Is it better for me musically to know / play proficiently, a crap ton of easy songs, or to learn fewer, harder songs?
Which is better for me?
Which is better for me?
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Serious question about what to play
- Thread starter Ironbar
- Start date
I think a mix of both is best. Learn stuff like “Heart of the Sunrise” by Yes. But also learn stuff like “Summer of 69” by Brian Adams.
Or similar degrees of difficulty in other genres.
Or similar degrees of difficulty in other genres.
Getting to be a good musician is about being good at practicing.
If you're learning something new or practicing something you're not good at you cannot go wrong.
Keep playing and you will keep improving.
If you're learning something new or practicing something you're not good at you cannot go wrong.
Keep playing and you will keep improving.
You will not make any progress playing songs you already know. You need to keep challenging yourself by working on new material.
Easy songs are a good way to get your ear in tune and get you used to hearing chord progressions in songs. Harder songs will do the same AND get your chops up. I'd say mix it up...try and learn easy songs by ear and progress from there. Read up on common chord patterns and start dissecting the songs you know to see how those patterns are used
From a musicianship perspective, it’s best to learn how to play the bass as a bassist (i.e. learning things like basic music theory, chord structure, scales and modes, rhythmic studies, notation, etc.) and then apply it to what you’re playing rather than just learn to play specific songs. It’s much like the difference between learning woodworking so you can build anything vs building a bunch of birdhouses.
How about this - for each song you learn, learn the bass part, the lead melody, and try composing a solo over the chord progression.
All of it. Manage practice time by splitting into categories. For example, 1/3 of your time spent on scales, arpeggios , etc, 1/3 on songs, 1/3 on improvizing to a drum/backing track. Depends on what your goals are. If you feel lost , a practice journal can help. Learning easy songs will build up your song book and build confidence . Learning hard songs will inspire and push you. Good luck!
What is your goal? If you want to be a good bassist, quit worrying about songs and learn to play the bass.
Learn to play the easy songs first, but you're not done until you understand why you're playing what you're playing. And by why, I don't mean because that's how the other guy/gal did it. Then you can learn to come up with your own lines over the chord progression of the song.
When you get all that done, repeat with the harder songs.
When you get all that done, repeat with the harder songs.
Not quite what you're asking.... but I'd also suggest learning some songs by looking up the music, but then also learn some songs by just listening. It's harder and takes longer, but the ear training is invaluable. You may not come up with the exact bass line, but it'll be your sound and if it serves the music then it's all good!
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Depends upon your goals. If you want to play in %!! tons of bands, better to know #!~~@ tons of songs (a bunch of which will be pounding on roots). If you want to improve as a player, you need to play harder songs/parts.
Play everything...
Play everything...
Not sure which is better for you, but I would focus on those songs that are better for the gig.
