topcat3355 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I have at least an hour of free time to practice every day and was wondering what I should start to practice? My bass playing has begun to degenerate rapidly of late and would like to bring it up to another level Here is my youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/topcat3355 What would you folks out there to to help my playing develop? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Practicing scales is good for your brain and your finger dexterity. But I also find learning songs to be extremely helpful too. And much more fun! Make a point of learning songs that you think are out of your reach ability-wise... A shock to the system will really make you tighten up your skills... and who knows You might surprise yourself with what you can accomplish!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) I would not entirely agree with chrismuzz above, about scales being good for your brain. While they are definitely important to know, equally so (or possibly more so) are chord tones/arpeggios and their inversions. Even though you may not care much for jazz, I would recommend learning the basics for walking bass lines. This is a great way to learn about chord tones and inversions. What you learn from walking bass can be used in all types of music. Below are some links that you may find helpful. Links 1& 2 show one of a series of lessons. [url="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dave+marks+walking+bass+lesson+01&oq=dave+marks+walk&gs_l=youtube.1.0.0l3.2728.19195.0.21507.15.15.0.0.0.0.129.1351.12j3.15.0...0.0...1ac.1.fDGYgonh3Ao"]http://www.youtube.c...c.1.fDGYgonh3Ao[/url] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNIs9jdqjAk[/media] [url="http://www.studybass.com/lessons/bass-chord-patterns/chord-tones-are-primary/"]http://www.studybass...es-are-primary/[/url] Edited January 3, 2013 by Coilte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Definite outcomes or targets. Makes it easy to measure how far you've come or to highlight areas for development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1357208370' post='1918988'] Definite outcomes or targets. Makes it easy to measure how far you've come or to highlight areas for development. [/quote] True, but if I'm interpreting the OP correctly, I think he is asking what he can do to reach those outcomes or targets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 Learn to read music. The rest will come. Actually, I think the main thing to remember is that development comes in tiny inrements and worrying about what you achieve each day is potentially counter-productive. It is better to concentrate on the tiny little thing you are doing than worrying about the mountain of stuff yet to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lobematt Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 I find that when I'm limited on practice time if I draw up a quick 1 hour schedule of areas to get through and use a timer while I practice to make sure I hit them all, that leaves me feeling like I've done as much as I could in the time available. Obviously this isn't the best way to practice, just the best way to practice if you're short on time (or at least I think!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 The last few months I've found a routine that's doing wonders for me; I think maybe because it's so flexible: I take a jazz chart and a couple of recordings of the tune (I've never played jazz btw). I start by jamming along to the tune with the chart. I then take every chord and separately work up the scales, modes etc. with a metronome. I then push those all over the board. More jamming along, working up some rhythmic embellishments. Then I work on joining up the chords (again all over the board). Then i play the whole tune from the chart with metronome. Last, I learn at least some of the bass part from the recordings by ear (I'm not finding transcribing any use, as I just parrot off the page then). Oh, and every now and again I spend time checking out intonation and thumb positioning (I use Rabbath). The hugely embarrassing thing about this method is that it goes on for weeks with a single tune, but that's because it shows up every weakness and limitation. Strangely, it doesn't get boring; I think because i never know what weakness I'm going to work on next. I'm sure some people would go mad doing this, but I'm a beginner on upright and seem to benefit from a rounded kind of approach. No point playing brilliant scales and being hopeless at everything else. Also, I've reconciled myself to inching forward. Discovered patience somewhere. Good luck with your own search for the magic method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted January 3, 2013 Share Posted January 3, 2013 (edited) . Edited January 19, 2013 by JakeBrownBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcat3355 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 Thanks for all the feedback guys! So from what I've gathered, it would be beneficial to sit down with a metronome at slow speeds and work on scales or the components used to create walking bass lines? Is it better to divide my time up into slots and try working on different things throughout that hour, or is it better to jam over the top of a track? Again thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 (edited) . Edited January 19, 2013 by JakeBrownBass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 [quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1357208166' post='1918986'] I would not entirely agree with chrismuzz above, about scales being good for your brain. While they are definitely important to know, equally so (or possibly more so) are chord tones/arpeggios and their inversions. [/quote] Totally! I shouldn't have rushed my reply really Jeff Berlin is a bloody great teacher! His music leaves me cold but I learn so much from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcat3355 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 Thanks guys I'll get right on it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Posted January 6, 2013 Share Posted January 6, 2013 [quote name='topcat3355' timestamp='1357258107' post='1920143'] Thanks for all the feedback guys! So from what I've gathered, it would be beneficial to sit down with a metronome at slow speeds and work on scales or the components used to create walking bass lines? Is it better to divide my time up into slots and try working on different things throughout that hour, or is it better to jam over the top of a track? Again thanks for the help [/quote] With that I'd recommend this type of thing: [url="http://scottsbasslessons.com/rythm/awesome-subdivision-exercise.html"]http://scottsbasslessons.com/rythm/awesome-subdivision-exercise.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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