| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Isa
Starting Member
USA
2 Posts |
 Posted - 12/23/2006 : 01:26:15
|
Hi Mike,
I’ve just started playing the Bass recently, but have come from playing the guitar over the last 10 years. My only real problem with the guitar is that my fingers are just too thick (I also play the Piano a bit, and my fingers are so thick that I am unable to play between the black keys); but with the Bass my thick fingers really haven’t been a problem.
Having played finger style guitar for some time, it is fairly easy for me to learn the “steps” to playing a song; but I really want to learn how to play the bass, not just play songs on the bass (if that makes sense).
So I would really like to seriously approach my bass playing. What would you suggest for the most effective way to practice the bass to get the best and quickest improvement? I am able to dedicate about 3 – 5 hours a day for practice; what would be the best use of my time as well as suggestions for learning materials? Unfortunately, my only limitation is that I won’t be able to take lessons from an instructor, so I will have to go the self taught route for at least the next year.
Thanks,
Isa
|
|
|
michaeldimin
Forum Admin
99 Posts |
Posted - 12/29/2006 : 06:20:12
|
quote:
Originally posted by Isa
Hi Mike,
I’ve just started playing the Bass recently, but have come from playing the guitar over the last 10 years. My only real problem with the guitar is that my fingers are just too thick (I also play the Piano a bit, and my fingers are so thick that I am unable to play between the black keys); but with the Bass my thick fingers really haven’t been a problem.
Having played finger style guitar for some time, it is fairly easy for me to learn the “steps” to playing a song; but I really want to learn how to play the bass, not just play songs on the bass (if that makes sense).
Songs are a product of playing the bass, not the other way around. SO I do beleive that you are on the right track. As a bass player, you need to understand both cognitively and practically how to create a bass line. There is a certain amount of music theory needed to do this. You need to know what scale to play at the right time and the arpeggios that make up each chord. If you cannot study with an instructor, I would look into some good books. Personally, I recommend my book, "The CORE Method"
quote:
So I would really like to seriously approach my bass playing. What would you suggest for the most effective way to practice the bass to get the best and quickest improvement? I am able to dedicate about 3 – 5 hours a day for practice; what would be the best use of my time as well as suggestions for learning materials? Unfortunately, my only limitation is that I won’t be able to take lessons from an instructor, so I will have to go the self taught route for at least the next year.
3-5 hours per day is a great deal of time, probably too much. I break down my practice into smaller segments. Each segment lasts only to the point that I am feeling frustrated or bored, then I move on. Eacxh segment can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on how I am feeling, the material, etc. At anytime during the practice session that I am feeling bored/frustrated I might throw in some "free play" time. Jamming just to come up with new ideas, refresh the palette, so to speak. Here are my practice segments, in order:
1. Warm up with some scales
2. Play some older material (to build confidence and keep in the repertoire)
3. Bring out the new material I am working on
4. "Free Play"
Hope this helps
Mike |
 |
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Wax on . . . Wax off
