returning to the bass

[Maple]

Hi TB!
I've been away from the bass for almost 20 years!
in the 90's I was recording a bit, touring, making basses and just starting to make great connections in LA.

I'm now think I have enough time to get my chops back up. In the old days, I would spend at least 5 hours a day playing. either in bands or just on my own practicing. I really don't have that kind of time anymore.

I'd love to get suggestions on effective ways to get back up to speed with about an hour a night on my own.
Is band-in-a-box a good way to go or are there other things that can help me kickstart my playing.
(I used to use the bootleg real books as a way to build chops but I was working with ensembles at that time)

thanks

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Now days I let Google call up songs, exercises, scale notes or just about anything I need. I've never used Band in a box, others have and I'm sure they will chime in.

Backing tracks, song videos, all await you just let Google call them up.

Welcome back, look forward to your comments.

 

[Maple]

Now days I let Google call up songs, exercises, scale notes or just about anything I need. I've never used Band in a box, others have and I'm sure they will chime in. Backing tracks, song videos, all await you just let Google call them up.

Great idea! I noticed some talkbass threads on the subject as well.

 

[Maple]

I gave it a bit more thought and realized BIAB is what I need.
I want something that has charts and lets me modify them. lets me adjust tempos and keys easily and focus on hard measures to work out phrases.
that narrows it down to either BIAB or iReal B.

I have iReal B - played with it a bit a couple years ago while trying to get my chops back up on guitar. But it felt a little too limited. It's great for most stuff but has interface limitations that don't let me enter certain chords (like D13b5b9 from Mickey Baker's jazz guitar book). I tried talking the developers into supporting it but they felt my request was way on the fringe (which is likely true).