[thekingprawn]

Less than a week of owning a bass, and I have questions. I've been using the studybass site, and I'm picking up a book/CD today (either bass for dummies or the complete idiot's guide), but I feel like there's limited progress in my practice time. Currently I'm running about 15 minutes on rhythm patterns, 15 minutes on major scales, and 15-30 minutes on song sheets from whatever we played last week at church. Other than continuing to practice daily, are there things I can do to develop a more consistent tone? I've noticed a little tonal difference between index and middle finger plucking, and I can't get consistent intonation on 1st fret notes (F, Bb, etc.) Also, when I'm working on the songs I end up with fret buzz when I start to really get into it, I assume from improper plucking or fretting pressure. I think I'm applying too much downward pressure and not enough lateral pressure when plucking. Thoughts? Recommendations?

I know I'm probably trying to rush the process, but I was 3rd guitar in a bassless setup yesterday. I felt pretty impotent knowing I had gear at the house that could have filled the gaps to improve the worship experience for all if I had been capable of switching to bass.

[k-lub242]

For tonal differences between 1st/2nd finger playing- i personally like that. Makes rhythms a little more flavored.

You get the fret buzz from playing hard just because you're playing hard, quite simply. When you pluck the string, it vibrates (moves around in a sine wave shape or whatever). The harder you hit the string, the more it moves. Eventually it moves enough to be hitting the frets. This isn't really a bad thing in my opinion. I have my bass set up so I can easily control whether I have fret noise or not, depending on what I'm playing. Listen to Project 86, great example of a bass player using a lot of fret noise intentionally. And it sounds good then. If you want to fix this though- play softer (i would recommend that) or get your action raised. Bass doesn't need to be played hard like a guitar does, you know.

[RedsFan75]

Fret nearer the fret wire and consistent pressure to reduce fret noise, and as k-lub said, play softer and let your amp do the work.

Just some clarification of your phrases, do you mean this? Lateral movement as in ceiling to floor and downward as in toward the body of the insturment?

A lot of noise when you get into it isn't always a bad thing. Think Flea with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, on Dani California, or on By The Way. He plays very soft in the first part of the song and then REALLY digs in during the chorus. He's not slapping that, but it almost gives a slap tone. Just use it judiciously to fit the song.

[thekingprawn]

I try to fret near the wire, but not having the muscle memory yet on exactly where that is interrupts the process a little bit. By lateral I mean parallel to the fretboard vice perpendicular. I think I'm pushing the string inward toward the body some while plucking.

[thekingprawn]

I've been reading up on my theory (cause it's weak) and now my head hurts. Other than just plain old rote memorization is there a preferred way to get scales, chords, and arpeggios in your head? Also, are there one or two basic patterns to learn that can build confidence in transitions while waiting on all the other, really technical stuff to sink in? I can hold the root through anything we play at church with some bit of rhythm, and I can occasionally toss in a transition note or two by accident, but I'd like to be more deliberate between the written chords. Thanks!

[totallyfrozen]

Honestly, I didn't read every word of every post on here yet...but I think I have the main idea. I have a few ideas to share with you.

1) Slow down a bit. Sounds like you're trying to CRAM for a test! Sounds like you're trying to learn some of everything at the same time. You are breaking an hour up into 15 minute chunks on separate aspects of music. I think that's going to make it VERY difficult to learn ANY of the aspects very well. How about you separate it into DAYS? It may be a better idea if you schedule yourself, for example: where the first practice day of the week is your theory day. The next day is scales and arpeggios. The next day is timing and right-hand technique...and so on. (however it works out best for you) You need to give your mind and your muscles time to "remember" all this stuff.
2) If you are teaching yourself music (and I've done this), you need to act like a school teacher to yourself. That means, you need to make LESSON PLANS for yourself. How many pages in your music book will you cover in a week? Plan that out ahead of time. Don't just jump in the book and see how far you get...plan it out! Write down that you will do, for example: Chapters 1 & 2 this week...or just ONE chapter..or whatever. If you are struggling in an area, do what a school teacher would do. Slow down, review the material, stay on it until you get it, test yourself fairly (e.g. with a metronome).
3) Be able to teach someone else. The true sign of being a Master of something is being able to explain it to someone else. Can you explain what you learned to your friend? or even to yourself in the mirror (if you don't have a buddy who's into music)? I'm not saying try to turn around and be a music teacher. I'm saying that ONE of the self-tests that you can give yourself is to be able to explain it. Your school teachers use this too, right? They said, "Kingprawn, stand up in front of the class and give a 3 minute speech on (whatever)." Same deal.
4) Make SURE that you are using good quality, trustworthy materials. Everyone and his dog has a music book for sale. "Learn how to play guitar like Jimi Hendrix in 30-Days!" and all that trash. Select books and materials A) that you understand; and B) that teach you something. Read the music book in the book store and ask yourself , "Is this going to answer my questions and teach me anything?" What questions do you have? Did that guitar/bass/music book answer any of them in an intelligent way? Think about that BEFORE you buy the books.
5) Relax and pay attention to your WHOLE BODY! The only way to play fast and accurately is to have minimum tension. If you tense up your hands, you can't move your fingers very fast. So the whole body needs to be relaxed. To do this, you need to constantly pay attention to your whole body (how you sit or stand, your guitar strap, your shoulders, your arm, hands, etc.) while you practice. Music is a gift from God for us to have FUN and to give back to Him in praise. It's nothing to get stressful for fearful over. Just relax and have fun. Is God going to make faces at you if you play a wrong note? NO, He will not...so relax...nothing else matters.
6) I almost forgot to share this! The bass player's job is to control and "feel" (the mood) of a song. To do this, FIRST, you have to be playing in the correct time. You MUST be able to lock into the timing and rhythm of the drummer. So, you really NEED to practice with a metronome. Some things you will need to do at no-tempo practice, but when you are learning a song you need to practice with a metronome (or drum machine or drummer) to make sure that you are also learning the timing of the song. Once you have built some skills in that area...
7) Study some of the arpeggios and patterns of some of the great bass players. Different styles (genres) of music have different patterns in them. Learn to recognize these patterns and these differences. For example, Country music or Bluegrass music usually uses different patterns or arpeggios than say, old Motown tunes. James Jamerson was an amazing player and basically created and defined the Motown sound of the 60's...but his style is not the same as Disco or Jazz or whatever. Learn what makes them different. So study the styles of some of those great bass players of popular music from yesterday and today. You can whip out some super groovy lines by learning some of that stuff and just tossing a little bit in your bass lines here and there!

Probably THE BEST music theory book that I've ever seen (that won't bore you or make your head hurt) is Edly's Music Theory for Practical People.
Also, you can learn proper techniques for reducing stress and muscle tension in your practice sessions here.

[IzOnThroneBass]

Here's a good practice technique I learned--yes I am lame and a bass applied major.
Play major scales in 5 fret intervals--
Meaning (starting with c maj on a 5 string):

B-0 B-1 B-3 E-0 E-1 E-3 A-0 A-2 A-3 D-0 D-2 D-3 G-0 G-2 G-4

When starting with open strings in c maj, you will start on the 7th and end on the 7th (5 string bass). Once you feel comfortable with this, move up a fret so you start on the first fret and go to the 5th fret (staying with c maj scale). Go all the way up to starting on 12th fret. Doing this will get you comfy with your fret board, spacing, and performing basslines in any key--as long as you progress enough and move on to other scales. I recommend going up by 4ths--when you're done with C, go to f scale..then Bb, Eb,Ab...just follow the circle.
Practice with a metronome!! You don't have to be blazing fast. Build strength in your hands and learn to keep a steady beat (and feel it)--start slow