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What one specific thing do you feel helped elevate your playing
- Thread starter Jazzcaster89
- Start date
Lessons from a pro helped me with fretting hand technique... made a world of difference.
Some very good answers here, the following would be mine, which includes some things previously suggested; also I have more than one thing:
1) Asked questions when I had them-- if you are afraid it's a stupid question now, it'll be a lot stupider three years from now. Don't be afraid to admit not knowing something. If you do it EARLY, you won't feel silly later having to ask.
2) Learned theory as I went; learning piano is one of the best ways to do this and has the advantage of giving you another instrument you are capable of playing, even if not to performance levels. VERY helpful.
3) Played along to pre-recorded music, to learn the parts, and also get a feel for consistent time. Learning songs and passages you LIKE keeps you interested and motivated.
3) Internalized my sense of time. Biggest one after learning theory, IMO. Started to think of "time" as a framework to hang notes on, rather than thinking of music as a sequence of notes. This way, no matter if you go off the rails, you are right back on it at the start of a bar. That clock should always be going in your HEAD, it's not in your hands. Learned not to rush or drag, with or without a drummer. Playing with a metronome or drum machine, but also spacing out the click help-- as in, go down to 2 clicks per measure, then switching where those clicks are (1/3 vs 2/4), then going to one click per measure, and so on. See Victor Wooten on this subject.
4) Learned about "the beat" and playing ahead of, on, or behind it.
5) Play, play play. Gigs, experience. The better the people you play with, the more it allows you to develop and excel.
6) Focused on the quality of the note-- there are literally hundreds of ways to play a single note in terms of touch, time, what part of your finger you're using, etc.
That's my half-dozen item "most important thing" list.
1) Asked questions when I had them-- if you are afraid it's a stupid question now, it'll be a lot stupider three years from now. Don't be afraid to admit not knowing something. If you do it EARLY, you won't feel silly later having to ask.
2) Learned theory as I went; learning piano is one of the best ways to do this and has the advantage of giving you another instrument you are capable of playing, even if not to performance levels. VERY helpful.
3) Played along to pre-recorded music, to learn the parts, and also get a feel for consistent time. Learning songs and passages you LIKE keeps you interested and motivated.
3) Internalized my sense of time. Biggest one after learning theory, IMO. Started to think of "time" as a framework to hang notes on, rather than thinking of music as a sequence of notes. This way, no matter if you go off the rails, you are right back on it at the start of a bar. That clock should always be going in your HEAD, it's not in your hands. Learned not to rush or drag, with or without a drummer. Playing with a metronome or drum machine, but also spacing out the click help-- as in, go down to 2 clicks per measure, then switching where those clicks are (1/3 vs 2/4), then going to one click per measure, and so on. See Victor Wooten on this subject.
4) Learned about "the beat" and playing ahead of, on, or behind it.
5) Play, play play. Gigs, experience. The better the people you play with, the more it allows you to develop and excel.
6) Focused on the quality of the note-- there are literally hundreds of ways to play a single note in terms of touch, time, what part of your finger you're using, etc.
That's my half-dozen item "most important thing" list.
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Nothing really. But the most that helped me was to get out and up from bedroom woodshedding and playing with other people, especially from other music genres that I didn't really care for. When I learned to play things out of my comfort zone, I felt more at ease and confort when I played the music style I liked. I e just playing.
Regarding callistenics and being talking about the physical aspects, ear training only worked so far. Only when I got through U Kropiniskis book "Getting In Time" I could comfortably and produly sit in with any band WITHOUT drummer and still keep tempo up since I was the only one as a bass player. You can do ear training in relative pitch as much as you like, but in those situations where you are the yardstick with your playing, that other relies on, you're on your own timing wise, and then it's paramount that you got your inner timing together no matter how simple lick or hard lick you try to pull off. You're the metronome for all others without listening to any metronome.
Regarding callistenics and being talking about the physical aspects, ear training only worked so far. Only when I got through U Kropiniskis book "Getting In Time" I could comfortably and produly sit in with any band WITHOUT drummer and still keep tempo up since I was the only one as a bass player. You can do ear training in relative pitch as much as you like, but in those situations where you are the yardstick with your playing, that other relies on, you're on your own timing wise, and then it's paramount that you got your inner timing together no matter how simple lick or hard lick you try to pull off. You're the metronome for all others without listening to any metronome.
And I should add, some soling advice that I read and took to heart: your solo should include variance in loudness, pitch, density of notes, combining and crossing these. You can play sections low, slow, and quiet; then go to low, more note density and quiet; to low, mid note density and louder; move to higher register, low note density, quiet; to high, fast note density, and quiet... etc. There are so many combinations you can get out of just these three parameters, mix them up and you're on your way to interesting solos.
I know some people think there is a 'magic bullet' but there is no 'one' thing you can do if you want to be a well rounded player. Take lessons to learn your instrument, practice by yourself, listen to accomplished players, play with others, and put in the time and hard work.
Yes, some people skip the first step, but I've never met anyone who was sorry they took lessons from a qualified teacher.
Yes, some people skip the first step, but I've never met anyone who was sorry they took lessons from a qualified teacher.
Adding a '15 cab to my rig (which previously was just a 2x10)/
This has vastly increased my ability to feel the notes - not just hear them.
More sonic consciousness of the "presence" of my tone has increased my ability to play in time, in tune in the groove.
This has vastly increased my ability to feel the notes - not just hear them.
More sonic consciousness of the "presence" of my tone has increased my ability to play in time, in tune in the groove.
Home recording.
* Really being in time
* Crafting a bass line to fit the song without being rushed - or worse, having one recommended!
* Getting the tone just right for each song
* Learning to fill sonic space
* Listening to where the other instruments sit in the song, and using the melody
* Crossing genres
* Singing along as I play
* Playing with a softer touch
* Understanding where the bass sits in the mix
* Really being in time
* Crafting a bass line to fit the song without being rushed - or worse, having one recommended!
* Getting the tone just right for each song
* Learning to fill sonic space
* Listening to where the other instruments sit in the song, and using the melody
* Crossing genres
* Singing along as I play
* Playing with a softer touch
* Understanding where the bass sits in the mix
1) started showing up at a local jazz jam night
2) installed a handy chart app on my phone
3) said "yes" anytime anyone asked if I knew a tune, even when I didn't, as long as I had the chart.
That'll sort your stuff out reaaaal quick.....
2) installed a handy chart app on my phone
3) said "yes" anytime anyone asked if I knew a tune, even when I didn't, as long as I had the chart.
That'll sort your stuff out reaaaal quick.....
I was once told when I was still wet behind the ears in the music scene. surround your self with greatness and you will become great. then I had changed who I was playing with and started playing with guys twice my age. they was all super good. I had learned new ways for write. better techniques. better everything. now today I would like to think I am a well rounded player, having being been in a cover band who played everything from elvis to slayer. I still don't want to limit myself to one style.. I know I am a awesome player!!!!
The thing that improved my playing the most was recording nearly all rehearsals and performances, then listening to them with a critical ear.
I've got the SD card (from my Zoom H4 digital recorder) in my computer right now and am listening to last night's rehearsal for gigs coming up this weekend and next.
I've got the SD card (from my Zoom H4 digital recorder) in my computer right now and am listening to last night's rehearsal for gigs coming up this weekend and next.
Hearing recordings of myself playing. Whether at practice sessions, rehearsals, self-recording gigs, and studio takes. When I THOUGHT it was a certain way, and heard it really wasn't, then made adjustments so the recording (which never lies) came out how I meant it to, that has made me a better player.
Took six months of lessons from a jazz cat when I was first starting out. Good hand technique, learning my scales, arpeggios -- it's been a good foundation for everything else. In second place is just listening to a bunch of different styles of music/bass playing.
wintremute
mediocrity at its finest
- Oct 16, 2014
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Playing with, observing, and learning from better bass players. Ensemble playing. Fitting in to the ensemble. Learning the instrument/amp/gear etc. I also, without giving a plug to anyone, have been enjoying a certain British bass lesson on YouTube. I've learned a lot from him. I've got such a long long way to go......focusing on the journey...
