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Wednesday, 10th March 2010
thelibster: Q&A
You can ask bass and music related questions here. You could probably ask D&M existential
questions about the meaning of the life here as well, but I'll probably just ignore them unless they're particularly witty.
Whatever you do, don't ask me to do you a tab version of "Donna Lee" or something like that, as you could well get a (more than) mildly offensive reply.
| Wednesday, 08/08/2007 |
Question 14 by Wilbert Swijnenburg:
After playing bass for about 5 years now, I thought it would be a good idea to learn some more theory about scales and chords. After some studying and practicing, I'm now at chord theory lesson 7. But there's something I don’t really understand. In ‘The Seven Seventh Chords’ you explain that chord V in a major scale is a dominant 7th. But then in the section below, where you give an overview of all chords in all scales, chord V has become a Major 7th. But a 'major 7th' as a 'V chord' doesn’t match the notes in a major scale. Is there something I misunderstood? Or is this a typing error? I hope you can help me. |
Mark's Answer:
Hi there Wilbert. You found an error! A typo. It's been there for about 8 years. How tragic!!! Anyway, it's fixed now. Chord V is absolutely, positively dominant 7th. Root, Maj 3rd, Perf 5th, Dominant (minor) 7th. In the key of CMajor that would be G B D F.
Lib |
| Sunday, 01/04/2007 |
Question 11 by George George:
No questions. Thanks for all the info. Reading music and developing an ear for what everyone around you is playing is mandatory. No quick tricks, no shortcuts! Sit and listen, learn - it really doesn''t take much time if your heart is in it. And, how could you not have a feeling for the "bottom line". Some of the the best producers, directors, arrangers, etc. started out as bass players! Play and go with it. George
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Mark's Answer:
Hi Geoge. Lib here. Good on you. Thanks for the thoughts. |
| Thursday, 08/03/2007 |
Question 10 by ERICK GONZALEZ:
HI GOODMORNING!!
MY NAME IS ERICK, I PLAY BASS FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. I JUST WANT OT KNOW IF YOU HAVE A FULL PAGE TSBLE OF ALL THE BASS CHORDS. LET ME KNOW. THANKS. AMAZING WEBSITE. THANKS AGAIN. |
Mark's Answer:
Hi Eric. It's Libby here.
There are lots of diagrams of chord/arpeggio positions in the Chord Theory section - lots of major, minor, seventh and extended things. There isn't a table of all the bass chords though, as the possibilities are infinite. |
| Monday, 08/01/2007 |
Question 9 by Eric :
When reading musical notation, how do you know which frets to start on? For example.. how do I know if I'm supposed to play the piece on up to the fifth fret as opposed to playing on the fifth through ninth frets..? Thanks! |
Mark's Answer:
Hi there - it's Lib here. When you're reading a part for the first time, you tend to just go for the first position that comes to mind. As you learn your way around the neck, you start to discover many different options for positions to play the same part. There is usually no absolutely correct way as long as you play the right notes - different positions can work well.
One thing that can help is to identify the key. Say if it's D Major, it might be helpful to start with your second finger on the A string 5th fret - on the D. That way a lot of the notes in D Major will fall in easy reach. Things aren't always that simple though - you kind of just get better at it with practice.
Parts can actually sound quite different in diffent positions, so that can help you choose where to play. For example, open strings sound really different to fretted notes. If you're playing a rock song, it can make a huge difference to play it open.
Sorry I can't be more specific - it really depends on the part you're playing and the sound you're going for. When you're sight reading for the first time, just get through it as best you can, and then go back and experiment with diffent fingering possibilities. |
| Sunday, 24/12/2006 |
Question 8 by Jaz Grewal:
hello, im thinking about starting to learn the bass and i would appreciate any tips and advice you could give me .... thanks |
Mark's Answer:
Hi Jaz, thanks for your email. Sorry about the delay, holiday season and all!
Congratulations on your decision to learn the coolest instrument on the planet!!!! But seriously, here are 2 tips that I think are important for any beginning bassist.
First, buy a bass that feels and sounds good. If your instrument does not have both these factors, then you will not be inspired to play it every day. There are a lot of basses out there in the marketplace today so choose wisely. Maybe do some research on the net, check out some websites or ask some bass-playing buddies for their opinions on what you should buy.
Secondly, find a good reputable bass teacher in your area. A good teacher should balance between teaching you all the fundamentals of the bass and music theory, with having some fun learning bass-licks from your favourite records. Also, try to maintain regular weekly lessons so that you are assigned tasks to complete before the next lesson - this is crucial if you wish to improve at a steady rate.
I hope this info helps. Good luck on your bass journey and keep it low!!
Cheers, Mark |
| Sunday, 24/12/2006 |
Question 7 by Bo Hulsey:
So, I'm curious about getting into professional gigging. I would like to get into advertising (commercials, background music), full on session work, or even theather pit/house band. My problem is that I feel the need to read.
To my question. Can you recommend a good way to learn to read, suggest a good practice regimen, and perhaps recommend some tips that will help in said practice?
In addition, some tips on getting noticed by those in the industry would be helpful.
Thank you for your time...
Bo |
Mark's Answer:
Hi Bo, thanks for your email.
The ability to read music is an important skill to develop and is mandatory if you wsh to become a professional musician (IMHO)!
A great place to start is right here on the Libster website! Lib has put together some excellent tutorials on learning how to read and all the rhythms that you will need to know for most situations. And it's free!!!!!
As far as practising goes, try to do at least 15 minutes a day, every day. Learn to recognise the different note values and rests so that you are able to identify and recall them instantly. Then, listen to your favourite CDs and try to figure out what rhythms are being played. Write them down and have them checked out by a music teacher. When I was younger, I used to pick up all types of music (lead sheets, flute, guitar etc.) and tap out the rhythms to see how fast and accurate I was. The key here is doing it every day. It's like learning a foreign language - the more you use it, the more proficient you will become at it!
The best tip I can pass onto you in getting noticed in the industry is to get out there and start to "network". By that, I mean meet and play with as many people as you possibly can. You never know, someone who was in a band you jammed with once may later become a member of a famous band or a well-known producer, musical director etc. The music business is based on "word of mouth" ie. people recommending other people so you will need to have a lot of contacts to increase your future work prospects. Also, check out who is doing the sort of work you wish to pursue and get to know that person. Maybe have a lesson or two with them!
I hope this all helps and good luck!
Cheers, Mark
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| Monday, 06/11/2006 |
Question 6 by JAMES "SweetBabyJames" Taylor:
The notes in the spaces are A,C,E,G, correct? What note is in the space below the bottom line ? I think the bottom line is G ? Also, am i correct to think that the line below that is open E ? The line thats not there. I think i'm confuzzin myself!!! If you know what i'm talking about, please let me know! LOL
Thanks, SweetBabyJames
P.S. I'm trying to transpose or transcribe the bass from "To Sir With Love" |
Mark's Answer:
Hi JAMES "SweetBabyJames" Taylor, thanks for your email.
Yes, A C E G are the names of the the spaces in a staff and the space below the bottom line is F. And, you are right again with the open E string placed on the first leger line below the staff. The purpose of the leger lines is to "extend" the staff to accomodate those notes that are higher or lower in pitch than those notes that reside within the staff.
Also, check out the Libster's excellent reading lessons under Bass Bits at this site for some more info.
Hope this all helps and good luck with your transcription. |
| Monday, 06/11/2006 |
Question 5 by Anonymous Newb:
When I learn scales, whow do I turn the m into riffs? |
Mark's Answer:
Hi Anonymous Newb, thanks for your email.
Here is one way you can turn scales into music. First, let us imagine that each scale degree is numbered from 1 through to 8, so the first note is 1, the second is 2 and so on. Next, write out a few different numerical combinations and play them. Here are some examples - 1 3, 2 4, 3 5 etc. or 1 4, 2 5, 3 6 etc. or 1 3 5, 2 4 6, 3 5 7 etc. These patterns can be 2 note, 3 note or 4 note groupings.
After you have "broken" up the scale, apply different rhythmic patterns over your new sequences eg. play 8th or 16th notes ascending and descending. Then, insert some rests so that you break up the rhythm a little and presto, instant riffs!
Hope this helps and good luck!
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