Teen Town frustrations

tensegrity · #1 06-03-2011, 09:37 AM

So I've been trying to pick up bass for about a year, and have been semi-fixated on trying to learn Teen Town. Can play all the notes a little slower than the recording, but just can't seem to get quite the speed needed to play along. Frustrating, in that don't seem to be getting any quicker, despite the effort. Kind of wondering if I'll ever get quick enough to play it properly??? I can say that trying to learn it, though, has sure helped me to suck less than I used to 6 months ago, which is fun. Wondering if I should keep working on it or just admit defeat and move on... -Mark

guroove · #2 06-03-2011, 09:39 AM

You are just learning to play bass, and you are trying to learn Teen Town? Seriously, learn something easier or you'll just get frustrated and give up. I've been playing bass for over 20 years, and have yet to master that tune. Don't get frustrated. Learn to jam with folks, work on your ear training, and study theory.

guroove · #3 06-03-2011, 09:40 AM

Just to stay on topic, you can play much quicker if you play with a really light touch with the right hand. Jaco was a speed demon, so you trying to match his speed is not an easy task.

tensegrity · #4 06-03-2011, 10:17 AM

guroove: thanks, though I've been only trying to play bass for a year, I have a few advantages. I used to play drums years ago, and briefly trombone and piano as as little kid. Also, my ear is pretty decent. So, for me, playing bass to this point is mostly about trying to learn the technique and to build physical coordination. That's probably why I haven't been too frustrated learning Teen Town; I could hear what I wanted to play in my head, it's just been a matter of learning how to finger the right notes and then building speed (the latter which seems to not be improving much recently). Thanks for the light touch comment; will work on that.