Beginners! Bass practice methods - From purchase to band practice

In this article, I would like to introduce you to practice methods to motivate you to keep playing the bass in a fun way based on your progress.
It's my own style, but I hope it helps.

1. I bought a bass

When you buy a bass, you may not yet know how to play it or what to play. Therefore, it is recommended that you watch how-to-play videos on YouTube and play as you watch. If you try to play in your own way, it will be harder to play difficult songs in the future, and above all, your appearance of playing may look uncool, so it is good to make beautiful form a habit.

2. If you know how to play a little (been playing for 1 week to 1 month)

By this time, it's boring to just play, and many people get tired of the bass. The recommended practice method at this time is to learn to play one song. Some people may wonder, "Would you want to play a song yet?" But if you practice with a goal, your progress improve, so I think it's a good idea to try it. However, if the song is too difficult, it will lead to frustration, so it is better to choose from songs that are said to be for beginners. One thing to keep in mind here is that you choose a song you like. It's very difficult to complete one song with so little practice, and of course it will take time and it will be difficult, depending on the song you choose and the speed of improvement of the individual. If the song isn't very interesting at the time, you may not like the song itself and you may just give up on the bass. Also, there are so many people who get frustrated at this time, so I think you should choose a song you like to get as much motivation as possible.

3. If you can play some simple songs

When you can play a simple song, you should try to play a more difficult song. However, even if you rush to practice a difficult song here, it will take time and it will not be very efficient. Therefore, it is recommended to review the form at this time. There are many types of bass forms, but by this time you will be able to identify the ones that are easy for you to play. It's a good idea to review the forms again and prepare for the song you're about to practice.

4. When the form is solidified to some extent

Finally time to try a difficult song. Until now, it may have been a simple song, so I think the main thing is to keep pulling the root note with 8 beats, but next time you should select a song that you’ve wanted to try or a song that contains a technique that you thought was cool. Let's go! At this time point, I think that the techniques you want to learn will come out. For example, there are various slap playing methods that anyone who is a bass player longs to play, songs with fast tempos, songs with a bass solo, and songs with a rhythm that bounces in 16 beat. You might think, "I'm glad I chose these songs, but how can I play them?" But most of the time, you can find tips on YouTube and in bass books. Based on these, it is easier to learn than you thought it would be if you practice repeatedly. Even if you think you can't do it at first, by practicing without giving up, you will be able to play better than you think. If you realize that, you will enjoy the bass and practice even more. Also, by repeating like this, you can acquire new techniques and get out of the novice bassist rut before you notice.

■ Be careful when playing with a band

I'm sure some of you who are reading this article are in or want to form a band. For you, I would like to mention some points to keep in mind when forming a band, deciding on a song, and practicing.

・I cannot play my favorite song

When you try to decide which songs to play in a band, you should also take in the opinions of the other members. In most cases not all songs will be songs you like. As mentioned above, you should practice songs that lead to your own motivation, so it is difficult to keep your motivation if you don’t like the songs. Even if you don't like a song, it's important to practice it well for the band.

・Practice period should be decided

Since the songs practiced in the band are a combination of all members, you have to complete the assigned songs yourself by the time the practice of playing with others in the band begins. In other words, there is a time limit. This is something you don't have when you're practicing songs you like, so there’s going to be pressure, but it's important to have plenty of time to practice.

・It is difficult to play with everyone

This is especially true for bassists, but when it comes to playing songs with all the band members, the rhythm doesn't easily match, or you can't play it like you did when you practiced on your own. As a countermeasure, I think you should practice not only according to the original song, but also according to a video of you playing the guitar. Also, if you're always sitting and practicing, it's a good idea to stand up and practice as well. The bass is the pillar of the band that connects the rhythm and the melody, so practice with confidence as if you were pulling the weight of the band.

How was this article?
I think that many people's goal is to practice and play in a band by themselves, so I hope this helps.

Thank you for reading.

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