What bass lesson or tip changed your life.

[IamGroot]

For me, Many, but

1) Learning to walk Autumn Leaves on upright., courtesy of Bill Miller, houston bass wonder.
2) learning to do "Perfect Practice". Courtesy of Carol Shiffer, a wonderful piano instructor at HCC.
3) Your time sucks... hopefully it is better after 22 years,
4) Key Center analysis, courtesy of Dr. Woody Witt.

 

[FatStringer52]

Probably the 2 things that had the largest impact on my playing (many moons ago) was (1) learning chord tones and (2) how to move thru progressions with approach notes, neighbor notes, enclosures, chromaticism, etc.

 

[tshapiro]

This image on the modes. Regardless of what key you’re in, you can use any one of these shapes. Learn how and why and it will set you free

 

[Nashrakh]

Too many to count, but looking at the right hand technique of Gary Willis has had a lasting impression on me.

And not so much a tip or a lesson, but the need to learn how to sightread music has propelled my playing and understanding of music in ways I couldn't possibly imagine beforehand.

 

[Drucifer]

It's an elementary tip, but learning to think of chords as numbers was a game-changer for me, common chord progressions suddenly made sense, I could transcribe to any key, communication with others was much easier.

 

[Pandastylebass]

"Play with confidence"

 

[samson3382]

“Too busy on the bass”
From my dad, while warming up for a gig with him.

 

[Malcolm35]

The major scale box.

Major scale box showing scale degree
numbers and the root note on the 4th string.
… Indez..Middle...Ring....Little
G|---2---|-------|---3---|---4---| 1st string
D|---6---|-------|---7---|---8---|
A|---3---|---4---|-------|---5---|
E|-------|---R---|-------|---2---|4th string

• Then knowing the spelling for what I needed, i.e. Cm7=R-b3-5-b7.
• If playing standard notation I gather my notes from the first five frets.
• If playing fake chord I find my roots in the first 5 frets of the fretboard and then I think about the other notes location in relationship to where they are from the root, i.e a 5 of any root is up a string and toward the bridge two frets, or right below the root on the next string down. Or I go up the neck and find the correct key, then revert to what is listed above.
• In other words I know where the needed notes are located.

That pulled it all together for me.

 

[ErikP.Bass]

Bassology, hands down.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Play simple and with a nice warm fat tone and a deep-in-the-pocket, laid back feel. Learned this at a young age.

 

[onosson]

Changed my life? Probably learning proper technique that didn't involve straining my hand muscles too much, something I had been doing for a decade and was causing me a lot of pain.

 

[wraub]

Stay loose, but nail the groove.

 

[707GK]

The forgotten (lower) fifth.

 

[kevindahl]

My first teacher introduced me to a metronome. Best advice I ever got.

 

[Rock Salad]

Tight funky right hand trumps all.

 

[Charlzm]

For me, Many, but

1) Learning to walk Autumn Leaves on upright., courtesy of Bill Miller, houston bass wonder.
2) learning to do "Perfect Practice". Courtesy of Carol Shiffer, a wonderful piano instructor at HCC.
3) Your time sucks... hopefully it is better after 22 years,
4) Key Center analysis, courtesy of Dr. Woody Witt.

While attending Musicians Institute in 1989-1990, I was in a small practice room with 4 or 5 other bass students and Jeff Berlin. Jeff was just soloing away over the changes on some chord chart, unaccompanied, all melodic and brilliant, for several minutes.

I asked him how he just knew which notes were the right ones to sound the way he intended it to.

He said, "Learn every chord shape in every position on the neck. When you don't have to think about it any more, you'll be there."

 

[Joe Nerve]

Bands aren't looking for the greatest musicians. They're looking for people who can do the job, are easy to get along with, and who they never have to worry or think about.

 

[fearceol]

Having started out on bass before the advent of the internet and tab, I am eternally grateful that I had no other choice but to learn songs by ear. Many a vinyl record (and stylus) were worn out as a result.

 

[pbass2]

Coming from a proggy rock background, the biggest thing for me was going on tour with a reggae band from Jamaica, and also touring with old school country and western swing bands. I learned to be a "real" bass player in those settings.

 

[two fingers]

Bands aren't looking for the greatest musicians. They're looking for people who can do the job, are easy to get along with, and who they never have to worry or think about.

Perfect.

I was 15 years old when I started playing in clubs all over NC and VA. The other band members were in their 30s. I was at that age when my mom n dad were "stupid". So I listened to these guys because they weren't my parents. (My parents have since become my heroes.)

But my life changed working with grownup musicians. I learned how to shut up and take advice. I learned how to show up with a spare everything. I learned how to maintain my gear. I learned how to be little or no drama to my band mates. I learned that every band member should sing at least a little. 5 or 6 part harmonies on stage set you apart from hack bands. In short, I learned how to he a pro.

You can have Jeff Berlin solo skills, Billy Sheehan rock flair, Victor Wooten slap chops, Jamerson groove, and Jaco jazz hands. If everybody hates you, your gear falls apart, you constantly show up late, you fail to learn your parts, etc. none of that matters.

If you can't work with others, you're a tree falling in the woods. Sure, you're making a sound. But nobody hears you, so why does it matter?

Do I have chops? Sure. Plenty good for most mainstream gigs. But my phone rings off the hook because once I take the gig you can scratch bass off the to-do list. I'm gonna show up on time with the songs nailed and good gear and a spare everything. Most importantly I'm gonna show up with a friendly-yet-pro attitude. I'm down for whatever and prepared for almost anything. Want me to sing backups? Sure. Forgot your guitar cable? Here. I've got 5. Pick your favorite color. Singer's throat is getting soar? Lemme take lead on a few. Let's have some fun and make some money!

I equate it to friends. They say to have friend you have to BE a friend. In this context, to be in a great band, you must BE a great band member. Chops is only part of that.