Since i've gotten the sterling i havent been able to put it down. I"ve never really sat down and practiced much. I usually just practice songs. Does any have any practice tips, or know of any good books or dvds I should get? I bought david overthrow's begining electric bass today as a start. I really want to practice as much as I can and get as good as I can. Thanks
- Thread starter mobass
- Start date
TNT
Well-known member
I would advise getting a "good" bass playing video, (check around there are many out there) so you can form a correct "foundation"!!
After that, I have a saying, "if the fingers aren't wigglin' you ain't goin' nowhere!"
After that, I have a saying, "if the fingers aren't wigglin' you ain't goin' nowhere!"
Do plenty of scales and walking runs.
Listen plenty to songs you'd like to try and.....try 'em
Play whenever you can/feel like it.
Difficult bits - persevere - do 'em over and over til you get them.
You tube can also be a good resource so you can see things before you try them.
ENJOY
Listen plenty to songs you'd like to try and.....try 'em
Play whenever you can/feel like it.
Difficult bits - persevere - do 'em over and over til you get them.
You tube can also be a good resource so you can see things before you try them.
ENJOY
WillPlay4Food
Well-known member
You can get [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Bass-Method-Easy-Use/dp/0793563836/]Ed Friedland's Hal Leonard Bass Method- Complete Edition[/ame] from Amazon.com for <$16 before shipping. Comes with 3 books (combined into one) and 3 CDs to work with. I personally don't own this but I've seen it recommended time and again. I do own Friedland's Walking Bass Book/CD combo which I think is excellent so if I was looking for someplace to start I'd get the above book.
shamus63
Well-known member
When I play along with a recording, I'll get the basic structure, then go back and try to catch the embellishments.
Once I get comfortable with the song, I'll put my own stamp on it, without straying too far from the original bass line.
Once I get comfortable with the song, I'll put my own stamp on it, without straying too far from the original bass line.
Aussie Mark
Well-known member
Ed's stuff is great.
maddog
Well-known member
+1 million.
shamus63
Well-known member
Or to improve your meter.
AnthonyD
Well-known member
I have recently rediscovered the metronome for practice...
oli@bass
Well-known member
Great mention!
I used a metronome alone (nothing else!) to practice our songs before we went to the recording studio for our last CD. I practiced about two weeks, whenever I found free time. Gave big timing improvement! (then again, maybe my timing just sucks in the first place... )
I would agree with everyone - a mixture of 'home study' using books / dvds (such as Ed Friedlands - highly recommend!) and online resources such as youtube (I have found some useful vids players have put up)
and practice - you still cant beat playing with a bunch of musicians in a sound-proof rehearsal room for tightening up your playing.
And +1 on the metronome ... dead useful for practising rhythm, first got into using metronomes when I played 6 string and was trying to improve my funk guitar chops.
and practice - you still cant beat playing with a bunch of musicians in a sound-proof rehearsal room for tightening up your playing.
And +1 on the metronome ... dead useful for practising rhythm, first got into using metronomes when I played 6 string and was trying to improve my funk guitar chops.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
I like what tk said and I also like drum machines or loops on the computer.....
I also like long walks on the beach....(wait wrong forum)
I also like long walks on the beach....(wait wrong forum)
bovinehost
Administrator
Do you like piña coladas and being caught in the rain?
Metronomes bore me after about seven or eight seconds. Drum machines/loops keep time just as well and give you something to play against.
the click click click click BOOM,
Jack
WillPlay4Food
Well-known member
Hey, waitaminute bud, I've got dibs on Princess Fiona.
(How many times do you think my 2.75 year old has subjected me to Shrek this week?
)
Hellboy
Well-known member
Timing......
My best tip when it comes to improving timing and to keep time is to use a drum machine or a computer with apropriate softwares installed. Program/record 4 bars of a good drum rythm or just a metronome sound/click and then leave the next 4 bars blank. Then loop those 8 bars and play along to that at different tempos. You´ll get help from the drum machine during 4 bars and then you´re on your own the next 4 bars and you´ll know if you´ve dragged or rushed the tempo when the drum machine kicks in again. The slower the tempo, the harder it gets. Play different bass lines and riffs over that. Good thing if you want to find out if you rush or drag at different tempos.
Timing is much in the head and there are tricks that one can use to make things abit less frustrating. When playing very slow tempos (most people tend to drag at slow tempos), don´t just count the quarter notes. Try to feel the 8th or 16th notes depending on the tempo in your head. I´ve noticed that it helps me to keep time at slow tempos. The oposit for really fast tempos when many musicians tend to rush. Don´t count the quarter notes, try to count half notes instead. That will help you stay calm and avoid you from rushing.
When one feels more secure about running 4 + 4 loops in different tempos, do the same thing 8 + 8 loops. Thanks.
Sincerely//Jan
My best tip when it comes to improving timing and to keep time is to use a drum machine or a computer with apropriate softwares installed. Program/record 4 bars of a good drum rythm or just a metronome sound/click and then leave the next 4 bars blank. Then loop those 8 bars and play along to that at different tempos. You´ll get help from the drum machine during 4 bars and then you´re on your own the next 4 bars and you´ll know if you´ve dragged or rushed the tempo when the drum machine kicks in again. The slower the tempo, the harder it gets. Play different bass lines and riffs over that. Good thing if you want to find out if you rush or drag at different tempos.
Timing is much in the head and there are tricks that one can use to make things abit less frustrating. When playing very slow tempos (most people tend to drag at slow tempos), don´t just count the quarter notes. Try to feel the 8th or 16th notes depending on the tempo in your head. I´ve noticed that it helps me to keep time at slow tempos. The oposit for really fast tempos when many musicians tend to rush. Don´t count the quarter notes, try to count half notes instead. That will help you stay calm and avoid you from rushing.
When one feels more secure about running 4 + 4 loops in different tempos, do the same thing 8 + 8 loops. Thanks.
Sincerely//Jan
AnthonyD
Well-known member
I came back from the Forum Bash all energized and motivated and I recently began regular lessons with a pro. The metronome has been instrumental in forcing time - both fast and slow - when running through finger drills and exercises.
For the most part, when free-form jamming and experimenting with technique I like the drum machine. And yes, I have found the hard way after playing in a Band with a drum machine for the past 3+ years that a live drummer is a whole other story!
For the most part, when free-form jamming and experimenting with technique I like the drum machine. And yes, I have found the hard way after playing in a Band with a drum machine for the past 3+ years that a live drummer is a whole other story!
StevieStingray
Well-known member
As far a general advice goes, something that hasn't been mentioned yet (I think) is to RECORD yourself, and see how you sound. What you think you hear is sometimes a bit different than reality. I find it helps me become aware of the parts of my playing I need to exaggerate more.
As far as a practice device goes, the Fender B-DEC amp is worth checking out. Yes, it's an amp, so it's much more expensive than a metronome. However, it's also a band-in-the-box, with an accompanying method book.
The book has the tabulature for the 50 or so songs that are built in, as well as a number of rudiments to practice [scales, arpeggios, etc]. The songs cover a wide range of styles.
There's also a phrase trainer, where you can dial in a drum loop, lay down a groove, let it loop, then solo over top of it.
I owned one while for a (short) while, but it was obvious you could get a LOT out of it, and it lets you get as close as you can to practicing with other musicians without inviting 4 people into your bedroom. [Wait... that last part doesn't sound right]
I find it helps me become aware of the parts of my playing I need to exaggerate more.As far as a practice device goes, the Fender B-DEC amp is worth checking out. Yes, it's an amp, so it's much more expensive than a metronome. However, it's also a band-in-the-box, with an accompanying method book.
The book has the tabulature for the 50 or so songs that are built in, as well as a number of rudiments to practice [scales, arpeggios, etc]. The songs cover a wide range of styles.
There's also a phrase trainer, where you can dial in a drum loop, lay down a groove, let it loop, then solo over top of it.
I owned one while for a (short) while, but it was obvious you could get a LOT out of it, and it lets you get as close as you can to practicing with other musicians without inviting 4 people into your bedroom. [Wait... that last part doesn't sound right
]