Any Tips On Improvisation?

[Funk$tar]

Hello Anthony!
My name is Deoindra and I'm a 17 year old bassist!
I'd just like to say your one of my favorite bass players but also mentor! Its an honor to be able to even get to speak to you this fine day!
But I come asking a question every player needs help on!
I'm in need of some tips on improvisation. I've watched you and victor wooten give some great lessons on it and slapping as well on the groove workshop video but it still become's a struggle for me!
I can barely read sheet music but am taking a music theory class so my reading of music has progressed very greatly but I'm not sure if that has anything to do with improvisation but I ask of your help and appreciate all I can get!

Again thank you and sorry for the long message

 

[KristinBidwell1]

Hey Deoindra! I know I'm not Ant, but I read your post and wanted to say that singing always helps my bass playing, including my improvisation. When I sing what I play, or sing a line before I play, I experience better phrasing, spacing, and rhythmic and melodic variation, etc. I even sing when I sightread. It makes me feel the song and play music instead of just notes. Hope this helps!

 

[Funk$tar]

Hey Deoindra! I know I'm not Ant, but I read your post and wanted to say that singing always helps my bass playing, including my improvisation. When I sing what I play, or sing a line before I play, I experience better phrasing, spacing, and rhythmic and melodic variation, etc. I even sing when I sightread. It makes me feel the song and play music instead of just notes. Hope this helps!

Thanks Kristin!
Appreciate the tip, definately will use it!!!

 

[3star2nr]

what works for me is listening to alot of different types of music and jam with the record. Do this enough times and you'll get very good at reading cues from the other musicians and sensing changes in the music.

Another thing that helps is to try to play any melody that pops in your head. It doesnt matter if you suck hum the melody and try to copy it on the bass.

Another tip is practice intervals, over and over again. Then you'll be able to pick up easier the progression of the song.

Listen and you'll figure out what to play

 

[KristinBidwell1]

Cool! Have fun!

 

[Funk$tar]

what works for me is listening to alot of different types of music and jam with the record. Do this enough times and you'll get very good at reading cues from the other musicians and sensing changes in the music.

Another thing that helps is to try to play any melody that pops in your head. It doesnt matter if you suck hum the melody and try to copy it on the bass.

Another tip is practice intervals, over and over again. Then you'll be able to pick up easier the progression of the song.

Listen and you'll figure out what to play

Thank you for the tips aswell!~
I'll do all that everyone has suggested, anything that will make me better, appreciate the help again!

 

[Ant Wellington]

All of the answers are great answers.

I never turn my ears off. And I practice hearing fast. The common misconception is that the the best musician is the one who plays the fastest. But really, the best musician is the one who hears the fastest.

Learn all you can about the bass and learn all you can about music. Things will start to come together.

And get those ears fast!!!

peace,
anthony

 

[Basshoofd]

Fixed typo

The common misconception is that the the best musician is the one who plays the fastest. But really, the best musician is the one who hears the fastest.

 

[Funk$tar]

All of the answers are great answers.

I never turn my ears off. And I practice hearing fast. The common misconception is that the the best musician is the one who plays the fastest. But really, the best musician is the one who hears the fastest.

Learn all you can about the bass and learn all you can about music. Things will start to come together.

And get those ears fast!!!

peace,
anthony

Thanks Anthony and everyone else out there who helped!
Really useful tips, its been very helpful!

 

[Bassman197835]

Thats very helpful! I was looking for tips on improv myself but I think I worded it mis correctly when asking. Ive just got to a point where I feel stuck in the same old patterns. I can sit by myself and write great basslines. But when it comes to improv in a group. I seem to continually go the same direction.

 

[Ant Wellington]

Sounds to me like you build vocabulary.

Think of talking,...

You can a million great ideas to express,...but without the vocabulary the ideas go unexpressed.

Now you just have to figure how to get the vocabulary.

That's why people study with great teachers. Great teachers don't tell you what to say. They give you the grammatical tools to express what you feel.

Anything else is just playing licks or saying 'catch phrases'.

peace,
anthony