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My Bass Player Practice, Rehearsal and Performance routine.

• Posted by Milton Chavez April 22, 2019 - Filed in Arts & Culture - #Learning a new piece of music.  - 148,654 views

  This is the routine I use when learning a new piece of music. If you have a routine, please share as I could learn something from you.

  1. Obtain standard notation sheet music or chart (chords and lyrics) in the key to be performed.

  2. Obtain recording of selection of music to be performed for my Tascam GB-10 or Boss JS-10 recorders guitar trainers. Add chord progression into my Band in a Box software program and select various styles for ideas on constructing a bass line if I do not wish to use the original bass line reflected in the sheet music/recording.

  3. Determine what notes can be played over the chords in the selection.  My bass arpeggio book comes in really handy for this. 

  4. Determine what rhythms will work well with the music selection. Whole notes,quarters notes, eighth notes, doted notes, rests, etc.

  5. Determine overall song structure of the selection to be played. Intro, verses, chorus, repeats, endings etc.

  6. Determine dynamic elements....louder, softer, tacit, accentuated notes, etc.

  7. Determine techniques to be used.  Slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, octaves, double stops, slap etc.

  8. Practice bass line daily and learn bass line before first rehearsal. Pencil in any changes made by music director. Practice and be ready for second rehearsal. 

  9. Perform song as rehearsed with any changes made by music director.