Learning Apps for iPad or Macbook

[diadelosmuertos]

Hey all,

I have been a lurker for years. Decided to finally join the community.

My goal is to play with a covers band. Currently, I can only read tabs and have a very basic understanding of reading sheet music. I can play one song fully (Stir it Up by Bob Marley) and know bits and parts of other songs. I know how to play with four fingers per fret, two finger plucking technique, but do not know where all notes are located on the fretboard. I cannot play standing up, onlysitting down.

I've used the Hal Leonard bass book but did not get far. I like it but want more of an in depth visual experience. Interactive is a huge plus. I do not have the money to pay for lessons. I've taken a few in the past but the teachers weren't all that great. In fact, they sucked.

So what I am looking for is an app for either the iPhone, iPad, or MacBook that can teach me most of what I need to play in a covers band. I want to obviously know the basics, but also want the able to take whatever the bandleader.whomever throws at me, like when the BL says "Play in the key of C." If that happened now, I would be like "What?" Or if I was given charts instead of tabs and told to learn them in an hour. Basically, everything I need to know.

An interactive app would be great. I have Rocksmith for Xbox One but the lessons go too fast and it's not as in depth as I'd like.

The apps I saw on the apple App Store were confusing. I don't know which to buy. Some seemed identical but from different publishers. I also don't know if the lessons are teaching the right things for my needs.

And I have a $25 iTunes gift card which is how I can buy it. Any device platform is fine.

All help will be appreciated.

 

[LeeNunn]

To play in a cover band, you'll need to learn songs by ear. It takes practice. Software helps. Try the Anytune app. I recommend transcribing what you hear into standard notation, but not everyone agrees. Your knowledge of theory will help. Search for threads on how learn a song by ear.

 

[fearceol]

To play in a cover band, you'll need to learn songs by ear. It takes practice. Search for threads on how learn a song by ear.

+1 to the above. This, along with the free lessons on https://www.talkingbass.net should be all you need for a while, until you can afford a teacher.

Learning a song by ear involves repeated playing, plus trial and error, until you can play the whole song comfortably from start to finish. Yes, it can take some time, but in the long run it is much more beneficial than using tabs.

Start practicing while standing, for short periods to begin with, until you build up the strength and stamina required to gig for two hours....plus. Alternate between sitting and standing...fifteen minutes each for a week or two, then increase the standing by another ten minutes.

 

[diadelosmuertos]

Hey all,

I have been a lurker for years. Decided to finally join the community.

My goal is to play with a covers band. Currently, I can only read tabs and have a very basic understanding of reading sheet music. I can play one song fully (Stir it Up by Bob Marley) and know bits and parts of other songs. I know how to play with four fingers per fret, two finger plucking technique, but do not know where all notes are located on the fretboard. I cannot play standing up, onlysitting down.

I've used the Hal Leonard bass book but did not get far. I like it but want more of an in depth visual experience. Interactive is a huge plus. I do not have the money to pay for lessons. I've taken a few in the past but the teachers weren't all that great. In fact, they sucked.

So what I am looking for is an app for either the iPhone, iPad, or MacBook that can teach me most of what I need to play in a covers band. I want to obviously know the basics, but also want the able to take whatever the bandleader.whomever throws at me, like when the BL says "Play in the key of C." If that happened now, I would be like "What?" Or if I was given charts instead of tabs and told to learn them in an hour. Basically, everything I need to know.

An interactive app would be great. I have Rocksmith for Xbox One but the lessons go too fast and it's not as in depth as I'd like.

The apps I saw on the apple App Store were confusing. I don't know which to buy. Some seemed identical but from different publishers. I also don't know if the lessons are teaching the right things for my needs.

And I have a $25 iTunes gift card which is how I can buy it. Any device platform is fine.

All help will be appreciated.

+1 to the above. This, along with the free lessons on https://www.talkingbass.net should be all you need for a while, until you can afford a teacher.

Learning a song by ear involves repeated playing, plus trial and error, until you can play the whole song comfortably from start to finish. Yes, it can take some time, but in the long run it is much more beneficial than using tabs.

Start practicing while standing, for short periods to begin with, until you build up the strength and stamina required to gig for two hours....plus. Alternate between sitting and standing...fifteen minutes each for a week or two, then increase the standing by another ten minutes.

Thanks for the help, I appreciate it. Often I play tabs to a song and realize it's not entirely accurate and can correct it. Question though - if the band is playing covers, wouldn't they go off of what the actually notes are?

Also, definitely going to practice the tip about sitting and standing. Uber helpful!

 

[fearceol]

. Question though - if the band is playing covers, wouldn't they go off of what the actually notes are?

Yes, some cover bands don't play exactly note for note what was on the original. However, if you know the original well enough, you can always make slight changes, after discussion with the rest of the band at rehearsals.

Also, as a bassist, you don't necessarily have to play exactly what the original bassist did. You can always throw in something of your own, once it fits the song and sounds right. This is why it is so important to train the ear by constantly listening , both to songs on a CD etc, and when you are in a band...to the other band members.

 

[bassbully]

I'm learning allot of songs for my new band. I have had two weeks and two practices and the first gig is this Saturday 40+ songs, 4 hour show. I use CD's and youtube. I set my practice cab close enough that I can play the songs on my pad and hear the bass thru headphones. I write out the chords since many are capoed.
The band sticks to the original songs keys and chord progressions. I really like my old Tascam bass trainer the most. I can learn songs very quickly on it but I would have to buy a pile of CDs to have the whole setlist. The cab and youtube is a simple alternative.

 

[1stnamebassist]

I'm learning allot of songs for my new band. I have had two weeks and two practices and the first gig is this Saturday 40+ songs, 4 hour show. I use CD's and youtube. I set my practice cab close enough that I can play the songs on my pad and hear the bass thru headphones. I write out the chords since many are capoed.
The band sticks to the original songs keys and chord progressions. I really like my old Tascam bass trainer the most. I can learn songs very quickly on it but I would have to buy a pile of CDs to have the whole setlist. The cab and youtube is a simple alternative.

I have the bass trainer and its pretty cool. I just go to Itunes and burn discs to songs I may want to play and throw them on the trainer. Works like a charm!

 

[bassbully]

I have the bass trainer and its pretty cool. I just go to Itunes and burn discs to songs I may want to play and throw them on the trainer. Works like a charm!

Don't you have to pay of the songs on ITunes?

 

[LeeNunn]

Tascam also makes an MP3 version if you don't want to fool with discs.
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After a burglar stole my CD version, I purchased the MP3 version. I eventually switched to a software program called Transcribe!, which suits my needs even better. There are lots of ways to loop and slow down. Deciding on the right one depends on your criteria.

 

[1stnamebassist]

Don't you have to pay of the songs on ITunes?

Yes. But if you need to burn 40 songs it would cost about 40.00. Plus you have the songs to refer back to or listen to at the gym or whatever.