Looking for music to play...

BradleyT · #1 11-01-2007, 05:45 PM

Hey folks, my name is Brad. I've been playing electric bass for maybe about five years. Well then last year, a friend of mine decided to sell everything he owned and hop trains out to California, and I ended up buying his double bass. Since then I've barely touched my electric. I love the way it feels, the way it sounds, everything about it. Usually though, I just pick it up and noodle around, find a groove that I like and play for a while, or jam some bluegrass with friends. But I'd really like to find some good music that I can really sit down (or stand up I guess) and practice. I feel like when I come into my room and start playing... I'm not getting a whole lot better, or being as productive as I should be. Can anyone help me find a place to start here?

shostkontrabass · #2 11-01-2007, 08:38 PM

Are you talking classical music or more jazz oriented music? I say get a teacher.

Samthebassist · #3 11-05-2007, 09:38 PM

In the hall of the mountain King..easily.....they bass has a wicked awesome part in it.......and with all the sharps, flats and naturals...it should be fun!

we played in last year with my orchestra! It's one of my fav songs 2 play!

mcnaire2004 · #4 11-06-2007, 01:17 AM

Well I don't know if you use the bow or not. Or have any remote interest in classical.

But one thing that will always help is scales. You can even play whole 3 and 4 note cords up and down the bass. That will make you pretty darn good.

ClassicalBass · #5 11-06-2007, 05:52 AM

If you want to get serious about DB, getting a teacher is the best way to go. However, there are a lot of things to do if you choose not to go down that route. If you're into classical/bow stuff, check out the Sturme 110 Etudes book. It has some good exercises, some of which are pretty musical, and most of which are pretty fun. Though some of them are a pain.

If you want to be more productive when just messing around, work on getting a good sound. Find a sound you like, and try to get that sound 100% of the time. Remember, you're here to make music. So make sure you make the kind of music you like.

Arojekt · #6 11-13-2007, 02:55 PM

Like you, I've only just started the upright (early last summer). I'm in a high school orchestra, SENIOR YEAR BABY, anyways, I've got a few pieces that I've found rather easy to play, and a few that are quite difficult... bows are hell, I still prefer to walk the strings...

Anything from Antonio Vivaldi's Concertos to Händel and even more modern items, as well. Hit me up if you want.

--Arojekt.

Dick Them · #7 11-14-2007, 02:19 PM

Hello, Brad,
greetings from Catalonia.I recommend you to get a teacher.If not, you can acquire some bad habits, I mean bad ways of positioning your hands, that in a long term will affect your playing.Good luck !!!

u2Fletch · #8 12-03-2007, 07:19 AM

If you are looking for some virtual bandmates to jam with, I would recommend downloading Smartmusic (www.smartmusic.com). You can try out the software without cost. There is a large library of jazz standards, classical, and enough exercises/scales to keep you busy for years. The music is presented on-screen, and you can select the tempo to slow down those difficult sections. It really motivates you to play, when you have a high quality band waiting for you to jump in. All the jazz pieces allow you to de-select various instruments so you can be the solo bass. You can select lead sheet style, or look at the complete bass transcription depending on what you want to work on.

I highly recommend it. Once you get your basic technique hammered out with a teacher, you can use this software to practice without getting bored.

Jeff
Yuba City, CA