Bass Practice Log
Date | Sight reading | Ear training | Scales/Theory | Song/Jam | Other/Notes |
10/12/16 | 10 mins HLBM ex 10-17 Metronome: 92 | 10 mins A major scale in 2 positions while speaking solfege names and playing root between each note | 10 mins Minor pentatonic in 2 positions | Memory trick: noticed that solfege “fa” starts with “f” like “four” and “sol” starts with “S” which looks like “5” | |
10 mins Major scale on 1 string Major scale on 2 strings (4 notes each) | r-w-w-h w-w-w-h 0-2-2-1 Pattern breaks scale in 2 even parts On 2 strings, higher string starts 4 frets before lower string | ||||
10/13/16 | 10 mins HLBM ex 10-20 Metronome: 92 | 10 mins Tetrachords on 4 strings (G) | |||
10/27/16 | |||||
10/28/16 | Created scale comparison chart for blog | ||||
11/01/16 | |||||
11/02/16 | 25 mins HLBM ex 10-34 Metronome: 92 | Created minor pentatonic mode chart for blog | |||
11/03/16 | 5 mins Ran through Hungarian Minor scale and old post | 15 mins 2016.11.03 Bm ascending & descending riff | |||
20 mins HLBM 18-35 Metronome: 92 | Ex 34: say note names out loud to ignore finger #’s | ||||
11/04/16 | 15 mins HLBM 18-34 Metronome: 92 | ||||
15 mins HLBM 18-34 No metronome | 35 is going slow b/c of #’s and b’s. Speaking wrong note names but playing them right. | ||||
11/05/16 | 15 mins HLBM 18-35 No metronome | ||||
30 mins HLBM 36-37 No metronome | Still really like the sound of 37’s blues. Mark Smith’s vid about reading music has great tips. | ||||
11/06/16 | 15 mins HLBM 18-34 No metronome 10 mins HLBM 35-37 15 mins HLBM 38-41 | 10 mins F-G and F-A on E Natural notes in 2nd position | 39 playing right notes, but when saying them aloud, slowing down a lot | ||
15 mins HLBM 38-40 No metronome | Playing right notes, saying wrong ones aloud - especially E (D string) | ||||
11/07/16 | 12 mins HLBM 18-37 No metronome | Speed increasing, less mistakes! | |||
15 mins HLBM 18-40 Metronome: 92 | 5 mins D Major chord tones with approach notes for that mid-eastern sound (blog) | 40 saying wrong notes, playing right ones | |||
11/08/16 | 15 mins HLBM 38-40 No metronome | Ironing out issue with saying wrong note name aloud | |||
11/09/16 | 15 mins HLBM 38-39 No metronome 15 mins HLBM 40-41 No metronome | Still trying to say right note names aloud Tried 42 (D-Lite). Can’t do it w/chord names. Use copy w/o chords next. | |||
11/10/16 | 15 mins HLBM 38-42 No metronome | Used 42 w/chord names removed | |||
10 mins HLBM 42 No metronome | Used 42 w/chord names removed | ||||
11/11/16 | 15 mins HLBM 42-44 No metronome | Used 42 w/chord names removed | |||
10 mins HLBM 38-42 No metronome | Can do 42 with concentration. Have to focus on notation and ignore chord names | ||||
11/12/16 | 15 mins HLBM 42-45 No metronome | Getting 42 even with chord names. 45 is hard | |||
11/13/16 | Bought acoustic bass | ||||
11/14/16 | |||||
11/15/16 | 25 mins HLBM 10-42 | 10 mins Random bassline snippets | Used acoustic Tried tying cord to headstock | ||
11/16/16 | 7 mins (acoustic) HLBM 40-42 No metronome 7 mins (electric) HLBM 42 No metronome | Getting better at 42 with chord names | |||
10 mins HLBM 42-44 No metronome 15 mins HLBM 43-45 No metronome | Can play 42 slowly w/no mistakes! Moved onto “More Notes on the D String” | ||||
11/17/16 | 15 mins HLBM 38-45 No metronome | 45 is hard. I wish there was a track I could hear. | |||
65 mins Video: Anthony Wellington Clinic - Modes for 4, 5, 6 and 7 String Bass | |||||
11/18/16 | 20 mins HLBM 38-45 No metronome | ||||
15 mins HLBM 36-45 No metronome | 15 mins Modes via AW’s pattern | Used acoustic with strap attached to headstock | |||
11/19/16 | 12 mins HLBM 38-41 | Acoustic | |||
14 mins HLBM 42-45 | Back to electric. Focusing on 45 | ||||
10 mins HLBM 45 | Timing is hard for some reason - half notes and quarter notes aren’t flowing naturally with my count | ||||
11/20/16 | 25 mins HLBM 38-44 Metronome: 92 HLBM 45 Metronome: 60 | 15 mins Created printout for Wellington Modes | Acoustic Did 42 @ 92bmp w/o mistakes 3X Doing 45 @ 60bpm. Hard. | ||
15 mins HLBM 42 & 45 Metronome: 60 | Making progress with 45. Can play parts with metronome | ||||
11/21/16 | 20 mins HLBM 10-40 Metronome: 92 | Making mistakes with some earlier exercises that I haven’t reviewed recently | |||
30 mins HLBM 10-44 Metronome: 92 | Less mistakes with earlier exercises. Had to drill some | ||||
11/22/16 | 20 mins HLBM 10-45 Metronome: 92 | Still some mistakes. 45 getting better - playing at ½ speed | |||
10 mins Minor triads across 2 octaves | 45 mins Minor triads across 2 octaves | Experimented with grooves using chord tones in 2 octaves. Really like it in Bm | |||
11/23/16 | 20 mins 2-octave chord post for blog | 25 mins Minor chords in B | |||
11/24/16 | Thanksgiving! | ||||
11/26/16 | 30 mins HLBM 10-44 Metronome: 92 | Sloppy. Might be food coma. | |||
15 mins HLBM 45 Metronome:40 | Slow. Making mistakes. Hard exercise | ||||
10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 40 | Slow. Getting better… slowly | ||||
10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 40 | Getting better. Still glacial | ||||
11/27/16 | 25 mins HLBM 10-44 Metronome: 92 | Acoustic | |||
11/29/16 | 22 mins HLBM 10-44 Metronome: 92 | Acoustic | |||
10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 40 | Making less mistakes | ||||
11/30/16 | 10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 40 | 10 mins Working on chord idea from Frank Smith (1-3-5-7; 2-4-6-1; 3,5,7,2, 4-6-1-3; etc.) | |||
12/03/16 | 10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 40 10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 44 10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 50 | Increasing speed. Finally getting it (slowly) Keep calling the opening “D” an “E” still... | |||
5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 50 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 54 10 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 60 | |||||
5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 60 15 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 66 | |||||
12/04/16 | 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 50 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 54 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 60 | ||||
12/05/16 | 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 50 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 54 5 mins HLBM 45 Metronome: 60 | ||||
12/06/16 | |||||
12/07/16 | 45 mins HLBM 45 5 mins Metronome: 50 5 mins Metronome: 54 5 mins Metronome: 60 5 mins Metronome: 66 5 mins Metronome: 72 5 mins Metronome: 80 5 mins Metronome: 84 5 mins Metronome: 88 5 mins Metronome: 92 | 45 mins. Finally did it. I can play ex. 45 at 92 bpm | |||
45 mins HLBM 45 5 mins Metronome: 50 5 mins Metronome: 56 5 mins Metronome: 60 5 mins Metronome: 66 5 mins Metronome: 72 5 mins Metronome: 80 5 mins Metronome: 84 5 mins Metronome: 88 5 mins Metronome: 92 | Ran ex. 45 for 45 mins again, from 50bpm to 92bpm I can finally move on to a new exercise This took me almost 4 weeks! Got 90 mins of practice on that one exercise today with 2 sessions. Ouch | ||||
12/08/16 | 40 mina HLBM 46 Metronome: 50 | ||||
12/09/16 | |||||
12/11/16 | 60 mins HLBM 46 10 mins Metronome: 50 10 mins Metronome: 54 10 mins Metronome: 60 10 mins Metronome: 66 10 mins Metronome: 72 10 mins Metronome: 76 | ||||
15 mins HLBM 46 Metronome: 60 | Trying to figure out how to record sound for practice vids. Camcorder not picking up ANY bass | ||||
12/12/16 | First video upload in 5 years. Its not gotten any prettier | ||||
25 mins HLBM 46 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 66 bpm 5 mins @ 72 bpm 10 mins @ 76 bpm | Made another video of this exercise @ 76 bpm | ||||
30 mins HLBM 46 10 mins @ 76 bpm 5 mins @ 80 bpm 5 mins @ 84 bpm 5 mins @ 88 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm | Made it to 92 bpm | ||||
12/13/16 | 60 mins HLBM 45 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 66 bpm 5 mins @ 76 bpm 5 mins @ 84 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm HLBM 46 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 66 bpm 5 mins @ 76 bpm 5 mins @ 84 bpm 5 mins @ 96 bpm HLBM 47 10 mins @ 50 bpm | Tried octave exercise (47) | |||
12/14/16 | 2:30 AM blog post | ||||
60 mins HLBM 45 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 69 bpm 5 mins @ 80 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm HLBM 46 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 69 bpm 5 mins @ 80 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm HLBM 47 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 69 bpm 5 mins @ 80 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm | Trying to play more on fingertips and less on pads Fingertips are really sore after running these. 47, in particular, really hits index and pinky with roots and octaves | ||||
12/15/16 | 25 mins HLBM 47 5 mins @ 50 bpm 5 mins @ 58 bpm 5 mins @ 69 bpm 5 mins @ 80 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm | Index & pinky... | |||
15 mins HLBM 48 5 mins @ 50 bpm 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 72 bpm | 48. Octa Gone | ||||
15 mins HLBM 48 5 mins @ 72 bpm 5 mins @ 84 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm | That F# to B in bar 3. I miss it sometimes | ||||
25 mins HLBM 49 5 mins @ 50 bpm 5 mins @ 60 bpm 5 mins @ 72 bpm 5 mins @ 84 bpm 5 mins @ 92 bpm | Notes on the G String (G-A-B) | ||||
12/16/16 | 15 mins HLBM 45 3 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80 & 92 bpm 15 mins HLBM 46 3 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80 & 92 bpm | Trying shorter intervals between tempo increases (15 mins per exercise) | |||
15 mins HLBM 47 3 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80 & 92 bpm 15 mins HLBM 48 3 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80 & 92 bpm | Bopps has her first school performance earlier | ||||
15 mins HLBM 49 3 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80 & 92 bpm 15 mins HLBM 50 3 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80 & 92 bpm | Least productive period. 5 mins is better than 3 mins. Maybe make bigger metronome jumps, if needed, but keep 5 min runs. 3 is too short | ||||
12/17/16 | Drum set arrived | ||||
12/18/16 | 25 mins HLBM 47 5 mins @ 50, 60, 72, 84 & 92 bpm | Set up drum kit | |||
12/23/16 | 25 mins HLBM 47 5 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80, 92 bpm 25 mins HLBM 48 5 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80, 92 bpm | First practice after hurt shoulder and allergic reaction to eye (Lindt?) | |||
15 mins HLBM 49 5 mins @ 50 bpm 2.5 mins @ 60, 69, 80, 92 bpm | 15 mins Depeche Mode - Personal Jesus (with wife on drums) | Wifey was learning Personal Jesus. I figured out bass part (E-G-E, 1-3-8) and played along | |||
12/24/16 | |||||
12/25/16 | 30 mins HLBM 51 No metronome 15 mins HLBM 51 Metronome: 50 | Happy Holidays! | |||
25 mins HLBM 51 5 mins @ 50, 60, 69, 80, 92 bpm | |||||
12/26/16 | 40 mins HLBM 52 Metronome: 50 10 mins bars 1-4 10 mins bars 5-8 20 mins all | Hard one. 3 strings. Did first 4 bars, then 2nd 4 bars, then all 16 bars Updated YouTube channel overnight | |||
12/27/16 | 25 mins HLBM 52 5 mins @ 50, 56, 60, 66, 72 bpm | ||||
45 mins HLBM 52 5 mins @ 72 bpm 15 mins @ 80 bpm 5 mins @ 84 bpm 5 mins @ 88 bpm 15 mins @ 92 bpm | Made it to 92 bpm | ||||
12/28/16 | 35 mins HLBM 52 5 mins @ 60, 66, 72, 80, 84, 88, 92 bpm | ||||
12/29/16 | 25 mins HLBM 53 5 mins @ 50, 60, 72, 84, 92 bpm | ||||
12/30/16 | 25 mins HLBM 46 @ 5 mine HLBM 47 @ 5 mins HLBM 48 @ 5 mins HLBM 49 @ 1 min HLBM 50 @ 4 mins HLBM 51 @ 5 mins Metronome: 92 | Can play old stuff @ 92 bpm! | |||
35 mins HLBM 46 @ 10 min HLBM 47 @ 5 min HLBM 48 @ 5 min HLBM 49 @ 2.5 min HLBM 50 @ 2.5 min HLBM 51 @ 10 min Metronome: 92 | 92 bpm might be hard to start cold with. Made more mistakes than usual. Probably need to ramp up to it |
Date | Sight reading | Ear training | Scales/Theory | Song/Jam | Other/Notes |
Rows w/o a date are later sessions from previous dated row