Comments on: Why learn to play by ear?

By: Ditching the Sheet Music « bassgrooves

Ditching the Sheet Music « bassgrooves — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:33:02 +0000

[...] is an interesting article on learning to play bass guitar by ear here. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]

By: manuelgarant

manuelgarant — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:39:58 +0000

Tank you very much Marlowe for your good advises. You are a very great and cool musician.

I first learned to play with noted music, but I think it was better to play pop music, funk etc by ear…It’s good to read music but, in a real context it can be a handicap…It’s very important to play by ear…
I’m happy to read music but now all the new stuff I play is by ear…A good way to learn is to pick tunes by ear with cd an mp3, and also open radio internet and try to pick the tune directly with my bass when it plays…it’s difficult first but I tried and tried and tried…and now I can more and more…it’s very funny and I have to think fast because I can’t loop the radio …Excuse my poor english…hihihihi….

By: codycaz

codycaz — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:52:52 +0000

Thanks for this very important lesson, Marlowe.
I’ve learned a great lot on here ever since I joined this club.

Thanks once again and God bless.

By: gusabela

gusabela — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 04:10:49 +0000

Kudos, brotha man, I’m a bassist on a journey and many times along the way, I have been frustrated. Your words inspire me. When I can I will give more than just words of appreciation so that you can continue to share your talent… Gus of the Philippines Islands

By: lac_br21

lac_br21 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:03:39 +0000

I started to play bass sinde feb 09, I´m 47 yo, (never late to start) and I´d like to tks for your lessons. (a bunch of)

By: tunjoris

tunjoris — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 12:26:46 +0000

Thanks for your spirit of generousity. I play in the church and have been trying to play by ear for 2 yrs now but still havent scaled the huddle. my progressions clashes with the keyboard everytime, i still cant figure out clearly when to go to 5th or 4th chord on the key and also dstinguish the minor chords. Pls advise, I seem to remain in a rut and I am frustrated. Perhaps there is just one secret that will bail me out. I want to be able to play to any song I know.
God bless
Ola
Well, its not all by ear, experience and knowledge also play a big part . In this situation it would help to ask the organ player which chords he plays, and when. Maybe even sit down with hime and write the chords down

By: Mr. F Clef

Mr. F Clef — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:51:05 +0000

Marlowe,
Your thoughts on learning to play by listening and practice are, in my humble opinion, exactly right. Far too often music teachers and their students fall into the mind numbing trap of SLOWLY working through method books week after week, year after year without much real musical context or passion. Listening provides a musical context and “active” listening demonstrates a passion for the music. Although I read NOTES (mostly bass clef ) I could never in a million years get the MUSIC from your “lick(s) of the day” off of a printed page. Careful listening, lots of practice and seeing how an expert (you) plays this stuff has been a revelation to me. Your students here and in real life are very, very lucky.
F Clef

By: WinterWarlock

WinterWarlock — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 19:54:39 +0000

“…After all , most western music uses the same chords, scales, licks and patterns over and over…”

ABSOLUTELY! That is one of the first things I noticed after a couple of weeks of taking lessons – just how much is replicated. I can hear Steely Dan’s “Rikki Don’t lost that Number” and hear “The Girl from Ipanema” Bossa style.

By: Jerry Attrick Bass

Jerry Attrick Bass — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:33:19 +0000

I’m 53. Our church went from piano and organ music to worship band. I went from leading hymns to playing in the worship band. OnlyYup, “holding the simple bass lines when playing in a band context” ? No other way to play. Ya gotta keep the main thing, the main thing. (What ever your main thing is) Thanks Mr. Rissel.

By: muddyroy

muddyroy — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:51:36 +0000

I found your you-tube videos about a week ago and I just signed in here this evening. Very educational, entertaining and fun. I’m 59 and still learning and your site is the best I’ve seen so far..keep up the good work. I’ll contribute next pay-day….

By: BombTheBass

BombTheBass — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 11:58:17 +0000

Can you tell us a good beginners bass to buy? Ideally with small amp for practicing at home.Thanks man.
All the major companies makes cheap “starter packs” with bass, amp , strap ect
Try look for the Squier ones, they are ok cheap instruments

By: Soulvomit

Soulvomit — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:48:16 +0000

I am 26 y/o and i been messing around with a bass for about 2 years. I mostly have been self taught with the help of 2 other guys learning drums/guitar… sure you can see where I am going with that. I found your video’s on youtube helpful and found you site helpful, Gives some idea’s for techniques and lets me know I still need pratice. But to date, I havn’t learned anyone elses song. I can just play what me and my friends are playing. Do you consider this kind of practice good or bad? Should I learn to play other bands music or stay soley dedicated on me and my buddies music? I know u will say learn other peoples for practice and techniques, but is it really that important?
Unless you and your buddies are making unique music never heard before and your only ambition is to play with those guys – i think you should listen to as much music as possible and learn as much as possible from others. Dont end up too narrow minded (still unless you of become a billonaire on your own fantastic music…;-))
But you got time…

By: CNV

CNV — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 23:56:37 +0000

Muito bom o site, estou a começar a dar os primeiros passos no baixo. Espero que entenda esta msg. ^^

By: Alen

Alen — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:42:51 +0000

Mister Marlow I’ve started playing bass at age of 16/17 now I’m 23. I started on my own with no (bass) teacher. I’m not musically educated but your work is making order from the chaos in my head of all different patches that I tried in studying the bass! you are truly inspiring to me! Thank you very much!
Regards from a new fan from Republic Of Macedonia. .

By: justmusic88

justmusic88 — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:30:47 +0000

that was a very nice and inspiring advice sir… thank you… I really appriciate the things that you do

By: Rafael

Rafael — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:35:14 +0000

learning portuguese haha Im from Brasil

By: GeezerRock

GeezerRock — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 18:55:32 +0000

Great advice!!! I’m ready to see how you pick out licks and riffs from cd’s, mp3′s etc. Also more on holding the simple bass lines when playing in a band context.

I’ve seen your band play, and didn’t catch all the fancy riffs you show online. IMO, those are mainly for solos because to much poppin’ n’ slappin’ can detract from some genres of music. But man, we sure like it!!!
Cant make a whole site only with basic basslines;-) This and youtube is my showcase and the place for you guys to get techniques, fills and soloparts you can use at your discretion (remember the word), as i do when playin for real (live with a band).
“Holding the simple bass lines when playing in a band context?”
No problem, just hold it or the rest of the band will tell you to;-)

By: oceanic

oceanic — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:40:43 +0000

i have red tons and tons of stuff about bass playing, but nothing was clearer and more stimulant than yours!
thanks a lot for this huge work!
Paolo, your new fan from italy