The basics win fights

[WrapRough]

I am a keen martial artist, and one thing that is drilled into us is that "basics win fights". By this, we mean that, yes "flashy" techniques are all good, but, for the most part, that is not what wins fights.

I got to thinking about how to apply this to the bass.

What are the things on the bass that one should spend time on every time one picks up the bass? What are the "basics" that you should never stop practicing, never stop refining? What wins fights?

 

[theduke1]

Playing scales IMVHO everything bass related revolves around scales
Duke

 

[Drucifer]

Timing and groove.

 

[Lobster11]

Chord tones. Never stop practicing arpeggios.

 

[SteveCS]

I think these 6 considerations should be foremost in all instances of whatever is being played, be it scales/arpeggii, exercises, studies, songs or pieces.

Intonation
Synchronisation
Time
Dynamics
Tone
Muting

And, IME/IMHO, the single most important physical aspect that applies in all cases is hand posture.

 

[mambo4]

Wooten’s elements of groove cover the basics pretty well

 

[WrapRough]

Nice, i've not seen that.

 

[Mushroo]

Knowing how the song goes.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I am a keen martial artist, and one thing that is drilled into us is that "basics win fights". By this, we mean that, yes "flashy" techniques are all good, but, for the most part, that is not what wins fights.

I got to thinking about how to apply this to the bass.

What are the things on the bass that one should spend time on every time one picks up the bass? What are the "basics" that you should never stop practicing, never stop refining? What wins fights?

What martial art??

 

[WrapRough]

What martial art??

Mainly Muay Thai and BJJ nowadays, but done all sorts over the years!

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Mainly Muay Thai and BJJ nowadays, but done all sorts over the years!

I did 10 years of competition Judo, my knees are completely wasted.
Did a little BJJ but broke some ribs, then FUBAR hit.

I freakin love ONE FC for Muy THAI.

 

[Jefenator]

Time, ear skills, knowing the fretboard, taste...

 

[micguy]

When I rehears for a gigs ,I learn the chord structures, and figure out a part that works - tha's 10 percent of my prep time. The other 90 percent of my prep time is figuring out what notes not to play - pariung down my part to the things that make the part work, and carving the fluff out.

 

[Bass4Brkfast]

Time, ear skills, knowing the fretboard, taste...

This is interesting...how does one develop or practice taste?
I know for sure this should be something we strive to develop, but how? Repertoire? Learning the stylistic idiosyncracies of a player? A genre? Many genres?
Would be keen to hear what others think about this.
My list of basics goes:
Arpeggios / scales
Timing / Groove
Dynamics
Muting
Taste?

 

[BassFalcon]

This is interesting...how does one develop or practice taste?
I know for sure this should be something we strive to develop, but how? Repertoire? Learning the stylistic idiosyncracies of a player? A genre? Many genres?
Would be keen to hear what others think about this.
My list of basics goes:
Arpeggios / scales
Timing / Groove
Dynamics
Muting
Taste?

I would argue taste is developed by listening. Listening to the giants of the style you’re learning. What they play as well as what they don’t play. Understanding the culture it came from and how that philosophy influences the stylistic idiosyncrasies. Is it dance music or not. And finally listening outside the style and instrument you’re studying, for instance, much virtuosic bass playing is based more on horn playing than it is on bass playing. I would say that’s the recipe for developing taste.

 

[bass12]

Playing for the song. This means being aware of the impact (or possible impact) of what you’re playing. The best way to practise this is to record yourself and listen back with a critical ear.

 

[dan1952]

Overhand right to the nose ends most fights with one punch!
Oh...bass?!? Root note dead on the drummer's kick, drives the band with one note!

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

Overhand right to the nose ends most fights with one punch!
Oh...bass?!? Root note dead on the drummer's kick, drives the band with one note!

For real, when you actually know how to fight, you avoid fights at any cost. Nothing good ever happens, ever!!!!
Try landing that overhand you saw on TV on someone who can move and control distance, you ain’t gonna land that thing in a million years.

I come from a small town, fights in bars where very common. I always did the same thing. Circle, footwork,
keep distance, let the idiot gas out hitting air and walk away. No one gets hurt, the end.


My 2 cents.

 

[acleex38]

This is interesting...how does one develop or practice taste?
I know for sure this should be something we strive to develop, but how? Repertoire? Learning the stylistic idiosyncracies of a player? A genre? Many genres?
Would be keen to hear what others think about this.
My list of basics goes:
Arpeggios / scales
Timing / Groove
Dynamics
Muting
Taste?

I started playing at 11, but I didn't get serious until I was in my 30s. Slow to develop any chops, all of a sudden, I could play things I'd wanted to play. Playing those things frequently sounded like garbage.

I'm still working through that learning curve. I think we "practice taste" by not having it and then getting our butts whooped (metaphorically) until we learn. But as with most things, it may not work that way for everyone (or anyone) else.

 

[WrapRough]

Recently I have been warming up with a really simple rill. I just play a bar of 1/4 notes, a bar of 1/8 notes, and then a bar of 1/16th notes. I ramp from 80 to 130ish over 10mins. Metronome set to 2 and 4. Really basic exercise.

One thing I notice is that it is actually not that easy to get nice smooth consistent tone, attack, timing etc... all the time while staying nice and relaxed, good posture, good hand position etc.