Q. I want to learn how to play jazz bass using legit notes, no tabs. I already know how to read music (including bass clef) but I don't know the location of notes on the bass. I also want to be able to apply this note-reading to jazz music (ex: walking bass using given chords, etc). Anyone have anything that worked for them?
A. Well, for the note locations on the fretboard, you can read some charts from books, or see if you can google something that lays out the notes. What I would suggest is learning them on your own. The open strings on a standard tuned four string bass are E A D G, going from lowest to highest. When you go up a fret, you go up one note, which is called going up chromatically. So, on the E string, the open note is an E, then it goes up F, F#, G, G#, A, and so on. The A string goes A, A#, B, C, C#, and so on. Practicing this is tough since it's mainly mental exercise that's needed. What I would do is quiz myself by telling myself to find a C on the E string, or find every F# on every string. It's a slow process becoming familiar with every note on every part of the fretboard. Those dots on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, etc. frets become more important because they can now represent notes that you can quickly refer to. Walking bass is a style that requires extra levels of familiarity with the fretboard. To walk you need to see intervals, scales, and arpeggios on the fretboard as well as you can find any given note. This can be done after learning the notes. You may need someone else who is proficient in guitar or bass or perhaps piano to help you understand how these work on the bass. If you can't find someone to help you there are books. I have found books published by Mel Bay, Berklee, and Hal Leonard to be particularly well written. It's a long journey from individual notes to walking a bass line on a jazz standard, but it can be done with mental strengthening of your visual connection with the notes, intervals, and chords on the fretboard. It's a slow process for everyone and can be frustrating but comes with many rewards.
Have you ever taken a "Music Theory" class?
Q. Music Theory/Appreciation.
I signed up for it at school. I've heard its really cool but difficult.
If you have taken it before, could you probably explain to me what to expect?
Cheers :)
A. well my piano teacher goes by theory levels (Im on level 6 right now...I think there are 10 until you're considered "proffesional") and basically when you start music theory, you learn a number of things.
First, you learn the different key signatures of different scales.
For example, you learn that c major has no signs. e major as 3 sharps, g major has 1 sharp, etc.
Once you've learned the key signatures for each MAJOR scale (that includes sharps and flats) You go onto the MINORS. you learn that A minor has no signs, d minor has 2 flats, etc.
once you learn all of your minors and their key signatures (that include both sharps and flats) you learn relative major/minor scales.
Relative major/minor scales are basically two scales (one major, one minor) that have the same key signature.
A major and c minor would be relative scales, because they both have no signs.
You learn each scales relativities, (there are a few tricks to figuring out what a major's relative minor is, and the other way around) you are ready to memorize teh CIRCLE OF FIFTHS.
The circle of fifths isn't that complicated, but if you don't know it (preferrably by heart) theory is going to be the hardest thing in the world for you.
once you get past scales and their key signatures, you start to learn things like intervals, dominant 7th keys, tonic dominant and subdominant chords, etc. You also get quizzed a little bit on music history. Music history is basically knowing the different periods in music: classical, romantic, contemporary, boroque - and who composed during each music period.
Music theory involves many different elements, which is why many teachers like breaking these elements up into "levels". Each "level" takes about half a year, and you can buy theory books that go over everything in theory for levels 1-10. :)
sorry most of that probably didn't make any sense, but I've been learning theory for 4 years now! lol
what are some good r&b chords for piano?
Q. i need some chords,i wanna write a song,and i need to know more chords,
left and right hand.
A. My guess is that you're not quite ready for songwriting yet. You're on the right track though so this site should help you out.
http://www.8notes.com/piano_chord_chart/
I cannot stress enough the value of knowing ALL the chords so be patient with yourself and just keep at it.
BTW, chords have no relation to genre. The same chords used in a country song can be used in rock or even jazz. Simply put, chords are chords no matter what the genre.
Now go for it!
Kabum (and yes, there will be a quiz!)
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Title : Good methods for learning jazz bass?
Description : Q. I want to learn how to play jazz bass using legit notes, no tabs. I already know how to read music (including bass clef) but I don't...