Is there ONE exercise that's been key for you?

[dab12ax7ef]

I won’t say THE one exercise, but one I’ve been working on recently... permutation exercise I’ve seen described by Ari Capp, where you work your way up one fret at a time doing different fingerings. Like 1-2-3-4, then different permutations like 2-1-3-4, etc. Here’s where I found what I need to work on, alternating the plucking hand, index and middle finger, independent of the fretting fingers. It takes me some concentration to pluck with index finger if the middle finger is fretting. I don’t have problems during performances in articulation, but I see myself on the videos recordings using one finger more than I’d care to admit, so I’m working this exercise looking for improvement.

 

[jthisdell]

I pick a key, say Gmaj, and then play each of the scales in that key. So:

Gmail
Amin
Bmin
Cmaj
Dmaj
Emin
F#min
Etc

Work through each scale of each chord in the key up and down, then do triads, I! iii, IV or I, Vi, V, etc. the tomorrow pick a different key.

 

[ThumbBum]

Remember to practice good listening skills. Listen to the harmony of a song. If you can lock in with the vocals, your solid. Also, make sure when you play that your practicing proper muting technique so your tight and not making unwanted/unneeded noises.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Playing scales from the bottom of the neck to the top of the neck. You'll know every note in every key this way and this was the key to me becoming an alright improviser.

 

[BassChuck]

The one exercise that works for me is to always find a new way to do an old thing. Different fingering, different tempo, different part of the neck, different style, different notes leading to the same effect.

 

[maturanesa]

Don't know if its an exercise, but sometimes playing a bassline constantly while watching an entire movie improved my playing a lot

 

[dave bruno]

One thing i do is go through inversions in all keys...kind of creating a muscle memory thing so I don't have to keep looking at the frets,,

 

[Groove Doctor]

1. Playing bass every day.

2. Keeping a journal - plan practise sessions to better use your time & track your progress.

 

[mambo4]

Do you have an exercise that has really turbo-charged your playing?

reading exercises (rhythm specifically)

 

[Thuddy Waters]

One thing that really helped me learn my chord tones and start walking was Todd Johnson's Walking Bass Line Module System. The triad modules are awesome. I recommend starting with them. Todd Johnson Music