Practicing
Thoughts on Practicing
I could write and talk about practicing much longer than I'm sure anyone would want to listen. So I will spare everyone and only offer a couple of tools and resources to help making practicing more rewarding.
First I would say, don't practice what you know you can do already. Practice where you feel you can improve. One may find it a difficult task to practice what you know you can't do yet, but that is the only way to be able to improve that weak point. There are at least a bazillion ways to practice something that isn't working, and some of those ways can be found in books, magazines, online, and from your teachers. That being said, please be kind to yourself. No uses of the abusive language. No hurting your instrument. Be objective about your playing and think of a way to fix just one thing at a time. If you feel yourself getting overly frustrated, stop playing. But the bass down. Get some fresh air. Go watch some tv. Hang out with friends. Go for exercise. It's ok. You can tackle that section next time.
First I would say, don't practice what you know you can do already. Practice where you feel you can improve. One may find it a difficult task to practice what you know you can't do yet, but that is the only way to be able to improve that weak point. There are at least a bazillion ways to practice something that isn't working, and some of those ways can be found in books, magazines, online, and from your teachers. That being said, please be kind to yourself. No uses of the abusive language. No hurting your instrument. Be objective about your playing and think of a way to fix just one thing at a time. If you feel yourself getting overly frustrated, stop playing. But the bass down. Get some fresh air. Go watch some tv. Hang out with friends. Go for exercise. It's ok. You can tackle that section next time.
Required Materials
- Metronome (there is a free metronome online, but having your own metronome is preferred. Metronomes by BOSS are normally very good.)
- Tuner (Tuners are sold in just about any music store. nowadays there are some tuner free apps on iPhones or tablets.)
- For Beginners: Progressive Repertoire for the Double Bass, Vol. 1 by George Vance. I will supply other materials in lessons.
- For non-Beginners: Strokin' by Hal Robinson, and Boardwalkin' by Hal Robinson. I will supply other materials in lessons.
Practicing tools.
- Scale Cycles.
- Tanpura Drones. For more information on the tanpura, click this link.
- Drum Machine.
- Electric Bass Fretboard Diagram. This was a tool that really helped me solidify my knowledge of the fingerboard of not only the electric bass, but the upright bass as well. I will have my students map out chords, arpeggios, scales, etc. on the fretboard chart as a way to develop a mental map of the fingerboard
Please visit the "Other Resources" tab for more tools and information.
