Learning to Read

[Finn Hiltner]

Hey Anthony,

I recently realized that I really want/need to start reading. In your other replies to people asking how to read, you list three things that need to be learned:

1. The notes of the bass
2. The notes on the staff
3. Reading/interpreting/calculating/memorizing rhythms

I just watched your video where you play all 100 notes in 45 seconds, and for the past hour I've been playing all the Gs on my bass over and over trying to memorize them.

My question is, armed with the knowledge that I need to master those 3 things, how should I go about doing them? Can you suggest any specific excercises?
Also, I currently don't have a ton of time to play as I am traveling/volunteering, so if there are any good written/mental excercises you know, I would love to hear about those too.

Thanks,

Finn

[JimL]

If you have access to the internet, Ricci Adams' musictheory.net has some good exercises to help you. Ricci also has a couple of iPhone/iPad apps which let you carry the lessons and exercises with you (I use them when I'm in boring meetings, waiting for take out, etc.).

[somecallmejosh]

Anthony has a very cool method for learning the notes of your bass. His explanation of frequency (not physics) and range opened my eyes and my mind quite a bit. Most of his approach to learning the notes on the bass requires you to do so "without" your bass in hand. I highly recommend a Skype lesson with him on the subject. It's worth every penny!

[Ant Wellington]

Thanks Josh,

This really needs to explained/taught in a lesson. Even an app, program, DVD or book can explain it as well as a good teacher. Those 'devices' can't tell when you don't 'get it' so they can't offer another explanation.

Instead of trying to find a shortcut or an answer in forum post it's much more beneficial to have a qualified teacher explain it. And it's cheaper in the long run, in money and time.

-aw

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by somecallmejosh

I highly recommend a Skype lesson with him on the subject. It's worth every penny!

I've bought way too many books and apps over the years and muddled on my own to figure things out - mostly to no avail (or worse yet, caused "negative training"). After a couple of skype lessons with Anthony I've had so many light bulbs go off in my head my house can be seen from cameras in space.

[somecallmejosh]

Originally Posted by nostatic

After a couple of skype lessons with Anthony I've had so many light bulbs go off in my head my house can be seen from cameras in space.

Yeh, same here. Hooking up with Ant has been a real blessing.

[Ant Wellington]

Personally, I'd pay $75 for an hour long Skype lesson with a 'real' teacher over an app, book, DVD and 'face to face' lesson with an average teacher. And people spend $75 with bad teachers who teach songs and licks.

But everyone has to decide for themselves. But what I usually find is that people usually kick themselves for doing 'real' lessons sooner.

The problem for me is that most people who think they're ready for 'real' lessons have no clue how much there is to learn because most people who are teaching don't know much. And it's impossible to teach what you don't know. Most people I know teaching bass don't even know the notes on their bass. They 'kind of' know them. That would be like studying grammar with someone who 'kind of' knows the alphabet. Sounds absurd, doesn't it.

peace,
anthony