To Be a Better Player
The things you need to do to get better now!
by Arty O'Connell
My experience over the tears has taught me that there is
more to playing an instrument than just knowing a few
chords or notes. Playing bass is no different. Some of
the things I will be sharing most of you are probably
already aware of, but it doesn't hurt to hear them
again.This article is mainly aimed at beginner or
learner bassists.
There are six things I believe that go into making
someone from an ordinary player to a good or great
player. These six points may not be for everyone as we
are all at different levels but I know they will help.
Self belief
i) In Yourself. You have to have belief in yourself. Let
yourself know that you can achieve what you set out to
do. Too many of us will quit if it gets too hard. Playing
an instrument is no different to anything else. You have
to believe that you can do it. Set yourself small goals
and as you achieve each one you will find yourself
getting closer to the larger goal, that is being a better
player.
ii) In Your Ability. Have self belief in your own ability. Do
not think that because I can't play like Nathan East or
Abe Loborial that I'm not very good. We all begin
somewhere. Time and perserverence are what helps
us obtain greater heights with our playing. Enjoy where
you are at with your playing, do what you are doing now
the best you can and believe in what you are doing and
improvement will come.
Take Lessons
i) Theory. Learn as much about music as you can.
Knowing how to play a song is not enough. Learn what
went into making up the song. What chords and notes
were used, what tempo and rythmn was used and so
on. Although theory can be tedious I believe it is
essential to becoming a better player.
ii) Technique. Don't try and play like someone else. Be
yourself. Find a technique that best suits you. To play
with or without a pick or to play rest stroke, to play with a
high or low action, to play with the strap long or short
and so on. When you find the technique which is good
for you, get some lessons which will help you build
upon it.
iii) Learn from others. Get yourself a good teacher. I
believe the teacher should be a bass teacher, not a
guitar or piano teacher. Learn by watching other good
players. Learn by trying new things. Mistakes can
sometimes be good teachers. DON'T BE AFRAID TO
TRY THINGS. Most teachers are aware of which level
you are at and can help you to achieve new levels of
excellence in your playing.
Have a Knowledge of your equipment
i) My Bass. know what makes it work. Is it comfortable
to play? Find out which strings are best suited to the
way you play. Some may have a different opinion on
this, but learn to play a four string before you try to play a
five or six string bass.
Know what each knob ( pot) does. What kind of pickups
does it have? Does it have active or passive
electronics? Sounds a bit scary but it isn't. Knowing
your instrument goes a long way to becoming a better
player.
ii) The same can be said of your amplification system.
Whether it be a combo or a head/bin system, it pays to
know it. Is it compatible? Does it do what I need or want
it to do? We need to know how it all connects together
so we get optimum performance. Know the contyrol
settings on your equipment. All this helps us to become
better players. If we know all these things about our
bass and what runs it, we can spend more time on
what we do best. Play music!
Learn To Play With Others
Playing and practicing on your own is one thing, but
doing it with other musicians is entirely another matter.
The bass player must learn to "play" with the drummer.
These two instruments set the "foundation" for most
songs. These two usually, not always, set the rythmn
and tempo to a song. If the bass and drums are "tight",
it makes for a good overall sound. Knowing when and
what to play goes a long way to becoming a better
player. Listen to what the others are playing. eg: is the
keyboard playing with a lot of left hand. If this is
happening and your charging along with your bass it
can make the sound very "muddy" and bottom heavy.
Either the keyboard plays less of the left hand or you as
the bass player needs to play less. Whatever we need
to listen to each other.
Listen To All Kinds Of Music
Do not just listen to your favourite bands or artists. Try
to listen to a diversity of styles. Rock,metal,punk,R &
B,country,jazz,swing and yes classical. Find albums to
listen to which have great bass in them ( Sade,Pink
Floyd, most swing and jazz ). You may not like the style
or the artist, but to become a better player do yourself a
favour and listen to all kinds of music.
Practice Oh No!
it's that eight letter swear word again! To become a
better player we need to practice. Practice
scales,appegios,different keys,new songs,old
songs,techniques ( slap,rest stroke,pick). Not only
practice what is new,but also practice what we already
know. No matter how well we know something we still
need to practice it.Don't only practice what you like but
also practice those things you may never use as they
can help to stretch you and make you a better
player.
I have used all of these principles in my own music
playing life and have found them to be of great help.
