As a beginning bass player, would figuring out and playing the melody to a song(s) help with ear training or help in any way? If yes, how so? Thanks in advance for your responses.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Playing Melodies
- Thread starter bassman2020
- Start date
Oh my, yes it will. One of the exercises I do is to play a melody with bass roots or other chord tones, as convenient.
However, this is a skill that takes some real understanding of theory (or an innate sense of what is happening musically). So for now, I would recommend learning a melody (either by reading standard musical notation well or by having a great ear), and trying to play that melody with chord roots. That's a pretty advanced concept, however.
To answer your question of How? - It always does the brain and ear good to hear intervals. But for those intervals to make sense (your ear will hear things as "normal" but until you understand the chord functionality, the reasons why it sounds familiar to your ear will remain a mystery), you need to understand Major/minor key chord structure.
Sorry if this sounds like a run-around. Learning music theory and actually understanding how to soundly apply it to your playing takes anywhere from a year to 20 years.
However, this is a skill that takes some real understanding of theory (or an innate sense of what is happening musically). So for now, I would recommend learning a melody (either by reading standard musical notation well or by having a great ear), and trying to play that melody with chord roots. That's a pretty advanced concept, however.
To answer your question of How? - It always does the brain and ear good to hear intervals. But for those intervals to make sense (your ear will hear things as "normal" but until you understand the chord functionality, the reasons why it sounds familiar to your ear will remain a mystery), you need to understand Major/minor key chord structure.
Sorry if this sounds like a run-around. Learning music theory and actually understanding how to soundly apply it to your playing takes anywhere from a year to 20 years.
Absolutely yes, especially if you're learning it by ear. Your ears will only get better the more you use them. You'll also get your hands around the fingerboard in the process.
And you'll know the melody better, and when you know the melody better, you'll have a better idea of how to craft your bass lines in a way that complements it.
And you'll get a better sense of how the harmony works when you know what two of the voices are doing.
It's a win-win.
And you'll know the melody better, and when you know the melody better, you'll have a better idea of how to craft your bass lines in a way that complements it.
And you'll get a better sense of how the harmony works when you know what two of the voices are doing.
It's a win-win.
Definitely
I am a big supporter of making the bass to "sing".
And after learning the melody's notes,and be able to play them at tempo,I would suggest to find ways to add the "expression",trying to mimic those "inflections" the voice do at singing. (legato,vibrato,all types of musical effects available for your instrument)
I also recommend to play melodies for other instruments,like sax,where it also tech you other set of "effects".
I am a big supporter of making the bass to "sing".
And after learning the melody's notes,and be able to play them at tempo,I would suggest to find ways to add the "expression",trying to mimic those "inflections" the voice do at singing. (legato,vibrato,all types of musical effects available for your instrument)
I also recommend to play melodies for other instruments,like sax,where it also tech you other set of "effects".
Thank you. Each response makes alot of sense so I'll keep at it along with the other things I'm doing to get better. Thanks again!
