Jeff Berlin asks - Post Bass Lines that Got You to Practice with a Metronome

The only Bassline where I practiced with a metronome. Couldn't get the 16th on time with a drummer, so I practiced at home with the metronome after learning all the parts.

 

Hi Jeff, James was the metronome...ever see him camel walk?

 

IMO the metronome is the next best thing to having an experienced drummer or timekeeper to work with. Not everybody has that. To improve you need feedback. When your playing and internal feel matches the click (or whoever you're working with) then you know you're getting somewhere. Otherwise it's like target practice without ever getting to check your targets to see how you did.

A screwdriver which has a proper hardened tip and matches the screw recess that's being driven (surprising how many don't) is the best tool. Not everybody has that. In which case you use a cheap junk screwdriver or a butter knife. Which is still way better than having nothing but your bare fingertips.

 

I don’t have any. As a younger player encountering stuff like James Brown material, music was still a new form of communication to me. I wanted to know what the notes were - not my interpretation of what they were, or what I thought the notes were - but what the notes actually were.

To do this, I had to assemble that information without the expectation or demands that a time source brings. Once I had the notes, phrases, and patterns correct, it wasn’t hard to play the figures in time and up to speed because I knew them internally and could hum them as well. I think this reduces down to repetition and deep listening.

As I got older, I went to auditions for many kinds of bands, including Soul and R+B groups, and got the jobs. I was always told that the reasons I got them was because my time was solid and I played the material exactly as it was recorded. I used no other method to learn the tunes other than what I’ve listed.

 

Mother Popcorn/Make It Funky. I sampled parts and played along with it and for me, it was a lesson in playing in a he pocket.

 

I respect Jeff, but lots of people NEED to work with a metronome. Time IS important.

 

Who said it wasn’t?

 

Huh? I don’t get it. Obviously Jeff if he thinks metronomes aren’t necessary.

 

And you think metronomes are
a requirement for a musician to develop a good time feel. They’re not.

Jeff has written many articles in the past about how important time is and how much he appreciates it.

 

Nope. But plenty of “musicians” don’t have good time. So, why not try a metronome to practice? Cuz Jeff says learning “music” is more important than timing? I disagree. Its probably more important than theory in many types of music. And, one method of learning isn’t correct for everyone. I’ve never used a metronome, but plenty of folks I’ve seen could probably benefit from some sort of click or metronome.

 

I haven’t seen them, but I have read his opinions on not using a metronome. No worries, just don’t believe that time comes from practicing without time.

 

And to answer Jeff op, I can’t name a bassline that got me to practice with a metronome....I’ve never owned one. I learned by pressing rewind on my favorite cassette tapes....listening back and figuring out the notes while keeping with the beat(drums, which were probably recorded to a click). But I HAVE seen plenty of musicians and bands that made me want to suggest playing WITH a click or metronome.

 

Thanks for commenting on the video. I appreciate the feedback and your insights. If I understand you correctly (please correct me if I misunderstood), if I purchased a metronome and practiced the bass line that I played in the video, it would noticeably make my playing tighter. If this is what you are suggesting, I’d be willing to work on it, for sure.

As for raising my bass, I’ve tried it. I prefer and I’m very comfortable playing my basses low as it allows my right hand to feel more relaxed. I’m uncomfortable bending my elbow and hand. It feels very odd to me although I know most bass players play with the bass on their stomach or even chest high. I can’t play bass sitting down either.

Btw, just want to thank you for participating your time and giving your insights.

 

How long is a quarter note?