Questions before diving in

[M159]

Hello,
I am considering picking up the bass, so I have been reading up but still have a few questions.

How do you know what notes to play? Pretty basic but I haven't really found anything on it. There is a lot on chord tones and what notes you "can" play like a major 7 would have R-3-5-7. But when it is time to play there are virtually infinite note combinations and rhythms to play.

Probably the same question from a different angle. Sometimes bass playing comes across as abstract "play for the song" "get in a groove" other times it seems more definite "transcribe this" "can you play this riff". What does real world playing look like?

Lastly what does the learning curve look like? Or what separates just starting, beginners, intermediate, etc? I've seen recommendations of keeping a journal to track progress. What quantifiable things should I track? Listening to great players can be discouraging since they're so far up there, so I'm just trying to get am idea of the smaller steps/goals to go through.

Thanks in advance, these forums have already been very helpful.

 

[BassAndReeds]

Hello,
I am considering picking up the bass, so I have been reading up but still have a few questions.

How do you know what notes to play? Pretty basic but I haven't really found anything on it. There is a lot on chord tones and what notes you "can" play like a major 7 would have R-3-5-7. But when it is time to play there are virtually infinite note combinations and rhythms to play.

Probably the same question from a different angle. Sometimes bass playing comes across as abstract "play for the song" "get in a groove" other times it seems more definite "transcribe this" "can you play this riff". What does real world playing look like?

Lastly what does the learning curve look like? Or what separates just starting, beginners, intermediate, etc? I've seen recommendations of keeping a journal to track progress. What quantifiable things should I track? Listening to great players can be discouraging since they're so far up there, so I'm just trying to get am idea of the smaller steps/goals to go through.

Thanks in advance, these forums have already been very helpful.

What age/age range are you? You don’t seem younger than 18.

Do you have music experience? Sounds like you may have some.

If by timeline you’re considering if you should or shouldn’t take up the bass, well, timeline shouldn’t matter. It will no doubt take time. But do you love the sound of the bass? I hope so, cause you’ll spend a lot of time listening to it. And if you do, then doesn’t matter how long it takes to be competent on the instrument. Enjoy yourself and the process.

All that being said, I think bass is much easier than guitar or piano. Probably equally as easy as drums.

 

[mambo4]

How do you know what notes to play?

You outline the notes of the chords using a rhythm appropriate to the style.
85% of the time those notes are roots. The "math" behind chord tones is pretty simple to pick up.
it's the "using a rhythm appropriate to the style" that requires study and exposure to many examples

Sometimes bass playing comes across as abstract "play for the song" "get in a groove" other times it seems more definite "transcribe this" "can you play this riff". What does real world playing look like?

you "transcribe this" & "play this riff"
until you start to internalize various approaches
then you "play for the song" & "get in a groove"

It is important to realize the two approaches are not exclusive. You can take a fully transcribed part with no room for your own inventions, and still apply your skill and attitude to get into the groove and play to the song. The freeing and creative aspect of music need not be destroyed by being handed a composition -you just have to dig a little deeper.

What quantifiable things should I track?

Track your ability to follow a chord chart, outlining the notes of the chords using a rhythm appropriate to the style.

 

[Mushroo]

Welcome aboard!

My advice: Pick some bands you like that have easy/simple bass lines. (When I was starting out, it was U2, Talking Heads, and the Pixies.) Learn their bass lines note for note using your preferred learning style. (I strongly recommend learning by ear, but some people have better results reading music notation.) Get together with your friends and have fun playing the songs that you've learned. Everything else is optional and can be learned when the time comes. Good luck!

 

[dreamadream99]

How do you know what notes to play?

Experience. Since you are just starting out, stick to the roots, until you have some experience listening and playing the classics.

What does real world playing look like?

Well there’s two types, and I’m not sure which you are pursuing, so I’ll answer both: cover band vs. Originals. In a cover band your job is clear cut—listen to the original, and play it just like that. For originals, you have to rely on your knowledge of genres and styles, and your experience playing them. If you are just starting out, you may not have all or even any of these tools yet.

Lastly what does the learning curve look like?

Anyone can learn the basic first position notes on bass in under a month. Most people can be at an intermediate level in 1-2 years. Count on 5-10 years to be at an expert level.

 

[M159]

What age/age range are you? You don’t seem younger than 18.

30s I appreciate that.

Do you have music experience? Sounds like you may have some.

I played saxophone and flute in middle school but didn't get a lot of theory at that stage. I've learned a lot in the few weeks that I've been reading up on bass. Scales aren't just random notes you have to memorize who knew?

I know it's going to take time to learn. Time line is more about since it will take awhile what are realistic goals for the short term. Both for weighing if I have to time and dedication and for what practice would look like.

You outline the notes of the chords using a rhythm appropriate to the style.
85% of the time those notes are roots. The "math" behind chord tones is pretty simple to pick up.
it's the "using a rhythm appropriate to the style" that requires study and exposure to many examples

So I get the math of chord tones but when looking at a chord sheet are you playing just roots, R-R-3-3, R-3-5-3, R-R-5-R, etc and is it player preference or are there guidelines?

 

[mambo4]

when looking at a chord sheet are you playing just roots, R-R-3-3, R-3-5-3, R-R-5-R, etc and is it player preference or are there guidelines?

There are guidelines provided by the "stylistically appropriate rhythm"
The style will inform your choice of notes beyond the root far more than anything else.
Country? root, 5th, diatonic walking
Blues? Root, 5th, b7, m3, some chromatic stuff
Jazz? all chord tones plus chromatics
Latin? Root, 5, octave, some jazzy runs

(these are drastic simplifications of styles that truly go very, very deep)

the point of learning styles is learning what they sound like
then you can ask yourself what do want to sound like?
and then player preference, informed by stylistic knowledge, comes into play.

Study the styles, learn their conventions, but don't seek one "correct" solution
There is no single, solid rule that will "just sound good" in all cases.
If it sounds good, it is good, and context will determine what sounds good.
Better to just make a choice, and listen , learn, and adjust accordingly.

 

[Herbal]

Play to the music and try not to overthink it.
after some time playing you won't any longer think R 5 R 5 R3 5 R you'll be able to hear what to play.
There aren't really many guidelines, its music after all.

The majority of bands want someone who has good timing, that is the main thing.

Watch this its very good.

 

[btmpancake]

30'ish? I'd a get a instructor/teacher if I could afford one, if not there are tons of video/YouTube,CD material to choose from but I have no idea who's the best but I have seen Scott Devine's YouTube instructorial videos. He seems okay.

 

[Mushroo]

So I get the math of chord tones but when looking at a chord sheet are you playing just roots, R-R-3-3, R-3-5-3, R-R-5-R, etc and is it player preference or are there guidelines?

What you are describing is called "musical vocabulary" and it comes from learning lots of songs.

An analogy is if you were new to dating, you might ask, "what should we talk about on our first date?" or if you were going to a job interview, you might wonder, "what questions will they ask me, and how am I supposed to know the right answers?" The best advice is to be yourself and use your English vocabulary to the best of your abilities. Music works like that, too. Becoming an expert musician isn't some magic trick, it's simply a matter of building your musical vocabulary a little bit every day.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

You have received good information -- start shopping. Which one? At this point take a friend that plays and the two of you check out the music stores in your area. Buy the one that talks to you.

One of the starter kits will play better than you are able to right now. You also need the following:

A set up. $35 +\ -
A strap. $15 to ......
A music stand. $15 to 35.
An electronic tuner. $6.00 to $35.
A how to play book. $20.
A stand for your bass - so it is out ready to go. $15..

The amp in the starter kit will do until your first gig. At that time you will need a gigging amp and a case for your bass, plus a two wheeler to get all this to the gig.

And by then you can call yourself a musician.

Go have fun.

 

[Fender_Bender]

I didn’t start till I was 35. It seemed impossible at first, but you just have to keep plugging away. Next thing you know you’ll have years under your belt. I’ve got 18 years under my belt now but can easily recall when I started out. Take at least some lessons at first even if only to learn proper techniques.

 

[M159]

There are guidelines provided by the "stylistically appropriate rhythm"
The style will inform your choice of notes beyond the root far more than anything else.
Country? root, 5th, diatonic walking
Blues? Root, 5th, b7, m3, some chromatic stuff
Jazz? all chord tones plus chromatics
Latin? Root, 5, octave, some jazzy runs

Thanks that helps. So if I handed you a chord chart to a song you've never heard that isn't enough information to realy play the song. It sounds like with experience you could make a good guess but really you need to know some of the style and feel of the song.

What you are describing is called "musical vocabulary" and it comes from learning lots of songs.

Pretty sure I have googled those exact questions. So it is similar to how minor keys are sad every combination is going to have a emotion or genre feeling to it?

Is there a term for this for the purpose of looking for lessons/videos? Music vocabulary comes up with vocab words. Does it fall under rhythm?

Thank you all this has been helpful

 

[BassUrges]

Thanks that helps. So if I handed you a chord chart to a song you've never heard that isn't enough information to realy play the song. It sounds like with experience you could make a good guess but really you need to know some of the style and feel of the song.

There isn't a "right" way to play a song. I was at a rehearsal a couple of weeks ago and we were working on something really simple--I think it was "Dancing in the Streets"--when the guitar player started hitting stuccato synchopated chords for no reason (probably he was bored, because it's mostly the vocalists who need the practice). So I moved my hand towards the neck and instead of the disco-ish R-8-5 riff I had been doing I just thumped roots on the 2 and 4, and suddenly we were playing "Bob Marley does Martha and the Vandellas." The basic pulse didn't change and the basic harmony didn't change, so the singers could still do their thing, but the string guys got to goof around a little.

The trick I am working on is taking the stuff I hear in my head and making it come out on the fingerboard. My brain is much faster than my fingers. Learning by ear helps with that a lot, and unfortunately I'm not at all gifted in the ear department.

 

[BassUrges]

Another thought: once I have the basics down, I make an effort to mark the changes and sections. I try to have a little walk or leading 5th or something between chords. If I'm playing stuccato 8ths for the verse, I may walk quarters for the chorus. The measure before a big change I might syncopate. Who knows? But I try to flag the structure for the listener, and for any drummers who are lost but paying attention to me. Of course, sometimes I miss a change because I'm spacing out, and I REALLY appreciate a nice tom fill to say "Wake up, idiot, we're going to the parallel minor!" Which has happened more than once.

As an aside, I played in high school (very poorly--no money for a teacher and no internet), set it aside for 20 years, then picked it up again about 3 years ago. I'm not Geddy Lee or Victor Wooten here, and I never will be, but I recently had a guitarist tell me he was new in town and wanted to start a band with me, so we'll see where that goes. There's no reason you can't get there too.

 

[Gizmot]

Bass is one of the easiest instruments to play - but one of the hardest to be really good at. Bass has a huge impact and contribution to the sound of a band

 

[MD Stingray]

Just do it.

Hello,
I am picking up the bass

fixed


Go for it - buy one - plug it in and start the magical tour of discovering the most fantastic musical instrument in the world.

 

[hrodbert696]

There's playing, there's composition, and then there's jamming (or improvising) somewhere in between.

Starting out, I would spend part of my time learning scales and fingering exercises, and part of my time learning songs as written or as recorded. If you're learning an existing song you don't have to worry about making note choices, you're learning someone else's note choices.

Once you've learned a fair amount of how past bassists constructed their lines, and you know a bit of theory behind it so you can see what they did (ie you know scales, chord structure, etc.), then when you need to create a bass line yourself, like if you're trying to compose or if you're at a jam session where you only know what the chord progression is, you'll have some ideas where to take the line. From there it's trial and error and what sounds good.

 

[Mushroo]

Is there a term for this for the purpose of looking for lessons/videos? Music vocabulary comes up with vocab words. Does it fall under rhythm?

I suppose a fancy name for this process is "building repertoire." The layman's term is "learning songs." Other key phrases are "reading music" and "playing by ear."

Don't overthink it, though. Just pick a song you like and learn it, then learn another song, and then another song after that.

Lessons are a great idea. Your teacher may have some song suggestions, based on experience teaching students at your level, in addition to the songs you choose yourself.

 

[Groove Master]

Hello,
I am considering picking up the bass, so I have been reading up but still have a few questions.

How do you know what notes to play? Pretty basic but I haven't really found anything on it. There is a lot on chord tones and what notes you "can" play like a major 7 would have R-3-5-7. But when it is time to play there are virtually infinite note combinations and rhythms to play.

Probably the same question from a different angle. Sometimes bass playing comes across as abstract "play for the song" "get in a groove" other times it seems more definite "transcribe this" "can you play this riff". What does real world playing look like?

Lastly what does the learning curve look like? Or what separates just starting, beginners, intermediate, etc? I've seen recommendations of keeping a journal to track progress. What quantifiable things should I track? Listening to great players can be discouraging since they're so far up there, so I'm just trying to get am idea of the smaller steps/goals to go through.

Thanks in advance, these forums have already been very helpful.

It is important to know that Bass is the foundation of Harmony. So knowing the impact of the bass notes under a chord is very important. So is the rhythmic aspect of the groove.

Good luck. Bass is the best instrument of all