Getting better..

[janmichaeltorio]

Does playing or covering a song can make you improve your bass playing?
Or you should practice the scales instead?

 

[sg101]

both actually help

in fact, i should have actually practiced the scales earlier. Music theory really helps make sense of what you are playing, and strengthens your relationship with the fretboard, even if you were a skilled player but uneducated in music theory, which I was for some time. Also, try covering songs that have a really high difficulty, and even if you don't hit every note or even if you fatigue, keep trying. I picked up a number of techniques by doing this, and it also indirectly increased my finger strength and stamina. Two major tips I have are use your pinky, and pick with three fingers (where you need to or want to of course)

 

[fearceol]

Both...as sg101 says above. BTW, dont just practice scales, but CHORD TONES also. These are equally as important as scales.
A constructive practice session will involve practicing a lot of different things.
Here is a great site, and in this link it deals with the importance of chord tones. You could do a lot worse than
to work your way through the lesson guide, beginning with the basics.

Chord Tones Are Primary | Bass Chord Patterns | StudyBass

 

[bholder]

Everything helps. How about practicing the song and trying to understand how the line was built, what key it's in, and how it relates to the relevant scales and arpeggios? I find the only easy way for me to move forward is to merge the two approaches.

 

[bholder]

Both...as sg101 says above. BTW, dont just practice scales, but CHORD TONES also. These are equally as important as scales.
A constructive practice session will involve practicing a lot of different things.
Here is a great site, and in this link it deals with the importance of chord tones. You could do a lot worse than
to work your way through the lesson guide, beginning with the basics.

Chord Tones Are Primary | Bass Chord Patterns | StudyBass

Chord tones, passing scale tones, arpeggios, yeah, mix it all together with the song and things start making sense (to me, anyway).

 

[Engine207]

Nothing exposed my weaknesses and improved my playing as much as jamming with other musicians - be it cover or originals.

Scales, agility exercises, metronome work...it all helps, but being in a band setting helped me the most.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

If you still need to work on the fundamentals do so. If those are flowing under your fingers then study songs. The song will dictate if you need to spend more time on the fundamentals. You can do both at the same time.

 

[fearceol]

Scales, agility exercises, metronome work...it all helps, but being in a band setting helped me the most.

True....BUT...as Malcolm says you need to know the fundamentals to do so. Otherwise, what would you do (besides getting embarrassed )
at a gig or a jam, when someone says something like..."OK...this next song is a blues in A, with a quick four..." ?

Bottom line....all aspects of playing the bass are equally important.

 

[Engine207]

True....BUT...as Malcolm says you need to know the fundamentals to do so. Otherwise, what would you do (besides getting embarrassed )
at a gig or a jam, when someone says something like..."OK...this next song is a blues in A, with a quick four..." ?

Bottom line....all aspects of playing the bass are equally important.

Very true, but I meant jamming with other dudes, not necessarily playing Radio City. The bunch of misfits that I started with were as much hacks as I was, when we formed. Each time we jammed, we got a little bit better, and I attribute that to the dynamics of the band setting. It was also waaaaay more fun, which helps with motivation.

 

[fearceol]

Very true, but I meant jamming with other dudes, not necessarily playing Radio City. The bunch of misfits that I started with were as much hacks as I was, when we formed. Each time we jammed, we got a little bit better, and I attribute that to the dynamics of the band setting. It was also waaaaay more fun, which helps with motivation.

I accept your point, but you dont have to be of a Radio City standard to know and use some basic theory to convey something to your band mates. Knowing some basic theory can help in the enjoyment of music (resulting in more fun)... for both pros and "jamming dudes" alike.

 

[tangentmusic]

Nothing exposed my weaknesses and improved my playing as much as jamming with other musicians - be it cover or originals.

Scales, agility exercises, metronome work...it all helps, but being in a band setting helped me the most.

Agreed.
Playing with people who you consider better than you really helps you to make progress on so many levels.
Playing along with recordings, inventing your own stuff or practicing scales is good.
Playing with others is better.