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What resource 'really' got you started ?

#25
OK I'll try.
The way I use it is like this.
After BiaB is installed. You can down load
midi file songs from different places. Long
story short is using the sequenser you can
play along with song with you supplying the
bass line. Will someone else PLEASE do a
better job at explainin this.
I have about 300 midi file tunes in my file of
tunes I can play along with. Way cool.

mj :D
Check out the web site Google Band in a Box
 
#26
Well in my case I have a real book so if I want to learn a new standart I just write the chords, choose a style and the instrument I want to hear and boom I can practice walking line, the head and/or solo or do the chords.
 
#27
So if I got this Band In A Box thing straight...

Once installed, you can either download midi files of standards you want to play with and then use BiaB's sequencer to play the file back with the bass muted and play along.

Or you have the chord progression of a song (like from the real book), you can program it into BiaB, choose a style and instruments and then play it back and play along.

Is that accurate? If so, how difficult is it to program progressions in? I've never seen the software before and I'm trying to understand how good a fit it might be for me as a practice tool.
 
#29
The book I keep getting back because of its wealth of information is the John Goldsby book.

Other than that:
1. Listen to the head ('melody') or a fave solo on a given favorite jazz record (whether sung, played on whatever instrument)
2. Sing it (don't touch the bass) and memorize, and especially try and get the phrasing right
3. Then play that head/solo from memory on the bass
4. Then improvise a cool bass part with the tune (dont be afraid- you are in effect reharmonizing like a jazz player, and you have as much right to do so as any pianist)

this is, as i am told by people who worked with Max Roach and musicians of that level how the old guard learned and taught each other to play. Not to say this is the "only thing you should do" , but defenitely to do besides any modern book stuff.
 
#32
CraigTB said:
So if I got this Band In A Box thing straight...

Once installed, you can either download midi files of standards you want to play with and then use BiaB's sequencer to play the file back with the bass muted and play along.

Or you have the chord progression of a song (like from the real book), you can program it into BiaB, choose a style and instruments and then play it back and play along.

Is that accurate? If so, how difficult is it to program progressions in? I've never seen the software before and I'm trying to understand how good a fit it might be for me as a practice tool.
Click to expand...

yep you got that right ! It is as easy as writting the chord name for each mesure. simple as that.


mjbing said:
The first option is the only one I use.
I think option two is possible.
Click to expand...

I didn't even know you could download already made track. I already have a real book once I got BIAB, so I wrote them myself, very easy and once you got better at how BIAB work you can choose to write the head that the software will play and choose to make him do a solo at a certain moment to give you time to do one.
 
#34
ireal b is a cheaper, more portable, alternative to band in a box. It does not offer nearly as many features but allows you to make very simple backing tracks. I use it all the time on my iPod touch along with guitar toolkit for looking up scales and arpeggios.
 
#35
a good teacher who was a competent jazz musician.

NOTHING substitutes for this. people are all unique and have unique needs and questions, ext. when i give private lessons i never use the same exact hour lesson for two different people. how can one DVD or book work for everyone? (or anyone, really.)

im not saying that DVDs and books cant help, but they cant be the primary source of help, IMO.
 
#38
basspirate777 said:
Get rid of everything in your life but the bass and free up 10 hrs a day...time is your greatest resource.
Click to expand...

Time is our most valuable and perishable resource. Those who find themselves at the top of the heap seldom get there without self-discipline and related self-management skills.

By itself, however, time is insufficient.

Effective teachers deliver a consistent message:
Perfect practice makes perfect.
Practicing incorrectly is potentially harmful, and a waste of time.

It's hard to beat a qualified teacher when it comes to making the most of your time, and furthering musical growth and development.

How many world class athletes got where they are without coaching? The better athletes get, and the tougher the competition, the more likely athletes are to seek better coaching. What makes playing the bass any different?
 

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