Taking the next step to my playing

BenF

BenF

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I'm learning how to read and get my theory down. I just bought a book and have just been trying to suck up all this information. Its pretty boring but its for the sake of my career of being a session player, and its also just really good to know.

I've been told that I can play, but now I have to know how to PLAY. :lol:

Who else on the forum is learning or already knows how to read and know theory?



On the other hand who else is completely stoked about the new Gospel Chops Bass Sessionz dvd!?
 
I learned to read and accumulated a load of theory from playing sax for 25 years. There's no "tab" for sax... so you have to go from standard notation.
As far as reading goes - I've never bothered to use it a lot for the bass (except it's handy for picking up the rhythm, which tab doesn't do), and I wouldn't particularly advise any else to bother... EXCEPT, if you want to be a session player, from what I've read, and from common sense, I imagine it would be a considerable advantage.
As for theory... it's just a HUGE advantage, IMO... the more you know, the more you can apply it... it just gives you a profound understanding of what you're doing, and why you're doing it. Can be boring just to learn, though, much better if you apply it as you're learning it.

Good luck wirth all that!
 
The more the merrier!

The vast majority of what I play is sight-reading...
What book is it?
 
I had to learn theory training for my uni course, just basics and to read, my reading isn't great though its something that i plan on working on when i get a spare few weeks and have amassed enough material that will keep me interested to do it.
 
Its the Bass Guitar for Dummies. A lot of the information in it is for beginers but it also runs by reading, basic theory, and different exercises.
 
It will be with me when I start classes again. I'm also finished with that little practice bass so I will be nonstop practicing this year. :D
 
I can kinda read sheet music, but I just can't 'feel' the music this way, very robotic. I prefer to learn by ear.
As for the theory thing... I'm always looking for a definition of what theory really is. It seems like this term gets thrown around a lot but nobody ever goes into specifics.
 
Vinnie...
Specifics... just from the top of my head...
It would be very useful, from the bass point of view, to learn how to harmonise the scale (so you know whether to play a major or minor chord/arpeggio), to understand how different chords are made up (even if we play them as arpeggios)... then you get a better idea of the harmonic structure of songs. Studying Jazz is very good, as jazz tends to have more colourful chords... and more chord changes... so you'll learn how it colours the chord if you stick in a 13th (for example) and how you can use substitutions... if you want to baffle the guitard!
You can learn about modes, different scales... you can experiment and it'll give your playing a whole different approach.
That's just for starters. If you already understand a lot of that... then you probably know a lot more about theory than you thought.
Doesn't have to come from a bass-related book... theory is theory.
 
Heh, lost me at the modes, but other than that I'd say I have a pretty good understanding of. Thanks Saxn'bass. :wink:
 
Hi Ben, good luck with it all. I know it isn't easy learning to read music initially but I would say it would certainly give another dimension to your playing and if you want to be a session player it can only help you.

I actually teach double bass and bass guitar. Many of my pupils can play well but come to me for help with their reading. I often find a basic double bass book is easier to learn the notes from than with a bass guitar book.

Stick with it! :)
 
Modes... another example of how easy it is once you've done it! For example... play the scale of C major, but start on the second note - D, and finish on D... play the same notes as C major, but just starting in a different place... then you've played the dorian mode. It's a bit jazzy sounding. You'll find it in books or maybe google it, but you'll find it's quite easy when you've tried it a few times.
I must say I used modes quite a bit when I played sax, but not much on the bass, but you may find you're "Mr Mode" when you get going. Jah Wobble plays in modes a lot, but I don't really like his stuff much!
 
Bass Lady said:
Hi Ben, good luck with it all. I know it isn't easy learning to read music initially but I would say it would certainly give another dimension to your playing and if you want to be a session player it can only help you.

I actually teach double bass and bass guitar. Many of my pupils can play well but come to me for help with their reading. I often find a basic double bass book is easier to learn the notes from than with a bass guitar book.

Stick with it! :)
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Thanks, it really was a slap in the face that I needed to stop procrastinating when I lost out on a really good paying lounge gig because I didn't know enough theory or the tunes.
 
After 25 years of playing I've decided to try and stop playing by ear and winging it and actually learn some theory!!

I reckon this book [ame]https://www.amazon.com/Fingerboard-Harmony-Bass-Gary-Willis/dp/0793560438[/ame] is really clear, insightful and shows you harmony in a useful context.

I bought a bunch of books on theory and soloing but this was the only one I kept.

Good luck man! :D
 
well, I can read. I've been playing saxophone in bands for over 9 years so I have not much problem reading for the sax. But, my playing by sight on the bass is pretty poor. Didn't have the opportunity to need it. I mean, most of the music I play wouldn't have books written on the subject.
 
i learned upright first, learned theory and to read music in school...
 
I know how to read also (my jazz teacher was obsessive about it) I'll admit that it is hard at first, but the first thing you will want to do, is just be able to play the notes (or learn how to do it), counting is the hardest part, especially sight reading, then BE sure to be comfortable with the Key signature (that skrews a lot of people up, including me) Time signature is also hard at first, like counting music in 7/8 time or so on
 
flipper_gv said:
well, I can read. I've been playing saxophone in bands for over 9 years so I have not much problem reading for the sax. But, my playing by sight on the bass is pretty poor. Didn't have the opportunity to need it. I mean, most of the music I play wouldn't have books written on the subject.
Click to expand...

Pretty much my experience, Flipper _gv
Didn't see the point in even sweating about it!
But as I said earlier, a bit different if you want to be a session guy.
 
saxonbass said:
flipper_gv said:
well, I can read. I've been playing saxophone in bands for over 9 years so I have not much problem reading for the sax. But, my playing by sight on the bass is pretty poor. Didn't have the opportunity to need it. I mean, most of the music I play wouldn't have books written on the subject.
Click to expand...

Pretty much my experience, Flipper _gv
Didn't see the point in even sweating about it!
But as I said earlier, a bit different if you want to be a session guy.
Click to expand...

Tbh i think everyone should learn to read at a basic level. Even if your goal isn't a session player. It really helps develop musical knowledge and imo helps to make you a more rounded musician + there may be a day when you need to be able to read for one reason or another. If that time comes and you passed up opportunities to learn to read, i'd certainly be kicking myself so to speak.
 
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