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Relying too much on shapes

#21
great thread.

Russell L said:
Contrary to what others think, and with all due respect, I do not see playing with patterns as anything that has to be moved on from, not when the player knows what he's doing. I know the fingerboard forward and backward, know my chords and scales, etc. It's just that I see the patterns and use them in conjunction with what I know. It is NOT a lazy habit, but just a way of perceiving things. If there is anything to move forward it is seeing patterns between patterns, but then again I see that because I know my theory forward and backward, too. I don't want anyone to think that just because they like to use patterns that it is something they should wean themselves off of. Patterns are not a crutch, but rather a tool.
Click to expand...

I think they can be either; and in most peoples' cases (well I don't want to speak for everyone, but certainly in my case), they are both.

I think the goal is to eventually think purely musically, instead of shapes, and then know how to access those notes instantly. Just my line of thinking, and I'm no virtuoso, but that seems to be how it is attained.

I've been trying to think of how to teach bass without showing patterns early on, but I haven't found a better solution. At least not yet. I do think there is a better way but haven't found it.
 
#22
I think theory and shapes work well together, speaking for myself. I have taught shapes as well with a touch of theory included. For instance, I've drawn open dots on paper, representing the fingerboard, showing a shape, and colored in where the roots are, stuff like that. Or just put scale numbers instead of dots. Students seemed to get the idea.
 

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