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Gospel Instruments => Bass Guitar => Topic started by: cogicguy on October 23, 2006, 11:41:18 PM

Title: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: cogicguy on October 23, 2006, 11:41:18 PM: I know everyone has there strengths and weakness. But what was the hardest thing for you to learn how to do? For example, slapping, tapping, ghost notes, hammering or a victor wooten technique, etc
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: Torch7 on October 23, 2006, 11:44:41 PM: So far, its been muting.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: Andrzej on October 24, 2006, 04:19:23 PM: Hmmm...that's a tough one to answer. I guess everything new I have learnt has been difficult. If everything was easy to learn we would all be virtuoso's by now! I would say tapping would be the most challenging technique I have come across simply because you can do it in so many ways. Concentrating on two hands using the fretboard at the same time and co-ordinating them is quite tricky. I learnt some basic tapping techniques years ago, but I have really gone quite deep into it over the past 12-18 months. You can really use a lot of your imagination and expression with tapping because you have the whole fretboard to play with in any position you want. Tapping only makes up for a very small percentage of my skills and I rarely find a practical use for it, but it is so much fun to learn!
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: MikeGee on October 24, 2006, 07:02:53 PM: If you have a lil experince then this may be hard to answer it is for me. Maybe I should answer but I want to.

My ear.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: Cherri on October 24, 2006, 08:58:21 PM: Slapping/popping...ear.... Things are improving definitely a diligent student...
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: B3Wannabe on October 24, 2006, 09:05:57 PM: I'm with Andrzej, tapping. I'm not a virtuosos at everything, but that's the hardest for me. I'm slowly learning how to hit the strings correctly, but I don't practice it enough to use it anywhere yet.

I need to work on my scales more also, because my fretting hand doesn't move REALLY fast yet, but I don't look at that as something that's "hard" it's just something that I need to practice. Everything else I'm good with. Given the right song and when the Spirit is high, I can do things that I can barely do in practice.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: djgroovin on October 24, 2006, 10:25:56 PM: learning the fretboard...I think I have a mental block or something.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: ladybass on October 25, 2006, 06:24:39 AM: Quote from: djgroovin on October 24, 2006, 10:25:56 PM
learning the fretboard...I think I have a mental block or something.

Well, well, well, if it isn't djgroovin .... we (I) miss you man!! How are things down south?
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: MikeGee on October 25, 2006, 10:41:29 AM: Quote from: djgroovin on October 24, 2006, 10:25:56 PM
learning the fretboard...I think I have a mental block or something.

It's a blessing and curse. The fretboard, theory and chords where the simple part for me. The groove my ear and timing are the tough part. And don't get me started on soloing.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: uriahsmusic on October 25, 2006, 11:50:10 AM: ...wierd time signatures! 5/4 3/4
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: MikeGee on October 25, 2006, 03:17:12 PM: Quote from: uriahsmusic on October 25, 2006, 11:50:10 AM
...wierd time signatures! 5/4 3/4

6/8
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: jeremyr on October 25, 2006, 03:18:56 PM: Quote from: MikeGee on October 25, 2006, 03:17:12 PM
6/8

6/8 is just a 3/4 double time.

Just thing every 6 whole notes equals a bar.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: uriahsmusic on October 25, 2006, 04:26:56 PM: Quote from: jeremyr on October 25, 2006, 03:18:56 PM
6/8 is just a 3/4 double time.

Just thing every 6 whole notes equals a bar.

twice the wierdness! ::)
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: jeremyr on October 25, 2006, 04:37:44 PM: Quote from: uriahsmusic on October 25, 2006, 04:26:56 PM
twice the wierdness! ::)

LOL...i guess it doesn't really bother me as i have 11+ years of classical training behind me.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: djgroovin on October 25, 2006, 07:03:12 PM: Quote
Well, well, well, if it isn't djgroovin .... we (I) miss you man!! How are things down south?

Thanks,

I was actually in the MD, DC area this weekend. I miss family and friends but I'm glad I made the move. The weather is great, going back to school is tough though. I do have more time to play my bass.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: praiseHisname on October 25, 2006, 07:22:06 PM: Quote from: djgroovin on October 24, 2006, 10:25:56 PM
learning the fretboard...I think I have a mental block or something.

I soooo feel your pain....Learning the fretboard is tough for me too! In fact, playing the bass PERIOD is challenging for me.. :'( But, I am determined to be able to express myself through the instrument one day. :-[
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: chrismc101 on October 26, 2006, 07:08:47 AM: Muting has been my pain in the side. Besides trying to get my speed down to play shouting music.

Tapping came very easy to me. I guess it's because I tap out stuff that sounds good and then apply chords and stuff with it to make music.

Finding those hidden harmonics, i.e. (Potraits of Tracey) lol.. Can somebody help me on that. I got the base of the song, just hard to find those hidden harmonincs.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: Andrzej on October 26, 2006, 12:51:49 PM: Quote from: B3Wannabe on October 24, 2006, 09:05:57 PM
I'm with Andrzej, tapping. I'm not a virtuosos at everything, but that's the hardest for me. I'm slowly learning how to hit the strings correctly, but I don't practice it enough to use it anywhere yet.

I need to work on my scales more also, because my fretting hand doesn't move REALLY fast yet, but I don't look at that as something that's "hard" it's just something that I need to practice. Everything else I'm good with. Given the right song and when the Spirit is high, I can do things that I can barely do in practice.

Best advice I can give on tapping is to tap the strings lightly and keep your hand movement to a minimum until your confidence grows. You will proably notice that your eyes are continually moving side to side to concentrate on both hands and that causes more confusion. The trick is not to look at your fretting hand and just concentrate on your plucking hand doing the harmony work up the neck. That takes a lot of time and confidence to get to that stage, but your overall orientation of the notes on the fretboard is greatly improved. Wait until you start tapping on a fretless...that takes a lot of guts to do!
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: Andrzej on October 26, 2006, 01:05:34 PM: Quote from: chrismc101 on October 26, 2006, 07:08:47 AM
Muting has been my pain in the side. Besides trying to get my speed down to play shouting music.

Tapping came very easy to me. I guess it's because I tap out stuff that sounds good and then apply chords and stuff with it to make music.

Finding those hidden harmonics, i.e. (Potraits of Tracey) lol.. Can somebody help me on that. I got the base of the song, just hard to find those hidden harmonincs.

Are you referring to the natural harmonics? If so I can help you out there.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: T-Block on October 26, 2006, 01:39:42 PM: Slapping and tapping are a little difficult for me. I mean, I can do it a little, but I don't know if I'm doing it correctly.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: djgroovin on October 26, 2006, 11:01:04 PM: Quote from: praiseHisname on October 25, 2006, 07:22:06 PM
I soooo feel your pain....Learning the fretboard is tough for me too! In fact, playing the bass PERIOD is challenging for me.. :'( But, I am determined to be able to express myself through the instrument one day. :-[

Keep at it...when you learn the formula, let me know. I just get distracted easliy and end up just practicing scale patterns. I love scales. I need to be focusing more on chords and progressions.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: bigblackdrummer on October 28, 2006, 06:10:44 AM: That Im a better drummer then bassist! ;D
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: jpeeze on October 28, 2006, 07:15:15 AM: I have problems slapping. I realy never got into tapping much.

My mian problem is my ear.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: HammerRock on October 31, 2006, 11:54:33 AM: The hardest thing for me was to stop looking for the approval of men. I'm doing it for the Lord with the gifts and talents He has given me, and in His timing. Worrying about how men think of my playing is about FLESH, not God.

Once I was free of that my playing became better. Much better. :)
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: chrismc101 on October 31, 2006, 12:55:13 PM: Andrzej,

Yes, natural harmonics are what I'm talking bout. Give me some insight. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: praiseHisname on October 31, 2006, 06:32:21 PM: Quote from: djgroovin on October 26, 2006, 11:01:04 PM
Keep at it...when you learn the formula, let me know. I just get distracted easliy and end up just practicing scale patterns. I love scales. I need to be focusing more on chords and progressions.

We'll do! I'll let you know of any improvements......I too love scales! :)
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: Cone on October 31, 2006, 07:58:27 PM: Hardest thing for me to learn was my ear. Things I'm working on right now is slapping.
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: phatstrings on November 03, 2006, 07:31:34 AM: My tapping is clumsy. But my slap and pop?... Umn... Better tell victor wooten to watch his back?
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: godsbassman2000 on November 03, 2006, 05:46:04 PM: Quote from: praiseHisname on October 25, 2006, 07:22:06 PM
I soooo feel your pain....Learning the fretboard is tough for me too! In fact, playing the bass PERIOD is challenging for me.. :'( But, I am determined to be able to express myself through the instrument one day. :-[

Ditto!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What was the hardest thing to learn?
Post by: BassAddict on November 05, 2006, 11:43:38 PM: I would have to say tapping and chording is what is giving me a haymaker right now...eventhough I dont weigh tapping as a bass essential, and I dont really practice it that much. I lean more towards chording and scale approches more so...and I am a slap junkie too so...

And no I dont try and slap while playing amazing grace....lol ::)

But I would if I could do it like Victor Wooten ;D