my practice routine

5 mins on metronome, 3 mins warmup, 2 mins scales

I also worked on songs------

(also, i read to learn songs last part first (backwards) so by the time you get to the beginning, you know the whole song! hahhahaha gonna try that ___

songs----

_I want you to want me
_Crowded House-Dont Dream its over
_suffregette City

and here is my other songs from the other thread

_hard to handle
_I want you to want me
_white wedding
_rebel yell
_dirty little secret

_comedown
_dont you forget about me
_the metro
_remedy
_just what I needed

Played these songs with bass trainer

U2 sweetest thing
Miracle drug
Vertigo

Taking back sunday. Make damn sure

American girl

Stuff like that!

Need more metronome in th AM

Have a lesson today at 11 am!

Want to go over charting.

And I am breaking songs down into 4 bar sections for charting purposes.

Have to draw up a chart and see if it works! Haha

And, want to see if I can have charts of all my songs, so that I can be better prepared for auditions...

Al

been charting some songs

need more metronome!

and......

auditionon monday night~ woot woot

rebel yell
shine----collective soul
fire----hendrix
breakin the law----- priest

and....

space truckin----deeeeeep purple

yankee rose.......david lee roth....

ha!

charted two songs--new ones as well!!!!

worked on metronome for 3 mins.....hey, gotta get that metronome up there!

I am really locked with it tho.....

gotta keep pushing, and stop noodling during my time with my bass.....

al

I just practiced for the first time in two months... on stage, for hour gig.... good enough I suppose

tru dat!

woot woot....

oh, mr slade, I have the music man outta the box, and I am playing it all weekend..... so choice!

big al

I just picked up my Jazz for the first time in a week. Alot going on with X-Mas an all so I wasn't really thinking about playing. Most of my rehearsal is gigs, I play about 4-6 gigs a month. Although, I did whoop out the Carvin the other day and gave it a spin, it's a real nice bass.

20mins a day for me, no exceptions.
Played the charity gig at the Seamans Mission Christmas day - no rehearsal, just jammed with 4 other guys I'd never even met.
20 songs - all fairly straightforward covers, 2 complete f*ck-ups, 5 absolutely perfect (or at least 3-beer perfect), and the rest we made it to the end..

hey SS

got a set list that you did?

can you remember?

after 23 beers....or was that 2-3 beers!

hehehe

big al

Ran 92 bpm at 16ths. With a pick. Strong and steady, with the metronome.

Fell apart at 104 bpm----

I am going to try and see if I can increase thru steady timed metronome work.

Al

found the sweet spot!

96 bpm.....

I can run that for about 90 sec to 2 mins, then my hand cramps up....my right hand

hmmmmm

can do 104 bpm for short bursts. may be a bar or two ...

gonna try to relax my right hand more....

my goal:

increase right hand speed
increase gallop

this is all with a pick by the way.....

gonna try to work more with two and three fingers as well.

al

Are you doing this with just a single note?

If so, try doing it in scales and arpeggios... that'll really throw a wrench in your gears :p

for speed and right hand development, I am only playing a single note.

hmmmmmmaybe doing the scales and arps will help my right hand as well....

gotta try that! thanks!

al

Well, general rule is to practice things (or things similar to what) you will be playing. Speed/right hand movement doesn't mean much if you can't play more than one note with it, and crossing strings, which you have to do, is different than just laying on one note. Even switching notes on one string is different than just laying on one note. Especially when start skipping strings. I dunno about you, but practicing is just as much about fretting hand development as it is picking hand development. Why Practice something that only benefits one when you can work on both at same time?

GREAT example is Jaco's Bass Line from River People:

I can lay down 16ths all day, but actually making music out of it is a different story...

This is probably one his funkiest lines ever, and man, for me it is probably one of the hardest. String crossing is a biznatch.

Oh, P.S. I've been meaning to jot down some of my exercise routines but I've just been real busy with my own things, but i will try to get to that ASAP

River People ....... what a line to start out with. Here's your brand new shiny scalpel and your spiffy new scrubs. Now let's see if we can get this tumor off of this guy's brain stem :eek:

Al, there are two books out there that have helped me immensely in this area. THe first is BASS FITNESS, An Exercising Handbook by Josquin des Pres. The other is 30 Day Bass Workout by David Overthrow. The drills aren't very musical but they will definitely get your fingers on both hands in shape. Check them out.

Man, I'm not even talking about the complicated groove in it. Just the Octaves on the E, D, A, and G. That's enough of a work out without being too over-the-top.

I've got the Bass Fitness book. It's a solid book for building endurance.

Al, if you're looking for some bass books hit me up and let me know what you're looking for. I've got a bunch I'm looking to start getting rid of them. Free of charge!

ok,

I will give some insight to all the suggestions, I really appreciatte it!

I am a little late, and will check in later

96 bpm.....4 min before fell apart.---last 60 seconds, had to break down to 1/4 and 1/2 notes twice for about 5 seconds each time.

I do metronome work in 5 minute blocks, so, almost gettign thru the full five mins....then I will up the speed

So, I am making small improvements!

BP---yes, send me what you got...do you have those books they mention above ---bass fitness and 30 day bass?

al

intressting thread.
im really impressed of you taking you metronom pratice so seriously. metronomes makes me want to kill my self..

i useally just tap my fot and try to feel the groove. and yes. im really not tight at all.

man. i should get myself a metronome..

Geez, the bug's gettin' serious on his azz...way to go mate!!

Im back!!!!!!

88 BPM for 2 mins, on 16th notes.....

actually, that is the approximate tempo of dancin with myself by billy idol....

man! I am outta shape...

big al

Well I have a feeling that the new Fender may inspire you to get IN shape!!

doood I really really love that thing! I need to put a white pickguard on it.....

but it is nice.....light and feels right!

al

84 bpm .....ONE MINUTE two fingers, no pick

hmmmmmm

track pick and fingers....and two and three fingers.....and middle and ring fingers

oh, I have a goal, and that is......

play Paradise by the Dash board light....by meat loaf... that really moves along....I can play that with about a 16 percent reductions in speed on the bass trainer mp3 tascam....

play judas priest diamonds and rust.....I have trouble galloping, I can play this at 50 percent on the MP3 tascam, thats it

these are two songs that are outta my reach, and I want to build up to that

now!

I did conquer walking on sunshine, katrina and the waves, and greenday --basket case...

those songs USED to be too fast for me,,,,, but not any more....

so, have to keep building up my speed to have the ability to play faster songs....

that is all

big al

also, found out this!

I have an mp3 tascam bass trainer

it has a metronome in it

the metronome has single step in creases.......like 90 bpm 91 92 93 94 95 bpm

unlike a standard metronome

so, I am setting it at 200 bpm

and playing 1/8 notes.....one and two and

this is like 100 bpm 16th notes....one ee and ah two ee and ah

so, here is my deal

i am increasing speed, one bar at a time....and if I fall out of time, I slow down to the 1/4 note

so, I have been able to do about 4 bars at 200 bpm, 1/8 notes, before falling apart

then I go to quarter notes, to catch my breath and my place, get back in the groove, and then hit the afterburner! again.....

the 1/8 note at 200 bpm

now, the tascam is great, cuz I can increase to 201 202 203 204 as needed.

so------

that is what is up this week....not a endurance drill for 5 mins, but a speed drill sor a few bars....

lets see if that increases my speed!

yay!

big al

and , my index finger is 97 percent better, so I can play pretty well again now...

big al

thanks for listening to my mindless posts on increaseing my abilities.....

if I dont track it, write it down, share it with my ugly's,.... I wont do it

big al

198 bpm 1/8...no problem

201 bpm 1/8s.....about 4 or 5 bars....

that is my sweet spot....201 bpm..

gotta nail that down

/that is all/

been doing the 30 day bass workout

doing the excersises at 88 BPM

it is a lot harder to play certain notes and patterns vs. just one note

but you knew that !

I am concentrating on solid notes, and rich tone

and , sometimes playing slower down to 80 bpm on the metronome.....

but my goal like now is to practice every day and get thru the 30 day excersice workout....

so...onward and upward

yes...the 2008 Pbass is getting the call for my practice sessions right now....no amp just the bass.....allla natural!

big al

Keep it up, bro!!

thanks SS.....

gotta keep on , keeping on!

big al

ha!

havent been practicicng.....but found some cool cover bands to audtion for, gotta get back onthe stick!

big al

5 mins with metronome....major scales 1/8 notes, 108 bpm

Hey, Surfbug! I can see you've been busy. I've got a few ideas for you, that might help, but first, I'd engourage you to involve multiple strings, like someone else in this string said. Use a song you're already comfortable with, or the natural scale at the top of the neck, or maybe a simple blues pattern, and slowly increase the tempo. This will help your overall playing, immensely, and help to avoid the cramping you can get from peddaling on a single note.

Just for the time that you're getting things dialed in, you might want to try using a medium pick, or a Tortex pick. Medium will have a little more give. Tortex is a harder, faster material. You can also try using one of the top corners of the pick, rather than the point. SRV used this technique for some of his fastest stuff. Still, use the heavy picks, and do the other stuff you're currently doing, too. Over time, your right hand will get stronger, faster, and your dexterity will grow by leaps and bounds.

Also, let your left hand do some of the work, when you can. You can get notes by bouncing, hammering on, and pulling off. Even a bend or slide can give the impression of an extra note. Each note created by the left hand is one less note for the right to manage.

Try stopping the metronome, once in a while. You are the metronome. You will hear and feel it if you're off. And, play through the amp, periodically, as this will help knock the rough edges off. There are a lot of suttle things that we don't hear until we plug in.

Hope at least some of this helps. Keep rockin' hrb

Here's another little trick to solidify your timing. Using your drum machine like a metronome, hit the snare (or kick) on the beat for a couple of bars, then skip a bar. Come back in for a couple of bars, then skip another one. Play whatever practice drill or song you want to work on to this loop. If your timing's on, you should hit right on the beat coming back in.

You can also get your groove feeling by setting your metronome at half tempo and use the clicks as beats 2 and 4. They're where your subliminal accents fall anyway.

Surf! for metronome practice check this out, victor wootens metronome workout

http://www.korg.com/ProSessionDetails.aspx?ID=647

EDIT: I'll post my practice routine in a bit, its long and im lazy right now

My practice routine is boring and mundane, but I will add I have been keeping a practice log starting this summer. Helps keep track of things, what I need to work on, and how much of what I do.

It's actually more like... a life log... since I use it to help keep tabs on my food intake and nutrition and things like that too.

thanks!

I have to get back on the (ugly) stick here.....I have been slacking...

gana check out the wooten workout, and would like to see the other members stuff as well

I do use fingers, and an orange star pick, I think it is .60 mm

Masterofchains practice Routine

Warmup: Bass Fitness Exersize: play 1 time through at 60 BPM then again at 100 BPM then a final time at 160BPM

Scales/Chords
All played at 112 BPM through circle of 5ths, 2 1/2 octave scales

Scales:
Major
Major flat 7
Major Ascending, Flat 7 decending
Flat 7 Ascending, Major Decending
Pentatonic
Blues
Chords just started to add chords
major
Major seventh

Sight reading: 30 min-hour a day
Ear Training 30 min-hour a day
Music Theory ( when i get my book ) 30 min-hour a day
Learning by ear ( Separate from ear training :P )
Throwdown at the Hoedown by bela fleck and the flecktones without my bass trainer ( dont have an MP3 version of the song :( )

Songs for band:
Just a Girl ( no doubt)
Dani California ( Red hot chilli peppers)
All Around the World (Red hot chilli peppers)
fourtune faded (Red hot chilli peppers)
My lovely man ( Red hot chilli peppers)
Omission(John Frusante?- guitarist for RHCP)
This cold John Frusante?- guitarist for RHCP
Second Walk John Frusante?- guitarist for RHCP

Ya a lot of RHCP but the other 2 members really like them and no doubt!

Warmup: Bass Fitness Exersize: play 1 time through at 60 BPM then again at 100 BPM then a final time at 160BPM

Scales/Chords
All played at 112 BPM through circle of 5ths, 2 1/2 octave scales

hey MOC

do you play 1/8 notes or 16th notes during your practice?

I could see 112 bpm on 16ths, but the 160 bpm on 16th s would be smokin!

thanks

surf

I play all 8thth notes. And at 160 is not that hard just gotta remember where the and is :p the 112 is after I warm up on the scales/chords

EDIT: thought was 16th, was doing 8ths, i should type after 6 hours of driving

EDIT: thought was 16th, was doing 8ths, i should type after 6 hours of driving

hmmmm...maybe I shoudl do more 1/8 notes vs 16th notes, and play more scales and variations of scales, instead of just peddeling!

hey MOC< how long does it take you to get thru the warm up and the scales part of your workout?

thanks!

big al

warmup section maybe 5 minutes? not aimint to be correct, just wo warm up

scales probably 10-15 minutes at the moment. bass teacher hasnt givin me new scales last lesson :p