How are you trying to improve on bass

[juggahnaught]

I tried the teacher thing for a hot second...but I realized that I didn't have any specific goals, so it wasn't a great use of my time and money. I wanted improvement but I didn't have a plan, I suppose.

I've always been an ear player with an understanding of theory. I was self-taught - I came from a musical family with a piano player for a mother, so learned notation and clefs really early on, but never really picked up sight reading or reading well in general because I could always rely on my ear and my memory. Learned theory and stuff through choir and church, but didn't really begin to study it until I picked up bass (so I had a head start).

These days, I still don't have a plan for improvement, but I do play all the time - more than I used to. I guess my bass desires are:

1. I know that I'd like to be cleaner and less sloppy when I play. (It seems that some people in an improvisational context just don't make mistakes at all - I am not that person.)
2. I'd like to really master my fretboard and play outside of my regular habits and patterns more. (I'm sure many of us can relate to this - using that "go-to" fill a bit too much, or falling back on well-used ideas for basslines, etc.)
3. I'd like to improve my solo chops and my fills. I'm not a big listener of gospel music, but those dudes are so good and I'd like to be on that level; really making the bass an instrument with a real musical voice instead of just a foundation.

I've never really paid for learning materials - that may change. (I did buy a drum notation book to practice sight-reading rhythms, but that's been gathering dust - need to break it back out.) I feel as though I have a lot of information already that just needs to be used, and in terms of learning, right now I feel like I learn more from watching others play. (I watched an old Victor Wooten video today - inspiring interview - and at one point he played a harmonic and slid it up the neck; I thought you could only do it on fretless, but I tried it and lo and behold - a new tool! Also his muted thumb pluck technique, as well as a string palm mute thing to end a song. Little things like that. There are also a lot of great videos on NoTreble that make you think about what you're playing and how you play it.) So I guess I fall into the free internet material category.

For me, though, the biggest thing I can do to improve is practice more, even if that means running three-octave scales on the fretboard in every key every day.

Wall of text, I know, I talk too much, but I enjoy talking shop when it's about music and practice and not just tools and materials.

 

[Outshined91]

I learn songs, and come up with my own lines to practice. Just about forming a band now so that will definitely improve my skills. So far, working on my speed myself has gotten me to sixteenth notes at 150 bpm with just my two fingers. I practice my speed with "Jesus Christ Pose" (Soundgarden), "Parallel Universe" (RHCP) and "Sick Sad Little World" (Incubus). Of course speed isn't everything - I also practice my scales, arpeggios, chord tones and soloing like a good boy!

 

[bolophonic]

I’ve kept my chops up, but I haven’t really progressed in any huge direction in 15 years. I have some challenging situations on the horizon for 2020, so I am eager to rise to the occasion.

I plan to get back to basics in terms of practicing scales and arpeggios and replacing the broken metronome. I’ve spent 30+ years playing riffs and the rudiments have fallen by the wayside.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I’ve kept my chops up, but I haven’t really progressed in any huge direction in 15 years. I have some challenging situations on the horizon for 2020, so I am eager to rise to the occasion.

I plan to get back to basics in terms of practicing scales and arpeggios and replacing the broken metronome. I’ve spent 30+ years playing riffs and the rudiments have fallen by the wayside.

Wait, replacing the broken metronome?

 

[Ric5]

you are either getting better or getting worse … I endeavor to get better

I am always working to improve my skills

 

[bearfoot]

"carrots" is an internet meme poll option, did not originate on TB

 

[dkelley]

More strings. I'm back to 6 now.... which seems to be improving my versatility.

 

[Element Zero]

I just play.

 

[geesharp]

I self-taught myself to play bass. I learned by doing it, play/learn by ear and played in bands in high school and college.
When I quit my job last year, I decided to improve my bass playing. I still teach myself, but this time in a structured way.
I purchased Jeff Berlin's bass educational packages and two books (Bass Aerobics and Music Theory for the bass player) and learn and practice using those sources.

 

[hintz]

Whether it be my old bass method books or YouTube, I use anything and everything at my disposal that doesnt cost money. Over the last few years I've been trying to learn all the songs ive wanted to for years(stuff I grew up with) so I can further find my own voice. I voted other since it varies so much.

 

[Aragrim]

youtube is full of fantastic teachers.
The most I teach myself. I just try new things. I listen to my favorite bassist and try to use some of their chops.
I just try to play every day minimum 1 hour and just love my 2 warwick basses and if I can't play for some reason just listen to some fantastic players for some inspiration

 

[La Faro]

I know that a structured course will probably be more beneficial, but with you tube their is so much to give you ideas of what to work on next. I tend to work on an idea, work on several other and the return to previous ideas. I do want to do Janek Gwidzala's course, but have enough bass ideas to work on, as well some new electronic music tools to learn. I've been itching for a 5 string E-C, and once I feel iike I have made my next step of progression, I invest in that and Janek's course. I'm building an electronic set up around a looper and a sampler, so being able to play chords into the looper will be a stack of fun.

Recently I worked on
Learning to use a pick (Vega/Wright) style
2 octave chord tones around the circle fifths
walking 251
251 3rds and 10ths double stops

 

[Samatza]

plan to get back to basics in terms of practicing scales and arpeggios and replacing the broken metronome. I’ve spent 30+ years playing riffs and the rudiments have fallen by the wayside.

Yep, from time to time I find I develop some bad habits so I go right back to the basics and kind of review what I know. This helps me to stay in shape and to stop my technique from getting lazy.

Other than that when I have time I try to learn something new every week, especially different genres of music than I would normally play.

 

[lbbc]

I am a retired music teacher so, I know the value of daily practice and seeking others to expand upon my knowledge. I have bought videos, taken private lessons for slap technique (which I don't use but wanted it in my "toolbox"), paid for "Jamplay", learned from friends who play professionally and paid for Yamaha Billy Sheehan lessons.

The goal, for me, is to never settle with my skills...I want to play better and be in an outstanding band where everyone "pushes" each other to be the best musician they can be.

 

[Dreig]

I have Guitar Pro 5.2 (ah the good old one newer versions suck). I look for songs and compositions that I feel like they are a level or so above my current skill, download the tabs/notes for them, and practice them until I am capable of playing them perfectly, without mistakes or any ill-sounding notes. Then I find another song that is a level above my new level and repeat the process.

Basically no special exercises for me, just pick a harder song and go for it. The downside is that I am not good at jamming (at all). But neither are the guitarists in my band so whatever.

 

[Chipit]

Started playing bass 10 years ago with a focus on classic rock. After trying books, online classes, jamming with friends, I just couldn't progress anymore. I felt I needed something more structured. So about a year ago I found a local, very large, music academy in Asbury Park, NJ. Lots of Berklee grads and serious pro instructors. Their first recommendation was to hook me up with one of their 20 or so adult bands. They practice 2 hours a week in a structured environment and are all decent musicians. The BL is primarily a bass player, but also plays guitar, keys, and drums, and is an in-demand studio musician. I quickly signed on for weekly private instruction with him. Best thing I ever did. I now play in 2 of their bands every week and get a fair amount of live club experience.
The 2 bands makes for a heavy lift sometimes. The beginning of each "semester" means learning about 10 songs for each band. Our instructor/BL insists on playing songs as accurately as possible, so the private instruction consists of picking apart the more difficult bass lines, charting or tabbing them, and showing up the next week ready to go.
For some, this might be too structured (or too expensive), but for me it works. I meet and interact with an incredible amount of musicians in a very musical community.

 

[IamGroot]

My biggest improvement came from music school coupled with a private instructor at the college. Being enrolled in a formal program forces you to practice.

Where i live now doesnt have a music school or scene so i am doing self study fairly intensely. I go to jams in houston when i can as a form of practice to make sure my group skills dont wilt. Played two hours last night.

 

[onda'bass]

konnakol is an amazing study for us bass players.

 

[howlin]

I don't play my bass as it always sounds better that way...

 

[Green Knight]

for me, finally getting a five-string improved my playing quickly and immensely ... seeing all the modes in every key side by side helped me understand the relationship between notes on a much more intuitive level than when I stuck exclusively to fours ... YMMV!