PETE_COMBS Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 Sometimes when I play my bass I find my self playing the same thing that I started out to play or pick off with when I started playing, then it seems like I cant find to think of any thing to play, what can help that. Pete Combs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruiser_dup2 Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 A teacher? A new book? Bruiser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dohhhhh6 Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 I really don't understand your question or situation. Please elaborate. In Skynyrd We Trust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aspiration Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 I'm going to take a stab at answering what you are trying to say here. I'm am under the impression that you find yourself repeating the lines you play in your practice and you can't find anything new to play. I had this problem as well and it's just a momentary rut in your playing technique. What got me out was getting songs with very prominent bass lines to gain hand strength and stamina. Then I downloaded professional bass solos onto a CD and taught myself from those. I am actually still working on learning all the songs on that 17 track CD but after learning some of the styles of the pros my own playing has taken leaps and bounds for the better. So I guess my advice is grab a CD and learn from what others have already accomplished. Hope this helps. "It takes a big man to cry, it takes an even bigger man to laugh at him." -Jack Handey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_lover Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 Often, bass lines aren't interesting to listen to on their own. So to just play those can become monotonous. Get the Dotzauer Cello Etudes. I think that there are 2 volumes. I read that Jaco used them for practice. They fall very nicely into the range of a 4 string bass. If you have a 5 string, you can reach that occasional low D in the Etudes. You rarely get to play melodies on bass like on other instruments, so this can be a lot of fun. You'll be improving your technique too, as some of these short pieces are quite challenging. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H. Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 I tend to do more rudamentary things. I'll practice scales with a metronome. First I'll play it normally, then in 1/8th notes, then triplets, and 16th's (playing each scale note 2,3,4 times with metronome). I'll also play using different right hand(plucking) fingerings doing the same thing. I'll use my index/middle, then middle/ring, index/ring finger etc. doing the same scales. It greatly improves your dexterity and coordination on your right hand, and makes your right hand that much stronger. I find a new book and/or lessons also helps the "rut". http://www.identity5.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenLoy Posted June 1, 2003 Share Posted June 1, 2003 Pull a CD out of your collection where the bass parts sound easy. Learn everything off of it by ear. The do the same thing with a CD that's a little harder. Keep raising the bar with every CD. Repeat for the rest of your life, no matter what you're practicing. Picking up things quickly by ear is the most important skill you'll need as a musician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jode Posted June 2, 2003 Share Posted June 2, 2003 Try learning the theme to every commercial, TV show, and movie you know. That's an excellent exercise for your ears, not to mention a great way to entertain your friends. One of my favorite party tricks is to play the theme from "The Price Is Right." "I had to have something, and it wasn't there. I couldn't go down the street and buy it, so I built it." Les Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted June 3, 2003 Share Posted June 3, 2003 It sounds like you don't have a goal when you sit down to practice. If you don't have a strategy and outline to your practice, then it's really not practice. It's just noodling. When you sit down to practice, you have to tell yourself: OK, today we are going to warm up, review the major and minor scale, and then learn 'Under the Bridge'. Keep a schedule or 'to do' list. I also think it is important to end your practice sessions on a good note. If there is a song that you really like jamming to, then end your practice sessions with that song. Here's another helpful hint for really polishing a song you've learned: Record yourself playing it, take a break, and then listen to it on playback. Every little mistake will multiply itself on the playback, and you can't just back up a measure and try it again while you're recording. It's the closest thing I've found to the pressure of playing live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETE_COMBS Posted June 6, 2003 Author Share Posted June 6, 2003 Thanks for all the info Pete Combs... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 Originally posted by BenLoy: Picking up things quickly by ear is the most important skill you'll need as a musician.Truer words are rarely spoken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bass_lover Posted June 6, 2003 Share Posted June 6, 2003 I think Talisman's suggestion to record and listen to yourself is an excellent idea. Just think about the first time you listened to your own voice on tape. It was quite different that what you thought it would sound like wasn't it? You can check your sound, and time, and choice of notes more objectively this way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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