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  • FEET TO THE FIRE TIME...

    Okay TMBGers, here's a little year-ahead dream challenge for you: Make a note of your bass goals for 2012 and where you expect to be in TMBG by next 31 December and stick it on your refrigerator. THEN post it on this thread (if you dare) and, at year's end, we'll compare your actual progress to your goals and, depending on your results, either commend you or chide you mercilessly.
    Good luck!
    Comments 10 Comments
    1. ArtLiestman's Avatar
      ArtLiestman -
      This is a good idea. I hope others take up this challenge but I'll be brave and post my goals.

      I'm currently on Lesson 5 and feel that I am nearly ready to move on to 6. As usual, my ability to play the pieces exceeds my confidence in the knowledge of the theoretical side.

      My goal for the next 12 months is to focus more on the theoretical side and to get through Lesson 15. In a perfect world, I think I should be able to do more than that, but life, the day job, and the second job tend to get in the way and slow me down.

      Okay, my friends. You have a full 12 months to hone your chiding tools...
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      A pretty smart guy once taught me never to set goals so far above my head that I could never reach them...and would then stop trying. He said to set staged goals, like rungs on a ladder, so that you get repeated success every time you manage a fresh rung, as opposed to standing at the bottom of the ladder and seeing only one rung, fifteen feet above your head.

      Right now, I think I need the most work on my ability to read/understand/write sheet music. It is my weakest link. Always has been.

      So...how about this?

      Get my Music Theory under control.

      1 - January to the end of March: Make sure I can transcribe notes onto paper...enough to be able to read what I'm doing.

      2 - April to the end of June: Take what I have learned with transcribing notes and add the ability to use rests, sharps and flats effectively within the framework of the staff.

      3 - July to the end of September: Be able to read other people's printed sheet music without the use of tabs, and play them out on the bass.

      4 - October to the end of December: Be able to compose rudimentary bass tuneage on the staff, and have it be accurate enough that another person would be able to read/play it with understanding.


      NEXT!!


      PS: I like your goals, Art. Lesson 15! Yes!
    1. Silverfox's Avatar
      Silverfox -
      I am a step behind Art and probably travel a step slower. My goal is more short term, I would like to be on lessen 9 by the middle of July. Don't want to be too embarassed at the Boot Camp. That said, with diligent practice I should be able to get finished lesson 12 by year end. Need to spend more time on the basics, too anxious to get the songs done and move on. May have to back up a bit and take a run at it.
    1. TroyJames's Avatar
      TroyJames -
      I'd like to get through to lesson 10, working on 6 now. Would like to write at least one song. Learn, understand, and be able to play performance quality at least 2 jazz standards. Of course I want to be more familiar with the bass neck/notes and be able to read faster but I can't say how much better. Just better. Also want to be able to hear a root - 5th in songs and know right off that it is a root - 5th. Same with root-3rd, root-7th, etc.
    1. jthomas353's Avatar
      jthomas353 -
      My top goal is to be able to comfortably and fluently read music without the use of TABS. To accomplish this, half of my "almost daily" practice time will be dedicated to reading, the other half to everything else. TABS have been great for quickly being able to play songs but now it's time to get serious and do it the right way.
    1. Bassix's Avatar
      Bassix -
      Impressive goals, guys!

      I want to be able to read music better and faster than I currently do. I'd also like to feel more comfortable playing and creating walking basslines. Sooooooooo, I'll be spending time (probably about 15-20 mins) in each practice reading music from Friedland's "Building Walking Bass Lines" and/or Rufus Reid's "The Evolving Bassist".
    1. Chris Howard's Avatar
      Chris Howard -
      OK...right now I'm on Lesson 4 and by the end of the year I would like to be on Lesson 9... but more importantly I am jamming with one band and starting another one next week...So my bigger goal is to be more universal.
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Two bands? Some guys have all the luck.

    1. fumblefour's Avatar
      fumblefour -
      Well I am on lesson 4 (had to stop TMBG middle of last year for several months, but back on track now) - just about to make my initial assault on Bach to Bass-ics. I think I'm with n541379 (are those fret numbers?) on this: aim at least to be ready to start lesson 9 by the end of 2012, but in doing so make sure I'm not rushing or skimping. More immediately, as well as working on reading music, I really want to get my hand positions more solid. That left thumb still migrates up toward the sky if I don't keep it in check, and my right thumb sometimes forgets to move to the lower string rather than just sitting on the pickup. Plus some ear interval training as TroyJames suggests: I've got a couple of great little apps on my iPod touch which can help with that. Above all else: pick up that bass almost EVERY DAY, even if only for 15-20 minutes.
    1. Elmeaux's Avatar
      Elmeaux -
      Quote Originally Posted by fumblefour View Post
      Above all else: pick up that bass almost EVERY DAY, even if only for 15-20 minutes.
      Amen to that!
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