Have you considered using bass clef at pitch? That is to say referencing second space C as 15 on A? On your 20-fret Jazz it's only 2 ledgers above to the top Eb...
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Learning to read...
- Thread starter herbygardener
- Start date
Have you considered using bass clef at pitch? That is to say referencing second space C as 15 on A? On your 20-fret Jazz it's only 2 ledgers above to the top Eb...
This is the most correct answer. If you are just learning to read, you need a method book. Once you feel like you're comfortable with reading, dive into Real Books and other sources to develop that skill.
I would start with the nursery rhyme type of songs. Happy Birthday, Twinkle Twinkle type stuff..you should 'know' them so it will be easier to digest from the jump..
!
This is the one thing from your post I wouldn't recommend. These are the types of melodies that are ingrained in your ear and you'd cease reading and go by ear, in my opinion of course. Yes, you want to hear the notes you're reading, but that will come with time.
Don't be embarrassed to start off slow playing things like Ode To Joy and Bingo Was His Name O lol. Make sure to use a metronome as well.
Thanks everyone for all the great links, tips and suggestions 
This site is great https://freebasstranscriptions.com/transcriptions/
I also found a copy of Ed Friedlands Bass Method book on my shelf that I forgot I had
so those should keep me busy for awhile.
I've also been enjoying this online random note generator Bass Clef Practice | Music Notation Training
I'm taking it slowly and trying to do a bit everyday.
I understand more now than ever before and look forward to learning more.
Thanks for your input!
Cheers!
This site is great https://freebasstranscriptions.com/transcriptions/
I also found a copy of Ed Friedlands Bass Method book on my shelf that I forgot I had
so those should keep me busy for awhile.I've also been enjoying this online random note generator Bass Clef Practice | Music Notation Training
I'm taking it slowly and trying to do a bit everyday.
I understand more now than ever before and look forward to learning more.
Thanks for your input!
Cheers!
Some good suggestions in this thread. I'm also trying to learn standard notation for bass, but my problem is I read treble clef for years for another instrument and really struggle to adjust to bass clef. I find myself constantly "translating" between treble clef to bass clef which is really holding me back. I wish I could erase treble clef from my mind! Probably practice and repetition is the only thing that will get the bass clef to sink in. My other instrument was saxophone, and it's been years since I played it, but the connection between the treble clef note on the page and my fingers is instantaneous and completely seamless, even now. No conscious thought is required! Looking forward to the day where seeing the bass clef notes and playing the correct frets on the bass is similarly seamless.
For me, the "aha moment!" was learning to play piano, because it forced me to read both treble and bass clef, simultaneously.
Seeing how the two staves connect, with Middle C in between, it suddently all made a lot of sense.
Seeing how the two staves connect, with Middle C in between, it suddently all made a lot of sense.
I was having a hard time with 16th note phrases. I just couldn't get them rhythmically in my head and it was even often baffling trying to read and understand them. It made me want to quit. I'm a big Jamerson fan, and if you have read some of his bass transcriptions you may be able to imagine my frustration. Then just tonight I was looking through a bass method and bingo---it was like I'd discovered the Rosetta stone and it all made sense. It was simply side by side of a couple of bars of music with an 8th note feel and one bar of the same thing written as 16th notes. It took me little time to learn to see all notation in half time, and although it slows the music down (and that's alright with me for learning purposes) I can read it now. In fact here it is almost 2 AM and I'm looking at all the music I can find with 16 note rhythms just because I can't believe it's true. It must be amusing to others because it's so obvious. Reading and playing is going to be so much easier and fun now without that nagging feeling that I'm not counting it right.
Then there are questions of triplets--but that's another subject for later.
Then there are questions of triplets--but that's another subject for later.
Work thru a classical method book with a good teacher.
It will teach finger positions. One of the best things I ever
did when I started. Real Book in Bass Clef also as mentioned.
It will teach finger positions. One of the best things I ever
did when I started. Real Book in Bass Clef also as mentioned.
Another thing to be wary of, but that will help you when you get to the triplets, is the way 1/8 notes with swing are written 'straight' and rarely written as played. On a basic level the first measure is what you most commonly see, the other two are the actual rhythmic equivalents. All three will sound the same (give or take) when played ("hump-ty dump-ty hump-ty dump-ty")...
I read and play mostly play treble clef, because most of the music is in treble clef.
During this down time I purchased a 54 key keyboard and am teaching my self chord piano. I thought I could read SN, nope, not on the keyboard. So I have started over with Alfred's adult number one book.
Ditto Mushroo's post. Here is a video on intervals that apply to the keyboard, if any one is interested.
Song for You Chords Piano - Bing video
That sound like a great productive use of time, awesome.
Keep at it, sight reading on piano wil become easier just like everything else.
