• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Beginner's Journey

pitagorinpoucak

pitagorinpoucak

Guest
Jan 20, 2013
47
25
37
Zadar, Croatia
#1
I've opened this thread to post some of my videos for you to criticize and comment in order to help me improve my playing and learn new skills.

I know i'm sloppy and not that good atm but i hope that with your help, I'll be able to improve and get way better.

Also, this thread will be my personal practice log for tracking my progress. Hopefully the more videos i put here, less critique and more praise will be written.











All critique and comments are most welcome. tell me what I'm doing wrong and what should I improve. Also tell me how if possible.

If admins think that this thread doesn't belong here, I would not mind if they move it to more appropriate category.

Thanks
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: iain westland
#3
Cool. On the video "Roots GDGC" I see extra hand/finger movement when you fret the D note & it looks like you're having to do extra work because you're using your middle finger to jump to fret the D. Correct me if I'm wrong. If it's physically possible, you can play 1 finger per fret and not have to shift your hand to the D notes. Try playing the D with your 3rd finger (4th finger can substitute for the 3rd finger if you want) and GC with your 1st finger.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: pitagorinpoucak
#4
@jusca , thanks for the advice, and for taking the time to watch the videos.

well, sometimes it's easier for me to go with middle finger, sometimes with 3rd ot 4th finger, it all depends on how long do i hate to hold that position. for example, in Roots C-G-Am_f i could go with one finger per fret rule but i chose not to, since it's less work and less stress on the fingers if i shift my hand while fingering the A string. also my little finger hurts when i press the string so atm it's of no use to me.

I've re-recorded all StudyBass.com exercise videos at the request of site's founder. also edited the titles and descriptions the way it should be.

also recorded a new exercise:



please, be as brutal as possible while pointing out obvious and less obvious mistakes. i want to use every piece of advice i can get here.

how can i finger octaves easier or there is no easier/better way than 1 finger per fret rule for this?
 
#5
on roots C-G-Am-F
  • I see a lot of unnecessary motion , and shifting is messing up your rhythm. you ought to be able to execute this without needing to shift your left hand. It doesn't have to be one finger per fret, you can use 124 fingering (many do , esp. in the lower frets)
  • try fingering this instead : C 4, G 4, A open, F 1. but keep all 4 fingers down on the string when you put 4 down -use all your fingers to fret.)
  • your elbow ought to always be out from your body. if you have to pivot your elbow so much to fret the F then you should look into adjusting your bass position: get the stockholder to your head, and pull it back a little. Consider standing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iain westland
#6
thanks for the input, @mambo4 , will try your suggestions when i can play again.

well, to continue my journey, i have to wait for my fretting hand to heal first. i was using a pickaxe at work and hit a rock or something and it vibrated strangely in my left hand and since then i cant squeeze it completely, and it's been mostly useless for my job. luckily, my colleagues are awesome and are covering for my injury until it heals.

the problem is that i cant fret anything decently. i've tried with the least pressure possible, but it still hurts.

what i wanted to ask you guys .. what should i practice in this down-time? any good rhythmic exercises i can do atm? i've been wasting my time reading TB and watching various bass videos on YT, especially scott's bass lessons. and i'm learning lots of stuff just by listening to people talk about playing and theory. but i think i need to use this time better than just watch videos aimlessly.
 
#8
If i had enough time for everything ... spent about half an hour there watching/studying/clapping/learning until my wife came to make sure I wasn't going insane. and that's from someone who went to music school and played cello for a while (she wants to play it again, but we can't afford the instrument atm).

well, there's been some improvement with my injured hand and i can play much easier and without pain.

anyways, here's a new video from me, and this time it's a surprise ... my very first jam session.

i know it's not fancy as some of your groovy playing sessions, but hey .. it's something :D and i'm very proud of how it turned out..

and yes, i know it's not perfect, there are major (and minor) flaws while playing .. but i did it .. it even sounds pretty decent for a beginner IMHO...

but enough babblin', here's the video and see for yourself:


as usual, all comments, suggestions and critique are more than welcome
 
  • Like
Reactions: iain westland
#9
some new exercises fulfilled and recorded... here for your comment and critique...







and a really hard one... but helped me tons with my string-skipping technique and speed practice



i know these are not mastered, but i'm more than satisfied with the outcome considering how much (or little) time i put into practice
 
  • Like
Reactions: iain westland
#11
taking a small break from all the practicing to learn a new (old) song. simple rhythm, fun to play and easy to learn.

i must admit that I still cant quite match the chorus rhythm and i mess it up, but still i decided to record it, if nothing then just for the sake of comparing with a recording when i master it completely.

ofc, it's useful to see where and when i go wrong.



as always, feel free to butcher me with comments and critique.
 
#12
finally fixed my internet and pc problems and am able to record again .. for now just this (not so good) cover, but hopefully, i'll redo all other videos with better and louder bass, as well as record some new stuff soon enough :D



i know the sound is bad, but this was more about hitting the right notes at right time and keeping rhythm than making everything sound good.


i still have much tweaking and testing to do to bring out the best sound possible with this equipment
 
#15
dunno whats the policy on double posting here, but hopefully i wont get in trouble for asking a question :D

would a simple clean boost pedal help in recording trough line in on pc? i need to make bass louder and dont know how without spending money i dont have on some form of interface.

also is there some scheme for building a boost pedal-' or even a tutorial maybe?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back