Originally posted by EskimoBob
you cut me deep, man. the inclusion of fieldy (who is legend in off-topic, due to his bass-playing inability) was an ironic gesture used to stimulate humour
Hey, man,sorry! I never claimed to be too swift on the uptake. Some of the nicer subtleties of the language pass out of my reach!
So, this Fieldy..... does he actually strap on a bass and try to play, or is it all mythical?
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learn theory first, or technique?
- Thread starter EskimoBob
- Start date
I play for 3 years now and this was my approach..
becauz I play trumpet for about 12 years now, and I learnt playing trumpet by feeling (whats the english term...not to play a song each time in the same way)..
When I play(ed) trumpet I practiced on listening to the bass-notes (on wich I would play some nice melodies)... then I learnt more and more the singularities (?) (the same patterns) in the songs..
that's how I learnt how the bass works (without heaving ever touched the bass)
I have never had lessons (little lie, last month I had 2 lessons, in wich the bass-teacher said to me that I had learnt myself to play bass very well )
and I learnt it by just playing along wich as much as you can...just start with slow songs and go up and up...learn different styles..
ok..this is the approach I should recommend :
1. learn the basicfinger-technique
(how to put the fingers, how to walk over the strings)
2. take slow songs, and play with them
(do NOT practice things you cannot play at this moment)
just relax and play, play play and play
3. when you play with sings, try to visualise what you play (on your fingerboard) so you will see patterns
4. try to find a band in wich you can play
(try to find a band if possible a band wich lets you grow in being a bass-player, so you can develop yourself)
a nice place to learn theory is in the toilet (we have a big one, thank God) and that is a nice place to take your bassbook with you, so you can learn scales and stuff...and even in this theory-matter.. try to find the patterns in scales and do not learn harmonies but try to understand them (so you can figure them out yourself).
ehm...guys..excuse me for my very bad grammer and english..I am from Holland and this Dutch guy isn't that good in English Grammer and stuff..xcuse me.. !!
God bless y'all !!
becauz I play trumpet for about 12 years now, and I learnt playing trumpet by feeling (whats the english term...not to play a song each time in the same way)..
When I play(ed) trumpet I practiced on listening to the bass-notes (on wich I would play some nice melodies)... then I learnt more and more the singularities (?) (the same patterns) in the songs..
that's how I learnt how the bass works (without heaving ever touched the bass)
I have never had lessons (little lie, last month I had 2 lessons, in wich the bass-teacher said to me that I had learnt myself to play bass very well )
and I learnt it by just playing along wich as much as you can...just start with slow songs and go up and up...learn different styles..
ok..this is the approach I should recommend :
1. learn the basicfinger-technique
(how to put the fingers, how to walk over the strings)
2. take slow songs, and play with them
(do NOT practice things you cannot play at this moment)
just relax and play, play play and play
3. when you play with sings, try to visualise what you play (on your fingerboard) so you will see patterns
4. try to find a band in wich you can play
(try to find a band if possible a band wich lets you grow in being a bass-player, so you can develop yourself)
a nice place to learn theory is in the toilet (we have a big one, thank God) and that is a nice place to take your bassbook with you, so you can learn scales and stuff...and even in this theory-matter.. try to find the patterns in scales and do not learn harmonies but try to understand them (so you can figure them out yourself).
ehm...guys..excuse me for my very bad grammer and english..I am from Holland and this Dutch guy isn't that good in English Grammer and stuff..xcuse me.. !!
God bless y'all !!
in short... is it better to learn technique or theory first..?
QUOTE]
None, bass is a very boring instrument if you are a beginner. Play songs and if you bump on a particularly part. Learn the technique. and so on...
In short... go with your talent
You just answered your own question.
What good is "cool sounding noises" or playing fast if you aren't playing something musical?
Better to play something slow that's beautiful than something fast that's meaningless.
don't waist(e?) time with spending lots of time practicing little grooves , but learn to practice relax, and then you will see that you will advance more and more in spead, so that you will find those grooves easy ..
- Jan 11, 2002
- 3,042
- 10
- Disclosures
- Artist: JAF Basses, Circle K Strings
I think one needs both theory and technique to get anywhere as a bass player (or a musician in general).
Learning some basic theory right off the bat, such as major scales and intervals, is invaluable. However, if you can't get your fingers to do what you're hearing in your head, you can never apply that theory to your bass. I think both are equally important. Still, it should be noted that many bass players have gotten famous with good technique and no theory... but not vice versa.
Learning some basic theory right off the bat, such as major scales and intervals, is invaluable. However, if you can't get your fingers to do what you're hearing in your head, you can never apply that theory to your bass. I think both are equally important. Still, it should be noted that many bass players have gotten famous with good technique and no theory... but not vice versa.
