Approach to widen my bass knowledge/comfort level...

[roosterbass]

Hey Justin,

First of all, I'd like to say that your playing and general approach to creating music is a major influence on me and my playing.

Ive been playing bass for a little over a year and things have been coming along very well. My current band is getting gigs, weve done some recordings (Link Removed) and i enjoy playing music with the people in the band. I want to broaden my knowledge and comfort level of the bass and am wondering if you can provide any insight as to how you went about doing this.

I try to listen to tons of different styles of music and bass playing, always listen to the bass lines and then listen as to how they fit in the song. This approach has been doing me well, but Ive been taking bass much more seriously lately and want to play with other musicians in order to make my playing more creative and versatile. Ive been looking around on Craigslist, seeing what is out there, talking to other musician friends I know about starting a side project or just jam. Ive even been thinking about taking some lessons. My knowledge of theory is very basic, but I hear that is similar to you. I can follow chord patterns, etc.

Any advice you have on how to widen your comfort level and ear on the bass would be much appreciated!

 

[roosterbass]

bump

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Hey Justin,

First of all, I'd like to say that your playing and general approach to creating music is a major influence on me and my playing.

Thanks, Rooster!

Ive been playing bass for a little over a year and things have been coming along very well. My current band is getting gigs, weve done some recordings (Link Removed) and i enjoy playing music with the people in the band. I want to broaden my knowledge and comfort level of the bass and am wondering if you can provide any insight as to how you went about doing this.

I like your bass playing, it's cool man!

I try to listen to tons of different styles of music and bass playing, always listen to the bass lines and then listen as to how they fit in the song. This approach has been doing me well, but Ive been taking bass much more seriously lately and want to play with other musicians in order to make my playing more creative and versatile. Ive been looking around on Craigslist, seeing what is out there, talking to other musician friends I know about starting a side project or just jam. Ive even been thinking about taking some lessons. My knowledge of theory is very basic, but I hear that is similar to you. I can follow chord patterns, etc.

Any advice you have on how to widen your comfort level and ear on the bass would be much appreciated!

It's really nothing mysterious. You have to play around a lot with lots of people, and check out a lot of records. Everything you can get your hands on. And record and write music on your own, if you don't already. Trying to write songs that you may hear in your head is a brilliant learning tool, actually. Anyway, there's no magic bullet. It's just a matter of persistence, and getting some years under your belt of varied experience. You're doing all the right stuff, far as I can judge.

Best,
JMJ

 

[roosterbass]

Thanks Justin!

Yah once I started up with my band, I havent found the time to record my own stuff anymore. I did when I was in college and really enjoyed it and it was a great learning tool, not only for bass as well!

I'll take your advice though and start recording my own stuff.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

It's great for composing lines, but more importantly for expanding your taste, your entire skill set, and your broader and deeper understanding of the true interrelationships of instruments, song structure, emotional resonance, etc.

 

[roosterbass]

So true. At practice and during gigs lately, Ive been tryign to take my mind out of my body when playing and get a big picture sound of how the band is playing and how my part interacts with all the pieces. Doing this has helped me adjust bass lines and create new ones. Ive started doing this in the past month and have already seen it helping.

Thanks again for your advice Justin, its such a great thing to communicate with you through Talkbass....and ive got a show tonite, time to put on some Sea Change!

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Nice. All worthy pursuits for sure!

Enjoy Sea Change, thanks for listening.

JMJ