| Thanks for your questions, Dreadhead. I compose music in lots of different ways. Sometimes I get a very clear sonic image in my head before I pick up the bass. I'm not always able to make the end result sound exactly like what I hear in my head, but that can be fun too, because it sets you off in directions you might not have imagined! Other times a new piece will evolve from a particular sound or an idea – not necessarily a musical idea! Sometimes I'll even start writing a piece very methodically by thinking something like, "I need to write a tune in such-and-such a key, in ¾ MM=80 on the Hyperbass" etc. To me, the fun thing about composing is that there are so many different ways to approach it, so many different angles to explore.
As far as exercises go, I think it's good to ask yourself what your goals are and let that guide you. If you want to be able to do a lot of jazz style improv, you'll really have to have your harmony down and have a very complete understanding of the fingerboard. If you're more into playing through-composed music, you might want to practice by transcribing piano or guitar pieces by composers you admire and then learn to play them with as much expression and precision as possible. As with composing, there are many, many different ways to go about it – try a few different approaches and see hoe they work for you. Good luck! | 
Question for Mr. Manring! 
