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help me discover new techniques

B

BryLMoo

Mar 25, 2004
72
1
42
Charlotte, NC
#1
I'm kinda stuck in a rut of playing 'boring' lines. I'm always blown away by some bassists who have this ability to 'tap' or 'slap' some funky ass **** outta their guitars. How the hell do they do it? I was trying last night, and i just fell uip short. I got it for a sec, but then i just couldn't keep it going. Any help with hand and finger positions would be helpful...

Thanks!

Bryan
 
#2
well....a lot of practice is mandatory! Do a search in technique for tapping, slap pop, speed excercises and etc.... A word of warning however - I have not found slapping/popping/tapping/thwacking very useful in ANY of my bands/projects. So, go ahead and learn it, but for every hour you spend on it, spend at least another hour on regular fingerstyle practice. (I spent 2 years practicing slap, boy did I pay for it when I joined a rock band!).

And learn as much about music theory as you can. (this should help alleviate the "boring" lines problem). Scales, fingerboard memorization, time signatures, etc... I wish I had gotten serious about this earlier as well!
 
#3
Thanks for the advice.

I'm not really new to music, as I've taken piano lessons for nine years. I picked up the bass just cuz i didn't feel like playing the guitar. Everyone wants to play the guitar, and I just don't feel like being 'everyone'.

I probably need a better amp.... :ninja: :bassist:
 
#5
IME, listening to Rush really opened up my eyes to a whole different playing style. Rarely does Geddy Lee stick to rootnotes. He goes everywhere on the neck, and it ALWAYS sounds good! So the next time you play a boring line, throw some scale tones in there, a funky fill, some chromatics, whatever, to spice it up. It's really helped me get back on track. Plus, challenging your brain and fingers to come up with a really cool line is always fun.
 
#6
SlavaF said:
IME, listening to Rush really opened up my eyes to a whole different playing style. Rarely does Geddy Lee stick to rootnotes. He goes everywhere on the neck, and it ALWAYS sounds good! So the next time you play a boring line, throw some scale tones in there, a funky fill, some chromatics, whatever, to spice it up. It's really helped me get back on track. Plus, challenging your brain and fingers to come up with a really cool line is always fun.
Click to expand...

I sometimes go higher on the neck to play...really depends on my mood. I love heavy riffs, but i also like funky higher pitched playing.

I'm just trying to get my style down...thats all.

=) thanks for the advice
 
#7
Hey Guys,

My first time writing on the forum. I just bought myself a bass 3 months ago and am in the process of teaching myself. Sorry to intrude on someone's thread but I don't think I have the rank to make my own.

Anyway my question is on bass effects. I never really liked any effects on bass I have heard so far. I know it's a subjective question to answer but are there actually any decent ones? Also in what situations would bass pedals be necessary or better? Any input on this would be interesting. Thanks,

- Dr T

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"There's nothing sexier then a chick behind a bass guitar." - Dr T
 

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