How to study?

DIZ

DIZ

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First of all I would like to express my great joy regarding the possibility of getting answers from a genius of bass like Mr Setzer. Mr Setzer, all my respect and the deepest appreciation! For me you are THE BASS PLAYER! (that means my favorite player ever :) )

Now I shall cut to the point: I play the bass for about 3 years, I had no teacher, I learned some songs, a couple of scales and some slapp riffs. I do not know how to improvize, how to jam, actually how to use the things I have learnes.

But I want to know how, what, when to study to become a good player? I know it involves a lot of time spent with the bass, and a lot of patience... I'm not asking for a miracle like those stupid books: "How to become a great bass player in just 3 hours" :lol: I'm asking for a recipe, for a study table, for some study tips. I am asking for an efficient way to study! Please share with us YOUR way to study since you first touched the bass, and untill now... we'd like to know how to become genial bass players!


With all the respect, Razvan!
 
hey biz,

first of all thank you very much for the "flowers"! It´s a pleasure for me.

and now regarding your questions:

there is no recipe at all. practicing is a very individual thing but one thing is very important: to practice every day, to practice these things you cannot play and to practice with a method.

it´s very important to have discipline! you know: playing and jamming is not practicing!

as a young player I wasted a lot of time with shredding in front of the TV. that makes no sense regarding to become a better musician. but it could be relaxing ...

when you wanna become a good musician you have to have a practice-plan. and you have to switch off your TV, your cell-phone and your computer!!! 100% concentration is very important!!

My advice for you: make yourself a practice-plan about 45min like this:

5 min - warm up

10 min - theme 1

10 min - theme 2

10 min - theme 3

5 min - theme 4

5 min - entitlement to a reward because you worked hard 40 min. and it´s important for you mind to finish positive. to have a good mind to the next practice session :wink:

themes could be: rhythm training, theory, ear training, styles, technique and of course improvisation!!

you could do more then one plan a day. but make a break of one hour between or do something complete different. so your mind has the time to "save" everything!

for your question regarding improvisation: 1. learn the five finger pattern for the scales (do you know them?) 2. play one note and sing another. then try to find the note on your fretboard. After singing!!!! actually jamming and improvisation has something to do with a lot of parameters in music and of course with ear-training and board-navigation.

If you have any other question, please let me know. and please be patient with me. sometimes my answers could have some delay...

I hope I could help you a bit.

kindest regards,

markus
 
I think I may have to take some of this on board. I've been getting a bit annoyed at not being able to do much on the spot other than what some one else has shown me to play.

And then I see some other local bassist who is amazing.

But yeah I lack the discipline.
 
Same here! I seem to be able to improvise with latin music so far other than coming up with my own fills for music I already know. This is helping already and I haven't even heard MR. Setzer play yet!
 
I've found that practicing with other bass players is awesome, because you both point out problems and show new exercises and ideas.
 
Doc said:
I've found that practicing with other bass players is awesome, because you both point out problems and show new exercises and ideas.
Click to expand...

The ever insightful Doc gives good advise.As does Markus & Seth. :wink:
 
@ Mr Bassman Sax: there is a phenomenon: you think: hey the other bassplayer is so great. he is doing things I´m not able to do. But you know, he is thinking the same of you when you play your stuff :wink:

@ gerrywarwick: if you like, visite my myspace profile. there are some tunes. also at the myspace site of my duo:

I hope you will enjoy our music...

@ doc: yeah, that is really a good idea. to be inspired by other bassplayers. but practicing is another job! with other musicians you could learn how to deal the musical conversation, interaction a.s.o. that is important too!!

all the best,

markus
 
markus_setzer said:
@ Mr Bassman Sax: there is a phenomenon: you think: hey the other bassplayer is so great. he is doing things I´m not able to do. But you know, he is thinking the same of you when you play your stuff :wink:

all the best,

markus
Click to expand...

You are a very encouraging bloke. I'd be surprised if this was the case.

Any hoo time to practice.
 
Thank you Mr Setzer! I shall try to be more disciplined when I study, I think that was is my problem.. I considered jamming, playing like a study :lol: :lol: I. If I follow a program based on what you wrote above I'm sure it will have good result! Keep in touch with the results :) !


Best wises, Razvan!
 
@ diz: your welcome! when you have any questions how to study the different themes, let me know!

@ gerrywarwick: thanks for the flowers.

kindest regards,

markus
 
hey guys,

what about your progess with the practice plan. anybody out there with discipline :wink:

let me know!!

all the best,

markus
 
go for it man. it works!!

if you have any question or problems, please let me know.

markus
 
It does work :) the study plan is more efficent! I already finished a Blues Method, too bad I don't have any other books :cry:
 
i have a lot of trouble with the "concentration" part, but this structured plan is great.
 
Hi there!
I know it sounds a bit strange but I spend some time in front of youtube because there are some really good and informative videos out there. You can have a look at other player's techniques and get some inspiration (you also can get a bit depressed watching like 13 year olds playing really hard stuff! Wooten, Miller, King, etc. ;-)).

I recently (the last two month) found the discipline to at least "practice" about an hour a day, but I seem to have the same concentration problems as so many others :-)!
I think I will start to structure my practice routine the way Mr. Setzer suggested, it makes perfect sense to me and there's a lot to improve on my side.

Greetings
 
Focusing your studies on bass is probably the best thing to do. Writing down on paper what you need to get done will help tremendously as will short and long-term goals. An hour spent practicing efficiently is better than four hours of noodling.
 
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