What one specific thing do you feel helped elevate your playing

[Jazzcaster89]

Talking about this at work today. Some answers I hadn't thought of. Made me want to learn those things. So I figured, I'll keep it going on here. What one thing did you learn that stands out. That took you from beginner to intermediate or advanced. That once you had it down you knew you had elevated your playing ability. Ready? Go!

 

[BAG]

Moving from guitar to bass I was able to get playing really quickly just using the arpeggio shapes in a sheet similar to this below. I started with getting to know the Pattern 1 and Pattern 4 major and minor shapes. Knowing just these two patterns meant I could easily play a major or minor of any chord just by hitting the root on either the E or the A string. Once comfortable with that adding in a b7 or 6th gave some different flavours. While I now have learnt a lot more I still use Pattern 1 and 4 the most.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Being part of a band and augmenting, not competing with, the other members.

 

[catcauphonic]

Joined a band

 

[lz4005]

Playing with other people, in front of other people. Nothing else makes you improve faster.

 

[Mushroo]

For me without question the two things that have made the biggest difference:

1. Playing with other musicians at every opportunity.

2. Learning songs note for note, by ear.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Playing with people who were better than me, who knew more, or who had more experience has been what's helped me most.

 

[Groove Master]

Talking about this at work today. Some answers I hadn't thought of. Made me want to learn those things. So I figured, I'll keep it going on here. What one thing did you learn that stands out. That took you from beginner to intermediate or advanced. That once you had it down you knew you had elevated your playing ability. Ready? Go!

I would have to say 2 things: Playing in a band, a good band and Reading!

 

[Old Blastard]

I did two things, one smart and one not. I started playing with a local blues society that has great musicians and Started getting deeper into theory. Then I bought another bass and another and another , all of different scales and pickup configurations and then I played every etude with a different bass, a different pickup and tone settings and just screwed around with it. The basses kept my interest and the practice pieces gave me new ways to play under the song. It was totally by accident, but it made a big difference

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

Listening to a recording of yourself playing.

 

[Helix]

No drugs or alcohol

 

[DavC]

inspiring teachers or mentors ...

 

[ezstep]

Less posting, more practicing!

 

[pbass2]

Learning to play other instruments besides bass, and other music besides rock.

 

[catcauphonic]

Less posting, more practicing!

Swyping the keyboard on TB has built up my calluses! That's good, right?

 

[basslayer]

Being on stage drove me to practice more once I realized that I could do it more often if I was better.

 

[Gizmot]

The one thing that helped my playing more than anything else was getting rid of a Fender Precision and getting a Ric 4001. That opened up a new realm of sounds,, textures and rhythmic possibilities

 

[inanimate_carb]

The thing about playing with others, especially those who are more experienced and knowledgeable, has already been mentioned several times for good reason.

Copying and internalizing the work of other great musicians, not just bassists, is very important. To get the most out of it, you have to take the time to listen for what actually is there, instead of what you think is there.

 

[RBrownBass]

Learning to play the melodies of tunes I can already comp on.

 

[noahw1]

Listening to what everyone else is playing.