Looking for ways of improving my playing?

[Bassworship1]

I live in a area where there's not anywhere to take intermediate to experienced bass lessons. What I'm wondering what would be the best way to learn better styles and techniques to expand my playing. I've tried you tube but the ones Ive seen aren't detailed enough to really show you anything. I play gospel and Praise and Worship music and have lots of experiece and my style is finger picking but I want to learn more. Any suggestions or help?

 

[devinp17]

I'd say just listen to all different types and genres of music. Whether or not you're interested in playing specific types of music, it's still great to learn from all genres. That's how I learned the bass, just listening to music. Good luck bro!

 

[skwee]

For self-guided learning, I suggest picking up a Real Book, a number of other second-hand fakebooks, find recordings of the songs and figure them out. That'll do wonders.

Begin your self-study of how the greats play: McCartney and Jamerson alone will take you a couple of years.

 

[Bassworship1]

I'm a experienced player that uses finger sale playing. I want to expand from the finger style and learn some other techniques and maybe even a little slap. Here is a video of me playing with our band. What would you guys recommend that I could learn to add something different?

 

[velalv]

That was well done especially for Praise music where few people want you to do anything more than hit the root on the 1 when on bass.

I know most people don't recommend slap for worship music, but I do some light slapping on praise songs to spice things up. Nothing crazy just some root octave and pent atomic runs. For example I slap to Chris Tomlin's song More than enough. I also slap a bit on the bridge to Darrell Evans let the river flow. I don't use a super scooped EQ, I use more of a fat old school Larry graham mids are your friend approach Hope this helps

 

[Bassworship1]

I know this will sound a little crazy but I want to add to my solid in the pocket style And add a little flash. I do a lot of runs and slides right now. This is the music we play along with you Jesus Culture type music and I want to develop stuff that will add to that type music.

 

[vince a]

I play in a Praise band, as well as a jazz band and a rock band. I also do a lot runs and slides, as you say, and . . . when the lead guitar is just playing chords, I get little ditty solos in, especially when transitioning back to the root note (1). I use a lot of chords and arpeggios. When the lead "is" doing something, I always back off and play the root, the whole root, and nothing but the root (and associated song notes) - I don't take away from the lead - I wouldn't want them to cry and go home - J/K!

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Judging from the quality of the video, and after checking your profile page here is my two cents worth. At the level you are now you will have to sit knee to knee with someone that does what you want to do and soak up some individual technique training. I know what you said about there being no one around, IMO you are past normal self taught methods, it's now time for individual one on one training. You may have to travel to accomplish this.

A few phone calls and some planning.....

 

[Bassworship1]

That's what I'm afraid of and the closest I know to someone is 2 hours round trip. I want to improve and expand my abilities so I have to do it i guess.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Give some thought to the music departments at the universities in your area. Probably one of the graduate students or professors offer private lessons.

Good luck which ever way you go.

 

[Donavan321]

I live in a area where there's not anywhere to take intermediate to experienced bass lessons. What I'm wondering what would be the best way to learn better styles and techniques to expand my playing. I've tried you tube but the ones Ive seen aren't detailed enough to really show you anything. I play gospel and Praise and Worship music and have lots of experiece and my style is finger picking but I want to learn more. Any suggestions or help?

Honestly, don't give up. Listen to different music styles, check out some videos on youtube(type in bass lessons, etc.) Just listening to someone else play can be VERY inspiring and motivation to progress further. Just keep at it. I've been playing for about 6.5 years now, suffered a hand injury(my fret hand mind you) and don't quite have FULL flexibility, but I can still play efficiently and don't let it hold me back. So many times, I've walked away. Sold a bass, stopped playing, buy one, sell one, trade, etc. Finally, I bought one that was really nice and from that day I haven't given up even if I play the same old songs a million times a day, I tell myself, I'll only improve with practice. Everyone is different, but I hope that helps.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

There's always Skype lessons. You'd have to pay whatever their lesson fees are, have a decent internet connection, and purchase a decent webcam ($30-75). You can get lessons from PHENOMENAL players this way and usually for very reasonable prices. Anthony Wellington does them in addition to several others. He has a Talkbass section on here in "Ask a Pro", you might want to discuss that with him as he and Victor Wooten are no strangers to gospel style music.

 

[Bassworship1]

There's always Skype lessons. You'd have to pay whatever their lesson fees are, have a decent internet connection, and purchase a decent webcam ($30-75). You can get lessons from PHENOMENAL players this way and usually for very reasonable prices. Anthony Wellington does them in addition to several others. He has a Talkbass section on here in "Ask a Pro", you might want to discuss that with him as he and Victor Wooten are no strangers to gospel style music.

I may check into that. I'm definitley motivated to move past the level I've been at for a couple years. I feel like I've maxed out what I can learn by myself.

 

[bluesdogblues]

Looking for ways of improving my playing?

Learning is not always from 'bass' lesson etc. Actually the real gig(s), aside from what you already do/have now, is/are many times better than that for the purpose.
Play with more 'real' people. The more experience the better. The higher level of the event, the better. The higher level of musicians you play with, the better. The more various type of music you play the better. and on and on..

 

[Vlasco]

If you can slip two hours of driving plus lesson time into your schedule for the benefit of a great teacher, then it is completely worth it.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I may check into that. I'm definitley motivated to move past the level I've been at for a couple years. I feel like I've maxed out what I can learn by myself.

In many ways, teachers are best for two stages of playing:very very beginning and advanced. Some people do better starting off on their own (I did) because it allows them more freedom and a relaxed pace to get comfortable with the instrument. After playing for 9 years, I just got in for lessons and it has been wonderful. As opposed to jerks going "You're doing this wrong!" or giving you very poor criticism on your playing, a good teacher will help you correct issues, let you know why/demonstrate why it's important, and work to help you understand and develop a solution. I had a hard time playing without looking at the fretboard, my current teacher has given me a LOT of instruction on proper left hand technique or planning my hand positions. I can play without looking FAR easier than before because I have a better feel/understanding of using my fingers as guides for playing.

I usually get compliments on my playing, but in some ways having your teacher break it to you is better than some jerk BL, producer, or egomaniac lead guitarist lol. I honestly feel less confident than before, but I am more aware of the flaws that I was completely blind to prior. My teacher is very supportive and actually says that what I'm feeling is normal, it's actually a sign of rapid growth to him. It has been 3 months and I could play circles around my previous self lol. Not to blow my own horn, but I was no slouch before either.

 

[smeet]

You have not maxed out what you can learn by yourself, if you just get a little motivated. Lessons are great. Playing with other people is always good. But even on your own, if you have a computer and an internet connection, you have all you need.

One of the most important lessons I got was from a chat with Janek Gwizdala, when I asked him what was the most important and beneficial thing I could work on. He said "transcribe everything".
I took that to heart, and I've learned a LOT from it. Learn basslines and solos note-for-note, including every fill, and the exact phrasing and feel. Do this for every style you can get your hands on, and find things that are challenging and interesting for YOU. James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, Dream Theater, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Ray Brown, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Victor Wooten, King Crimson, Tribal Tech, Kansas, Yes, Weather Report, Marcus Miller, Screaming Headless Torsos, The Who, Rush, Bob Marley, Brothers Johnson, The Dregs ...

Learn one tune in a different style a week PERFECTLY, note-for-note, and your playing and your ear will grow more than you can imagine.

 

[adi77]

Practice like a b@$%@#$. If you can afford it get someone to teach you. If you can't, use your ears and books. I'm not suggesting youtube because you have already tried it. Dedication and hard work and be relentless about it. You know you're on the right track when it's tough going. Also try and play with musicians who have more experience. It's like chess, you're only going to get better if you play with people who know the game better.

 

[Fleebag]

I traveled about two hours round trip myself for lessons for almost six months recently, face to face lessons with a good teacher is priceless. Instead of the usual 30min/week lesson I did a full hour lesson every other week to cut down on travel time and costs, just an idea.

 

[interp]

I'm a experienced player that uses finger sale playing. I want to expand from the finger style and learn some other techniques and maybe even a little slap. Here is a video of me playing with our band. What would you guys recommend that I could learn to add something different?

Very nice! Just keep doing what you're doing and listen to a LOT of different music. Things will come.