Next steps on my beginner journey

[red_rhino]

2) Hit pause on the method and try to join a local band to get some group playing (I have never played with others).
3) Hit pause on the method and practice longer songs (I am a huge Beatles fan).

Both of those. Nothing wrong with method, but after two years you should prioritize actually playing. Working with people will teach you things you will never learn via method (and faster, too). Finding a teacher for some good one-on-one instruction is also a good idea. But don't think you have to master it all before you're allowed to go out and play. Having fun is the biggest motivator and growth experience there is.

 

[dalkowski]

I think the timeless approach to a music book is 'do the first 10 pages and let it sit on the bookshelf for the next 10 years'.

Guilty as charged. I can't focus properly to teach myself.

Personally, I'm a big fan of lessons with a teacher you vibe with. When I've been able to commit, I've been successful when I gave the teacher a specific "big picture" goal. The best teachers will break that aspiration down into smaller, achieveable (because achievement fuels motivation) goals to get you there.

But you gotta commit to doing the work, which I hear you've got.

 

[DrFunkenstien]

Hi - I'm at a similar point as you. Have kids. Picked up bass as a hobby 3 years ago to date. I worked through the first and halfway through the second Friedland bass method books, but started to get really bored. Decided I needed to shake up my routine. I dabbled in Ariane Cap's music theory for bass players a bit. I worked all the way through Friedland's Blues Book. I also worked through a few courses on Scott's Bass Lessons too, not the general site, but some of the master classes that are not included in the basic site (fretboard accelerator / technique accelerator).

I definitely recommend the Friedland's blues book. It was one of my favorite books and is the first one to really push me to think about chord progressions and the structure of songs/jams. I think you might dig it too.

Blues Bass – A Guide to the Essential Styles and Techniques - Hal Leonard Bass Method Stylistic Supplement | Hal Leonard Online

Based on my experience, I would recommend more diversity / dividing of your practice routine (as suggested above). Sticking just to the books seems limiting. Here's my approach 15-30 minutes theory/exercises (i.e. the books), 10-15 minutes rhythm/timing exercises (locking in with a metronome/drum loop), 10-20 minutes song/genre studies (learning new songs/retaining old ones -- this is where you can do your Beatles study), 5-15 minutes free play to bass jam tracks on youtube (check out Quist's bass backing tracks and, if you like, throw him a bone on patreon).



Some days I have less time, but I still try to tick through each area for a bit. You can do this in an abbreviated version in 30 minutes. Less than that, pick one or two areas. I'm disciplined and nerdy in my approach so this might not work for you. In the least, some more areas in your practice routine might help you.

Lessons, definitely. I started out with some lessons, but didn't mesh with the teacher. I'm picking up online lessons this summer. So many good teachers out there, particularly with the live music slowdown over the pandemic. Heck, you can go on and schedule a lesson with Carol Kaye if you wanted to.

Playing with others. This is intimidating for me, but I know it's where I need to go if I want to keep growing. I've heard plenty musicians attribute their biggest growth to getting in the shed and playing with others.

My 2 cents. In the end, learning bass is a journey. All our paths and destinations on this journey are a little different. Good luck as you continue your journey.

 

[bolophonic]

Two years of straight-up technical book study would ruin music for me. I’d recommend learning the songs you like and focusing more on laying down the riffs in a band.

 

[selowitch]

Ideally you would find time to work through that third book and have a band as well. Few things will improve your playing more than listening to recordings of music you like and playing with a band—especially one made up of musicians who are more advanced than you.

 

[Snarf]

Pause nothing, do everything.

However I would say as far as where to distribute the weight, put an emphasis on learning songs, then join a band, and continue the method book in the background. Getting some instruction would be helpful as well. A teacher (like myself . . . hey look what I did there!) can point out bad habits that you may be developing now and stop them from becoming ingrained. Not to mention help push you toward your ultimate goals as well.

But above ALL else: buy more stuff. That's the real key that SO MANY PEOPLE miss.