Taking my playing to the "Next Level"

[ksandvik]

You play a lot with other musicians and temp band configurations, right?

 

[gavinspoon]

Im not quite sure, i have a bit of trouble syncing between hands with fast paced songs, string crossings when going fast are bad, i dont really know how to make chords on bass or make fills with a chord from a guitar, its all that kind of stuff.

Are your syncing problems related to a general lack of co-ordination, or is one of your hands not keeping up with the other? My old piano teacher told me to never play anything faster than you can play it well. It's good advice, speed comes with time.

You've identified that you've got an issue with string crossing, so focus on that when you practice, until you're happy its no longer limiting your playing. You can follow dome of the exercises you've been given in the thread, or - even better - create your own.

Do you play a chording instrument, like piano or guitar? If not, consider learning a bit of one or both.

 

[facepalmmaster]

Are your syncing problems related to a general lack of co-ordination, or is one of your hands not keeping up with the other? My old piano teacher told me to never play anything faster than you can play it well. It's good advice, speed comes with time.

You've identified that you've got an issue with string crossing, so focus on that when you practice, until you're happy its no longer limiting your playing. You can follow dome of the exercises you've been given in the thread, or - even better - create your own.

Do you play a chording instrument, like piano or guitar? If not, consider learning a bit of one or both.

I have plenty of coordination, so its like you said, i should just go slower (i like doing things quickly, picked up cello quickly, picked up bass quickly, etc...). I tried guitar, but switching chords is way to complicated for me, and i have normal sized but somewhat pudgy hands, so it makes it difficult. I could keep trying however. As for piano i haven't really tried too much, i cant multitask that well however, so piano has never been a thought for me. Who knows? Ill try though

 

[facepalmmaster]

You play a lot with other musicians and temp band configurations, right?

Not at all, i've been trying to find some people, but my neighborhood is all jerks and idiots, and i cant get to too many other places.

 

[SUPERMAG]

To the OP. I understand exactly what or where Your at. As most everyone around my area. Either has no time to jam or doesn't care to. Or they are to young for me to want to mess with. I'm mid 40's. So I've Done went thru that learning curve of novice drunks and crazy love sick boys that are twisted over some little girl that's driving them crazy.

I am a former drummer and guitar player and lead Singer too.
So after my accident I Had to switch to bass due to physical reasons. I had to switch to bass after a accident that left me unable to drum anymore and play guitar more than just rhythm.
So as everyone needs a bassist. I went with that option. Cause I never wanna quit music. So I refined my course.
Now the moral is. : I offered folks to get together, set my shop up as a jam shack, PA, extra amps of mine. Drums. Etc. Basically just show up guys. ??
Well That is hard in this small town. And can't have drama either. But the desire to play and become better never leaves.
So What I did was, and feel It helped as much as anything. Was to learn as much theroy as I could while I was recovering from surgeries.
But I bought a tascam bass trainer. And downloaded a bunch of songs on it. The device can do alot.
But I finally. After a wild trip with my health and the burning desire to get better at the bass.
I can now. Entertain myself and I've grown alot better by using this device. It was only $99 and theory is free on the web. I can set down and use HP's and play all night. Never bothering anyone. And its no bigger than a remote control from the TV.
Although Nothing can replace actual band involvement. Being able to slow these songs down and apply the theory I've learned. Mixing in my own fills. I've grown as a musician. And got over the fact That everyone else was busy nowdays. .
I always envied those that could entertain themselves with their own music ability.
So my advice to you. Being newer to This instrument. You'll advance as long as you keep at It. You know that. And it will hit You one day. That you can And are advancing to That next level. Only to find That you can now see What It takes to reach the next level. Whatever That may be.
I got lost in some YouTube stuff. But found I did way better When I applied theroy. And got to getting those Aaahaaa!! Moments.
Something I always felt I would Never reach. Only to discover I was only scratching the surface. But I know now. That I can blend well into most any band around.
Still haven't got many offers in the last year. Lol
But I know I'm growing as a musician. By not duplicating one thing. I applied my other skills to the bass. And I want to be the best I can be. No matter if I ever play in a band again. I've reached the next level for myself. Which was being able to play to myself and enjoy it. Not fight it or look at as work or studying.
You will too. Good luck and Thanks for listening to my rant. I learned I Can't wait to Be a bassist. Just cause no one has time to come jam with me. I'll be ready When That day comes. And I owe alot to this site for reviewing the tascam GB10.
A great buy. That I can't outgrow. Cause it puts It all on me to get better.

Good luck

 

[granvals]

Im not quite sure, i have a bit of trouble syncing between hands with fast paced songs, string crossings when going fast are bad, i dont really know how to make chords on bass or make fills with a chord from a guitar, its all that kind of stuff.

Practicing scales/arpeggios/runs the fastest that you can do CORRECTLY is key to gaining coordination ime. And if you mess up, start over, no matter where you are in the exercise/scale. Practicing mistakes is never a good idea. There's no "finger weightlifting" or whatever that you can really do to improve coordination and speed, it's all making mental connections. My two cents anyway

As for string crossings, try this exercise:

_______5____ l_______6_____l_______7_____l______8____l
____________ l_____________l_____________l___________l
_5_6_8___8_6 l 5_6_8___8_6_ l 5_6_8___8_6_l5_6_8__8_6_l
____________ l_____________l_____________l___________l

This was really good at getting my ring finger to cooperate.

Cheers!

 

[scullionj]

That fear of playing badly leads us away from practicing and playing what we aren't good at which can halt our development.
...Before you can play anything well you have to play it badly. It's a simple fact that you can't escape...You should play badly every time you are in the practice room.

Though this whole post is great, I just wanted to condense it down to some of the primary points that I think are important. Or, maybe, I'm just trying to remind myself of those points. I'm not sure. But super important stuff to keep in mind. Once you master, I dunno, Teen Town, Aeroplane, Maxwell Murder - whatever your cool-guy bass-riffin' song is of your choice, it's so tempting to just play that over and over again. But it's also not that productive.

If you're working on trying to figure out fills that sound good, first, figure out some chord arpeggios and some scales. Focus on chords, this is something I got from Carol Kaye. Chords are where it's at. A lot of the tastiest sounding notes from all points between jazz, rock and techno, are often chord tones. Then start playing along with songs, but don't worry about the real bass line. Just play to the chord changes. Try to tune out the bass line in your brainy-bits and focus on what the rest of the band is playing, and your own sound. Other option, roll off the low end.

Another great exercise, playing along to the radio. Just turning it on to a random, hopefully not TOO excruciatingly awful radio station, and trying to find your way to A. the key and B. the changes of whatever song is playing. And you know, if it's dumb hip-pop-step-flop-slop, even better. It's way easier, and you'll feel like a G when you find yourself groovin' along to it.

 

[Rev J]

Though this whole post is great, I just wanted to condense it down to some of the primary points that I think are important. Or, maybe, I'm just trying to remind myself of those points. I'm not sure. But super important stuff to keep in mind. Once you master, I dunno, Teen Town, Aeroplane, Maxwell Murder - whatever your cool-guy bass-riffin' song is of your choice, it's so tempting to just play that over and over again. But it's also not that productive.

If you're working on trying to figure out fills that sound good, first, figure out some chord arpeggios and some scales. Focus on chords, this is something I got from Carol Kaye. Chords are where it's at. A lot of the tastiest sounding notes from all points between jazz, rock and techno, are often chord tones. Then start playing along with songs, but don't worry about the real bass line. Just play to the chord changes. Try to tune out the bass line in your brainy-bits and focus on what the rest of the band is playing, and your own sound. Other option, roll off the low end.

Another great exercise, playing along to the radio. Just turning it on to a random, hopefully not TOO excruciatingly awful radio station, and trying to find your way to A. the key and B. the changes of whatever song is playing. And you know, if it's dumb hip-pop-step-flop-slop, even better. It's way easier, and you'll feel like a G when you find yourself groovin' along to it.

Thanks. I agree with the chord tone practice thing. Here is a link to a thread I started with a really good arpeggio exercise:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f21/arpeggio-exercise-891048/

Stay Brown,
Rev J