How have you learnt these prog rock basslines, reading tab or real scores or listening?
Learning to read and play the notes are one thing, understanding what you're playing is another. I've seen many bassists and guitarist shred up and down the neck playing things they've learnt with great technique, but as them to jam with you and they're lost.
You can play all the tabbed exercises in the world and play along to technically challenging tracks, but unless you understand why you're playing those particular notes, or even if others work just as well, it's all moot.
I would suggest brushing up on theory which will open many more doors for you than technical ability alone. You'll be able to know exactly what you can and can't play in any given situation.
I must add that I'm no theory expert - I understand quite a bit from clarinet and keyboard playing days. The only reason I suggest this is because I feel I have hit a bit of a dead end and think that I should do the same. The only time I really practice is to learn new songs or brush up on old ones. I can't play things like Dance of Eternity, or YYZ - maybe if I practised them exclusively for a few weeks I probably could, but I wouldn't get any benefit out of them. It would be a purely 'painting by numbers' exercise as I lack the theoretical knowledge to fully understand what I'm actually playing and why it works.
I really need to find a teacher!
PS, I might also add to look into buying a keyboard, that can really help with theory.
Learning to read and play the notes are one thing, understanding what you're playing is another. I've seen many bassists and guitarist shred up and down the neck playing things they've learnt with great technique, but as them to jam with you and they're lost.
You can play all the tabbed exercises in the world and play along to technically challenging tracks, but unless you understand why you're playing those particular notes, or even if others work just as well, it's all moot.
I would suggest brushing up on theory which will open many more doors for you than technical ability alone. You'll be able to know exactly what you can and can't play in any given situation.
I must add that I'm no theory expert - I understand quite a bit from clarinet and keyboard playing days. The only reason I suggest this is because I feel I have hit a bit of a dead end and think that I should do the same. The only time I really practice is to learn new songs or brush up on old ones. I can't play things like Dance of Eternity, or YYZ - maybe if I practised them exclusively for a few weeks I probably could, but I wouldn't get any benefit out of them. It would be a purely 'painting by numbers' exercise as I lack the theoretical knowledge to fully understand what I'm actually playing and why it works.
I really need to find a teacher!
PS, I might also add to look into buying a keyboard, that can really help with theory.
