Where are you, bass-wise?

[bottlerocket]

So let's get an update as to where you are bass-wise. Are you working on any techniques? Have you noticed any improvements? Working on a cover song? Writing a solo piece?

Go!

-Gav

[ebe9]

Gotten my slap technique to a decent level, need to bring my pop up to that speed.

I keep meaning to develop some co-ordination with tapping but never seem to get round to it.

Currently trying to think up something for the slap comp.

[Jimbobntnr]

scales scales scales.

[Left Shoe]

working on walking

[Dark Banana]

I'm fast in many ways but lack control

I am talking about bass playing by the way

learning modes so I can play better I think

[Radiobass81]

Although I try not to think about "where I'm at" as a bassplayer, I'm going to get my chops back up, and want to start playing some fusion to get it to where I want (I'd LOVE to play Spain).

Besides that, I wouldn't mind start practicing slapping now.

[peeted]

my fingerstyles going down the ****er bit my tapping is shooting ahead.

[Left Shoe]

Although I try not to think about "where I'm at" as a bassplayer, I'm going to get my chops back up, and want to start playing some fusion to get it to where I want (I'd LOVE to play Spain).

Besides that, I wouldn't mind start practicing slapping now.

123

[museic]

im working on making my fingerstyle really smooth especially when playing basslines that involve a lot of string skipping and speed.. ive definately improved a lot but i can always go furthur..

[pitchfork]

Mainly composition work and sight reading.
Not much else really, too much on and I have to practise drums and guitar too.
Oh and technique, I have started getting a little twinge in my wrist when octaving so I have to make sure my wrist is in the right position now (it wasn't before, but this neck is also a pain in the *** to octave on)

[Mr_Soup]

I think I've become relatively decent at slapping, and somewhat decent at tapping...

I'm still trying to walk better than a toddler, though.

[Radiobass81]

123

I saw Michel Camilo and Tomatito live last Thursday, and they ended the concert with Spain... Incredible.

[Untitled]

Im at this stage...

"hmm my bass is crap to play, i will go get it set up and play more once its playable...."
*picks bass up from the shop"
"oic, its still crap to play, its just a bad bass, and too arkward to play"
"i will properly start playing agian when i buy a new bass"
"i wonder when ill buy one, maybe next week, i dunno yet"

[TheClap]

working on walking

Do you have the building walking basslines book?


As for me, trying to really get my finger speed cleaner, and my three finger technique faster. Also working of intonation on upright, and bowing speed.

[Kage]

Also working of intonation on upright, and bowing speed.
Nice.

[thelowsoundofbass]

I really want to get better at walking as well. I am thinking about buying todd johnson's dvd on walking. I wouldn't mind having his one on technique either. I want my six string back in commision so I can work on my muting.

lowsound

[Radiobass81]

My walking is horrible, but the only jazz I play is either slow, so no walking is actually needed (just abuse of passing notes), or fusion, most of which has a salsa feel.

Oh, I need to work on my salsa playing.

EDIT: And my sight-reading.

[mastrrbasser]

trying to find time to drill on my reading, and writing basslines for my band. We just finished a song in 25/16 timing.

[Left Shoe]

Do you have the building walking basslines book?


As for me, trying to really get my finger speed cleaner, and my three finger technique faster. Also working of intonation on upright, and bowing speed.

i have plenty of books, i find its just easier to do it than have someone else tell me how to do it

[Spaceman Spiff]

I've started working on walking a little.

I'm thinking about quitting my lessons, though. It's not that I don't like them, it's more that I just don't really feel like taking them right now.

[Akira]

I am working on smoothing out my playing. I am also working on tapping. I have been really digging the Chapman Stick lately, and listening to people play it has really made me want to practice my tapping.

[TheClap]

i have plenty of books, i find its just easier to do it than have someone else tell me how to do it

I was talking more of a reference, if you know the theory behind it and you know all the different approachs, then you should have no problem walking.

It one of the things Im best at on bass, partly because of that book.

/written by Ed Friedland.

[Jimbobntnr]

Everyone learns differently, the best thing you can do is figure out what works for you, like LS did.

[Polyamarous]

I r learn theory in spare time.

[peeted]

little bit of topic but since everyone loves spain you will probibly all enjoy this vid i found http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2177287513592111931 its hard enough to play normaly, thats ****ing impresive.

[lemoley]

Techniques: gotten way better at tapping

Songs: my band is in the latter part of finishing Schism

[MuRd0K]

I'm working a lot in slapping.

I just got my new Schecter Custom-5, and the only bass I had before was a fretless yamaha RBX 170, so I somewhat missed the feel of frets.

I'm working on Marcus Miller's songs.

[Moon Flavor]

little bit of topic but since everyone loves spain you will probibly all enjoy this vid i found http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2177287513592111931 its hard enough to play normaly, thats ****ing impresive.

Wow...the only complaint I have is that he sucked at getting notes out of his B string, but still....that was one of the cleanest tapping pieces I've heard any non-pro bassist do, easy or hard.

[Misanthropic]

I'm trying to write songs simple enough for my band to play. And this isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Also getting better at tapping.

Will soon enter the realm of ERB, when my sr506 arrives.

Learning standard notation and stuff like that (at school).

[British Kid]

well, i'm finally working on my sight reading, and its going really well. this book i got for it is execellent. it's probably the best bass book i've ever read.

also, i'm still working on my pick technique. I'm getting alot better, but i want to get to the same dexiterity that i have with my fingers.

im still noodling around with my tone too, and contemplating getting a 1x15 cab to go with my 4x10, but there are way too many other things i want right now, and i would like to get them before i get out on my own next year.

not bass related, but i'm sorta starting to work on guitar.

[Radiobass81]

little bit of topic but since everyone loves spain you will probibly all enjoy this vid i found http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2177287513592111931 its hard enough to play normaly, thats ****ing impresive.

Wow...

I'm having trouble with the main line... REMEMBERING IT, let alone playing it...

[Jamie]

Working on my walking jazz :) And also working on my LCM Grade 8 Bass and Grade 5 Theory.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Last week, I started working on more theory since I started picking up good practising habits again, but then school started, so I have had to take a break, so I am not actually working on anything at the moment.

I just write short (8-10 measures) four-part songs to work on my composition skills. :)

[EADG]

little bit of topic but since everyone loves spain you will probibly all enjoy this vid i found http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2177287513592111931 its hard enough to play normaly, thats ****ing impresive.



That guy was really good. My only complaint is that I think his strings were a little too low and were choking (especially the B).


I am working on tapping as always and chord playing. I'm writing a few solo pieces and I hope to have enough to put out a CD sometime in the near future. My slap technique is also brutal (I havn't been practicing it because the spacing on my main bass is too tight) so I should be working on that. I've also been meaning to start learning walking but I havn't gotten around to that yet.

[Raiven]

I have less then a week to finalise and finish off "To Counter And Groove In E minor".

Also to learn as much theory and stuff as possible.

Walking is taking its sweet time but you cant rush it.

[bottlerocket]

I still can't play. :upset:

-Gav

[Pluperfect_Arson]

I still can't play. :upset:

-Gav

Why don't you compose or something to fill up time? Just use any programme that uses standard notation.

I find that using tapping programmes like GP4 and the like piss me off, and I can't compose as well because I have to flip through the instruments to use them, whereas I can just have all the different parts on one score in front of me.

[Misanthropic]

I find that using tapping programmes like GP4 and the like piss me off, and I can't compose as well because I have to flip through the instruments to use them, whereas I can just have all the different parts on one score in front of me.

At least in GP5 you can select View, Multitrack View to see all the tracks at once.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

At least in GP5 you can select View, Multitrack View to see all the tracks at once.

You can do that in GP4 as well, but I hate how it is so ridiculously spread out.

[jon_slaps_bass]

Im at this stage...

"hmm my bass is crap to play, i will go get it set up and play more once its playable...."
*picks bass up from the shop"
"oic, its still crap to play, its just a bad bass, and too arkward to play"
"i will properly start playing agian when i buy a new bass"
"i wonder when ill buy one, maybe next week, i dunno yet"

Don't blame your bass for YOUR shortcomings.

[WhoDidTheElf]

Working on using three fingers on the picking hand more affectively.

And working on tapping.

[Untitled]

Don't blame your bass for YOUR shortcomings.

No, DO blame my bass on my short comings.

Ive been playing for nearl 3 years, im pretty decent at it, the last 6 months or so my bass has been fuked for some reason and its imposable to play, unlike before when it was good to play and i enjoyed playing, its been set up, and its still ****e.

I can play any other bass just fine, not this hunk of ****e though.

[EADG]

No, DO blame my bass on my short comings.

Ive been playing for nearl 3 years, im pretty decent at it, the last 6 months or so my bass has been fuked for some reason and its imposable to play, unlike before when it was good to play and i enjoyed playing, its been set up, and its still ****e.

I can play any other bass just fine, not this hunk of ****e though.



How exactly is your bass impossible to play? Learn how to set it up yourself, do it right, and stop complaining.

[WhoDidTheElf]

How exactly is your bass impossible to play? Learn how to set it up yourself, do it right, and stop complaining.

There are some instruments that make it hard to play on. Poor fret work, poor neck build, ****ty set up, poor bridge, a bad nut, bad strings, ****ty neck width, all of those can make playing a lot harder than it has to be.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

There are some instruments that make it hard to play on. Poor fret work, poor neck build, ****ty set up, poor bridge, a bad nut, bad strings, ****ty neck width, all of those can make playing a lot harder than it has to be.

He has been playing for three years, though, and he just said within the last six months it has been screwed up to no end. He didn't say what, though, and I don't think this realisation of him having a crap bass would dawn on him after three years...

[Pastorius]

I play when I feel like it, not as much as you guys.

I've pretty much stopped improving, don't reeeeally have any drive to improve. Maybe I'd like to get better with a pick.

I really don't seem to have as much drive as you guys!

[TheClap]

I play when I feel like it, not as much as you guys.

I've pretty much stopped improving, don't reeeeally have any drive to improve. Maybe I'd like to get better with a pick.

I really don't seem to have as much drive as you guys!

k, what are we supposed to do?

[Pluperfect_Arson]

I play when I feel like it, not as much as you guys.

I've pretty much stopped improving, don't reeeeally have any drive to improve. Maybe I'd like to get better with a pick.

I really don't seem to have as much drive as you guys!

You just have to find that one thing that will spark interest in you once again, and then you will find that you are once again learning and progressing!

[peeted]

yea i go through cycles of just not playing and digressing and then just geting a lil spark that sets me going on a lil improvment spree. its like i take 2 steps forward and one backward. i allways seem to forget about practicing with my fingers and a pick though wen im improving loads so im now pretty **** at fingers and pick stuff but alright at slap, tap and sweeping wich for the most part i have no practical use for other than showing off.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

sweeping wich for the most part i have no practical use for other than showing off.

That is like how I can do pinch harmonics, but I don't have a distortion pedal to really make them shine, and I also have no practical use for them.

Yay for useless techniques!

My friend's dad is an amazing guitarist, and my friend just sweeps and whatnot all the time. Anyway, he went up to his dad and said, "How come you don't ever sweep?" Then his dad replied with, "Because I'd rather pick all of the notes." :lol:

[Radiobass81]

I play when I feel like it, not as much as you guys.

I've pretty much stopped improving, don't reeeeally have any drive to improve. Maybe I'd like to get better with a pick.

I really don't seem to have as much drive as you guys!

Same, although I've been wanting to improve the last month.

[Pastorius]

It's not like I dislike playing, I still play.

Just you guys always seem to be looking for a new technique, a nicer tone, a better bass, always something! Freaks :p

I don't think I'm going to get much better to be honest, I've been playing for like 5 years now it must be, although I quit for a year at the start.

[TheClap]

It's not like I dislike playing, I still play.

Just you guys always seem to be looking for a new technique, a nicer tone, a better bass, always something! Freaks :p

I don't think I'm going to get much better to be honest, I've been playing for like 5 years now it must be, although I quit for a year at the start.

I know abunch of usless techniques, but hey I know them. But, I know what you mean, you don't want to woodshed the same scales over and over until you can play them at request, its ok.

[Ting]

Guitar solos on my bass. Mainly some newer Children Of Bodom and Ozzy stuff.

[TheClap]

stupid^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[Ting]

stupid^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Tranny^^^^^^

[TheClap]

Tranny^^^^^^

I got the sex change, don't be so rude.:angry:

I was just talking about the "playing guitar solos on bass s.hit"

[Jimbobntnr]

No, DO blame my bass on my short comings.

Ive been playing for nearl 3 years, im pretty decent at it, the last 6 months or so my bass has been fuked for some reason and its imposable to play, unlike before when it was good to play and i enjoyed playing, its been set up, and its still ****e.

I can play any other bass just fine, not this hunk of ****e though.
I had a Hondo with 3 inch action and razor sharp frets for my first bass. I completely understand the limitations of gear.

[Left Shoe]

I was talking more of a reference, if you know the theory behind it and you know all the different approachs, then you should have no problem walking.

It one of the things Im best at on bass, partly because of that book.

/written by Ed Friedland.

ive got that, ive got the berklee edition (written by current berklee staff, not ex berklee staf =P@friedland), the bass improvisors method, im sure ive got more lying around, i have an extensive bass library.

but yeah i know the theory and stuff behind it, its just one of those things...i dont find jazz veyr fun, im a fusion guy at best, so learning to play songs i dont like has always been a pain. my exception being autumn leaves and blue bossa, i like the slow jazz

[EADG]

There are some instruments that make it hard to play on. Poor fret work, poor neck build, ****ty set up, poor bridge, a bad nut, bad strings, ****ty neck width, all of those can make playing a lot harder than it has to be.



Setup is no excuse. It's fully adjustable for a reason! You setup sucks? Fix it. I know there are exceptions, so don't bother pointing out that some Wish basses don't have truss rods. I'm aware.

Frets can be replaced, as can bridges, nuts, and strings. No money? Get a job.


If your neck is built poorly or your neck is too wide, that is a reasonable excuse, but if that is the case, why do you still have the thing?

[Jimbobntnr]

Wow.
the guy said that he doesn't like the way his bass plays and now everyone's going to jump him? I must be missing something. he didn't originally blame his performance on his bass, it was suggested to him and he went along with it.

[TheClap]

ive got that, ive got the berklee edition (written by current berklee staff, not ex berklee staf =P@friedland), the bass improvisors method, im sure ive got more lying around, i have an extensive bass library.

but yeah i know the theory and stuff behind it, its just one of those things...i dont find jazz veyr fun, im a fusion guy at best, so learning to play songs i dont like has always been a pain. my exception being autumn leaves and blue bossa, i like the slow jazz

Yeah, I know where your coming from now, I play some fusion too, but nobody else but drummers want to play it with me :upset:.

[Left Shoe]

he complained about it, he coudl just fix it instead of whining about it.

but while your at it you want to replace a string for me?

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Yeah, I know where your coming from now, I play some fusion too, but nobody else but drummers want to play it with me :upset:.

It is because drummers don't care what they play as long as they are beating away. :p





/lame

[TheClap]

It is because drummers don't care what they play as long as they are beating away. :p





/lame

/lame and extreamly true.

[Jimbobntnr]

Truss rods do stop turning after a while. Just thought I would throw that out there. Maybe he wanted someone to share in his grief without starting a thread. Maybe he's a turd. I don't pretend to know but it all seemed harsh.

[bottlerocket]

Yeah, guys, relax.

-Gav

[SüP]

Im getting better at slap...still need to work on my popping, though. That and I'm trying to work on more melodic and interesting basslines. What I'd really love to do is work a bassline off of the vocals instead of the drums or guitar.

[Moon Flavor]

Im getting better at slap...still need to work on my popping, though. That and I'm trying to work on more melodic and interesting basslines. What I'd really love to do is work a bassline off of the vocals instead of the drums or guitar.

Best way to do that is to learn to play it note for note, then just leave out some notes, change some notes, add runs, and change the rhythm (to fit the drums?).


It's what I do anyways.

[PietroCrespi]

Beginning slap and working on slurs.

(sorta) Learning circle of 5ths.

[Rawb]

I'm working on original stuff for my band right now.

But nothing special really. I haven't been learning any new stuff lately because I'm real busy with this thing called a reserch paper. All I've been doing lately is listening. A whole lotta listening.

[EADG]

he complained about it, he coudl just fix it instead of whining about it.

but while your at it you want to replace a string for me?



Exactly what I was trying to say.


And no, not really.

[YDload]

I've stopped worrying about being able to play really really really good, and instead learned to like simpler music :D ... :upset:

Okay, but instead of being defeated, I really am trying to play faster and more accurately. Plus I'm trying to free myself from tabs and instead learning to figure out songs by listening to them. I figured out some of my favorite songs and the entire Pink Flag album by Wire (which is just really simple punk but oh well).

[Pluperfect_Arson]

I figured out some of my favorite songs and the entire Pink Flag album by Wire (which is just really simple punk but oh well).

It doesn't matter how simple it is. Everyone starts somewhere when it comes to using their ear.

[YDload]

It doesn't matter how simple it is. Everyone starts somewhere when it comes to using their ear.

Well I've figured out more difficult songs too! If you heard "Venus" by Television then you would be driven to learn how to play it as well!

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Well I've figured out more difficult songs too! If you heard "Venus" by Television then you would be driven to learn how to play it as well!

Either way, we all start out somewhere. :p

I have never bothered to learn a song by ear. I should probably start seeing as I don't really use tabs anymore.

[WhoDidTheElf]

Setup is no excuse. It's fully adjustable for a reason! You setup sucks? Fix it. I know there are exceptions, so don't bother pointing out that some Wish basses don't have truss rods. I'm aware.

Frets can be replaced, as can bridges, nuts, and strings. No money? Get a job.


If your neck is built poorly or your neck is too wide, that is a reasonable excuse, but if that is the case, why do you still have the thing?

To get a neck refretted costs quite a bit. But as you addmited unless going through quite a bit of work all of this can make playing a bitch. The question wasn't wether or not it was fixable, it was would all of this make playing harder. I mean seriously, go try tapping on a bass with 1/4" string height, it's no walk in the park.

My Squire guitar is a POS. The fretts are ****, they stick out past parts of the frettboard, the neck is poorly finished, and even with a proper set up, 2 I might add, they couldn't get the inontation right I've even spent a good hour working with it still with no luck. Sometimes a good quality instrument can improve your playing. Ever had a bass that had the "fastest neck"?

[mastrrbasser]

Don't blame your bass for YOUR shortcomings.

erm, didn't you blame your recording equipment on your playing with bad timing and feel when you first started posting here? okay.

[SüP]

I'm working on original stuff for my band right now.

My band only has original music. We've been talking about putting together some covers and such. Now, I'm not much for the song, but "Dance Dance" by Fall Out Boy would be hilarious to play....especially since our guitarist/singer can't stand that song in the slightest.

[e p]

Im average at best.

I just try to channel the ideas and get them to go through me exactly as I hear them. If I can do that, its a start.

[whatdoyouknow]

At this point, im working on becoming solid with a drummer.

[hegz]

Getting sweeping to sound cleaner, 6 finger tapping, legato technique, 3 finger technique, generally trying to get really clean at most things, reading, soloing and composition. You get the idea.

[sinister]

Moving onto harder stuff (imo), just learnt sir psycho sexy which at first looked like a completley illegible sheet of music but now looks alot less scary.

I really have to work on hitting sixteenth notes that fall just before the next beat ie. 1 e & a 2 on the "a". Im not sure why but i find that really challenging.
I'll get it eventually though, at first i never thought i'd be able to play any sixteenth note rythems!

Bit of the old running up and down scales improving speed, managed to get from 16ths at 100bpm upto 105 and even 110 bpm over the holidays. Rather chuffed.

Now im starting to look at how i can take this and make something decent, too often i find myself "jamming" by randomly playing the same minor or major pattern. Need to expand my musical ideas.

Picked up a little guitar but im finding it hard to come up with any decent chord progressions to record and play over.

Yuup, I love me bass

[EADG]

To get a neck refretted costs quite a bit.



I know, but that's what jobs are for.



The question wasn't wether or not it was fixable, it was would all of this make playing harder.

I know it makes playing harder. But it's fixable, so fix it. It isn't going to fix itself, and whining about how hard your bass is to play sure isn't going to fix it either.


I mean seriously, go try tapping on a bass with 1/4" string height, it's no walk in the park.


I know, that's why I adjust it. Hex key set = $7 canadian.

[SüP]

At this point, im working on becoming solid with a drummer.

Luckilly I have great internal rythme and it just comes naturally. It's really fun.

[bassist1989]

im putting the finishing touches onto YYZ and the ytse jam by rush and dream theater respectively, while building my slap technique with some les claypool lines.

[super deluxe]

Although I try not to think about "where I'm at" as a bassplayer, I'm going to get my chops back up, and want to start playing some fusion to get it to where I want (I'd LOVE to play Spain).

Besides that, I wouldn't mind start practicing slapping now.

Dude, back in the day I played Spain on electric violin with a jazz band. :cool: Sup?




Right now...I've maybe sorta got a new rock band in the works, played a show with them last week. Just prior to that I hadn't been playing much. I also haven't recorded anything lately because I destroyed my harddrive in a catastrophic accident.

[Efrim]

I'm trying to finalize a noise setlist for an acoustic show.

[ToolBox]

Trying to finalize my song for my schools coffee house. Afraid of being too avant garde.

[Efrim]

Just go all the way, and see how long it takes to bne unplugged.

[ToolBox]

Just go all the way, and see how long it takes to bne unplugged.

It is less a fear of being unplugged as some AWFUL performances have occured that were allowed to go on. It is just I'm afraid of failing about being ahead since I am kinda the local music ****. That and I want to entertain, and I don't know how to do that. Last year it was all technical wank...this year I want it to be this melodic/ambient piece but I keep on going back to feedback :|.

[Thunder Fingers]

Starting to dig into The Who and John Entwistles stuff(though my 'kin stereo riuns all thats called details on the bass, makes it hard to learn "wont get fooled again" corectly with all the little things.. thank god for live videos :p)

im trying to force myself to start working on timing and with a metronome, but it never seen to work, though i feel that my timing is slightly improving day by day anyway...

got pretty good control on entwistle's "typewriter" and also that geddy lee "flick"(i think its whats called "flamenco playing".. i call it "plectrum replacer"..) and when we are talking about picks, i have started to get hang of that to(avoided it like a plague for 4 years, finally figured out its nice to know if anybody want me to play with a pick)

[Wintermute]

If you want to learn Won't Get Fooled Again, you should track down the 'Kids Are Alright' DVD - there's live videos of that and Baba O'Reilly, but there's a bonus feature where it plays both with the camera fixed on Entwistle, and with the bass track soloed. Makes it ncie and easy to learn. :)

[Bigga]

trying to get my tapping to sound as clean as possible right now..and working on double thumbing

[Thunder Fingers]

If you want to learn Won't Get Fooled Again, you should track down the 'Kids Are Alright' DVD - there's live videos of that and Baba O'Reilly, but there's a bonus feature where it plays both with the camera fixed on Entwistle, and with the bass track soloed. Makes it ncie and easy to learn. :)

i got pretty much the song down now, but thanks, ill expect it to be the same one called "entwistle bass singled out" on Youtube? :p

[pitchfork]

Get the DVD anyway its kickass :thumb:

[Jaded]

Taking theory classes, re-learning how to solo over jazz charts.

[Aukai]

I got all the theory I want to know in my mind.

I'm out of college (after 1st year, didn't like it) I'm going to help the jazz band in my hometown, mostly bass player, but hopefully I can expand and help everyone with all aspect of playing.

A few guys in the jazz band who were buddies of mine want to start a jazz combo...but I have to wait to see if they are serious about this.

In general, trying to rediscover my creativity in the writing process. Somehow breaking up with my girlfriend has let me make 3 new songs in 1 night =/. I need to break up with her more often.

[PietroCrespi]

I need to break up with her more often.

:lol:

Going through stuff like that has actually never helped me write stuff. If anything, it's made me worse because I can't concentrate.

But yeah.... I started trying to tap last night and now I want to but have no idea how to learn. Anyone know any good lessons or anything for it?

[BenJammin]

I'm starting to get my priorities straight as a solo musician and am working on putting together a set made up of about 10 songs (I've got maybe 5) that are a mixture of looping and straight-up solo playing.

Been working my slap technique to death lately to much improvement, but now I should probably start in on my tapping.

[tim_commerfordism]

Mainly arpeggios, chord changes.
Finger style endurance.
Slapping.

I 1$ b3tt4 th4n j00

[DaveSavesTheDay]

I haven't touched a bass in about 6 months.

[Akira]

Get out now. Jerk.







I'm just kidding. Why don't you play anymore?

[DaveSavesTheDay]

My bass got wrecked in a flood. I haven't had any aspirations to go out and buy a new one. I was a terrible player, so it doesn't bother me that much.

[bottlerocket]

Then gtfo of my forum. ;)

:p

-Gav

[DaveSavesTheDay]

^ Make me :p

[Money$hot]

Making the switch from 4 to 5 strings. Kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
Also, I took up drums to better understand rhythm fundamentals and it's done wonders for my playing and my ability to play in the pocket with my drummer. I took guitar lessons years ago - before I took up bass, so I'm also trying to motivate myself to learn how to read music well and to move past my limited knowledge of just the Pentatonic scale.
Gear wise; I just picked up a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 a few months ago, and the Hartke 200w rig I bought in '94 seems ready to die any day now...

[TheClap]

Making the switch from 4 to 5 strings. Kicking myself for not doing it sooner.
Also, I took up drums to better understand rhythm fundamentals and it's done wonders for my playing and my ability to play in the pocket with my drummer. I took guitar lessons years ago - before I took up bass, so I'm also trying to motivate myself to learn how to read music well and to move past my limited knowledge of just the Pentatonic scale.
Gear wise; I just picked up a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 a few months ago, and the Hartke 200w rig I bought in '94 seems ready to die any day now...

Flea? anybody?

[bottlerocket]

^ What do you mean? That you don't need that stuff to be a better bassist? He wants to learn it so does it matter? :p

If that's not what you mean, then I don't follow...

I thought Flea could read music and knew theory and stuff...

-Gav

[DaveSavesTheDay]

^ Negative.

[bottlerocket]

Either way, if he's saying what I think he's saying, I don't get it. He can learn that stuff if he wants to. Why not? :p

Doesn't Flea play trumpet? He must know how to read music somehow.

-Gav

[LowPro]

<--- Currently shopping for a newer better bass.


Otherwise...I'm just playing what other bands have made, which kinda depresses me, becuase alone, I just can't write any great riffs without someone to jam with.


So i'm trying to now jam with some guys and see what happens. Perhaps there will be some band chemistry? One can hope.

[DaveSavesTheDay]

Either way, if he's saying what I think he's saying, I don't get it. He can learn that stuff if he wants to. Why not? :p

Doesn't Flea play trumpet? He must know how to read music somehow.

-Gav

I remember awhile back I had a post and I said something alone the lines of "You'll never be good untill you can sight read." All I remember is getting a assload of people telling me to eat ****, because "Flea doesn't know how to read music."

[bottlerocket]

Because people overreact to everything. You've been here a while. You should know that.

MX Bass Forum 101, my friend.

You say something and it's taken totally out of context and then you're an awful person for saying something people totally misconstrued.

That's why I'm asking the poster what he meant.

-Gav

[Akira]

I think Flea has limited experience in reading and theory for bass, and is trying to work on it. However, he wanted to be a professional jazz trumpet player as a kid, so he must know how to read at least on that.

[DaveSavesTheDay]

Because people overreact to everything. You've been here a while. You should know that.

MX Bass Forum 101, my friend.

You say something and it's taken totally out of context and then you're an awful person for saying something people totally misconstrued.

That's why I'm asking the poster what he meant.

-Gav

Yeah, 'tis true.

[YDload]

I remember awhile back I had a post and I said something alone the lines of "You'll never be good untill you can sight read." All I remember is getting a assload of people telling me to eat ****, because "Flea doesn't know how to read music."

Flea knows how to read music for the trumpet at least. He played with some Junior Philharmonic Orchestra and was first chair at his high school's concert band.

So maybe he knows treble clef really well but can't read bass clef, just like many people who learn from school concert bands and then are self-taught at bass (like me for example :)).

Actually, I'm learning to get better at bass clef sight reading, on topic of the thread :)

[:amaze:]

been playing loads of drums and guitar lately. it's making me much more comfortable on my bass as well, especially in a jam setting.




:amaze:

[DaveSavesTheDay]

Flea knows how to read music for the trumpet at least. He played with some Junior Philharmonic Orchestra and was first chair at his high school's concert band.

So maybe he knows treble clef really well but can't read bass clef, just like many people who learn from school concert bands and then are self-taught at bass (like me for example :)).

Actually, I'm learning to get better at bass clef sight reading, on topic of the thread :)

I'm the exact opposite. I can sight(ish) read bass clef, but when it comes to the treble clef, I'm clueless.

[mastrrbasser]

flea is rediculous when it comes to reading trumpet. he also knows a lot of theory(on trumpet). I read an interview with him and he said he's been working with a real book on bass to practice walking and stuff, but he mainly uses it for reading melodys.

[TheClap]

flea is rediculous when it comes to reading trumpet. he also knows a lot of theory(on trumpet). I read an interview with him and he said he's been working with a real book on bass to practice walking and stuff, but he mainly uses it for reading melodys.

I was suggesting all his old lines are built around the pentatonic scale, I read the bass player article too. I think its interesting he wants to learn all that stuff cause of Charlie Haden. His solos a little more musicial now.


As to reading in treble celf- just transcribe two whole steps up in then follow the key, example- what looks like a B to us is a G to them. But for instruments like alto sax, you can read there music like bass celf, that the kind of music the bari sax reads.

[LowPro]

See, now I feel like im outta the loop, because I posted where I was with my bassability, and we are bashing/praising Flea.

:confused:

[Akira]

As to reading in treble celf- just transcribe two whole steps up in then follow the key, example- what looks like a B to us is a G to them. But for instruments like alto sax, you can read there music like bass celf, that the kind of music the bari sax reads.
Hmm?

[blacklungfever]

I am nowhere. I am in a hole, and it's very deep. It sucks. I need lessons. I haven't learned new stuff in like a year.

Other than that, I'm playing bass in my school's 'elite' jazz band. Its pretty fun.

Oh and I'm saving up for new gear. New amp, a Godin A4, and an EUB as well.

[iamreprogramed]

i'm working on transferring my bass lines to guitar because i'm kind of forced into playing guitar for our show next week. ehh.. hopefully i won't suck too bad. the public will soon learn why i am not a geetarist haha.

[Aukai]

Drop D and Power Chord everything?

Har har