Hi all! New(ish) to bass. I come from a guitar player to bassist background and I’ve never learned theory before, so I’m like 60% through the B2B course. It’s pretty awesome and I feel like I’m learning a lot!
I have trouble remembering everything though, especially scales and notes on the fretboard. But I’m sure that would come with practice and time.
My question is, I am playing for a church band and I learn 3-5 songs per week, mostly just listening to the songs and reading the chord sheets they provide. Is this going to … hinder my ability, to learn theory and scales and all that? Should I be focused on “mastering” the “basics” first?
Should I take a few weeks or months to just finish the B2B course and then continue playing with the team?
If you have the chance to play/perform, use that chance! You’ll grow by doing that, aided by what you learn as you are doing this and what you learn in the course.
Later, in your own sweet time, and when you feel curious enough to want to know more, start learning more about theory and scales and all that. But, don’t let it distract you if (or as long as) you don’t need it. And, since you can learn these songs by listening to them, it seems you are doing all right.
That said, in the long run, if you want to develop beyond learning those and similar songs and being able to come up with your own (perhaps a bit more elaborate) bass lines and especially if you feel you want to improvise at some point, knowledge of scales and your fretboard become essential and that is what you want to focus on (at that time).
One disclaimer though: you can “forget” about scales for now, but don’t take shortcuts with your technique!!!
Like language, you don’t need to learn all of the grammars before you can speak. You don’t even need to know how to read to play well.
I think @joergkutter just laid it out in detail. What I love about that is how I “discovered” the name of the theory, scale or mode of the things I already know how to play. It helps put things in context and the retention by learning this way is off the chart. When I discovered Lydian mode every time I use it I would call it out loud that it’s Lydian.
You already have a gig so it sounds like you can’t just up and walk away from that.
It shouldn’t hinder anything as long as you put the time into also learning the “basics” and some theory. I don’t see doing that and learning the material you need for the gig to be mutually exclusive. Just don’t ignore one for the other is all. JMHO
I’d keep playing with the team, it will reinforce the things you’re learning. Also, you’ll never be done learning, we often put off “doing the thing” so we can learn more about it, but could learn more just jumping in and doing it. Glad your enjoying the course and having fun!
I sure played without learning… While I had fun, I would very much have liked to have the resources to learn why the songs I played were composed the way they were. I had chords and lyrics. That’s it. The basic chords (G, C, F, etc.) made sense to me. But if Bm7 would appear in a song?!? Where did that come from? What is it? Why include it? How do you even fret it?
Yeah, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. But no knowledge is the perfect recipe for getting not far, very fast. Just my 2¢. YMMV
Short answer: I’d keep working through B2B at a slow but steady pace that works for everything else you’re doing. Maybe that’s one module per week.
You’re not hurting your progress as long as you’re not reinforcing bad habits. But that’s like… practicing clean and efficient plucking, fretting, and muting. Not worrying about theory.
Personally, I’m getting a lot more out of B2B by going through it while also learning songs. The theory makes more sense to me, because it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. I get to apply that theory to understanding the songs that I’m learning. E.g. I’ve been learning “Stir It Up” by Bob Marley and… hey look, it’s just major triads walking up a 1, 4, 5, pattern, hitting the root on every down beat.
Don’t get wrapped around the theory and scale axle, you’ll be just fine playing by ear. Some of the world’s best musicians couldn’t read music, i.e. Glenn Campbell for example.
This is often repeated but that doesn’t make it a good goal (or even desirable at all). Just saying, not disagreeing with your overall point (having big ears is important).
I would say it’s best to learn theory and how to read, but it’s not something to stress out about.
My uncle told me that with some things if you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never do them.
He was referring to getting married and having kids of course. It applies here also imho
Absolutely agree. My wife a I were married for 7 years before we had our first child and I was 43. We are more financially secure but if I can do it all over again I’d start much sooner.
I was 42 when my daughter was born.
Also it can be very motivating to push your boundaries.
I guarantee that there are plenty of musicians who feel underprepared yet try to forge ahead. I know because I’m one of them!
They trust you to do it. Act like it’s a very high paying gig and give them their money’s worth.
Hey Tony! You don’t “need” to know theory or how to read music to play. Put your finger on the string and pluck. if it makes the sound you’re looking for you’re good to go. Some of the worlds best musicians never learned to read music and they made a living playing by ear. Go play and have fun!
I’ve been playing bass out for over four years now and I’m only halfway through the course. I do not know theory and I never played an instrument before. And I’m averaging 45 gigs a season with a local band. If you have an opportunity to play, then definitely play!!! There’s tremendous learning that occurs just by what you’re doing! I’ll eventually finish the course, but right now I’m too busy rehearsing and playing to do it….and that’s such a blessing!
A new student comes to a teacher to take bass lessons.
First lesson, the instructor explains, “This is the root note. This is the most important note in playing bass. Here are all the root notes. Now go and practice root notes.”
So the student goes away and spends a week just practicing playing root notes.
Second week, the instructor shows him, “This is the Fifth. It’s the second most important note after the root. Go home and practice playing fifths.” So the student goes away and just plays roots and fifths for a week.
Week three rolls around, and the student does not return. The instructor begins to worry.
The fourth week rolls around, and the student doesn’t return. The teacher is very worried, so he calls the student up to ask him what’s wrong.
The student tells the teacher, “I’m sorry I can’t make lessons. I don’t have enough time. I’m playing too many gigs.”
