Where Do I Go From Here?

[Crazyfist]

Hi all, I'm a little bit stuck at the moment...

(Sorry, it's quite a long post!)

I've been playing bass for about 3 years now. I've got a good grasp of most music theory and technique, I'm in a band, I've been to some bass masterclasses and I go to a music college... Yet there's something still not quite right!

I'm not sure what else there is I can do! I haven't practised bass in a while because when I go to practise, I find myself going over the same old stuff that I already know in more or less the same ways! I'm not absolutely amazing with the things I do know, but I'm not getting any better at them either... Or better yet, I'm not getting any better at being able to use them.

I feel I am quite happy and comfortable with major and minor scales, modes, chords and arpeggios as well as various techniques...

So what can I do with these?! I get so bored and frustrated and just don't know what else to do with all the things I've learnt and how to actually apply them to my practising in an interesting way that doesn't make me want to bash my head against a wall!

If anyone out there could help or if you're in the same situation, feel free to post here!

Thanks,
Crazyfist

[MalcolmAmos]

Practice songs - all kinds of songs. Take on a new style each month. That should keep it interesting.

[Crazyfist]

Thanks for the suggestion, that sounds pretty good actually! Would you say I'm just misunderstanding how to go about practising?

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by Crazyfist

Thanks for the suggestion, that sounds pretty good actually! Would you say I'm just misunderstanding how to go about practising?

IMO once we understand all the fundamentals - scales, modes, arpeggios, bass lines, etc. we then use those as warm ups and practice songs. The song takes shape from all the scales, modes and arpeggios we learned and placed into muscle memory.

Yes, you can allow some time in your practice session for a technique or specific bass line, but, practicing to me is practicing the songs that I will be playing.

Again IMO there is a time to move on and start using the fundamentals in songs. Lot more fun than running scales up the neck.

[lustersilk]

If you can afford lessons from a good teacher now sounds like a good time to have someone help you set and reach new goals.

[Seanto]

Play out with people! It's not all about practicing, but performing. Replace some of that stale practice time with playing with a group.

[KodyAudette]

Yeah, now is a great time to get involved with a group. Learn some songs, do some improvising based on the skills you've already acquired so that you can get a better grasp on WHY those things are important.

[ChipFunk]

Learning songs is great advice, but also learn the melody and use what you already know about theory to play the melody all over the bass.

Practice keeping time, be disciplined, play slowly, concentrate on your tone.

Try to expand your listening, find some music way outside your comfort zone and listen to it.

Just some ideas.

[MazingerZ]

download some tracks for you to jam with. I usually download from youtube, and jam. Usually the chords are spelled out and you have to provide the bass line. This way you can several ways to approach a chord. There are several genres available if you look.

Aside from this jamming with other people also helps. Try not to be confined in one genre.

[oniman7]

Learn songs for sure. If you really know everything you say you do, you now will be able to play any song you want. The songs you won't be able to play, you will be able to analyze and practice effectively.

Congratulations, you've passed the hardest part. Now enjoy your effort! Go play some music. Whatever music got you into playing. All of the songs you've always wanted to learn.

[Shakin-Slim]

You may feel that you have a good grasp on 'most' music theory, but you're still only looking at the tip of the iceberg.

[Crazyfist]

Wow! Thanks guys, it seems so obvious now that all I have to really do is play songs! I mean, obviously there's a bit more to it than that, but it's still helpful to know!

Does anyone use a practice planner at all? Just curious, I've been trying to make it work for a while, but I'm not entirely sure how to go about it without boring myself to tears. I've written down a basic plan to focus on learning/transcribing a song, maybe to read some notation too, but what else can I fill up the time with?
I'd like to practice bass for a maximum of 2 hours at the very least every 1 to 2 days. but is there anything else other than practising scales and arpeggios (which I'm fairly certain I don't need to by now!)

Thanks again,
Crazyfist

[MalcolmAmos]

Originally Posted by Crazyfist

....... but is there anything else other than practising scales and arpeggios (which I'm fairly certain I don't need to by now!)
Thanks again,
Crazyfist

I enjoy studying theory, might allow 30 minutes per day for that.

[Michael Case]

How is your reading? If you read at all find some challenging music and read through it. Work on sight reading too that will keep you going through new music often since sight reading stops being sight reading after a couple of times through the music. There is so much to do. Don't get hung up on what isn't perfect, that will keep you in a rut and slow your progress. My experience has taught me that music builds on itself, the things you have worked on will get better as you move forward because the earlier skills you've learned will apply to newer skills.

And always remember to have fun with it.

[joer431]

When I was in your situation I ended up playing with a bunch of different bands and just writing songs. I feel like my experience writing with different people in different genres really helped me understand and begin applying in my own style what I had already learned.