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Is a drum machine really necessary to learn bass?
- Thread starter Cycleops
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A drum machine isn't an absolute must.But it is a great way to practice/play/improvise too.If your like me a metronome for some reason just screws me up.Cant play to them at all. Why who knows.
I bought EZ drummer 2 and love it.Make a beat, search for matches, modify it, then play to it record it analyze the the two together. It can help you be a better bassist. You can also go to wiki drum loops listen to a boat load of different drummers of a bunch of different genres. It also has drum loops with a bass and or a guitar track.
I bought EZ drummer 2 and love it.Make a beat, search for matches, modify it, then play to it record it analyze the the two together. It can help you be a better bassist. You can also go to wiki drum loops listen to a boat load of different drummers of a bunch of different genres. It also has drum loops with a bass and or a guitar track.
There are tons of apps out there with grooves focusing on different BPMs and even different time signatures. I don't know if you're an iPhone or Android user, but two metronome apps I have that are drum-based are 'MetroDrum' and 'Jam Tracks' (on Android).
MetroDrum has several different patterns and each pattern has several different drumming styles e.g. Jazz, Shuffle, 8 Beat Rock, 16 Beat Rock, Punk, etc. and the BPM is adjustable in single beat increments.
Jam Tracks has different styles, but it isn't as customizable as MetroDrum. The BPMs aren't adjustable in single beat increments...you have to select from 85, 105, 122, or 140 BPMs and it basically has 5 different drum styles for each of those BPM settings.
MetroDrum has several different patterns and each pattern has several different drumming styles e.g. Jazz, Shuffle, 8 Beat Rock, 16 Beat Rock, Punk, etc. and the BPM is adjustable in single beat increments.
Jam Tracks has different styles, but it isn't as customizable as MetroDrum. The BPMs aren't adjustable in single beat increments...you have to select from 85, 105, 122, or 140 BPMs and it basically has 5 different drum styles for each of those BPM settings.
Wikiloops has almost endless jams with whichever instruments you want or don't want in a session.
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Likewise Songsterr....
Guitar Tabs With Rhythm | Songsterr
And as mentioned,Youtube has many drummers,metros,and machines....
I'm looking for a bass machine so I can learn drums.
I'm looking for a singing machine so I can learn gui... Wait a minute.
If you want to be a well rounded player, yes. It's good to be rythmically literate. Can you tell the difference between a samba and a salsa? Trap and dub? Even if your drummer can play dozens of genres of music, will you be able to have him play what you want when you want so you can get better?
Even if you play rock exclusively, you can communicate rythmic ideas better if you know the language.
Something like the drum feature in a $45 Vox headphone practice amp is a good thing.
Even if you play rock exclusively, you can communicate rythmic ideas better if you know the language.
Something like the drum feature in a $45 Vox headphone practice amp is a good thing.
What did bass players do before they were invented...?
Educate your ears with diverse listening on the radio and online -- that will come out in your time and groove
Educate your ears with diverse listening on the radio and online -- that will come out in your time and groove
I have an ancient Boss DR770 that I still use on occasion, but lately I really like using youTube drum loop tracks. Just search for <genre> drum loops <speed> bpm, and you'll be off to the races...
if you're serious about playing the bass = you need to get serious about keeping time! good luck!
Drum machine, metronome not especially but playing along with songs or loops is a good thing for practice. There are a lot of sources these days the internet, mp3, youtube and a lot of multieffects have drum loops built in any of these can provide a steady tempo and song form to practice with to get your feels, tempo sense and endurance going to be a bass player.
There is a lot in "playing bass" that does not require a drum machine. Specific tools are for practicing specific things.
Solid tempo, accurate rhythm: metronome
Interplay with the drum kit: drummer (human or otherwise)
Supporting the whole song: backing tracks/recordings or band.
I prefer a simple metronome, as it enforces more ownership of the rhythm. Drum machines & backing tracks can make my mistakes more forgivable, a naked metronome has no mercy.
This to me is the most compelling justification from a drum app/machine (assuming an educated drummer is not handy)
But: having spent some time playing salsa(Cuban) music, I must mention that the "salsa" button on most drum machines I have heard tends to miss the mark.
Solid tempo, accurate rhythm: metronome
Interplay with the drum kit: drummer (human or otherwise)
Supporting the whole song: backing tracks/recordings or band.
I prefer a simple metronome, as it enforces more ownership of the rhythm. Drum machines & backing tracks can make my mistakes more forgivable, a naked metronome has no mercy.
This to me is the most compelling justification from a drum app/machine (assuming an educated drummer is not handy)
But: having spent some time playing salsa(Cuban) music, I must mention that the "salsa" button on most drum machines I have heard tends to miss the mark.
I bought a Alesis SR 18 on near for not much and use it a lot, it has different styles jazz, reggae, funk, etc and the tempo is adjustable, I find it works for me but I am guessing that an app would do the same, I find it better than a metronome but each to there own ....
+1 for the Korg Volca Beats. Been programming and playing with one for years. Creating a simple beat and tempo take seconds. Great tool for practicing and brainstorming for creativity. Pretty cheap used as well.
Not a mandatory tool for learning bass but unfortunately it isn't always practical or even possible to practice with a drummer. Imo practicing with a drummer/beat machine is important for improving your contextual playing.
You can practice general technique and music theory with just your hands and bass though. Whatever you do don't let anything stop you from practicing.
Not a mandatory tool for learning bass but unfortunately it isn't always practical or even possible to practice with a drummer. Imo practicing with a drummer/beat machine is important for improving your contextual playing.
You can practice general technique and music theory with just your hands and bass though. Whatever you do don't let anything stop you from practicing.
No, because if you want from your self a good bass you should rythm learn without it. Of course you can make the thing easier and faster and use it, but later, when cooparating with your drummer your own brain rythm machine will help you a lot.
First, you're on your way if you even realize how important rhythm is for the bass, it and the piano are the "crossover" instruments, if you will. Learning using anything for timing is fine, at least something to keep the TEMPO so you're used to holding that steady, and basic rhythmic patterns. That's if you just play for your own enjoyment
However, in the real world you can practice all you want that way, and then you go to play with a real drummer, and suddenly his licks don't exactly match anything you've been practicing with. The BEST way to learn the groove is to do it live with someone. In fact many someones. Then you learn to find the little nuances that make the groove work, those little unconscious micro-timing things.
I suggest going to jam nights or play with friends, along with using any devices. Like Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell sang....
However, in the real world you can practice all you want that way, and then you go to play with a real drummer, and suddenly his licks don't exactly match anything you've been practicing with. The BEST way to learn the groove is to do it live with someone. In fact many someones. Then you learn to find the little nuances that make the groove work, those little unconscious micro-timing things.
I suggest going to jam nights or play with friends, along with using any devices. Like Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell sang....
Short answer: no, you don’t “need” one.
Did you practice guitar with any kind of time device? If so, use that. If not, search online among the many free metronome apps for one that suits you. I’m a bit salty about this. Which is more constructive for a musician? Finding and fiddling with the ”best” practice tool or spending that time actually practicing?
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