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One year progress - may I ask for some advice?

#21
I’m a bit wordy and repeating some of what’s already been said. Sorry

Exercises and etudes and lessons (“method”) are valuable but if you’re going to progress and enjoy music you should play music, especially music you like. Play along with discs, MP3s, youtube or, best of all, with other people! Play through any mistakes you make. IOW don’t “stop to fix” it, keep going with the song. If you stop and start over you’re training yourself to stop which works against your goal.

Play together with other people! This moves you along faster than nearly anything else you can do.

Ear training. There are lots of freeware and cheap apps, many that are quite good. Strive to recognize what each interval sounds like and, over time, to recognize chords and their voicing by sound.

For a 1-hour practice session I use a routine that’s essentially this sequence. Vary the times to suit your needs. Give less time to what you are comfortable with and more to what’s giving you trouble.
1. 5-10 minutes Warm up with hand stretches, playing finger exercises and playing familiar scales (limber up).
2. Option A. 10-20 minutes Work on a scale* or two I don’t yet have under my hands. Or...
2. Option B. 10-20 minutes Work on etudes that help me learn to move in ways I don’t yet know
3. Option A. 20-30 minutes Practice a song or songs that are new to me. Or...
3. Option B. 10-20 minutes Ear training.
4. 10-30 minutes Finish by playing a song or songs I enjoy. I reward myself while striving to smooth out my playing.

*Go to jazzbooks.com and scroll down to the bottom. Under Free Jazz download the Jazz Handbook PDF. When you’re just kicking back open it and browse. Some of it will be way out of your league right now but an amazing share of it will pique your interest and show you new things to do using what you already know.
 
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#22
You’ve done a lot in a year. Theory you can learn on your own with the right ordered curriculum, but my number one—in fact, my only recommendation—is to get a teacher for some directed study, before you get ingrained in too many bad habits.

I know it is possible to get accomplished with self study, but trial and error piecemeal instruction can take years. Better to have an expert check your technique, and better to have an expert guiding your instruction and progress.
 
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#23
Sounds like you've taken a very methodical approach and spent your first year laying an excellent foundation. You have way more patience than I did at that point. All that hard work will serve you well going forward.

As other's have mentioned, it's time to start playing with other people. it's the fastest way to put what you know into practice. But that's easier said than done under the current circumstances, so until all this silliness passes, keep doing what you're doing and start playing along with recordings.

Congrats on your first year. :thumbsup:
 
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#24
- show up prepared. Ask for charts and set lists and learn at least the basics before you get together.

- be prepared for a gig. I was never afraid to use a book early with a band, so I had a stand, my charts, in order of the set, a clip light. On top of duplicates of cables, a spare clip on tuner, etc.

- take direction and criticism, but don't be afraid to justify why you're playing the way/what you are. Thats where theory and ear comes into play.

- i play a lot of country, but don't listen to country. So I studied classic country bass playing for ideas, and so I know what suits the genre and what doesn't

- don't play a gig for free, even an audition gig. End of story.


Katoosie said:
Hi everyone!

I hope that everyone is doing alright and to those that have celebrated thanksgiving - I hope that you have had a wonderful time.

In a few days I will be reaching an important milestone - 1 year of bass playing and music learning in general. I think it's a pretty big deal and I was wondering if I could use some pointers and advice in general. I come from a place of zero musical background so everything I know about music and the bass guitar playing is brand new to me.

Within one year of picking up my bass, I have learned:
- How to set up a bass (string changing, truss rod adjustment, tuning, intonation adjustment, bridge adjustment, accessories like amps, pedals etc)
- How to properly hold the instrument, pluck the strings, how to avoid injuries by using proper technique
- How to mute with both fretboard and plucking hand in tandem
- I can play give or take around 20 random songs across different genres such as jazz, metal, rock, reggae
- I know some basic music theory - basic intervals, key signatures, how to read sheet music, how to read tab, how to transcribe, the common uses of octaves, roots and fifths, flat sevenths, sixths, subdivisions, legato/staccato plucking, basic slap and pop technique, basic one octave scales and major pentatonic scales, what chords and arpeggios are and more that I have most likely forgotten about.

I'm working (albeit slowly due to work etc) through studybass.com. I watch Talking Bass videos, Bass Buzz, Scotts videos and grab whatever I can, whenever I can from them.
I'm currently at study bass fundamentals two where I am learning about triads and I plan to finish that entire online course, then... I don't know. I might go through Talking Bass paid courses just to know more.

Is there something very important that I am missing here? I try to practice regularly when I can, I play for hours, I learn and read and try to absorb as much as I can to know as much as possible so that I can be a versatile musician. Once Covid-19 releases it's grasp on us, I would like to play with some other people and see if I can be of some use somewhere, I don't care if all I do is pluck the root notes, I just want to get some real life experience as a bassist.

What advice would you give me, after just one year of playing and dabbling in music? What can I do to truly be on a way to be a good musician. I want to get to the point where I know theory, I can play mostly whatever I want and have fun and if someone asked me to play alongside them in a band or a similar setting, I could do it.

Thank you,
R.
Click to expand...
 
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#25
StatesideRambler said:
I’m a bit wordy and repeating some of what’s already been said. Sorry

Exercises and etudes and lessons (“method”) are valuable but if you’re going to progress and enjoy music you should play music, especially music you like. Play along with discs, MP3s, youtube or, best of all, with other people! Play through any mistakes you make. IOW don’t “stop to fix” it, keep going with the song. If you stop and start over you’re training yourself to stop which works against your goal.

Play together with other people! This moves you along faster than nearly anything else you can do.

Ear training. There are lots of freeware and cheap apps, many that are quite good. Strive to recognize what each interval sounds like and, over time, to recognize chords and their voicing by sound.

For a 1-hour practice session I use a routine that’s essentially this sequence. Vary the times to suit your needs. Give less time to what you are comfortable with and more to what’s giving you trouble.
1. 5-10 minutes Warm up with hand stretches, playing finger exercises and playing familiar scales (limber up).
2. Option A. 10-20 minutes Work on a scale* or two I don’t yet have under my hands. Or...
2. Option B. 10-20 minutes Work on etudes that help me learn to move in ways I don’t yet know
3. Option A. 20-30 minutes Practice a song or songs that are new to me. Or...
3. Option B. 10-20 minutes Ear training.
4. 10-30 minutes Finish by playing a song or songs I enjoy. I reward myself while striving to smooth out my playing.

*Go to jazzbooks.com and scroll down to the bottom. Under Free Jazz download the Jazz Handbook PDF. When you’re just kicking back open it and browse. Some of it will be way out of your league right now but an amazing share of it will pique your interest and show you new things to do using what you already know.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip re The Jazz Handbook. Very cool resource for a lot of us! Threads like this from the OP always lead to good tips for others.
 
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#26
Katoosie said:
Hi everyone!

I hope that everyone is doing alright and to those that have celebrated thanksgiving - I hope that you have had a wonderful time.

In a few days I will be reaching an important milestone - 1 year of bass playing and music learning in general. I think it's a pretty big deal and I was wondering if I could use some pointers and advice in general. I come from a place of zero musical background so everything I know about music and the bass guitar playing is brand new to me.

Within one year of picking up my bass, I have learned:
- How to set up a bass (string changing, truss rod adjustment, tuning, intonation adjustment, bridge adjustment, accessories like amps, pedals etc)
- How to properly hold the instrument, pluck the strings, how to avoid injuries by using proper technique
- How to mute with both fretboard and plucking hand in tandem
- I can play give or take around 20 random songs across different genres such as jazz, metal, rock, reggae
- I know some basic music theory - basic intervals, key signatures, how to read sheet music, how to read tab, how to transcribe, the common uses of octaves, roots and fifths, flat sevenths, sixths, subdivisions, legato/staccato plucking, basic slap and pop technique, basic one octave scales and major pentatonic scales, what chords and arpeggios are and more that I have most likely forgotten about.

I'm working (albeit slowly due to work etc) through studybass.com. I watch Talking Bass videos, Bass Buzz, Scotts videos and grab whatever I can, whenever I can from them.
I'm currently at study bass fundamentals two where I am learning about triads and I plan to finish that entire online course, then... I don't know. I might go through Talking Bass paid courses just to know more.

Is there something very important that I am missing here? I try to practice regularly when I can, I play for hours, I learn and read and try to absorb as much as I can to know as much as possible so that I can be a versatile musician. Once Covid-19 releases it's grasp on us, I would like to play with some other people and see if I can be of some use somewhere, I don't care if all I do is pluck the root notes, I just want to get some real life experience as a bassist.

What advice would you give me, after just one year of playing and dabbling in music? What can I do to truly be on a way to be a good musician. I want to get to the point where I know theory, I can play mostly whatever I want and have fun and if someone asked me to play alongside them in a band or a similar setting, I could do it.

Thank you,
R.
Click to expand...

First off, congrats on your first. You have recognized the two most important things that will make you a better musician/instrumentalist/bassist. It’s called work and dedication to study.

I’ll offer up my two favorite ways to improve. The first is to play with other musicians that are on a slightly higher level than you in proficiency. While Covid-19 has negatively effected the ability to mix with other players in a live setting, you can find plenty of things online that will fit the bill for the time being.

The second thing is to record yourself. You can get pocket recorders that do a great job for not a lot of money.

Why record? Most people do not have a enough musical recall to remember every note they played on a given piece. A recording is your report card. That kind of feedback is critical to your growth.

A few words of caution when listening to yourself. This is critical: Do not beat yourself up on what you don’t like, instead give yourself a pat on the back on what you did well and duplicate that as much as possible on future sessions.

In review of your recordings, there is nothing wrong with saying, well, that didn’t work. If fact, now that you know what didn’t work, you are less likely to repeat it. Without recording and reviewing you will not know it and apt to keep repeating the same thing over an over.

Best wishes on year two.
 
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#30
As many others have said, you have done very well in your first year. Keep playing along with recorded music but try to find other musicians to play with (safely) as soon as you can.
For me, the most important aspect of playing an instrument was learning the non-verbal communication between you and other musicians as a group. And try to learn different genres of music, not just your favourite. Widen your musical vocabulary.
Have fun!
 
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#32
As already said great progress and +1 to finding others to jam with and looking at finding a bass teacher. A great resorse to have is Building Walking bass lines by Ed Friedland if you can get that. A next step is recognizing and memorizing common chord progressions from the songs you have already learned and being able to transpose those into different keys.. go well
 
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#33
You're on the right track!

Sounds like you're ready to join (or start) a band. Your chops will improve exponentially once you have opportunity to play with others, particularly if they're a higher skill level than yourself. Find a project where the level of playing is realistic and attainable for your skill level. You'll learn the most when you're pushing the envelope a bit so don't be scared to try things outside your comfort zone. Avoid bands with drummers who lack a sense of groove or who can't keep time though - it's really frustrating trying to drag a drummer along.

Also, I find that recording my bass tracks really helps to quickly learn songs and identify problem areas - Check out this website - there are some great cover versions here with the bass tracks removed:
Bass Backing Tracks - Instrumental Versions for Bass - Karaoke Version
I've been practicing and recording to a bunch of tracks from here since the lock-downs in March since it's been tough to get the bands together.
 
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#34
When things settle down, try to attend an open mic/jam. The best way to hone your skills is to put them to work. I used to attend a local blues jam each week and it really helped me a lot. They will tell you what key the song is in and you sink or swim. Even though I am not a big fan of blues, it was a great experience for me and now I can pretty much follow along with most genres except jazz. You will also meet other musicians and this is a great way to form a band or join a band. Good luck. :thumbsup:
 
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#35
Sounds like you're on the right track. I would suggest to split your practice time up and work on a little of everything.
1. Work on playing the whole fretboard with your major scale. Extend those 1 octave scales all the way down and all the way the neck.
2. Learn how the major scale is related to the Major Modes. Study each mode and listen to how it sounds compared to the others. Practice each mode over the appropriate chords and listen to how it sounds. Use a looper or play along with backing tracks for chords.
3. Keep learning songs and basslines of others. Play along with recordings. Play the whole track from beginning to end. This is a skill that requires stamina as well as preparation.
4. Have fun, jam out, be creative. Write your own basslines and grooves. Try using some of the stuff you've been practicing and make something unique.
 
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#37
StatesideRambler said:
I’m a bit wordy and repeating some of what’s already been said. Sorry

Exercises and etudes and lessons (“method”) are valuable but if you’re going to progress and enjoy music you should play music, especially music you like. Play along with discs, MP3s, youtube or, best of all, with other people! Play through any mistakes you make. IOW don’t “stop to fix” it, keep going with the song. If you stop and start over you’re training yourself to stop which works against your goal.

Play together with other people! This moves you along faster than nearly anything else you can do.

Ear training. There are lots of freeware and cheap apps, many that are quite good. Strive to recognize what each interval sounds like and, over time, to recognize chords and their voicing by sound.

For a 1-hour practice session I use a routine that’s essentially this sequence. Vary the times to suit your needs. Give less time to what you are comfortable with and more to what’s giving you trouble.
1. 5-10 minutes Warm up with hand stretches, playing finger exercises and playing familiar scales (limber up).
2. Option A. 10-20 minutes Work on a scale* or two I don’t yet have under my hands. Or...
2. Option B. 10-20 minutes Work on etudes that help me learn to move in ways I don’t yet know
3. Option A. 20-30 minutes Practice a song or songs that are new to me. Or...
3. Option B. 10-20 minutes Ear training.
4. 10-30 minutes Finish by playing a song or songs I enjoy. I reward myself while striving to smooth out my playing.

*Go to jazzbooks.com and scroll down to the bottom. Under Free Jazz download the Jazz Handbook PDF. When you’re just kicking back open it and browse. Some of it will be way out of your league right now but an amazing share of it will pique your interest and show you new things to do using what you already know.
Click to expand...

I am in a similar situation. I played drums for many years in several bands, but never thought i could play another instrument, because i couldn't read music. A little less than a year ago I decided to get my butt busy and learn bass. Besides at least an hour a day of practice, I put in at least 30 - 60 minutes on theory. That, with my familiarity of music in general has me at almost the same point as you are, maybe slightly behind. But because of playing in bands, I think I know what to focus on at this point.

Benjamin Earl nailed it. Ear training is critical. I never thought i could sing... couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. But i have noticed, and been told by others, that I actually sing pretty well now. Just from working on training my ear for bass.

My inabillty to hear a riff and know what notes were played, was what scared me away from trying bass for so many years. If you can get that down, with the background you describe, then you will be my newest hero.
 
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#39
Katoosie said:
Hi everyone!

I hope that everyone is doing alright and to those that have celebrated thanksgiving - I hope that you have had a wonderful time.

In a few days I will be reaching an important milestone - 1 year of bass playing and music learning in general. I think it's a pretty big deal and I was wondering if I could use some pointers and advice in general. I come from a place of zero musical background so everything I know about music and the bass guitar playing is brand new to me.

Within one year of picking up my bass, I have learned:
- How to set up a bass (string changing, truss rod adjustment, tuning, intonation adjustment, bridge adjustment, accessories like amps, pedals etc)
- How to properly hold the instrument, pluck the strings, how to avoid injuries by using proper technique
- How to mute with both fretboard and plucking hand in tandem
- I can play give or take around 20 random songs across different genres such as jazz, metal, rock, reggae
- I know some basic music theory - basic intervals, key signatures, how to read sheet music, how to read tab, how to transcribe, the common uses of octaves, roots and fifths, flat sevenths, sixths, subdivisions, legato/staccato plucking, basic slap and pop technique, basic one octave scales and major pentatonic scales, what chords and arpeggios are and more that I have most likely forgotten about.

I'm working (albeit slowly due to work etc) through studybass.com. I watch Talking Bass videos, Bass Buzz, Scotts videos and grab whatever I can, whenever I can from them.
I'm currently at study bass fundamentals two where I am learning about triads and I plan to finish that entire online course, then... I don't know. I might go through Talking Bass paid courses just to know more.

Is there something very important that I am missing here? I try to practice regularly when I can, I play for hours, I learn and read and try to absorb as much as I can to know as much as possible so that I can be a versatile musician. Once Covid-19 releases it's grasp on us, I would like to play with some other people and see if I can be of some use somewhere, I don't care if all I do is pluck the root notes, I just want to get some real life experience as a bassist.

What advice would you give me, after just one year of playing and dabbling in music? What can I do to truly be on a way to be a good musician. I want to get to the point where I know theory, I can play mostly whatever I want and have fun and if someone asked me to play alongside them in a band or a similar setting, I could do it.

Thank you,
R.
Click to expand...

My recommendation is always to jam out with good records at home and with good musicians whenever possible.
 
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