The first few modules were a breeze and I played as long as my fingers allowed me to in the beginning. I annoyed my friends with constantly telling them “my fingers hurt” for 3 or 4 days in a row until it became: “My fingers don’t hurt anymore! And I played for an hour!”
As I already mentioned in other threads I’m in Module 12 (finished yesterday) and the fifth/octave shape still causes my tendons to burn sometime. It got better, because I kept at it as long at it was just discomfort and not pain, but it was the first time after the very beginning I had to stop a lesson because of physical pain. I wondered if my hand position/grip was right, but since it got better every day I think it’s just training.
I am very excited and a bit afraid of the next lesson. I fear slap or if I get that slap & pluck like @Mac because doing something different with the right hand seems like a lot to take in at first.
As far as “moving on” while feeling comfortable with the slow workout goes I generally don’t do it. There were some exceptions, but it always felt like it would make sense to train my fingers and coordination. Also after fumbling around with the slow workout for so long that I feel comfortable with it I want to try out the faster speeds and once I start I want to, well… not “nail it” but “give an acceptable performance”.
I seem to have a similiar attitude towards the course as @PamPurrs - I thought I would have enough time anyway because of home office and half time work so that I could manage the hardcore schedule, but after all I decided to progress in my own tempo instead of keeping to a schedule to beat some arbitrary deadline.
The only thing I try to do is to pick up the bass at least once a day. It’s not that I have to force myself to, it’s just the only thing I expect from myself. “Pick it up. If you don’t have fun then stop.” - the second part has yet to happen.
I generally notice that I progress slower since a few modules, especially 2-digit ones but it still doesn’t feel like a roadblock. I’m happy with my progress.
…
I’ll let you know how slap goes.
Hi Jamie.
Since our last chat I carried on with tab’s just trying to build up speed and coordination, my fretting hand was the initial problem, my little finger so exited to finally have a purpose in life went to war with neighbouring ring finger. Like 2 toddlers fighting over toys. Now its my plucking hand, the faster the tempo the shorter the duration my fingers stay in sync almost like they short circuit. I noticed that in the workouts that Josh seemed to end it just at that moment on the brink of breakdown. Its just the learning curve.
So the night before last inspired by you and Victor Wooten BJ was going to be mastered. I’d seen an interview where he said he’d stay up all night to master a style or technique. So plug in switch on and press play 10 secs page freezes, reloads, repeat to the point where something might get launched. I slowed down the load speed or whatever it is (I know nothing about IT) as advised by their tec guy in the past. Had a tantrum lol, later managed to burn my fingertips pulling a roast out of the oven.
You will have to explain the glove and its benefits.
I’m down in Manchester, well Stockport but bounced about a bit, Cumbria then bigger Cumbria more commonly called Switzerland, Malta/Comino and France. Then fate dealt me a cruel blow, came back for a visit and ended up trapped here.
I waffle and need cigs, so its shops, bluff my way around my connection problem (if I stop responding the tablet will have been launched) grit my teeth and attack BJ burned fingers or not.
Maybe lockdown overload then. Last time it happened BBC tec told me to reduce the load speed to .75 it worked, but not this time even went .50 but iìittt soooouuundds like that.
Couldn’t find the right post but this one I think is suitable.
I finished the course yesterday.
I left it after module 16 because I wanted to have a bit of a session for a while just sort of playing in general to see where I’d managed to get to - kinda like a review of progress.
And yesterday, I thought I’d finish off the masterclasses at the end.
Have to say the last 2, about the how to practice, what to practice, goals, etc were really good. And I kinda feel bad now it’s over!
However, I’m going to sit down and work out my goal(s) going forward and carry on that way, as I like to have something to work towards.
But I feel kinda empty now! This is awful
Definitely, hands down the best bass course I’ve ever done, so thank you very much @JoshFossgreen - it’s been a great emotional roller coaster of fun, and has set me up very nicely for going forward.
Yeah. The last module rounds off the experience but it’s still a bit like finishing a really good book and you feel a little bit empty.
I still revisit lessons but mostly I do 5-10 minutes technical exercises and then play whatever my current interest/mood is.
I still have to practice the songs of this band I will go to band practice with.
I started in February, aiming for three months, but I changed plans – I will now actually do a handful of modules twice, to make sure everything sinks in. The added effect of this is that I find that an exercise I had trouble with when I did it the first time, goes a lot smoother than expected when I come around to doing it again after a week or so.
I just started my first run of Module 11 two days ago.
I think you’re probably taking a very wise route @peterhuppertz. I did all but the slap module in around 3 weeks but I am feeling the need to revisit certain modules as some stuff hasn’t sunk in. Especially some of the theory
If you go through it quick you have time to go back. If you go through slow you will likely not need to go back as much. Two paths to the same result. No right or wrong answers, just what works for you.
Yes, I’ve made a few notes of modules that I need to revisit. Slap one is definitely on there - I only got the rudimentary basics of that, but I feel like slap bass is a big enough method to dedicate an entire course on in my opinion. Not sure how far down that path I’m going to go.
I do need to revisit certain stuff to get the shapes locked into my head as well, plus a few more bits and bobs. Plus the ultimate groove workout etc.
I’m going to make a list of things on my laptop to practice and keep note of the progress in all the areas too.
I have had the course for just under a month and just started Mod 6, so I averaging about 1.25 modules a week. So far I only got stuck on Billy Jean, I could do the slow workout but the medium and fast were beyond me at this point. However, I gave it 48 hours of trying the moved on. I plan to stick with that plan for anything else I happen to get stuck on moving forward.
I was off to a fast start…I’d say I have had the course for month and a half or so now(?)… I’m on Module 8. Haven’t had much in the way of hiccups or anything. BIllie Jean wasn’t overly hard…but…I miss the beat ruler. I noticed it hasn’t been around much.
I did have a work hand injury cutting lexan shields for COVID, I had a piece of plastic come shooting back on the table saw at me and I thought it broke my hand. Thinkin just sprained something. I have broke both hands and a foot throughout years of martial arts …doesn’t feel the same as then. Regardless…that I guess is my hiccup. Lol
So far so good…
I hope that it heals fast, that’s a bummer a one off. I also missed the beat ruler until the penny dropped and the bass clef is in fact a beat ruler. @Graphics1988
Jamie
@Graphics1988 sorry to hear about your hand injury, I hope it heals rapidly.
I hear ya about Billie Jean. I struggled with her for nearly a week before I finally gave up. I wrote a big asterisk on that lesson in the workbook, and moved on.
I was amazed after I finished the course and went back to it. After all those hours of practice, plus now armed with the ability to play from musical notation rather than use tab and knowledge of the finger board, I was able to nail it. You can too!
Thanks Pam - yeah maybe i mistyped…i didn’t struggle at all with Billie Jean - i think i watched the video twice then got it… i have a feeling the actual READING of music (albeit sounds like a huge advantage) isn’t top interest for me. I tend to drift off and eyes roll back in my head ahahaha… Thanks for the inspiration. Everyone here has been fantastic and non judgy. Thanks folks
That’s helped me reading what you said @PamPurrs. Last night I decided to move on from the Billie Jean lesson, I could play it very slowly but not at any real speed. But I decided best to move one, but it didn’t feel right not nailing it before going on. But hearing others have had the same issue makes me feel less unskilled. And that it can be nailed later
You will nail it I’m sure @Mark_UK . I’ve just started going through the course for a second time to refresh my memory and I’ve yet to come across Billie Jean but I did go back to that lesson quite regularly and managed it eventually.
