn lots of songs in new styles, and pick them apart to see what is going on theory-wise.

Basically that means analyzing the bass line as each chord changes, finding the chord tones in the bass line, and noticing how the line moves from one chord to the next.

If everything you make up feels like it's in the same style, then pick a target style and learn several songs in that style.

It's not just a theory exercise either - the more songs you learn, the more your ears&hands will develop a vocabulary that you can draw from, which will accelerate your ability to improvise/compose effectively and pick up new songs quickly.

The more desirable bassists , from an ensemble perspective, are the ones who know more song and pick up new ones faster.