Looking for advice on where to begin.

Anarchosyn

Hello.

Background: I use to play bass a bit in the mid 90s, mainly between the ages of 14-16~. I was one of those Les Claypool converts, looking to maximize my creativity through abstract funk. I stopped to explore other avenues of expression and have sadly lost 90% of the theory I use to internalize. I still know basic scales (Maj, min, penatonic Maj/min, etc) and can move around a fret board, but beyond that I'm essentially a beginner again.

My Question: I'll make this really simple and semi-pathetic - I'd like to learn to play bass like this:

Gone are the days of my aggressive youth and now I prize smooth jazzy funky like exhibited in that video (Tom Jenkinson, the bassist in the videos, is much better than those clip make apparent). I realize it will take a lot of hard work to reach such a level, but where do I begin?

I'm at a loss for how to self teach myself this kind of style. Should I be focusing on scales or modes or .. .. .. ? I just can't see how to put those many notes together well.

Can somebody with a keen ear deconstruct what makes that playing special and help a beginner set foot in that direction?

ps: he's one more from tom: LINK (Youtube again). For those that don't know him, you might be surprised to learn he's primarily an experimental Drum and Bass producer. He's in the same musical world as Aphex Twin and other electronic weirdos.

bubinga5 · Posted: Sun Oct 22, 2006 10:56 pm Post subject:

Hello Anarchosyn. I would say that if you know your scales and your way around a fret board your not a beginner. Just take up from where you left off. As for learning that style, you should just listen to loads of it. I wouldnt worry about learning that specific style and just teach yourself to play well. The best bass players can play any style.

I cant actually see the videos(pc restrictions at work) but i am a jazz funk man and am aware of SquarePusher so i know what you mean. I would just keep practising and just keep playing. The style will come to you the more you listen and play.(the more you listen, the more technical details you pick up that make up these styles).....But i will always say listen to different styles, it will make you better bass player...

A person who travels the world is more of a rounded person, than one who stays at home (if you know what i mean)

Remember keep it funky!!!
Goodluck.
_________________
Jazz from the mind Funk from the fingers Soul from the soul

Creeping Death · Tadpole Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Posts: 15 Location: Oregon

In my opinion as I discovered trying to learn Staff Notation (I had a 6 month plan established to learn every note in Staff Notation) and after about 2 weeks of scales I had everything down that I would need to learn.

Just play alot of scales. Once you get that then you can can read staff notation and if you can read staff notation then there isn't a song on earth that you can't play.

cobalt_blue · Newbie Alert Joined: 18 Jan 2007 Posts: 4

"Essential Basic technique " by peter murray

(I was a much lasped rhythm guitarist at the time)