Just Learning Songs

[bassobrutto]

You do not need any formal musical training at all to play classic rock songs in a cover band. Most of the classic rock bassists whose lines you would be playing had little or no formal training. So, yes, you can absolutely learn to do this by "just playing songs"--that is how the vast majority of rock bassists, both famous and obscure, have actually done it. Just focus on getting the notes right, locking in with the drums, keeping consistent time, and reproducing the groove/feel of the music. If you have a decent ear and guitar experience, you will very quickly pick up common patterns, intuit note relationships, etc. so that you can throw in your own fills and variations, if you want.

Needless to say, if you want to be a more "complete musician" and play more complex forms of music, reading music and knowing theory are pretty much essential. But for playing in most rock/blues/pop cover bands, these things are not strictly necessary at all.

 

[coyote1]

Yes, Ab is diatonic to the mode/scale I would use across those chords. But a lot can be played across changes like that using only chord tones, so it is worth being specific. It also avoids confusing folks just learning this stuff.

I just found out that this forum does not allow edits after a certain amount of time.
Unfortunate, as your observation is correct and my earlier post needs to be edited to reflect it.

 

[micguy]

Music theory is one way of explaining what’s going on in music. But it isn’t absolutely necessary to know theory - plenty of good professional musicians exist that never had a theory lesson.

If you want to be a jazz player, it’ll be a whole lot easier to hang with those folks if you know theory.

However, a much more useful skill in most musical settings is a good ear. You get a good ear by learning songs and parts - play something (that’ll probably suck), and work on making it suck less. Over time, you’ll get better and better at this.

If you ever end up auditioning or playing with others in public, a good ear is your best friend - you’ll hear when you go off the rails, and you’ll know how to recover.

So, learn some songs. Start with songs that are familiar to you, and relatively simple. Once you can do those well, branch out - try stuff that’s harder and/ or less familiar.

I’ve played bass for 40 years now. I know theory. I’ve had classical training. But my most important and useful skill is my good ear. I got that (and continue to refine that) by constantly learning new songs.

 

[lfmn16]

Inhibitions and limiting concepts are endemic to any pedagogy.

Inhibition and limiting concepts are from not knowing enough and not knowing how to apply your knowledge. Don't blame knowledge because you don't know how to use it.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hey all. Finally got my bass out of the shop. Have a question. What would it teach me to learn a bunch of songs on bass. I've tried taking lessons, but get bored. Learning songs really inspires me. What would it teach me to just learn songs? I've played guitar for most of my life, and that's basically how I learned it.

Whatever you do, try to avoid looking up “tabs” for songs. Trust your ears! The bass is right there in your hands, you don’t need something telling you where to put your fingers; just match up the note you’re hearing with the correct one on the bass.

 

[ZedLepp]

Have a question. What would it teach me to learn a bunch of songs on bass?

How to play in/with a band. Play along with the recording as if you were doing it on stage.

 

[g-dude]

Whatever you do, try to avoid looking up “tabs” for songs. Trust your ears! The bass is right there in your hands, you don’t need something telling you where to put your fingers; just match up the note you’re hearing with the correct one on the bass.

The other thing is that most tabs suck. Seriously.

I can’t count how many times that the tab was showing a much harder way to play the song...and a simple YouTube search shows the song being played in an entirely different position.

 

[RichardW]

What would it teach me to learn a bunch of songs on bass.

I dare say this is how most bass players learn their instrument, including some of the greatest players in history.

 

[Bassngtr]

1. Learn some songs by ear. Experiment with modifying the bass lines.
2. Lean the notes on the fretboard. The relative positions repeat all over the fretboard.
3. Learn the major and minor scales, and learn those scale shapes on the fretboard.
4. Learn why certain chords/notes/passing notes sound good, and others don't, by applying knowledge of the scales.
5. Repeat and rawk...

Personally when I am practicing, I'll hear a line or fill in my head, try it, and if it sounds good I'll then apply theory to figure out why. So I am better versed in applying theory AFTER I play it than figuring out beforehand what I should play. Over time I developed certain 'go to' shapes that always sound good, and now I know WHY they sound good.

 

[pbass888]

Relax. You need an "in between" approach. Yes, you need to know at least SOME theory. TalkingBass has some great video series' on chord tones and scales. That alone would take you to the next level. You can do a few minutes a day and not bore yourself to death.

But, YES, there IS value in allowing the great bassists who came before you to "teach" you how to play.

I started on low brass in band. So I could read and knew some theory. I read from a few trombone books from time to time. But I can't remember the last time I read bass music. In fact, the last time I read music on bass was reading the bass clef of piano sheet music to get through a requested song. (That was in 1994 or 1995.)

But when people ask me who taught me how to teach bass, I answer "James Jamerson and John Paul Jones". (Motown and Led Zep bass players.) Early on, I had to learn a zillion songs quickly. And I was playing with guys who could play circles around me. I was 15 and they were all in their 30s. It was a variety band that played classic rock, southern rock, Motown, funk, soul, etc. Having to learn 50 songs that varied in styles (when I had been playing bass literally only a few months) accelerated my learning for sure.

How do you learn songs? Now is the best time to ask that question.

Try it by ear. If that doesn't work, find YouTube videos. If that doesn't work, post a thread here and ask your cyber bass pals "Hey what is this guy/gal doing in the bridge of that song? I can't seem to figure it out."

Over time, you'll simply get better at it.

I do fill-in gigs all the time. I have to learn lots of songs quickly. Sure, there are TABS and sheet music for just about every song out there. I can't remember the last time I used them. I learn by ear (and make quick and dirty charts) faster than I can find the TABS.

Sorry for the long post. Good luck with your journey.

lots of wisdom in that post

 

[Spectre Gunner]

he whole point of playing is to play music but you're not learning much if you only play songs. A parrot can talk but it's just repeating what it hears and it doesn't understand what it's saying (or does it?). .

Learning songs should help reinforce the theory you're trying to learn. When you play, dedicate some time to warm-up and finger exercises to build strength, coordination and technique, study some theory and then play some songs either solo and preferably with a metronome, backing track or to the actual song.

 

[BassBrass]

Inhibition and limiting concepts are from not knowing enough and not knowing how to apply your knowledge. Don't blame knowledge because you don't know how to use it.

I'm talking about habits and conventions inherent in pedagogical systems. I'm not invalidating the advantages! Artists of all kinds have to learn when to break individual and collective rules, habits, and conventions in order to be noticed at all. The great ones don't have to make an effort, they have depth that comes from the level below terminology and analysis. Like a basketball player throwing a dunk...no analytical thinking, it's way too slow.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

The other thing is that most tabs suck. Seriously.

I can’t count how many times that the tab was showing a much harder way to play the song...and a simple YouTube search shows the song being played in an entirely different position.

yup. You also need to careful about videos that people post “teaching” you the bassline. A lot of times they’re playing it incorrectly!

 

[Rum Ham]

I’ve never taken a lesson. Doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be helpful but I’m such a sufferer of O.D.D (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)that I should’ve been a lawyer. I can’t stand having someone tell me what to do.
So I unfortunately have to learn by playing along only. Pluck at it until it sounds close enough then move on to making original material.
I don’t feel the urge to play note for note. Play it how I feel it should be played.
So I guess my advice is to play along with a recording of that suites you.

 

[MrLenny1]

Take a song you like and go to a teacher to learn how to play it
and a bit of theory also. Best of both worlds IMHO.

 

[lfmn16]

I'm not invalidating the advantages!

I don't know where I got that idea.

Having come up in the academy I had to unlearn a whole lot of stuff actually.

 

[g-dude]

I’ve never taken a lesson. Doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be helpful but I’m such a sufferer of O.D.D (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)that I should’ve been a lawyer. I can’t stand having someone tell me what to do.

Don’t you dare think about taking a lesson.

 

[HolmeBass]

I just found out that this forum does not allow edits after a certain amount of time.
Unfortunate, as your observation is correct and my earlier post needs to be edited to reflect it.

Well you have acted in good faith, hopefully people trying to learn will read the whole thread.

 

[HolmeBass]

I’ve never taken a lesson. Doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t be helpful but I’m such a sufferer of O.D.D (Oppositional Defiance Disorder)that I should’ve been a lawyer. I can’t stand having someone tell me what to do.
So I unfortunately have to learn by playing along only. Pluck at it until it sounds close enough then move on to making original material.
I don’t feel the urge to play note for note. Play it how I feel it should be played.
So I guess my advice is to play along with a recording of that suites you.

I had a student like this. It didn’t last too long! Unlike you, she did not stick with learning the bass.

 

[James77]

Thanks everybody for the answers. Think I'll look into to some more lessons and learn songs too!!!