Any Tips?

Dark After Light · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 7:41 am Post subject: Any Tips?

I just started playing bass a few months ago and im looking to get better. I have screwed around on guitar some before, and I play the violin. I still cant read music, and im trying to learn that now. Pretty much all I have really been doing right now is learning a few easy songs, building up the strength in my fingers so I can be more versatile (I like playing with a pick more cause for the still of music I like, its easier). I was wondering what all scales are real important to learn because all I have learned are the 4 major scales. Also any tips on what you do when you practice, any tips on writing bass lines for songs cause I am wanting to get into a band after I get a bit better, and just any tips you have for a beginner.

Thanks in advance
Justin

Firedancer23 · Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 5:14 am Post subject:

I would try buying a few cheap begginer books or investing in some of the magazines on the walmart shelf that offer cd/dvd tutorials and sheet music. I play guitar for my highschool and up until recently (my third season playing) my band director let me write the tablatures over the notes on my music because it was a completely different cleft. It helps a lot if you write it out, but eventually after you start to recognize the notes (even if you doubt its the correct fret) you need to pull away from this method because you don't want to become dependant on it. A good thing to remeber when you are reading music is that flats always bring the naturals down. The more flats you have in your key signature, the darker the music you are playing will be because flats are the stepping stone between the natural you are playing and the natural below that. I still don't know their names like A, A# and those, but practice makes skill, you know?
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Dark After Light · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

Thank God, somebody finally replied! Thanks I will. I bought a begginner's book last week, but it was way too begginner so im returning it. What are some good music theory books cause I really wanna learn that.

Neil Gray · Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:41 pm Post subject:

Hello hello!
Scales... which ones are more important?
There's no easy answer to this question. Scales are the 'cake' of music. As annoying as they are, an understanding of scales and theory really does form the foundation from where we play. Does that mean we can't be good at playing if we don't know our scales??? No, but it does mean that we will be able to be more professional in less amount of time.
Developing skill takes time, and if this is all we rely on (with no foundation), then it stands to reason that we will progress more slowly.

If you can liken it to building a house. You don't pour concrete and then watch it dry; you get on with something else! The same with our bass playing. We learn how to play a blues riff, and then instead of just playing the blues riff, we learn about what specifically makes it blues. Part of that learning is arguing about why we have a blues scale when all the notes of that scale can be made up out of other scales that we don't want to learn either!

I honestly think that playing is the most effective way to progress as a player. Theory is great and in many senses of the word neccesary, but the expectation to play a dominant 5th scale in the phrygian mode while on stage is not common!!! (do you get my drift? The theory lets you play on stage with more freedom; scales in themselves aren't the useful tool, but what they free you up to do cannot be gained any other way).

Any book on theory will be helpful. One thing about music theory is that it is like maths. In the same way that one plus one equals two, a C major scale, no matter who is teaching it, is always the same! The only thing to be wary of is books that talk about impractical stuff. These are the cheaper ones that have an instructional DVD where they show you an A major scale, and then proceed to show you what you can do with it while leaving you behind.

If I could suggest not waiting to find other musicians to jam with, I would do so. It is the way that we learn. It's important to put your skill and knowledge to the test, and this is done well when under pressure (or at least the pressure that is generated in a jam session in your lounge room or garage).

Hope this helps!
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-Ryco · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 6:52 pm Post subject:

I agree with Neil that getting out and playing and jamming with others is the best way to get good fast.

Another thing you might consider is finding a teacher who can show you the proper way to play. It's better to get the techniques right the first time rather than learn wrong and then have to unlearn and relearn. Also try a few teachers and find the one that feels right to you. Find a teacher that can teach the styles you are interested in playing (rock, funk, jazz, ...)

Go out and listen to a lot of bands. Be a fan! Get known in the circles that play the styles you like! Hang out and talk with other musicians. This is a great way to get on the inside track when new bands are forming or looking to replace members. Also listen to styles you aren't all that familiar with - this is a great way to expand your musical vocabulary as well as a great way to steal ideas -- er, borrow I mean!

IMO theory is best learned and applied in the classoom. If your school offers a Music Theory course by all means take it. It's fun and interesting and will give you some great ideas, esp if you're into songwriting, arranging. Theory is just a method of labeling things, both on paper and the devices that create the sounds (chords, progressions, etc) you are hearing.

If you want books I recommend the Mel Bay site. They have beginner, intermediate and advanced books in just about every style. Google.

Most of all tho play out and have fun!!
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rbgrn · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject:

I have an article I wrote recently that I think would help you out a lot. It goes over most of what you're asking about.

http://www.rbgrn.net/blog/2007/06/how_to_learn_to_play_almost_an.html

CallyGull · Tadpole Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 19

jimhickeymusic · Posted: Tue Nov 20, 2007 9:12 am Post subject:

Bump...How are things going for you Dark After Light? What is your current practice regime?

bobojones · Sea Monkey Joined: 26 Mar 2008 Posts: 10

This old head says: learn to feel timing and sync to it. Be it drum machine or real drummer. That will help you develope your own internal time. Listen to good music you like, dissect it to see what you like in it. Then figure out what they are doing like chord progression, melodies, syncopation, arrangements. All of this will give you a broad knowledge which you will use again in composing your own songs.

bill reed · Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:37 am Post subject:

hi
get a drum machine or get some of the free software on the net that gives you a drum backing and play the scales to it and start to develop a rhythm, then try playing to the same beat with diffrent note of that scale to each bar.
work on one scale at a time but work on the rhythm of your playing even if its only root.IV, V.
cheers
bill