Grangur

Hey! Good morning to you. What kept you?

Just another thought... something else i practice is Root, 3rd, 5th, octave of various chords and playing around the circle of 5ths, taking note of the notes I'm playing, not just playing "the box".

Thanks again

Rich

Hi Cloudburst and Coilte,
Thanks, Coilte for reminding me about the Studybass web site, I used to use that some time back but something must have distracted me from it. I'll get back there.

Playing stuff other than bass lines: I've been doing this as a way of forcing me to learn the FB. If you have a score you know the tune of, then read it (on the bass clef) and have to find the notes, then you learn the FB.... job done now I guess. Now move on.

Cloudburst, yes I realise we rarely play chords on the bass. I drive a lot and listen to music all the time, listening to the bass line, or inventing variations on what I hear, for what I'd play to the track. (If my skill was such as to find the right notes.)

WRT teachers, I've been looking for one in my area. We don't appear to have many. One I tried seemed to centre on teaching me to slap n pop and in my inability to keep each of my fingers 10mm above each of the strings on frets 1, 2, 3 & 4 all the time., whilst keeping my thumb no higher than 1/2way up the width of the neck. I tried it and started pulling things in the back of my hand. I'll keep looking.

Inversions: thanks for that. I didn't realise that's what that was called.

I'll go back and study the studybass site some more. Also I'd probably do well to go back to the book "Crash Course Bass", by Stuart Clayton.

Thanks again

Rich

Coilte, many thanks for your really full answer and your questions.

[size=3][i]The practice itself, i.e. what you actually practice. Can you give us some general idea as to what your practice has consisted of ?[/i][/size]
What I consider to be good practice is
1. Practicing scales. Generaly I stick to major scales, (I know, I'm bad)
2. Playing a piece, reading the score and finding the notes on the fretboard
3. Playing a backing track from CD from the Trinity College books and playing the lines from the books that go with it. (I wish they didn't use Tabs!)
4 . I find scores for pieces and type them up in Musescore; creating them in bass clef and transposing to a suitable key.

[size=3][i]For example, are you familar with scales and just as importantly, how chords are derived from them ?[/i][/size]
Err.. I know Major and Minor scales and pentatonic. Chords are, i believe, the route(1), 3rd, 5th, 7th notes of a scale.... but then again I may be wrong.

[size=3][i]Do you know what inversions are ? [/i][/size]
Going up the scale, from the route to the octave, then going back down again to the route

[i][size=3]Do you know why some chords are major, some minor and some diminished etc ?[/size][/i]
These all have different intervals. The Major is Tone, Tone, Semi-tone, Tone, Tone, Tone, Semi-tone.
The Minor is Tone, Semi-tone, Tone, Tone, Semi-tone, Tone, Tone.
After that I get confused with all the Phygorian, Locrian, Harmonic Minor etc. I know they all have different intervals to give different flavours to the music; blues, jazz, etc.

[i][size=3]Do you know where all the notes on the fretboard are ?[/size][/i]
Yes, some I can find faster than others. The answer to this is start playing the scores I have on different pars of the FB

[i][size=3]Are you familiar with intervals ? For example with of G major chord, would you know where the sixth of the chord is on the FB ?[/size][/i]
I've not been playing chords, but I could tell you where the 6th in the scale is in relation to the route or octave.

Thanks for some great questions.

Thanks all for your feedback.

Faithless, I'm confused about your coments on Trinity. Are we talking about the same thing; [url="https://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&biw=1366&bih=643&sclient=psy-ab&q=trinity+college+london:+rock+%26+pop+bass+guitar&oq=Trinity&gs_l=hp.1.0.35i39l2j0l2.1538.5852.0.8379.17.12.5.0.0.0.562.2011.7j3j0j1j0j1.12.0...0.0...1c.1.14.psy-ab.ueCwSMEcdbY&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46751780,d.d2k&fp=91c159786e7c7909"]Trinity College London[/url] ?

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1368873163' post='2082470']
...One more thing I'd like to comment on is you remark... "would like to get there faster". "There".. is an abstract idea. Learning an instrument is a process. Be patient, take things in small steps and enjoy the learning process.
[/quote]
I agree. I know it's abstract, but what I'm aiming for is the stage where making up riffs to go with a band/rhythm all comes naturally to be entertaining... or is this a eutopia that we all dream of but only comes to the few?

That said, even when/if that stage comes, one is still on a process of learning to do more with improved technique etc.

Hi All,
I don't really want this thread to centre round "me" but I'm learning and wondering if I would move on faster if I had a teacher, even if on an irregular "consultancy" basis.

I've been self taught for the past 3 years. I'm progressing slowly, but would like to get there faster. I suspect, however, the answer is simply "practice more" rather than be on BC so much. I'm not young so, much as I'd love to deny it, things probably don't come as fast as they used to especially with RL being a distraction.

Never been in a band yet, but right now playing scores like "Star Spangled Banner" and "The Sound of Silence" by sight reading. (Tunes may not be a bass thing really, but unless you use a backing track normal bass riffs can get a bit tedious)

A teacher I went to once got me to buy the Trinity school books Grades 1&2 and I'm learning some in there. I don't know if I'm really interested in exams, but it's a sign of progress I guess.

"Where do you want to get to?" I hear you ask. I don't really know. Maybe that's my problem. I'd like to be playing jazzy bass lines in a band but probably don't have the time to commit.

Aside from getting rid of bad habits, from this info, do you think someone in my position would benefit from need a teacher?

Would a teacher help me progress faster?

What key benfits would a teacher bring?

I don't have scores from shows, but I do have some short "tunes" that can be played and sound like real pieces when played in solo:

Amazing Grace
Star Spangled Banner
La_Marseillaise - French National Anthem
Silent Night

Ok it's basic stuff, but some may find it more interesting than dry "learn to read" books. They'real so out of copyright

[quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1368692906' post='2080154']
Google Sketchup is free and more user friendly than AutoCad, which I found quite laborious. I do all my sketches on GS now.
[/quote] +1

I used GS in a previous job to design furniture and send the 3D drawings to a factory in Poland for them to make the products for us. There's some useful tutorial vids on Youtube too.


Here's an example of a drawing [url="http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=82c05d361ff3c09a54feda409512bbb5"]http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=82c05d361ff3c09a54feda409512bbb5[/url]

How about this one?
[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBANEZ-SR505-5-STRING-BASS-GUITAR-/140964204906?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20d21f116a"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item20d21f116a[/url]

It needs some attention to the body, IMHO, but it's do-able.

BTW, welcome back. It's good to see you around again

According to Mark King the answer for a slapper is bondage....

Get one of these and you'll be ok [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrical-PVC-Insulation-Insulating-Tape-19mm-X-20m-Roll-/150812077554?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Electrical_Fittings_MJ&var=450077483405&hash=item231d19adf2"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electrical-PVC-Insulation-Insulating-Tape-19mm-X-20m-Roll-/150812077554?pt=UK_DIY_Material_Electrical_Fittings_MJ&var=450077483405&hash=item231d19adf2[/url]

[url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1XKARygAK0"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1XKARygAK0[/url]

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1368504734' post='2077786']
I suppose it depends on a few factors.....
[/quote]

Don't forget some folk (even bass players) can be "analytical" types. They play the original line exactly; anything else could, in their opinion, be "wrong".

I see the new one is "FOR STAGE OR PHOTOSHOOT"... no go for actually playing music this time then?
Must have taken the "Ray-gun" too close to the cables

I've got a 100w Cube. It lacks the loop recording on the newer models, but it's got the other effects.
The sound is a touch "bright" for my liking, but otherwise the volume for use at home is really too loud (did I really say that?).
Most of the time I've got both the gain and volume both at 3/10. So I recon it would do a small gig.
I've also got a Boss FS-6 foot switch, so I can turn the effects on/off whilst playing. Had it about 12 months and no problems.

You asked for suggestions. Here's another option: [url="http://trinityrock.trinitycollege.co.uk/instruments/bass"]http://trinityrock.trinitycollege.co.uk/instruments/bass[/url]
I'm trying this out. For a nood, as I am, it's interesting. But not sure if the music on offer in the course is too old for your son.

I'm finding it ok, and the recordings are clear. Not taken any exams yet though.

You could try mailing Scott of Scottsbasslessons.com. He lives in Leeds. He's likely to know some folk in the area.
He's also a member on here.

The Bass Gallery has a Corvette. I have a Streamer Stage 1.

Where in SE do you live?
I live up the M11, but it could be interesting to meet for a chat and a cuppa.

Of those you've listed I'd go for the Ibanez. They have good fast necks and slim for small hands.

The Warwick would be great, but knowing what kids are like it's a lot of money if his mates knock it over in his bedroom etc.

You could also consider a Fleabass Junior.

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FLEA-JUNIOR-PUNK-3-4-SHORT-SCALE-BASS-GREEN-GIG-BAG-NEW-/251270148129?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item3a80de3021"]http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a80de3021[/url]

Hey! now that's what I call dedication to the cause. 19 years of commitment to selliing a great bass

Hmm. I recon you should compromise.. a hollow thing with 4 strings maybe?
Or, a hollow thing with 6 FAT strings?

Either way, he's doing some great work and either of the above would be a piece to be really proud of.

Thanks guys for some good ideas. What I ws doing was probably not what a metronome is for: checking a recording against a beat and trying to replicate it in a simple format and play.
The thing to do is set it to play slightly faster or slower and practice that anyway. Besides, a small change in speed is no big deal.
Thanks again

Are there any wires disconnected in the back?
Or are there any bits of metal shorting the connections of the pot together?

If not then I would guess you need someone with an ohm meter to check the pot out.

Just one other thought.... where in London are you?
It may help folk to suggest someone near you

So what you're saying is I'm too much of a perfectionist?

Hmm.. I guess so. Many thanks

Hi All,
I've got a Korg TM-40. This is an electronic tuner and metronome.
You can see it here: [url="http://www.gak.co.uk/en/korg-tm-40-chromatic-tuner-and-metronome-(pearl-white/40257?gclid=CPzv-aLeibcCFQjKtAodNSwAjg"]http://www.gak.co.uk/en/korg-tm-40-chromatic-tuner-and-metronome-(pearl-white/40257?gclid=CPzv-aLeibcCFQjKtAodNSwAjg[/url]

As a tuner it's good. I've not yet had a problem.

As a metronome it has an interesting limitation. The speeds you can choose from are limited to certain steps:
40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63, 66, 69, 72, 76, 80, 84, 88, 92, 96, 100, 104, 108, 112, 116, 120, 126, 132 etc. up to 208.

I don't find the limit at 208 a problem (I should be so quick as to play that fast)
I didn't really have a problem at all much, until I pick up a book and it tells me to play at 125bpm. I check the recording of the track; Beatles in this case and 125 is about right. But the TM-40 won't do that.

Can anyone tell me why this is?
Is there a reason in music theory why we shouldn't need 125bpm?

Is there a metronome that does have an infinite setting? I know some online ones do.

Thanks
Rich

Yep prices have dropped and still dropping. There's some bargains to be had, but not good if you want your money back on the Rockbass you have

The only access point to the truss rod I can see on mine is the one in the headstock. It has a though neck, so it's not like you take the neck off and access it that way. So I'd be interested to know how you get to it.