Are you your own worst enemy? [Bad practice habits]

[comatosedragon]

As a fellow human being*, do you (consciously) do things that make your bass playing/learning experience harder? Are you your own worst enemy? Do you set yourself up for failure?

How long have you been playing/practicing/learning? I'm going to say 10 years for me, just for a nice round number, even the the reality is several more years. Well who knows. I have owned basses since I was 20 anyway. (Yes, I was a late starter)

Here are 3 big problems I have created for myself over the years:

1) I have never tried learning a song 'by ear'. I wouldn't even know where to start. Even when I first started wanting to play back in the late '90s; since the internet was becoming a thing, I would just look online to find (usually incorrect) tablature of songs I wanted to learn. These days, I rely on Rocksmith. For those not in the know, Rocksmith is software/a game that allows you to plug your bass into your PC or console, and play along to songs while the tab is scrolled in front of you. It's fun as a game, but probably not the best learning tool. While the software is running, sometimes I can please myself by playing very well to (what seems to me) a difficult song. "Bernadette" by the Four Tops, for example. I spent a few days playing this song exclusively, and now I can almost 100% the song within the game. Turn off the computer though, and I don't even know what the first note is. I will just stumble willy nilly all over myself. I need to separate myself from this 'crutch'.

2) I never learned any scales.
I can play a "C major" scale starting on 8th fret of E and playing across the neck, but ask me to play it (or any other scale) anywhere else on the neck, and I will have to sit down with pencil and paper to figure it out. But yet, I may sit and watch an hour or two of videos of Scott Devine or Mark from talkingBass.com about scale pattern exercises when I have a slow night at work (Night Auditor here). What, am I hoping this will be absorbed by osmosis?

3) I never practice with a metronome. This is probably a result of mainly only 'practicing' by using Rocksmith. Metronome apps are free, I have one on my phone, a couple different ones on PC, even a physical one on a Peterson tuner .... and I still refuse to use them all.

So, there are three big things I need to work on/change if I ever want this to be more than just a very expensive hobby (I have spent almost $4K on gear in 2021 alone). I am hoping this thread will be a place where us underachievers can gather to encourage each other....

(Actually, I am hoping this will guilt me into being more responsible with my playing/practicing time. A thread I made a year or so ago kept me from making an unwise purchase earlier this year; I hope this thread has the same effect. That thread is completely unrelated to the matter at hand, but it is over here for whatever reason How many Warmoth Bodies have YOU ruined?)

Did anyone out there have bad habits like these, and manage to overcome? I would love to hear your story, although I know hard work and perseverance is all it really takes.

Thanks for listening.

 

[WrapRough]

My worst habits I did when learning to play (self-taught):

Using TAB, and never learning to read or play by ear
Learning slap the "thumb down" way
Never understanding music theory with regards to arpeggios chord structure, changes etc..
Not really even know all the notes on the fretboard. Working it out is not "knowing"...

Now, that said, I did one thing really well - played A LOT - easily three-four hours every night. I was obsessed with bass. Unfortunately, without a teacher to guide me, that time could've been so much better utilised than it was. But, ho hum, it is what it is. I got really good at playing fairly advanced songs. But it was paint by numbers.

I'm recently back to playing bass after around 8 years off (kids, missus, work, blah blah), and have taken the advice of this forum to find a teacher (have a read of the thread i started titled "Why dont I feel like a musician?" There's some great advice in there, which I think may be relevant to you, too. But since finding a teacher, I am:

Really understanding the instrument
Understanding modes, chords, arpeggio, triads etc...
Re-learning slap the "thumb up" way. Going from being able to play things like Pow, to not being able to play slap at all the new way was not fun. But needs must.
Learning to sight-read
Learning songs by ear
STRICTLY NO TAB. I made a promise to myself here. No goddamn TAB
Less "playing", more "practicing" (I use the difficulty sandwich here - start with something I know that's easy to warm up, then spend most of the time doing stuff I cannot do, then finish with something I can play/do). This way I always put the bass down feeling good, and not feeling like I suck.
Trust the process. It takes years. I have the time. There is no rush.
Keep a practice diary (big change for me, and v helpful)

So, this time I am not messing about!

Good luck brother

 

[BrotherMister]

I’m not quoting any part of your post because it’s not my place to air how much you’ve spent on gear or things like that.

You’ve correctly diagnosed a lot of why things aren’t going to well for you, which is great start. Being able to work out the what not to do eventually leads you to finding the what to do, so don’t get too deflated on that.

If you are seriously interestedly getting better then I recommend getting lessons with a teacher. SBL and all of that can’t give you what you want, and need, but it can give you the illusion of it. So I would say if you really want to get better then that’s your best option, find a good teacher or if you have no objections to doing lessons online drop me a message. Working with someone who knows, and knows how to teach it, will only ever benefit you so long as you hold up your end of the deal by putting the work in.

There is a place for people who are just really into the gear and stuff like that. This forum is full of people who like that, and that’s great! It’s an interest and a passion which people need to have in their lives. But what’s important to remember is one can have the biggest sports car collection on the planet, but that doesn’t mean they are going be a good race car driver.

 

[WrapRough]

If you are seriously interestedly getting better then I recommend getting lessons with a teacher.

This right here is all you need to know. I cannot stress enough the change in my approach to the bass since getting a teacher. I was very wary about getting an online teacher, but I have to say it's absolutely great, and I dont think I am missing much from not being there in person. In fact, even when in-person comes back I am thinking what's the point of driving 40mins there and 40mins back... that's time I could be practicing and not driving.

Let me blunt - if you have cash to spunk on gear you dont need, you have cash to get a teacher

 

[comatosedragon]

This is why I love this forum. You guys are great, telling me exactly what I need to hear.

Let me blunt - if you have cash to spunk on gear you dont need, you have cash to get a teacher

But what’s important to remember is one can have the biggest sports car collection on the planet, but that doesn’t mean they are going be a good race car driver.

If you are seriously interestedly getting better then I recommend getting lessons with a teacher.

(have a read of the thread i started titled "Why dont I feel like a musician?" There's some great advice in there, which I think may be relevant to you, too.

Thank you so much. I am going to look for that thread to read right now.

Yes, I need a teacher. Thanks guys, and please, keep the motivation coming!

 

[WrapRough]

I am going to look for that thread to read right now

Yes, I need a teacher.

Rather than read that thread, pm BrotherMister to arrange your first lesson.

 

[Willie5String]

On being my own worst enemy, guilty, guilt, guilty.

I want the respect of a learned musician, and to play at a pro level, but honestly, when I practice, I spend more time dicking around than consiously putting in the effort to get better.

Honestly, its the story of my life, potential never realized.

 

[BrotherMister]

Rather than read that thread, pm BrotherMister to arrange your first lesson.

This is where language fails me, I'm genuinely so humbled by this post. Thank you!

 

[WrapRough]

"Discipline is doing what you hate, but doing it like you love it"
- Mike Tyson

 

[jallenbass]

1) I have never tried learning a song 'by ear'. I wouldn't even know where to start.

Usually, we start with the first note. Hear it then find it. Once you have that, go on to the next note and do the same. Once you have a group of notes listen to the rhythm and work on trying to play that correctly. It does take time at first but worth it.

 

[brianrost]

comatosedragon,

I hear where you are coming from. I'm a lazy procrastinator and that certainly impacts my practicing. Still I never hit the same 3 blocks you have. That may be because I studied two instruments using notation before I took up the bass so things like scales and metronomes were not an issue for me. I understood the need for them.

As far as learning by ear, I started at a time when there was no internet full of tabs and videos. From my first purchases of music books of Cream and Zeppelin I realized the piano notation in them was almost useless, the chord markings a bit better although confusing when the transcribers notated riffs as chord changes. I picked some simple records and forced myself to figure out something at least approximating what I though I was hearing.

When I started jamming with other people they would show me songs, then I could go back and listen to the records again. I learned how to play blues after meeting a harmonica player who lived nearby. I learned how to play bluegrass and country music by having a banjo player for a roommate in college and a guitarist across the hall in the dorm.

Here's the bottom line: If you have a goal, like I did...playing in bands...then sooner or later you will have to practice with more focus.

Good luck.

 

[Medicine Man]

It's no suprise to me, I am my own worst enemy.

 

[twinjet]

As a fellow human being*, do you (consciously) do things that make your bass playing/learning experience harder? Are you your own worst enemy? Do you set yourself up for failure?

How long have you been playing/practicing/learning? I'm going to say 10 years for me, just for a nice round number, even the the reality is several more years. Well who knows. I have owned basses since I was 20 anyway. (Yes, I was a late starter)

Here are 3 big problems I have created for myself over the years:

1) I have never tried learning a song 'by ear'. I wouldn't even know where to start. Even when I first started wanting to play back in the late '90s; since the internet was becoming a thing, I would just look online to find (usually incorrect) tablature of songs I wanted to learn. These days, I rely on Rocksmith. For those not in the know, Rocksmith is software/a game that allows you to plug your bass into your PC or console, and play along to songs while the tab is scrolled in front of you. It's fun as a game, but probably not the best learning tool. While the software is running, sometimes I can please myself by playing very well to (what seems to me) a difficult song. "Bernadette" by the Four Tops, for example. I spent a few days playing this song exclusively, and now I can almost 100% the song within the game. Turn off the computer though, and I don't even know what the first note is. I will just stumble willy nilly all over myself. I need to separate myself from this 'crutch'.

2) I never learned any scales.
I can play a "C major" scale starting on 8th fret of E and playing across the neck, but ask me to play it (or any other scale) anywhere else on the neck, and I will have to sit down with pencil and paper to figure it out. But yet, I may sit and watch an hour or two of videos of Scott Devine or Mark from talkingBass.com about scale pattern exercises when I have a slow night at work (Night Auditor here). What, am I hoping this will be absorbed by osmosis?

3) I never practice with a metronome. This is probably a result of mainly only 'practicing' by using Rocksmith. Metronome apps are free, I have one on my phone, a couple different ones on PC, even a physical one on a Peterson tuner .... and I still refuse to use them all.

So, there are three big things I need to work on/change if I ever want this to be more than just a very expensive hobby (I have spent almost $4K on gear in 2021 alone). I am hoping this thread will be a place where us underachievers can gather to encourage each other....

(Actually, I am hoping this will guilt me into being more responsible with my playing/practicing time. A thread I made a year or so ago kept me from making an unwise purchase earlier this year; I hope this thread has the same effect. That thread is completely unrelated to the matter at hand, but it is over here for whatever reason How many Warmoth Bodies have YOU ruined?)

Did anyone out there have bad habits like these, and manage to overcome? I would love to hear your story, although I know hard work and perseverance is all it really takes.

Thanks for listening.

My absolute worst habit:

I really need to get away from this thing.

 

[MrLenny1]

I had all those bad habits then I got serious and
took private lessons with a Berklee Professor.
You have to commit then follow thru.
The follow thru is the hardest part.
I traveled 120 miles for every lesson back then.
Nowadays you have no excuse, a click of a mouse
and your live with a good teacher.

 

[Killing Floor]

I allegedly start practice with the super boring work stuff. A carryover from having a mean violin teacher in 2nd grade. So scale work to begin, if you make it a habit good on you, it sucks and I hate it but I reluctantly do it because I know I get to do the “music” part next. After 4 decades playing I feel pretty good about my work ethic. But I know I have some terrible habits that I don’t see changing. I know what could work on my hand/finger angle for sure. It’s awful. Work to be done.
I use a metronome sometimes, not always. But I have been using an app for years instead of the big ticker. One habit I’ve picked up is practicing fretless with a tuner so I can pay attention to intonation without looking.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

me??
Are you your own worst enemy? yes,
I mainly play by ear, can play by tab and chord chart.
My downfalls?
1. No metronome ! drives me crazy!
2. Don't practice enough. Usually I don't practice until we have a gig.
3. Practice the same stuff over & over. Will not learn something new
Play the same riff. Youtube is great on learning new riffs.
4. Scales ? can play some. Still miss a note from lack of practice. I learned
every scale from music theory in elementary, jr hi and high school band. I played
keys for a church for 5 years. (Keys is not my thing. Went from bass
to keys. Played bass on a Wednesday night, keys player unexpectedly quit Saturday night, I was playing
keys Sunday AM.) Keys teaches you chord structures, notes, progressions.
5 Age? I played a little horns, knew a few acoustic guitar chords, but bass was my 1st love. Finally
came to my senses when I was 35? and started playing bass.
6. $ spent? Cant say I have the ability to spend $4K in a couple of months other than a credit card for gear. I only gig 1 time per month. Occasionally 2 times. Cant justify spending 2 or $3K for a bass. Someday I will do it.(see my post started as "I love cheap basses") I have decent amps/cabs. They are fairy old but sound good.
Overcome?
Make a point to practice every day. Chords. Up and down. At the nut at the middle of the neck. Learn something new. Practice it slow until it is right. Learn from youtube. I like Travis Dykes and Yonit Spiegelman. Travis moves slow, plays with a lot of soul, Yonit moves along pretty quick.
Some people are more 'robotic' (for a lack of terms) on playing, I am more of a 'soul player'. Robotic players never miss a note, I miss a few! My son is more of a robotic guitar ( and a little bass) player, never misses a note, great timing. He does struggle a little on slow soulful songs.
Finally, a fantastic musician friend of mine says to "love every note you play"

 

[dalkowski]

My learning has been most successful when:

• I've had a strong teacher.
• He listened to my "big picture" goal, then created a plan of smaller, achievable goals to help me feel I was making progress (I was) and keep me motivated and pushing forward. Because you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.
• I committed to practicing.

My biggest "worst enemy" thing (apart from not practicing) has been practicing unamplified for decades. It totally f'ed with my touch, technique, and (to an extent) timing. I may never recover.

 

[klejst]

Worst enemy of all is self-doubt and giving up. Stick with it man and although you'll not become a master over night, you'll be glad you put forth the effort when you "cross that finish line."

 

[Sgtpepper89]

Im also learning myself and have no band/pro ambitions right now so my goal is to have fun, and that tend to mean different things, sometimes I learn more theory, sometimes play along to songs by ear, sometimes with tab/notes and practice sight reading. My biggest problem has always been lack of discipline and the main villain is having the computer on since internet forums/youtube (like right now I have the bass in my lap and write this stuff lol) and chats with friends etc leads to loads of time procrastinating. When I turn off the computer and use my books together with mentronome and contentration I get loads of progress and thats also a good feeling.

 

[mrcbass]

I don't spend nearly enough dedicated time fixing poorly developed technique. I made some bad choices when learning and am now paying dearly for it. Unlearning is much harder than learning it right the first time.