I've been working on my reading and notating skills, I have picked up piano recently and it's really helping me to read music much more smoothly. I'll definitely take your advice into consideration, thank you!
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Seeking advice
- Thread starter benrelf
- Start date
I see too many young players that equate playing fast as good. Bass is primarily a support instrument in most bands. Do what the song calls for and resist the temptation to overplay. If you crave the spotlight you need to be the lead singer or lead guitarist.
Also don't make the mistake of thinking the high end basses available out there will make you a better player. Any bass that can be set up to play reasonably well will do.
Last but certainly not least, practice, practice, practice. These day's there's an endless supply of free instructional video's available on YOUTUBE. Take advantage of them.
Welcome to TB and good luck!!
Also don't make the mistake of thinking the high end basses available out there will make you a better player. Any bass that can be set up to play reasonably well will do.
Last but certainly not least, practice, practice, practice. These day's there's an endless supply of free instructional video's available on YOUTUBE. Take advantage of them.
Welcome to TB and good luck!!
Thanks for the advice! I actually have picked up some piano recently and I can definitely say you're right, it has helped me to better identify intervals in my playing. I'm also practicing ear training so that I can identify intervals much more easily and I can certainly say I can start to visualize on a fretboard certain intervals that are played just by listening, that's progress! Thanks again.My advise is to learn the fret board. If someone says a root note, or a chord name; then you need to know where the root of that chord is on your bass. you can do this with scales and warm up exercises and such..
Study up on some theory. Major/Miner scales. Pentatonic Maj/Min.
Study the Circle of Fifths(Fourths).
Study the simple Chords Major chords, Minor Chords to start. Then work up to 7th chords and on to augmented diminished and such is more advanced.. but start with the Maj/Miner Chord tones and the Pentatonic Maj/Min (It has all you really need right now).
The interval qualites is what you are looking to get ingrained into your bass-being..
(Honestly a little keyboard will help you with this. if you have apple products Garage Band is a great little app. its like a tiny studio in your pocket! or tablet!)
Learn to play songs you like. It will keep things fresh and fun (I mean we 'play' music after all right?) This alone has kept me going after all these years.
Eventually you get the guts to play out somewhere, even if its in front of neighbors in your garage. find some jam mates. and maybe get into a band. the sky is the limit.
there is tons more, but soak this up for now, and post back when this sparks more questions.
I've definitely been dabbling playing live but most of it is for school related things, I have helped a few buddies out with performances but I really want to get some friends together and start gigging. I have to say playing with other people has helped me to become the player I am, and developing musical chemistry is just a whole lot of fun! Thanks for the advice
Yeah you're right, nothing is going to happen overnight! I'm lucky to have someplace like this forum where I can have access to the guidance of many more experienced musicians who can give me tips like these so I can have the best potential of instrumental growth over my journey! Thank youEnjoy the journey. I always remind myself that the musicians we watch and try to play like have been doing this for years and decades. It doesn't just happen in a few weeks. So, enjoy the challenges and pick up the instrument every day. Even if it just sits in your lap it helps. That's extreme but you get the drift.
Good luck and welcome to TB
Great advice, I definitely find myself listening more just because I plan on becoming an audio engineer of some form. I've become better at listening to myself playing and I find scatting/humming the notes I play helps to build my confidence and security in what I play.1. Listen.
2. Listen.
3. Listen some more.
There's already a lot of good advice in the thread. Follow those but listen!
Listen to yourself while playing. It's harder then it seems.
Listen to your bandmates (esp. the drummer) in a band setting.
Listen to other bass players. Identify what you like and what you don't.
Did I mention listen?
....and have fun!
I definitely find myself playing a lot, despite my busy schedule. Practicing has become something I love to do, especially improvisation. I do play with a good amount of people but i definitely want to start moving towards gigging. Thank you for the advice.
Thank you! I try my best not to care much about my gear, and I definitely feel that it has kept me level headed in terms of assessing my skills as a bassist. When I have the urge to shred/solo I typically improvise on my electric guitar, and it definitely helps me to learn the fretboard more despite being quite the opposite of how I should be playing my bass. Thank you for your advice
you are going to get advice all over the place on this one. Here's my 2 cents worth...
1. Practice to a click. More than anyone else in the band, you and the drummer are the time keeper. If you aren't practicing to music (learning a cover or something) get into such a habit of playing to a metronome that you feel awkward sitting at home running scales without one. It helps you build good "internal timing". - Wish someone had told me that when I was a kid...
2. Record yourself. I was surprised when I started doing that. It's a very revealing and will show you where you may not be as solid as you would like. Nothing fancy. Heck, you can just record with your phone and listed with earbuds when you are done.
3. Don't overplay. The more comfortable you get with your instrument, the more tempting it will be to jazz up a song with licks and such. I mean, we're not monks. If there's a spot for a tasty little bass fill, go for it, just easy does it. A little candy is nice, but too much will make you sick. My most valued complement as a bassist it to be called "solid". Anything that jeopardizes "solid" is a liability I can't afford.
Hope this helps, and have fun!!
1. Practice to a click. More than anyone else in the band, you and the drummer are the time keeper. If you aren't practicing to music (learning a cover or something) get into such a habit of playing to a metronome that you feel awkward sitting at home running scales without one. It helps you build good "internal timing". - Wish someone had told me that when I was a kid...
2. Record yourself. I was surprised when I started doing that. It's a very revealing and will show you where you may not be as solid as you would like. Nothing fancy. Heck, you can just record with your phone and listed with earbuds when you are done.
3. Don't overplay. The more comfortable you get with your instrument, the more tempting it will be to jazz up a song with licks and such. I mean, we're not monks. If there's a spot for a tasty little bass fill, go for it, just easy does it. A little candy is nice, but too much will make you sick. My most valued complement as a bassist it to be called "solid". Anything that jeopardizes "solid" is a liability I can't afford.
Hope this helps, and have fun!!
1. Listen.
2. Listen.
3. Listen some more.
Did I mention listen?
....and have fun!
That's a fine list of advice. Here's another take...
1. Practice every day
2. Practice twice a day
3. Practice until your fingers bleed
Did I mention practice?
...and (pretend) you're having fun!
The fun will come when you're the baddest buck on the set.
Learn to actually identify a good drummer and listen and learn from them. Then you will be able to avoid someone that says they play drums.
You bet!
I think a lot of people get turned off after they realize effort has to come if we're going to be any good. Prodigy's are rare.
Also, don't be afraid to give some more detail on your avatar. Giving up a little bit of demographic info will help when advice is requested or eventually, given by you.
Peace.
Spend money on new strings before you buy a new pickup, amp, cab or bass. It makes a HUGE difference and is 40 dollars tops for a new set of strings.
Play a lot with other people. Learn at least basic music theory. Listen to the drums, and if you can find a drummer with whom you feel comfortable and play well.
And above all, have fun!
Play a lot with other people. Learn at least basic music theory. Listen to the drums, and if you can find a drummer with whom you feel comfortable and play well.
And above all, have fun!
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