In 8 words or less...

[Hyoga]

Don't date* the drummer's sister.

* Or maybe another verb

 

[scott sinner]

Said in theory/composition lessons. Partly in the same discussion, but partly separate.

Remember, the bass can change the chords.

With great power comes great responsibility.

 

[Malcolm35]

Use the box for both letters and numbers.

Major Scale Box.
G~~|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D~~|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A~~|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E~~|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string
You may recognize this pattern with dots.
Adding the numbers and or letters lets the pattern come alive.

 

[WrapRough]

"If you sound good, it's not practice"

"Speed is a byproduct of accuracy"

"Please stop sleeping with the singers"

"Get a teacher"

 

[NKBassman]

You don't need lessons, just play the song.

 

[oysteivi]

When setting up on stage: "Once you're done, help the drummer".

 

[roccobass]

Lock in with the kick drum.

 

[misterCRUSH]

Lots of great advice on here so far....mine came from my high school jazz band teacher: "record yourself often, and listen" This advice still resides with me today. Recording myself lets me hear what I need to work on, and also highlights my progress therefore motivating me to practice.

 

[dasherf17]

What's the best technique advice you've ever been given in 8 words or less?

For me, it was "calm the heck* down"

*not actually "heck"

"If you lose your place, KEEP PLAYING SOMETHING...", but I digress...

 

[Groove Doctor]

Practice *music*, deliberately, with a goal in mind.

Find a good teacher, and follow their plan.

Making time to practice requires time management planning.

Time Management is Life Management. Success in one area of your life spills over into other areas of your life, those skills are transferable.

"If you sound good, it's not practice"

"Speed is a byproduct of accuracy"

Good point. A housemate listened to me practice this one time. I spent 30 mins on one song, going over & over the same sections on bass & singing along to it (I was transcribing then memorising the backing vocals lyrics/harmony line, then putting together the singing & playing bass at the same time). I started at 30% of original speed & slowly worked my way up to 85% speed.

He said it sounded quite bad at first, but by the end it was note perfect. He thought it came easy to good players, but he saw my patience, persistence and focussed hard work really pay off.

: "record yourself often, and listen"… lets me hear what I need to work on, and also highlights my progress therefore motivating me to practice.

Great tip & very helpful insight.

 

[Tom Bomb]

Ask yourself, "How do the big boys, and girls, do it?" Study.
​

 

[dreamadream99]

“Economy of motion. Work smarter, not harder.”

 

[tallulahsdaddy]

"Do, or do not. There is no try."

 

[thewildest]

“Listen to “Discipline”, this album by King Crimson”

It altered my DNA permanently.

 

[Kaa]

Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

 

[mambo4]

leave room for the snare

 

[Swipter]

Just play bass

 

[dasherf17]

What's the best technique advice you've ever been given in 8 words or less?

For me, it was "calm the heck* down"

*not actually "heck"

"Here's what you need to do...just..."
...oops...ran outta words...

 

[chris_b]

Two pearls of wisdom.

I never wanted to get into an arms race with guitarists so I always sat way back in the mix. I was given this piece of advice by another bass player . . . . "Be louder, or there's no point in you being here" (sorry 10 words!!). So from then on, I made sure I was sitting at the front of the mix, and I bought my first hearing protection!

A comment made by a guitarist during a conversation about my new bass that was particularly relevant and changed my thinking. . . . "Never mind the bass, you always sound like you" (Oops, 9 words!). I've never fussed over gear since that point.

 

[comatosedragon]

"Why not use two fingers?"

I did not respond with "James Jamerson only needed one finger." I'm not at that level yet.