People all over the world regularly look for advice on a wide range of different subjects. It can be anything from how to choose art for your home to improving your musical skills. When it comes to playing bass, there are lots of different things that you need to do in order to practice efficiently. You have to learn the basics and work on your technique, as well as try out new rhythms and styles.
This article provides valuable tips for how you can make sure your practice sessions are not only enjoyable but also productive.
Use Bass Tablature
Tablature is a visual alternative to sheet music, being a written method of notating music for plucked stringed instruments (e.g. the guitar and bass). Unfortunately, it doesn’t tell you how long to hold down each note or when to switch from one guitar chord to another; it simply provides a reference point on which notes are played in relation to frets and strings.
There are plenty of tablature resources online and a lot of them are free. If you’re looking for easy bass tabs you can find them for Money by Pink Floyd, Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison or Another One Bites The Dust by Queen. It’s possible to discover tabs for all styles, artists and skills levels – you can even download apps and subscribe to helpful newsletters on the subject.
Buy Sheet Music
One of the best things you can do as a beginner is learning music theory, including scales and musical notation. Sheet music is what most professional musicians use and what they base their music theory lessons on. As you progress, try to memorize these scales and practice them frequently so that they become second nature. This will help with your improvisation skills when playing live or even in the studio.
You can buy sheet music from a variety of sources including physical shops and online retailers. They’ll have scores for all instruments including bass guitar. Alternatively, there are free resources available online which provide notation and backing tracks.
Practice With A Metronome
A metronome is a device that provides a continuous beat and it helps musicians to practice their timing and rhythm skills. It removes the need to count beats in your head while you play. It’s important to train your ears as well as your fingers when playing the bass guitar, so practicing with a metronome will help you develop strong musicality skills which are imperative to becoming an advanced player.
When playing with a metronome, start slow and gradually increase your speed as it can be easy to lose track of where you’re up to if you play too fast. There are metronome apps available for desktop computers containing features like tempo setting, subdivision selection and beat calibration. Metronomes are built into many electronic drum kits but they tend not to have advanced controls.
Learn Scales
A scale is a group of notes that go well together, and two that are very common in popular music are major scales and minor pentatonic scales. Create songs out of them if you want to make it more fun for yourself. As with the use of a metronome, you should play slowly and then speed up naturally over time. In that regard, it’s very similar to learning to touch type.
Your fingertips will take a while to harden up to the strings – it can be a painful process initially, and it’s harder than playing an electric guitar in this respect. Play scales in different positions of the neck – this will help you learn where the notes are located on the neck and how they sound when played together. This can provide more options and sounds for your playing.
Make It Fun
Initially many people begin by learning ‘When the saints go marching in,’ ‘Three Blind Mice’ or ‘London’s Burning,’ no matter what instrument they’re playing. One way to increase your enjoyment level is to practice your favorite tunes. If you play fun music, it will also help with your motivation.
Another tip is to learn something new every day. Make sure that when you are practicing there is some type of technique or song that can challenge you in a positive way. Bass playing can be more pleasurable when you experiment with different rhythms and styles. Some examples to try are jazz, classical, pop, rock, metal, Latin – they will keep your practice sessions fresh, challenging and enjoyable.
Pay A Music Teacher
If you do everything on your own, you may develop bad habits right from the start or struggle unnecessarily. One of the best ways to improve your bass playing is by taking lessons. A teacher can provide you with information about how to play in different genres and they can also help you where you are having trouble in your technique. They can use their skills and experience to identify areas of weakness and different aspects of your playing that you need to focus on.
You may either pay for one-to-one tuition or join a music class (which could be cheaper). The latter is a great way to make new friends and to become part of a shared journey. There’s also the possibility of receiving online tuition, which is great if you need flexibility over timing. Even if you have a teacher, it is still important to practice on your own. The teacher can provide knowledge and insight into the bass-playing world but they cannot physically play for you!
Other Options
There are lots of specialist websites and blogs that provide free information and you can watch Youtube videos or take online courses as well. If after some time you decide that reading notes isn’t for you, consider practicing by ear instead.
Learning the bass guitar can be the beginning of a lifetime of musical enjoyment. If you put some of these tips you’ll make better use of your time. Before you know it, you’ll be having fun playing on your own or with others who share your passion.
