Almost done with Module 14. I’ve already started to check the boxes for the workouts that I have to nail to pass the course. Looking at that list, I feel that Official Bass Badass status is definitely within my reach. The list of requirements for Super Badass status contains a number of workouts that I still have to work on, so that may be something for later…
I’m now in the middle of Module 10, after a lull. I plan on doing two lessons per day, or an intro + two lessons, which should let me finish all 16 modules by maybe the end of May. I started B2B at the very end of Feb. 2021.
But, I do plan on going back over the lessons to review, plus working on getting the “fast” workouts down, so I can at least pass the “Badass” quiz at the end. If all goes well, I’ll then try working on the 50 first songs.
I bought my bass 2 and a half months ago. I fumbled around with YouTube videos for a couple of weeks before I received an offer from a former co-worker, who is now retired, to show me a few things. He’s been playing guitar and bass for 35 years and I figured it couldn’t hurt, so I took him up on the offer. Three weeks in, I had definitely made progress, but felt like I hit a wall. My concern was that I probably developed some bad habits on my own by just jumping in and trying to learn it by myself.
That’s when I decided to take the plunge into this course. Even though I had learned a few things, I decided to start from the very beginning and soak up every bit of information that I could. Things moved along pretty quickly for me the first couple of weeks, and then as the difficulty increased, so did the discomfort in my fretting hand and likewise, my frustration. At this point I really stopped to figure out what the problem was. I scoured through lesson comments and really, really focused on what Josh had been telling us all along, but I was just missing it. Keep that space between your thumb and the neck! It took me a couple of days of really paying attention to get out of the bad habit, but what a difference it makes.
I’m currently about 3/4 of the way through the course, and I have still been playing once a week with my buddy. I absolutely still feel like a rookie, and that it will take me forever to get good at it.
However, a little over a week ago something happened that changed my entire outlook.
My buddy needs a bass player for his band. WTF? When he asked me to try a real practice with a drummer, I immediately said yes. How could I pass up the experience, even if I fail? And then the anxiety sat in. Holy cow!
Now, I have made it through two five-hour practices (it flies by), and here is what I have learned, or am learning.
Tabs are a nice reference, but learn to play by ear. Don’t worry about playing it just like the original recording. Play to your level. Figure out what chords the guitarist is playing and play all roots if you have to. Roots and fifths work for a whole lot of songs, really. When this gets easier and you start getting bored, start learning the walk-ups and other little runs and fills. Oh yeah, make sure you know where the beat is and can stay with the drummer. It’s actually something that our drummer complimented me on. Apparently there are a lot of players that struggle with it.
I realize that I’m probably in an unusual situation. I’ve only had my bass for two and a half months! Not everyone has the opportunity to run out and jam with a full band, let alone one with experienced musicians who have the patience to teach and bring your level up to theirs. But, if and when any of you have the opportunity, DO IT!!
Honestly speaking, I know that I’m still in over my head on some things. But, the experience of playing with a band is nothing like playing along with YouTube. You are holding down the bottom end. It’s an awesome feeling to get through a song and have it sound good… And it’s a freaking blast! And that is exactly what it’s supposed to be!
Welcome aboard @Doug_Keese,
Sounds like your having a real blast,
The B2B course does give you the stuff that is structured and sets you up to get to where you need to be.
Enjoy the ride,
Cheers Brian
So just starting out, module 1, lesson 3. Normal for the left index finger to hurt? Not a lot, but of course I practiced what I learned so far for about an hour.
Yes, your fingers are doing things that they are not used to.
Just make sure it doesn’t hurt to point of pain, a little soreness ok, pain no way.
Yep, a bit sore and a little numb-ish? Nice to meet you John_E. Thanks for the reply!
Same here, welcome!
Yes, will take time to build up stamina and strength in those little muscles.
Welcome to the forum @GunnyAlki
A little discomfort is fine, certainly on the finger tips
… on the update front, I’m working on module 9, just did Roxanne today, I really like syncopation very much, it adds flavor… I’ve struggled with consistency, meaning I have had some very sloppy days, but it seems that we all have those… I intent to keep my casual pace with the course and figured that the second half will be slower
Awesome! I tend to over do things sometimes, so going to slow it down a bit, practice tomorrow. What kind of practice schedule are you using? No idea what would be considered too much or not enough. Understand it’s all individual, just looking for ideas.
I don’t have a set routine for bass like I do for sax, just don’t have the regimented time for both like that.
Some nights, I look up and it is 12:30am before I know it, and some nights, I noodle for a bit and walk away.
The best thing about a hobby is you make the rules, however, your rules dicate your pace of advancing. But practicing too much can have a negative effect too. Days off work wonders for your brain to let things bake in. Multiple days, not so much.
If you try on light days to even do 5-15 minutes, then as long as you like without pain, you will soon fall into a groove that is right for you. Don’t force it, it will come on its own.
Hey John, @John_E,
i am doing another cover of Aussie Crawl’s Downhearted “Short version” which imo is better than the long version simply because it has some nice SAX in it, I will let you know when im done so you can have a listen,
Cheers Brian
You should collaborate. Remove the Sax from the track too, after you lay down the bass line, send it to @John_E to add the sax…
That could probably work Toby, @T_dub, i will see if i can
if not im sure @howard may be able to do it
Cheers Brian
Thought I’d post back to reflect on my progress over the last month or so. So from just starting to tackle scales in March, I am now able to play along some of the ‘50 first songs’ and signed up to Ultimate Guitar to try out some more tunes. It’s a long journey and still early days, but from picking up the instrument for the first time in Feb to this, I think I’m on the right path. There’s definite pitfalls to using tabs whilst still learning the neck I feel, and I’m trying to think ‘notes’ more than fret numbers each time I play, as it makes things a lot more straightforward in my head.
Back to the course, I am now starting the last, third section and excited where that will take me, having made such good progress over the previous several modules (‘Higher & Higher’ was a real challenge that was worth overcoming, syncopation was lots of fun, though nailing ‘Feel Good Inc’ to rhythm was pretty hard, even though I’ve listened to that song since I was 15! And I’m still amazed how learning chord progressions hasn’t been intimidating at all).
Yesterday I learned bits of Evil by Interpol, now off to play some simpler Coldplay bass lines for morale-boosting, and will be back at it with section 3 of B2B… But it’s been such a blast so far, starting out on this journey has been the best decision in a long while.
Keep calm and rock on folks!
Hieeeee
I am finishing module 2 today - hoorayyy -
I wasn’t very very beginner it seems; up until now I’ve been cutting through like knife on butter! But what I cherished the most is my better understanding for rhythm, using eighths. Beat ruler makes it easier for me to comprehend when to pluck and when to mute. I am better at counting whole notes too.
I can’t wait to proceed to module 3.
I am slow with my practice though. I am trying to do lessons as much as I can but I feel like I 'm disappointing Josh lol because I ve been doing these 2 modules for like 3 months :<
There is no requirement that anyone has to complete the course within any specific time frame, @NocturnalPulse . . .
Each of us has other things going on which could impede our progress.
So don’t worry, and just do the best you can, as time and other commitments allow.
Remember, it’s supposed to be fun!
Cheers
Joe
I’m on module 6. But I’ve been doing a lot of other practise and just general noodling to build up my pinky strength. Today, I played Billy Jean fluently with no fret buzz so there’s definitely improvement. I refused to let that track beat me