How is everyone doing? I have started playing the bass, I currently have a 6 string and 5 string (for the reasons I figured I would end up on those in the end, hence might as well start there). I mainly practice the 6 string, when I do decide to pick it up. Other than scales, and trying to listen to bass lines and play by ear, I have no idea what to do. When I say that I refer to becoming smoother, and getting to the point where I can move around the fretboard and know what note I am playing. The definite end point is to get so proficient that I could possibly play in a band or record myself.
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Where to start practicing?
- Thread starter Shatta
- Start date
I certainly never know what to play when I'm by myself. When I sit behind my drums, I can just play a steady beat and start improving and it's a blast. I can't really do that on my bass, so usually I just play songs I like or really interesting bass lines that are fun or one of my band's songs.
On the other hand, I'm pretty good at writing basslines to songs that our guitar players bring in.
If you're feeling ready for it, maybe it's time to find other folks to play with. Maybe playing with them will help you figure out your strengths and limitations, and that can guide you when you're at home messing around on the 6 string.
On the other hand, I'm pretty good at writing basslines to songs that our guitar players bring in.
If you're feeling ready for it, maybe it's time to find other folks to play with. Maybe playing with them will help you figure out your strengths and limitations, and that can guide you when you're at home messing around on the 6 string.
Start by working out and playing the songs you like to listen to. Simple, uncomplicated songs first.
Focus on the song, accuracy and timing.
Scales can come later. They are pretty boring and won't inspire you to pick up a bass, but will be very necessary if you want to take your playing further.
Focus on the song, accuracy and timing.
Scales can come later. They are pretty boring and won't inspire you to pick up a bass, but will be very necessary if you want to take your playing further.
1. Just play music. That is the reason you picked up the instrument.
2. Ensure you are using proper technique. This is one aspect of your playing the will be greatly enhanced if you find a teacher, at least for a lesson or two. Having immediate feedback and someone there to correct any bad technique issues is invaluable.
3. Learn your intervals. Intervals are the foundation of music. The better you understand them and are able to play them efficiently the better player you will become.
4. Chord tones (arpeggios). Chord tones are the meat and potatoes for bass players. There are actually many different ways to play the exact same arpeggio. Learn them all. Then, all of the inversions. I would highly recommend that you begin with triads. There are only four of them. You can get a lot of mileage out of triads alone. Heck, you could probably make a career with triads and a few approach notes.
5. Start learning a little about harmony. Harmonizing the major and natural minor scales would be your starting point here. (Hint: They both contain the exact same chords, just each has a different starting point.)
Welcome to TB and best of luck . . .
2. Ensure you are using proper technique. This is one aspect of your playing the will be greatly enhanced if you find a teacher, at least for a lesson or two. Having immediate feedback and someone there to correct any bad technique issues is invaluable.
3. Learn your intervals. Intervals are the foundation of music. The better you understand them and are able to play them efficiently the better player you will become.
4. Chord tones (arpeggios). Chord tones are the meat and potatoes for bass players. There are actually many different ways to play the exact same arpeggio. Learn them all. Then, all of the inversions. I would highly recommend that you begin with triads. There are only four of them. You can get a lot of mileage out of triads alone. Heck, you could probably make a career with triads and a few approach notes.
5. Start learning a little about harmony. Harmonizing the major and natural minor scales would be your starting point here. (Hint: They both contain the exact same chords, just each has a different starting point.)
Welcome to TB and best of luck . . .
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All very good posts above.
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Where are the notes on your fretboard? Or where are the patterns on your fretboard. Kinda important that you know this. The bass (4 string) is a harmony and rhythm instrument that normally leaves the melody to the melody instruments. Never played a 6 string, but I would think it would be used for harmony and melody. OK that out of the way lets focus on patterns we will use with rhythm and harmony first.
If the song is in the key of C and will use a I-IV-V progression. Find a C note on the A string. Where is the F (IV) and G (V)? Yep, where they always are, above the C on the next string up and next string down. Find a G where are it's C and D? Want C's root in the next octave? Look to your right and up a couple of strings. Patterns like that are all over your neck.
Playing in a band is not rocket science. Just follow the chords and play notes of that chord. I'd point you to some sheet music right at first. I used fake chord sheet music - which looks like this. TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR CHORDS by Misc Children @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com Find the chord, play its root and fake the rest. I know you are asking which other notes? The Root, 3, 5 and 7 for right now. Right at first concentrate on the root and five, get those into the rhythm, before the music goes off and leaves you. See the chord and play notes of that chord that are needed for this specific song. If it was easy everybody would be a musician. Just roots to the beat will play a lot of bass.
,
I'm going to point you to How to get started? | TalkBass.com I have several posts under MalcolmAmos that will go into detail about chord tones and rhythm.
Welcome and good luck.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Where are the notes on your fretboard? Or where are the patterns on your fretboard. Kinda important that you know this. The bass (4 string) is a harmony and rhythm instrument that normally leaves the melody to the melody instruments. Never played a 6 string, but I would think it would be used for harmony and melody. OK that out of the way lets focus on patterns we will use with rhythm and harmony first.
If the song is in the key of C and will use a I-IV-V progression. Find a C note on the A string. Where is the F (IV) and G (V)? Yep, where they always are, above the C on the next string up and next string down. Find a G where are it's C and D? Want C's root in the next octave? Look to your right and up a couple of strings. Patterns like that are all over your neck.
Playing in a band is not rocket science. Just follow the chords and play notes of that chord. I'd point you to some sheet music right at first. I used fake chord sheet music - which looks like this. TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR CHORDS by Misc Children @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com Find the chord, play its root and fake the rest. I know you are asking which other notes? The Root, 3, 5 and 7 for right now. Right at first concentrate on the root and five, get those into the rhythm, before the music goes off and leaves you. See the chord and play notes of that chord that are needed for this specific song. If it was easy everybody would be a musician. Just roots to the beat will play a lot of bass.
,
I'm going to point you to How to get started? | TalkBass.com I have several posts under MalcolmAmos that will go into detail about chord tones and rhythm.
Welcome and good luck.
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Use this studybass.com
Start at the first lessons and move forward. Then go to the library or similar and buy a book similar to this one. https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Playing-Guitar/dp/1592573118
Start at the beginning of one, finish, and start at the beginning of the other, no matter if the lessons seem redundant or like you know them already.
This is how I taught myself and there will be little you don't know after completing both. The rest is up to you on technique which you can learn through YouTube vids. Stuff like slap and flamenco and overall good technique. I am now more skilled than 85% or more bassists that I encounter when it comes to playing.
Start at the first lessons and move forward. Then go to the library or similar and buy a book similar to this one. https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Playing-Guitar/dp/1592573118
Start at the beginning of one, finish, and start at the beginning of the other, no matter if the lessons seem redundant or like you know them already.
This is how I taught myself and there will be little you don't know after completing both. The rest is up to you on technique which you can learn through YouTube vids. Stuff like slap and flamenco and overall good technique. I am now more skilled than 85% or more bassists that I encounter when it comes to playing.
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OP : ^^ This should be the #1 thing you learn...i.e. safe technique. Not only will it enhance your playing, but will help protect against potential injuries later on.
Sure you can. Sometimes I start pumping 8th notes or quarter notes, or a simple repeating riff. I think of it as the “A” section. As bars go by, I start adding more and busier fills, and then eventually I change. To another riff? To another chord/key/time signature? That’s a “B” section. I eventually get back to the A section, and maybe later a bridge section, etc.
Sometimes it sounds like garbage, but eventually you learn what chord and groove changes you like. It improves your ear, as well as your sense of song form. And later, you can even improvise song forms with a group of like minded people.
The best way to learn is through repertoire. The songs will tell you the skills you need to develop. Then you can break down further into more basic exercises that focus on specific technique. So what do you want to learn?
