Hello guys and gals

[ClubberDang]

I've been lurking the forums the last three months or so and though I would register. I had a drinking problem since about 1997 and got sober 3 months ago. I also left a night job that I had been working at since about 1997 a couple months ago. I was going through major depression and when I finally quit drinking and got on meds my interest in bass returned with a vengence. I got a used Fender American Jazz in April. I also have a Musicman Stingray and 1980 Aria Pro II that have been collecting dust all these years. I have learned more in the last couple months from Mark at talkingbass.net than I ever knew before about bass. So, any way there aren't many people that are interested in bass in my life, but I do feel at home here reading your guys' comments.
So this new fangled double thumb technique is something I have never heard of til recently, I got the hang of the down and up stroke, but my speed is lacking. I have never been able to play fast with a pick either. Does speed some with practice, or are some people just not able to do that motion fast?
Any other tips on what I should be focusing on the improve quickly? Also, what do you think about putting flatwounds on that Aria?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

First and foremost, welcome aboard!

Now, onto flatwounds, I hate but some folks swear by them. Try and set and see for yourself. The trick to getting better at playing faster is to practice slowly and work yourself up to speed, this applies to pretty well every technique. Practice and hard work is the true secret to getting good. Most people confuse "talent" with "time put in" when it comes to instruments. I highly recommend Mark and his videos, he's a member here at Talkbass as well. I don't know what you're background is but I would recommend focusing on chord construction and rhythm to most bass players. If you're looking for good double thumbing instruction start with Victor Wooten and for some solid picking start with Carol Kaye, that should more than get the ball rolling. You'll find some variation in picking styles and plenty of variation in slapping styles, don't decide which is for you without giving them all an earnest try.

Sweet handle as well.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Welcome to TB. To take the other side, I like flats on some basses, but not others. My personal preference is flats on Ps and rounds on Js.
As to speed. That comes with practicing with proper technique. There was a post on this topic recently and the OP posted a picture of him playing. His lack of ability to develop speed was immediately obvious. He played with his right wrist bent at the wrist at about a 90° angle. Not only will that slow you down because the muscles you use extend up into your forearm, it can cause carpal tunnel syndrome issues over time. Be sure you right wrist (assuming you play right handed) is as straight as you can get it. Then begin practicing the strokes you want to use at a very very slow pace. Use a metronome. When you get to where you can do it consistently without error, increase the speed. Repeat until you can do it faster than you will ever need to.
Don't be impatient and start making mistakes. It is much harder to unlearn an incorrect action than it is to learn it correctly the first time. And doing it faster than you need means it will be effortless when you actually use it. And remember this rule:
A good musician practices until he gets it right.
A great musician practices until he can't get it wrong.
Good luck. We're waiting for your first gig report.

 

[ClubberDang]

Thanks Diabolus for my first reply. I didn't want to come off as a bummer but I'm sure I am not the only one here who been through depression. It really sucks all the inspiration out of you. For the last ten years I couldn't even really listen to music. Mark got me started on the double thumbing, but I was having trouble with the upstroke. I saw a video by this German dude Markus Setzer and his explanation about the upstroke really helped me with it. Kinda come up and flick the thumb up in one motion. I literally am a total noob as far as scales, arpeggios, etc. go. But, I do have some comfort with just hand on bass. I've played three finger pluck since I started bass, with some slap as well. Right now it's all about learning slap bass for me along with scales amd arpeggios.

 

[ClubberDang]

Here are my babies, yes I know they are too good for me. But I'm tryimg to do right by them. Notice that gash on the Aria. I lent it to a friend (guitar player) and he did that. It makes me ill everytime I look at it.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

The old guys tell us to play fast you have to hear fast. If your speed results in a blur of sound you will get lost, you have to hear each note. So yes get a metronome and start slow and work up. It will not come over night, just keep working at it.

For what it is worth, my Country and Praise music is not that fast. Right now try some Blues or Pop songs and then take on the fast stuff as your ability grows.

Good luck.

 

[ClubberDang]

The old guys tell us to play fast you have to hear fast. If your speed results in a blur of sound you will get lost, you have to hear each note. So yes get a metronome and start slow and work up. It will not come over night, just keep working at it.

For what it is worth, my Country and Praise music is not that fast. Right now try some Blues or Pop songs and then take on the fast stuff as your ability grows.

Good luck.

I have been trying to learn Yes' "Roundabout" and it has been driving me nuts. I have been going slowly for a couple weeks on it and still getting tripped up on the muted note open string hammer on thing.

 

[ClubberDang]

Welcome to TB. To take the other side, I like flats on some basses, but not others. My personal preference is flats on Ps and rounds on Js.
As to speed. That comes with practicing with proper technique. There was a post on this topic recently and the OP posted a picture of him playing. His lack of ability to develop speed was immediately obvious. He played with his right wrist bent at the wrist at about a 90° angle. Not only will that slow you down because the muscles you use extend up into your forearm, it can cause carpal tunnel syndrome issues over time. Be sure you right wrist (assuming you play right handed) is as straight as you can get it. Then begin practicing the strokes you want to use at a very very slow pace. Use a metronome. When you get to where you can do it consistently without error, increase the speed. Repeat until you can do it faster than you will ever need to.
Don't be impatient and start making mistakes. It is much harder to unlearn an incorrect action than it is to learn it correctly the first time. And doing it faster than you need means it will be effortless when you actually use it. And remember this rule:
A good musician practices until he gets it right.
A great musician practices until he can't get it wrong.
Good luck. We're waiting for your first gig report.

I like that quote and thanks for the reply. I don't see myself gigging anytime soon. First, because I am not good enough. Second, I am not sure I want to play with other people right now.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Playing with others is not rocket science and roots to the beat do work. Here is my story....

I play rhythm guitar in a Country band. The bass said to me; "I'm going to sing and play my rhythm guitar at the local nursing home this Wednesday, take my bass and back me up". "Put the root on the A string and the 5th will be on the E string same fret. It's a piece of cake". And it was as we both used the fake chord sheet music we normally play from. My point. Your good enough to play with others, just keep it simple and hit the chord changes dead on, the rest does not matter all that much.

Playing with people that are better than you will force you to expand your playing. Look for chances to play with others.

 

[tilt724]

Glad your lurking is over, welcome to active duty...active forum duty.