Is a drum machine really necessary to learn bass?

[lfmn16]

I never play with a drum machine; I only use a metronome. If you can groove to a metronome, playing with a good drummer will be a piece of cake.

 

[pbass2]

For practice, get a phone or computer app. That's all you need. No need for a hardware "drum machine" in this day and age, unless you're into that. If so, get a cool one! Not just some practice device with lame sounds. Get one you'd actually use on recordings, whether it's a vintage-inspired one, or one of the new ones out there. I still love hardware drum machines, for being what they are (not trying to replicate real drums.)
If you're not already, the best scenario as far as versatility and cost-effectiveness is get set up on your computer with a DAW and start getting into that--you'll program drums, etc etc. Then the sky's the limit.

 

[trevcda]

Yes to some sort of timing device. Personally I prefer something I can send to a mixer and play bass with. Another great way to practice is to find bass backing tracks and work with those. Thinking of it as karaoke for bass. With no bass line present, you can't hide behind the bass on the track; it's all you! The one below is a generic jam and great for rhythm or soloing, but you can find tracks for songs you know, too. To really improve your skills, work with older songs that you might not normally listen to or play.

 

[mmon77]

Something to help you keep time is beneficial for practicing. Whether you use a drum machine, metronome, backing tracks,play along with random radio songs, etc. is purely up to you.

Use whatever you find most enjoyable to play along with, because ultimately you'll get more out of practice that way.

 

[Pilgrim]

My stereo is my drum machine. Much more fun to play with music rather than a metronome-type device.

 

[Colin Cunliffe]

Get a real drummer!

Yes then you can practice sacking them!!!!!

 

[micguy]

No, but will you be a much better trained Bassist... absolutely. You'll never know if your pushing or sitting in a pocket without something to play against.

There are lots of things you can play against or with - it doesn't have to be a drum machine. I've been playing for 40 years, and have never practiced with a drum machine.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

Where is Jeff Berlin when you need him?

 

[boombloom]

I have a drum machine left over from "back in the day." I never thought of practicing with it. I mostly played along with recordings I was trying to learn or with friends. A very wise and somewhat eccentric friend once told me the best way to use a metronome is to teach it to play like I do....

 

[Machiavelli]

I'd say a simple metronome will be fine if your goal is to learn rhythm.

If you want to mess around with actually making drum lines, then you get a drum machine.

 

[nonohmic]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.envelopedevelopment.loopz&hl=en_US

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I was just on the point of buying a budget one and thought I would ask on here. Could I get away with a an app on my phone? Do I need one at all?
I'm starting out after coming from guitar.

I mean, think of all the great bass players who became great without ever buying a drum machine. That being said, it can most definitely be a useful tool.

 

[LoTone]

Useful but not mandatory.

 

[Seashore]

Playing to recordings is fine, using a metronome is great, but there's something really awesome about being able to program and play along with your own beats, and it forces you to understand everything from the inside out. I started off making basic "backing tracks" on a Casio keyboard when I was a wee lad, eventually moved on to a Boss Dr. Rhythm, and finally got a copy of Fruity Loops about 18 years ago, which I'm still using. I hadn't really thought about it in these terms before, but that was a good education in itself. You don't need it but it'll probably help you grow as a musician.

 

[musicman556]

Played bass for over 20 years. Never used a drum machine in muh life. Not slammin' them... sure, they can be great fun if'n you want. I normally just play along to tunes if I don't have a band around, but used a plain old $10 Korg pocket metronome back in the day for solo practice. Now I use one on my phone if I need it.

Have fun!

 

[Yellow Bang66]

I was just on the point of buying a budget one and thought I would ask on here. Could I get away with a an app on my phone? Do I need one at all?
I'm starting out after coming from guitar.

No. not necessary. might help a lot though, metronome not necessary either, but defintely helps develop your internal time. i'm sure there are phone apps. i got a drum machine to get a break from the monotonous click of the metronome! really helped with my timing/groove & sight reading! but my timing was already pretty good.actually helped me keep time during rests!! really trained me to identify bad drummers!!!

 

[socialleper]

I was just on the point of buying a budget one and thought I would ask on here. Could I get away with a an app on my phone? Do I need one at all?
I'm starting out after coming from guitar.

A drum machine is nice, but not at all necessary. A metronome is a necessity if you don't have a drum machine. A bass player that can't play to a click, and keep time without a band around, isn't worth a pinch of salt.

 

[groooooove]

Maybe i've over-analyzed this photo, but his facial expression appears to be saying "what's a drum machine? go practice."

 

[HolmeBass]

I use both a metronome and a drum machine for some of my practice and I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary. It does help though.

You can get free or inexpensive metronome apps for your phone or tablet. So no need to buy a drum machine either way.

 

[LAST_C]

To learn bass? No. To get better? absolutely.

Learning to play with different rhythms and tempos sure won't hurt.