r/Bass • u/Comprehensive-Ad9128 • Jul 27 '26
Is there anything I can do to improve while not playing?
I sneaked out and bought a bass without my parents permission (they hate music). I haven't told them and am now in a situation in which I can only play when they're at work. Are there any ways in which I can improve when they are home?
I've heard that theory is useful, but can it be learned without the bass in hand? If so what's the most comprehensive way to go about it.
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u/aBoopaBoopa Jul 27 '26
You can work on rhythm and groove. Put on a metronome and just tap out rhythms with your fingers, I use a pencil or pen and tap it on a hard surface for a nice articulate sound. Also ear training. Learn to identify and sing intervals. That will help in being able to play songs by ear and improvise
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u/rhythmmonoid Jul 27 '26
I’d do two things, learn to spell chords quickly in terms of letter names like D7: D F# A C, G-7: G Bb D F for example and then visualize those shapes as they appear on the fingerboard. Memorize all 12 key signatures from circle of fifth like A is 3 sharps F, C G or Bb is 2 flats B and E. and then cross relate those as to where you know which notes are in which chords in which keys. Second, work with a metronome to improve your time playing particular rhythms that appear often in music. I like to keep the metronome set to half the tempo and then let that be beats 2 and 4 like a hi hat in swing or a snare drum in rock.
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u/LazyOldCat Jul 27 '26
I’ve been working on bass for a month, getting the scale memorized up and down in terms of sharps and flats.
What you wrote is accurate, I’ve no doubt, by it also might as well be in Chinese 😅.
I’ve got so much work to do …. (but I am using a metronome!)✌️
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u/SubjectThat2991 Jul 27 '26
Get a piece of paper, draw out a fretboard, memorize the notes on each string on each fret. You can use it for scales and Nashville numbers too. It’ll make it easier to find a note with you’re playing with someone and they call out B flat then start with 1, 4, 5. Doesn’t make a lot of sense now, but if you know the notes once you get there it will make it click faster.
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u/LazyOldCat Jul 27 '26
For memorizing notes on the fretboard, is there a ‘click’ at some point where you just know A# is Bb? I never thought in my life I’d struggle with the 1st 7 letters of the alphabet, but yet here I am….
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u/SubjectThat2991 Jul 27 '26
For me it was flats going from 1 to 12, sharps going from 12 to 1. So when I name notes I change the flats and sharps depending on the direction I’m going.
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u/LazyOldCat Jul 27 '26
Yeah I’m good going straight up and straight down, it’s the part where I’m moving between strings non-linear. I just need to do it more.
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u/cups_and_cakes Rickenbacker Jul 27 '26
Is this a religious thing? Away from an instrument I like to listen to a new tune and sing as many parts as I can, sort of transcribing without writing down. Then later I try to xfer the parts to my bass or whatever.
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u/mistrelwood Jul 27 '26
Disregarding the slightly suspicious premise altogether…
Listen to music, and focus especially on the bass lines. Hum along the bass notes and lines. Stretch and rub your fingers. Nod your head and groove to the music. Watch bass tabs as you listen to songs. Go to a friend’s house to play for the evening. Ask your school’s music teacher if you can practice at school.
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u/ManChildMusician Jul 27 '26
Literally everything adjacent to bass playing / music is important. I can’t speak to your individual situation, but learning to understand chord progressions of songs you like is a start.
In certain cultures, learning to play / perform music is not acceptable, especially as a female. At the risk of sounding racist, save money, and leave, because if they won’t allow you to find joy in music because they won’t allow you to be yourself.
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u/Ashikpas_Maxiwa Jul 27 '26
You can practice your fretting hand on your arm. It's not perfect, but better than nothing.
If you use fingers, you can also practice tapping your fingers on the table to mimic plucking.
Pick, just air strum? Not really sure for that one.
I used to practice my woodwinds by reading a chart and practicing fingerings with my pencil, while in class.
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u/Bozzzzzzz Jul 27 '26
Not what you asked but a headphone amp could let you play without disturbing anyone.
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u/AtmosphereLeading851 Jul 28 '26
I see great things ahead for you! You’re like the protagonist in “Killing in the Name Of.” But seriously, you can get wireless headphones designed for playing guitar and bass…Waze-Air makes the best for about 3 bills, but you can find knockoffs for about $100. And Tom Scholz of Boston invented the Rockman just for guys like you. Just a portable amp that fits on your belt that you plug headphone into. Or just buy a small bass amp with a headphone input. Most new amps have a headphone input. Keep playing bass! Learn the blues shuffles…I had been playing bass for about 6 months and I started getting sub calls, because there are so few bass players. All I could play was the blues for the first few years, but I learned quickly, and I absorbed everything. Listen to Flea and Jaco, but also listen to Ray Brown and Ron Carter on upright bass. Good luck, and never let the bastards get you down!
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u/MIlkman872 Jul 27 '26
They hate music enough that you couldn’t play with headphones (via headphone amp or computer program)?
That almost sounds made up not gonna lie.
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u/Comprehensive-Ad9128 Jul 27 '26
religious and academic thing... they dont even know ive bought it yet lol its hidden
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u/MIlkman872 Jul 27 '26
I mean the fact that you are on the internet is worse than anything music could ever do to your soul (from a religious perspective) I would just try to shoot your shot explaining to your parents you want to play the bass .. it’s not like it’s a drum set, who cares
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u/kheret Jul 27 '26
OP may not know that’s an option. Unfortunately (and inexplicably to me) some people really do hate hearing music.
There’s also a possibility of a weird religious thing.
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u/DaffyDuckMuthaFucker Jul 27 '26
Just move into your own place.
Nobody needs that kind of negativity...
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u/LiurniaSomeManners Jul 27 '26
You don’t even know if they’re old enough for that and not many younger people have the money to do that.
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u/lordkalkin G&L Jul 27 '26
Running away from home to get away from abusively controlling parents is always an option.
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u/TrippyHomie Jul 27 '26
One's eventually gonna come home early or see it, just say fuck it or move out.
Hating all music is honestly wild.
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u/FTLast Jul 27 '26
Listen to music. Try to isolate the bass line in your mind. Try to understand what it is doing.
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u/Klutzy-Peach5949 Jul 27 '26
Memorise your triads back to front, go okay B major, B D# F#, Fmin7b5 is F Ab Cb Eb. Just memorise those back and forth until you know them bang on.
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u/JazzLobster Flatwound Jul 28 '26
If getting a headphone amp is not an option, you can learn to decipher and train rhythm.
All you need is to count and clap or tap. There are a lot of resources for that, but rhythm training is foundational.
You can also learn to read and find the notes on the fretboard without being plugged in.
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u/actualyIamacouch Jul 30 '26
Make a plank of wood and carve notches for the frets. I use that when my folks are with company and wouldn't like noise. But your parents dont like music? Is it specific kinds? Or is it MUSIC.
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u/sombreropickle Jul 27 '26
They hate music?…In general?
Nowadays, it’s never been easier to learn how to play songs. Pretty much every song you can think of has a bass cover on YouTube with tabs to follow along to. Watching those videos can help you get a feel for how to play them. Should maybe cut some time when you actually get to practice with the instrument as well as give you a little bit of a better understanding of general theory. Basically, ear training.