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What Next?

C

Confused777

Jul 17, 2009
8
0
#1
Well, here it is. I've been playing for close to 11 months now and all I've been doing is playing songs from artists like the Beatles, easier songs by The Who, and a couple songs by other classic rock bands in the few song books I can find in my local Sam Ash. I mean in all in I can only play like 30-35 songs and I doubt I have the chops to compare with another bass player who's been playing about as long as I have.

Recently I picked up a book about pentatonic scales and have been practicing them a bit. I exclusively sue my fingers, I can't slap/pop, or use a pick effectively. I'm stuck reading tabs as I can't read standard notation.

I realize that my method won't take me very far and I want to get better. The problem is I don't know how to. I can't afford lessons, I'm in high school, and the people around me are guitarists interested in nothing but shredding and metal. What can I do to get better?
 
#2
Ditch the tabs. Like you said you've got your 30 songs - that's about all a person can put to memory. You can continue playing from sheet music - reading standard notation, aka playing by rote, or if you understand just a little of how music thinks then you can assume some stuff and play a bunch of songs.

Now if you understand a little theory and how to build a few bass lines you can play thousands of songs. In fact you only need to know the key you are to use and then how to lay down a simple "root nothing" groove and you can play with a song you've never heard before. Yep, guarantee.

You asked; "What next"? That's a good question, how much theory do you have under your belt? Do you understand what a I IV V I chord progression is? Can you read fake chord sheet music? You mentioned pentatonics, do you know how to move the major scale box pattern around your fretboard? If so you could move into building bass lines. But you have to understand a few of the basic principals first. Like how chords are placed in songs. Why? Well we play chord tones - the notes in the chords, so it's kinda important we know what chord to play and then which of the chord's notes to use.

Tell us what you already know about theory and then we can address "What Next".

In the mean time www.studybass.com is a friend.
 
#3
+10000 on theory that is key if you want to be able to play with other musicians you will need to understand chord progressions and what notes are in the chords also play with a drum machine if you have one and groove with it its a lot of fun and is great practice
 
#4
MalcolmAmos said:
Ditch the tabs. Like you said you've got your 30 songs - that's about all a person can put to memory. You can continue playing from sheet music - reading standard notation, aka playing by rote, or if you understand just a little of how music thinks then you can assume some stuff and play a bunch of songs.

Now if you understand a little theory and how to build a few bass lines you can play thousands of songs. In fact you only need to know the key you are to use and then how to lay down a simple "root nothing" groove and you can play with a song you've never heard before. Yep, guarantee.

You asked; "What next"? That's a good question, how much theory do you have under your belt? Do you understand what a I IV V I chord progression is? Can you read fake chord sheet music? You mentioned pentatonics, do you know how to move the major scale box pattern around your fretboard? If so you could move into building bass lines. But you have to understand a few of the basic principals first. Like how chords are placed in songs. Why? Well we play chord tones - the notes in the chords, so it's kinda important we know what chord to play and then which of the chord's notes to use.

Tell us what you already know about theory and then we can address "What Next".

In the mean time www.studybass.com is a friend.
Click to expand...

I don't know any music theory. The only music experience I've had before picking up the bass was playing the recorder in grade school, which we weren't given sheet music for, and the trumpet for a semester in the middle school band. I only know how to read the treble cleft and I'm rusty at that.

I know nothing about boxes or chords. I do know the notes on my fretboard if that helps in anyway.
 
#5
Learn basic theory. But do it in an organized manner that'll help you be a better musician and bass player, not someone who knows enough to be dangerous.

Search for threads on theory progression (not chord progressions), there's several on here that address what you need to learn in what order.

John
 
#6
Confused777 said:
I don't know any music theory. The only music experience I've had before picking up the bass was playing the recorder in grade school, which we weren't given sheet music for, and the trumpet for a semester in the middle school band. I only know how to read the treble cleft and I'm rusty at that.

I know nothing about boxes or chords. I do know the notes on my fretboard if that helps in anyway.
Click to expand...

OK knowing the notes on your fretboard is a big plus. I'd suggest you work from fake chord sheet music. Invalid Link Removed. To do this you have to sing the lyrics, under your breath is OK, so you know when to change chords.

Play D root notes until the chord changes to the A7, then change to A root notes - keep going till the song changes to the next chord.

The following should help.

is your best friend.


Ask specific questions.
 
#8
To the OP: Going in another direction, find some people to play with. You say you go to high school? Fish around the band classes, you may find a drummer or a pianist that may wanna play jazz or blues, or anything. Don't worry about not being "good enough" yet. Playing with others will force you to take it to another level. If they know more than you, listen to what they have to say. Also, look on CL, lot's of ads for bass players there. Never know what kind of opportunities can come your way.
 
#9
randall p said:
To the OP: Going in another direction, find some people to play with. You say you go to high school? Fish around the band classes, you may find a drummer or a pianist that may wanna play jazz or blues, or anything. Don't worry about not being "good enough" yet. Playing with others will force you to take it to another level. If they know more than you, listen to what they have to say. Also, look on CL, lot's of ads for bass players there. Never know what kind of opportunities can come your way.
Click to expand...

My school, due to its small size, doesn't have a band class. The closest thing we have to one is a music history course. Plus, the drama department deals mainly with plays, musicals, and chorus concerts.

Playing with others? I guess I could give it a try. If I'm not good enough it will obviously show.
 
#11
Get yourself the yellow covered "Bass Guitar for Dummies". It explains alot of the basic theory you'd like to have. It also has about a gazillion riffs/patterns that you can apply to all sorts of songs as well as jamming with those garage guys. Keep it fun.
 
#12
I've been playing about 8 mos. Got a load of help right here. Went back to lessons a month ago. Whats been key for me was learning basic theory and chord strcuture. I was playing in a band for a bit and could play almost anything from lead sheets with chords and changes noted. The more I played, especially the songs I really liked, the more songs I could play just from memory. The songs for the most part are not played note for note as they were recorded but sound great to me and most folks listening. A big part of teh fun for me is putting together my own basslines. When I play along with songs I cut all the bass out. Helps me hear what I'm doing.

Lessons have me working on walking bass, and technique right now. Hand exercises also to help with technique. Recognizing keys and associated notes to help with walking bass.

I have roughly 70 songs I'm playing..maybe 15 or so committed to memory. I'm not trying to memorize anything intentionally at this point in time.
 

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