I feel like I should be better...

runmikeyrun · #1 09-28-2011, 10:35 AM

I've been playing bass 20 years this year. I have played instruments since I was 5... piano, sax, and cello before bass. I dabble in guitar but there's no way I could ever play in a band setting unless it was crust punk or something.

But seriously... I feel like I should be better. I mean, I guess it's my own fault because I only took lessons the first year I played and I only play bass when I'm at band practice once a week. I'm sure if I played at home and had more discipline I would be a lot better, but I have a lot going on outside of the band.

I suppose I can't really complain too much, I pick up new songs at practice quickly, can play most styles of music fairly easily, and can figure things out by ear fairly fast. I can also sing and play and since I sing with my eyes closed I have decent reference to where the frets are without looking half the time.

I guess I'd just like to learn a few scales someday and learn to solo. Not that I'd really use it in our songs, but just for my own personal satisfaction. Can anyone recommend a good book (preferably TAB lol) to learn some basic scales and teach me how to play better fills and solo? I really like minor stuff and my fill/solo style is along that of Geezer Butler and Cliff Burton.

Thanks.

Art Araya · #2 09-28-2011, 10:40 AM

Perhaps you need a good teacher that can view where you are at objectively and create a path for you to where you want to go and to keep you accountable on a weekly basis to working towards those goals?

runmikeyrun · #3 09-29-2011, 12:45 AM

yeah that's a good idea. Unfortunately I am a college student (again!) so I don't have time or money for lessons right now. I might go hit up GC and see if i can find a book. then the challenge is to stay on target.

**jmattbassplaya** · #4 09-29-2011, 01:02 AM

You're probably better than you think your are. By the way you're talking it sounds as if I might be better than you even though I've been playing for only 7 years, and I highly doubt that!

Ubersheist · #5 09-29-2011, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

yeah that's a good idea. Unfortunately I am a college student (again!) so I don't have time or money for lessons right now. I might go hit up GC and see if i can find a book. then the challenge is to stay on target.

TAKE A FEW COLLEGE CLASSES! A music theory class will help you out tons. You probably already know where a C is, and good solid music theory class will help you make the connections between the different scales.

Also, it sounds like you could benefit from the structure of a class, where you're held accountable to learn certain things before a certain date. It may kick you into learning gear more then just getting a book and looking at it on your own.

Even a "Fundamentals of Music" class could help, as they'll touch on music theory. Seriously.

VanillaThundah · #6 09-29-2011, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

TAKE A FEW COLLEGE CLASSES! A music theory class will help you out tons. You probably already know where a C is, and good solid music theory class will help you make the connections between the different scales.

Also, it sounds like you could benefit from the structure of a class, where you're held accountable to learn certain things before a certain date. It may kick you into learning gear more then just getting a book and looking at it on your own.

Even a "Fundamentals of Music" class could help, as they'll touch on music theory. Seriously.

+ 1 on this

I guarantee you have most of the "feel" of the instrument down, now you just need the connection of intellectual content to execute what your hands want to say with the instrument. Honestly, I think you will be quite surprised at the difference it makes.

**pacojas** · #7 09-29-2011, 11:45 AM

i think we ALL feel like that at times.

i know i do,... after 25+ years i still get frustrated. (i OWN my insecurity)

**millertx** · #8 09-29-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ubersheist

TAKE A FEW COLLEGE CLASSES! A music theory class will help you out tons. You probably already know where a C is, and good solid music theory class will help you make the connections between the different scales.

Also, it sounds like you could benefit from the structure of a class, where you're held accountable to learn certain things before a certain date. It may kick you into learning gear more then just getting a book and looking at it on your own.

Even a "Fundamentals of Music" class could help, as they'll touch on music theory. Seriously.

+1 on this or a teacher.

Seriously, the structure of having a class or a lesson to go to on a periodic basis (weekly, whatever), and having to have material prepared, whether book work or playing will get you into the habit of improvement faster than most anything else. Some folks can obviously do without this, but most of us benefit from having a structure and other people to help us.

Rich

AltGrendel · #9 09-29-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by runmikeyrun

yeah that's a good idea. Unfortunately I am a college student (again!) so I don't have time or money for lessons right now. I might go hit up GC and see if i can find a book. then the challenge is to stay on target.

Sheesh, see if you can make music a second major, or a minor. At the very least, hit the library for music theory books.