Better by listening...

[Febs]

Anyway, Cire, you can get to what I sound like either at the reverbnation page (visit Ed Fuqua's website) or at the Talkbass Soundcloud (or at cdbaby - I'm on recordings by Jon Raney, Charlie Krachey, Burt Eckoff and two by Jeff Silverbush), you can get to what NN sounds like at myspace (visit NOISE NINJA'S website) and decide for yourself whose advice makes more sense for the direction you want to pursue.

So you want the OP to listen to your music so that he can decide to take your advice that listening won't help one improve?

 

[Richard Lindsey]

I would say that "just" listening, as in the OP's first post, gives you something that you can use to help yourself get better.

But of course it won't make you better all by itself, without you doing anything else. You have to put it to use. Listening while "being musically aware" may help with understanding, which is good, but there is a level of execution--both mental and physical--that has to happen with playing, where you put what you understand into practice. IMO listening, no matter how aware you are, won't make that happen. You have to do it.

 

[dvh]

As musicians we must love music, right? I listen to music all the time (or, at least whenever I am able). I think listening is just part of the whole spectrum of learning (practicing, reading, transcribing, and – most of all – playing!)

 

[OPBASSMAN1994]

To a degree: You have to practice, and you have to learn to play what you're hearing. However, hearing the way a bass part creates movement or sets up a groove, or hearing that ONE RIFF that you HAVE to learn to play will inspire you to investigate how it's done, and therefore, you are going to be a better player because of it.

 

[JC alone]

I really appreciate the time and wisdom that Ed Fuqua contributes to Talkbass. If I wanted to learn how to shoot free throws in basketball, I would read what Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavs had to say, not Shaquille ONeal. The same goes for how to get better on the bass. If have only a very limited time a day to practice on the bass, I know how I'll spend it.

 

[gai113]

^^^ what if im looking for my low post game? do i ask shaq or nowitzki lol...

 

[JC alone]

If your low post game is getting better on the bass by listening and not reading music or desiring to, then find a pro bass player who has done this and ask them how they do it. Maybe there is one on Talkbass who can share their secret with us with the same detail that Ed Fuqua has.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

^^^ what if im looking for my low post game? do i ask shaq or nowitzki lol...

And snarky comments aside, THAT is exactly why I suggested checking out how ANY person sounds. You just may not want to go in the direction I have; if not, it's the height of folly to then follow any suggestions I might have. Likewise, if it IS a direction you wish to pursue, then it might serve you well to follow a path that has already gotten someone, without a lot of innate ability, there.

Or not, it's really no skin off my nose whatever you do.

 

[gerry grable]

I’m reminded of a story (I’ll paraphrase it) of a fan approaching Zoots Sims who was on a band break at a gig with his long time partner Al Cohn. After a few seconds of questioning, Zoot, becoming impatient and probably looking for a drink, said,
“Look. . . If you want to talk that A7th s****, go talk to him, and pointed at Al.

 

[dougjwray]

As in so many other cases, the answer is "all of the above." Listen, transcribe and practice.
I think the goals are: being able to read well, and also having ears so good that you can listen and instantly understand what's going on without *needing* to transcribe.
It's great to be able to hear something on the fly (on the radio in a taxicab, for example) and store it away for future use. Not being able to do that kind of thing puts you at a disadvantage, creatively. And most "original" band situations that I've been in have involved head arrangements-- the songwriter plays you the song in rehearsal and you try to learn it as quickly as possible. No charts. Sometimes I've had to record the rehearsal and transcribe at home, coming in with my own charts the next time, but it's much more efficient (and impressive) to catch it the first or second time around, at that initial rehearsal. And many of us, including me, have subbed on many gigs where there are no charts and the material is unfamiliar. Ears, again. If you've heard that hit tune (riding in that cab), and have stored it away, you can fake it easier. And if a tune is really 100% unfamiliar, you can react faster to the other players and get the form quickly.
Of course, if you're hoping to make a living recording film scores, sightreading is *it*, and transcribing will help with that, because it familarizes you with the written language.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I’m reminded of a story (I’ll paraphrase it) of a fan approaching Zoots Sims who was on a band break at a gig with his long time partner Al Cohn. After a few seconds of questioning, Zoot, becoming impatient and probably looking for a drink, said,
“Look. . . If you want to talk that A7th s****, go talk to him, and pointed at Al.

In one of my favorite anecdotes, Zoot is collared to do a master class as some college and, after stumbling in feeling the aftereffects of a long, hard evening, listens to the "stage band" play a number. When they finish, everyone is looking expectantly at Zoot, ready to absorb every atom of his words of wisdom. After second stretches into second, and minute into minute, someone in the band gets brave enough to ask "Mr. Sims, do you have any suggestions as to how we can improve the sound of the band?" and Zoot answers "Yeah. Play better."

 

[dougjwray]

In one of my favorite anecdotes, Zoot is collared to do a master class as some college and, after stumbling in feeling the aftereffects of a long, hard evening, listens to the "stage band" play a number. When they finish, everyone is looking expectantly at Zoot, ready to absorb every atom of his words of wisdom. After second stretches into second, and minute into minute, someone in the band gets brave enough to ask "Mr. Sims, do you have any suggestions as to how we can improve the sound of the band?" and Zoot answers "Yeah. Play better."

That is classic, and it kind of reminds me of the famous Miles-Coltrane story:
Coltrane: "Miles, I've having trouble with my solos: I can't seem to figure out how to end..."
Miles: "Take the horn out of your mouth."