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What are you learning lately?
- Thread starter Harper
- Start date
When the lockdown occurred I found myself out of gig work and at a bit of a loss for what to do musically. It hit me that it would be a great opportunity to learn tunes I've always wanted to play but will likely never play in an ensemble situation. I came up with a rotating list of about 7 or 8 tunes in an 8 day cycle (so about 60 tunes total) that I'd work on. When I was satisfied with my execution of a tune I'd replace it with another. I've tackled well over 100 tunes now but rarely have time for that now as I am working with several bands (6 this month) so spend most of my time learning/brushing up tunes for upcoming gigs. It sounds like you're a reader (I'm not) so this approach may not be useful or appealing to you. I hope you find a regimen that keeps you engaged.
The Bar Band Bassman
The Bar Band Bassman
Now that I'm only in 1 band, I'm working on reggae rhythms. Been listening to lots of Jah Wobble and Grace Jones, which has really got me buzzing with excitement... Getting a bit tired of the rock n roll scene.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,793
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I have so many different gigs with several different groups that basically every week I’m learning or at least reviewing set lists for whatever shows are happening that week. Usually drastically different styles. Sometimes it’s a blues gig, sometimes it’s 80s funk, sometimes it’s hard rock/metal, sometimes it’s original rock.
I've been learning to play slap bass. I've always heard many slap players over the years-- Flea, Wooten, Clarke, etc... and was never super inspired by any of them. Graham is good, but I wasn't learning many of his lines or his technique. Then... I discovered Tetsuo Sakurai, and his playing with J-fusion band Casiopea:
Obviously many people are familiar with this specific performance because of the outstanding solos by the bassist (and the drummer as well!), but even if you ignore those entirely and just focus on the bass throughout the song, it really sticks out to me. His lines are lively without being too busy, he slaps for the entire song without it sounding out of place. His note choice is excellent, and even at this young age he really knows how to tell a story with the bass.
Anyway... I've been doing my best to take what I can in terms of Sakurai's sense of groove and the lines he creates when he slaps.
Obviously many people are familiar with this specific performance because of the outstanding solos by the bassist (and the drummer as well!), but even if you ignore those entirely and just focus on the bass throughout the song, it really sticks out to me. His lines are lively without being too busy, he slaps for the entire song without it sounding out of place. His note choice is excellent, and even at this young age he really knows how to tell a story with the bass.
Anyway... I've been doing my best to take what I can in terms of Sakurai's sense of groove and the lines he creates when he slaps.
The coolest things I’ve learned lately is after a year of three fingerstyle, four fingerstyle is better.
Pinky, ring, middle, index is a simple roll.
A gigantic a amount of music is in fours… not twos… not threes, but fours…
Sequencers usually work in spurts of four.
It has been fun so far.
Pinky, ring, middle, index is a simple roll.
A gigantic a amount of music is in fours… not twos… not threes, but fours…
Sequencers usually work in spurts of four.
It has been fun so far.
That's interesting. I always thought 4 fingers seemed superfluous, but you are on to something with the sequencer analogy. This might be something to try.
2 thumbs up.
Big fan of Tetsuo Sakurai. Big fan of early (late 70s early 80s Casiopea). Excellent and fun Japanese Fusion.
He has a rare, hard to find Yamaha 6 string TRB signature bass.
Ah! The sixteenths to triplets section. One of the sneakiest in the book.
Working from the bass version of Stick Control. Nice and slow (40 BPM). It's really helping me move around the board better.
I’m about 3years into my bass journey and have been very fortunate to find a bunch of patient, skilled (and forgiving) guys to play with once a week. We mostly play classic rock, a bit on the lighter side. I can hold my own about 90% of the time, always hoping to improve.
I recently signed up with “learn Jazz Standards” not that we play jazz, but my understanding is you can learn a ton by learning standards. The first module involved learning a simple head (Doxy by Miles D. Was the study’s song), then the progression, and then doing the progression using chord tones only through each chord. It took so much time that, while instructive it was taking time away from learning songs that I play with the guys, so I stopped my subscription after 1 month. I do recommend it, as it was full of useful explanatory material and had a very good systematic way of explaining the songs. Good support from staff and other students as well via the site’s message board. My only caveat is they are aimed primarily at melody instruments, I.e. it is focused on the end goal of improving your improvisation on whatever instrument you play. Great for an advanced jazz bassist who solo’s regularly, but not right for me at this time. back to learning my classic rock era stuff and trying to get confident on BGV’s.
I recently signed up with “learn Jazz Standards” not that we play jazz, but my understanding is you can learn a ton by learning standards. The first module involved learning a simple head (Doxy by Miles D. Was the study’s song), then the progression, and then doing the progression using chord tones only through each chord. It took so much time that, while instructive it was taking time away from learning songs that I play with the guys, so I stopped my subscription after 1 month. I do recommend it, as it was full of useful explanatory material and had a very good systematic way of explaining the songs. Good support from staff and other students as well via the site’s message board. My only caveat is they are aimed primarily at melody instruments, I.e. it is focused on the end goal of improving your improvisation on whatever instrument you play. Great for an advanced jazz bassist who solo’s regularly, but not right for me at this time. back to learning my classic rock era stuff and trying to get confident on BGV’s.
Slowing down. It's surprising how much strength and finger stamina you need for techniques like tapping if you slow them down and try to make them expressive, a la piano.
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I need to get this about 25% slower to get it down to the tempo that Satie wrote it at. My fingers just aren't there yet.
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I need to get this about 25% slower to get it down to the tempo that Satie wrote it at. My fingers just aren't there yet.
05:49 to 09:24... isolated bass track, from Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway To Heaven'. We felt this would be in our wheelhouse, especially with a lead vocalist who's plenty capable of covering Plant (and a band who's up to the task!). Rehearsed a couple of times, before twice playing it live, so far... went over really well, so it's made our keeper list.
When I deep dive (note for note) song like this, I try searching for a decent notation/tab. Jerry Fusilli has a really good one, with video... but, I wanted to do my own.* I'm pretty close to being done with it, and will submit to the 'Tablature/Notation' thread here soon, if anyone is interested.
* Please compare, and post feedback. I'm not perfect, and just want to upload the most accurate transcription I can.
When I deep dive (note for note) song like this, I try searching for a decent notation/tab. Jerry Fusilli has a really good one, with video... but, I wanted to do my own.* I'm pretty close to being done with it, and will submit to the 'Tablature/Notation' thread here soon, if anyone is interested.
* Please compare, and post feedback. I'm not perfect, and just want to upload the most accurate transcription I can.
Singing and playing. Simplified bass with a slow tempo- Long may you Run by Neil young and Steven stills is the most recent attempt.
Hi I'm new here. I won't bio here, I'll save that for somewhere else. But I've not played for around 20 years. I was an OK bassist, but not good by any stretch.
I'm learning...Dancing Queen by Abba (live '77 version)..Rutger Gunnarsson was an amazing player
and Rio (night version) by Duran Duran...ghost notes and syncopation practice!!
Mainly because they are both great tunes and fun to play.
I like alot of heavier stuff too-I have discovered Karnivool
...and I'm studying walking bass with Autumn Leaves also
...phew!!!
I'm learning...Dancing Queen by Abba (live '77 version)..Rutger Gunnarsson was an amazing player
and Rio (night version) by Duran Duran...ghost notes and syncopation practice!!
Mainly because they are both great tunes and fun to play.
I like alot of heavier stuff too-I have discovered Karnivool
...and I'm studying walking bass with Autumn Leaves also
...phew!!!
Lately, I've been improvising to jam tracks more than reciting or learning established songs. I'm trying to refine my taste and phrasing to not be so reliant on the flashy stuff (not that I don't like it). I think over time the flashy and fast runs become monotonous; there isn't feel most of the time. If you play deliberately and choose your notes, it stays fresh because of the connection with the instrument.
