Mornats Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 I decided to treat myself to bass lessons for my birthday and got in touch with Matt Downer ([url="http://www.matthewdowner.com"]http://www.matthewdowner.com[/url]) and had my first lesson. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I had a great time. Matt taught me some much-needed technique and gave me some exercises to help with it. "Play them slow, it's harder to play slower" was his advice for them and he's right. I practiced them for over an hour when I got home and I can see a marked improvement. I still need practice but I'm heading in the right direction now. He also went over some theory too which I really wanted to learn. It looks like I'll have to learn to read music during my lessons too so I'll dive into that. It wasn't on my agenda at first but I can see the benefit of it so I'll happily learn it. So my end goal is to have someone say, let's do a jam in Bb with a I V IV progression and I can just pick up the bass and groove along without thinking.And I think I'll get there with Matt's help. So I'm a happy bunny right now. Best* birthday present to myself ever I think. * Well, perhaps my Overwater Contemporary J4 from last year was, but this is on par Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Excellent! It's great to be fortunate to absorb someone else's experience like that and make it your own... I had a bass lesson today and now feel even more enthused about my playing than ever... Are you going to keep it up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 That was good news, and lovely to read. Enjoy and good luck! ( I V IV progressions can't be done in Bb though. You'll need to transpose to F#. Matt will teach you. He knows these things. ) best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westie9 Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Superb...keep at it..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seashell Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 Great news. I'm really glad you found a good teacher. I'm really looking forward to my lesson tomorrow as well:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted September 7, 2012 Author Share Posted September 7, 2012 [quote name='lowdowner' timestamp='1347045094' post='1796473'] Are you going to keep it up? [/quote] You betcha. [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1347049684' post='1796552'] ( I V IV progressions can't be done in Bb though. You'll need to transpose to F#. Matt will teach you. He knows these things. ) [/quote] That's why I need a tutor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1347049684' post='1796552'] ( I V IV progressions can't be done in Bb though. You'll need to transpose to F#. Matt will teach you. He knows these things. ) [/quote] Assuming that you're being serious-although the smiley suggests otherwise)-a I,V,IV in Bb will simply be Bb,F,Eb. (Just in case anyone does actually think that you cant play that progression in Bb) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceChick Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 So glad it went well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdowner Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 [quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1347064808' post='1796732'] Assuming that you're being serious-although the smiley suggests otherwise)-a I,V,IV in Bb will simply be Bb,F,Eb. (Just in case anyone does actually think that you cant play that progression in Bb) [/quote] quite - keys are 'symmetrical' in that any progression will 'work' in any key, it just needs transposition. That's why your fretboard doesn't have 'gaps' or strange lengthen frets here and there - the bass doesn't care what key you're working in (appreciate the smilieys though) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 I knew I should have said C major lol :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 [quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1347049684' post='1796552'] ( I V IV progressions can't be done in Bb though. You'll need to transpose to F#. Matt will teach you. He knows these things. ) best, bert [/quote] eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted September 8, 2012 Author Share Posted September 8, 2012 Moving swiftly on... Matt had a Markbass combo (don't know which one but it had a single 10" speaker) that made my Overwater sound lurvely. FIrst time I've heard one and I did like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomE Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1347114729' post='1797119'] Moving swiftly on... Matt had a Markbass combo (don't know which one but it had a single 10" speaker) that made my Overwater sound lurvely. FIrst time I've heard one and I did like it. [/quote] Yeah moving on. I hope Bert doesn't give lessons. The Markbass stuff is lovely. So transparent that you probably heard what your bass is meant to sound like. And soooooo good for your back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted September 8, 2012 Share Posted September 8, 2012 [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1347103057' post='1796955'] I knew I should have said C major lol :-) [/quote] [b]Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful![/b] Thanks for the RIMSALMAO (Rolling In My Sofa And Laughing My Ass Off) For extreme clarity: I was indeed only kidding, inspired by Mornats' new role as pupil. Happily I'm not teaching any more. best, bert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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