Practice with a strobe light as a metronome and you look like your not playing at all… I know that don’t make sense, but the string vibration looks kewl 😎
Thank you again for sharing your insights =) I remember during one gig the complete lightning went off, but we still somehow managed to navigate through the song in complete darkness, it really felt great! Greets to Austria!
It's always a treat to see you and hear you play. The content of your vids is always relevant and informative to me, and I've been playing since 1966 Have a great weekend
I remember playing my fretless (with lines) for the first time on stage and figured I could see the lines to correct it…you can guess the outcome haha..after that I practiced a lot in the dark and tried to hit all the notes by ear and correct them if needed. Helped me a lot! Keep up the nice video’s!
Thanks for the tip about playing in the dark. I have been practicing it. I play string bass in an orchestra; like the cello, you “feel” for the notes instead of looking. Occasionally we have a piece that calls for electric bass, like selections from the movie “Grease!”. I really struggled with it, then realized I couldn’t find the notes on the bass without looking. You can’t sight-read your part, watch the conductor, and look at your instrument at the same time. Thanks to your tip, I’m learning to play by feel. I also play bass guitar in a Latin/Salsa band, but that is by ear and memory, not sight-reading, so the issue didn’t arise.
If I play from memory or from tabs, I don't look at the fretboard much unless I'm playing above the 12th fret or so. When I'm working on sight reading and theory I often need to look at the fret board because there's too much going on in my head :-)
100% agree with playing slow until you can play fast. It really works. Playing to a click is key. Playing to a drum machine track is not the same as playing to a metronome. Both are useful activities but not interchangeable.
I actually practice scales in the dark. And by practice scales I mean trying to listen to how the intervals sound and what the overall chain feels like, so I guess I'm doing ear training in the dark. It's definitely helped my confidence, to the point where I'm rarely looking at my fingers.
I tried not looking at my fretboard and discovered that in my mind I was looking at my fretboard so what was the difference except impressing someone watching me from the audience? I also discovered that I really enjoy watching my fingers dancing across the fretboard: mesmerizing, almost out of body experience.
Hey Julia. I noticed that you only use Fender or Fender-like basses on your videos. Is there a reason why you don't try out other basses like Ibanez or Warwick on your videos for example?
liebe Julia es steht leider immer noch eine Antwort auf die wichtigste Frage aus: was bedeutet die Ananas.... was hat es damit auf sich?! .... werden wir es jemals erfahren?;) ENG: the real burning question is: whats up with the pineapple in the Background?!;)
Don't know why but playing with my eyes closed is one of the most satisfactory things at least for me, when I hit the right notes of course LOL Not just with the bass, when I was younger I loved doing that on the piano too. Don't know why, cause hey, it's not like I need my eyes for something else while playing haha PS: I remember a concert where all of a sudden in the middle of a song the lights went off, all completely dark, that didn't stop the band!
Another reason for not looking at fingerboard on cello, (or any other classical instrument) is because you're looking at music and the conductor. Since I play bass and guitar by ear, I learn the music, and then play it over and over a million times (slight exaggeration) until it becomes second nature. I "usually" know where I am on the neck at any time, and only rarely look at my hand when making great leaps up the neck. It all boils down to practice, practice, practice......Thanks Julia.
Julia, there are many different pickup types, but does it really matter? I mean is there any songs/genres you just have to use specific pickups for, or you can play everything using anything? How a beginner player can make a choice?
Plucking fingers not in sync with fretting fingers: Hmm. If you want to rush into a frenetic piece, then you WILL have problems! PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, therefore take your time and do what is necessary. Expert musicians do the same thing. I haven't played the guitar in a while so I've to get back into "plucking and fretting groove". To summarize: "Practice, persistence and proficient purpose make the Player of Poise!" Agreed?
Not sure if you already had this question. What kind of strings do you prefer? There are flatwound and roundwound strings - are they more suitable for different styles of music or is it just a personal preference which ones to choose? Thanks for your awesome videos. Cheers!
Great tips! When I was getting ready to play a show, I specifically practiced playing my guitar with my eyes closed to help me feel more comfortable, hitting the changes, not having to look at the fretboard, etc. I really liked your tip about playing super slow to ensure proper hand synchronization. That's what works for me personally too!
I played an acoustic 34” scale for almost ten years. It was just more intuitive to look at from behind, I could glance at the side dots when needed but really brought more feel into the music. Totally get it. Going to try it out, great video.
Hi Julia! As far as bass battles go, if Paul McCartney went up against Sting who would win? How about James Jamerson vs Verdine White? Bootsy Collins vs. Bernard Edwards? Geddy Lee vs Louis Johnson?
I have to questions: 1. Why did you never learn to Play the guitar (professionally) 2. What the shuck is going on with the pineapple? It drives my crazy!!!?
I can relate in that with my having 10 basses in differing scales including my primary instrument which is contra bass and reading music so you can’t look at your left hand, you learn proper fingering and scale your fingers naturally as you travel up the fingerboard. I do play and perform regularly in the dark. Being trained to constantly take your eyes off the music to follow the director I am able glance around to interact with the audience and watch for ‘Qs’ from band mates. I always learn and reaffirm what I am doing and why as I watch your videos. Many thanks Julia.
Hey Julia, awesome Q&A's that you're doing! I saw your participation in the Funky Times song "Got Ya Movin", an awesome performance! Do you have any suggestions on how best to get noticed by bands so you can play in their songs or even become a member?
I'd like to know if you are making a living recording or playing live or predominantly at this point by making a variety of different RU-vid videos and perhaps teaching. Thank you.
The practicing slower part is a huge help for and has been for a few years by now. Started using it practicing Hysteria. But recently when practicing some of Joe Dart's lines it has been a huge lifesaver for getting them down properly. I also find it helps you figure out some dexterity things a lot easier this way. (Like using a finger to doublepluck two strings in a run-down)
I'm playing a long scale bass now after some years playing a short scale. My hands are on the larger size, but my fingers aren't that long, and I find some of the stretches, especially when I'm playing fast, pretty uncomfortable. Any suggestions? I try to find alternate note positions, but sometimes I see no choice but to stretch if I don't want to change the bass line. Thanks so much.
@@heracygroove I DELETED FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND ALL SO IM NOT SURE HOW TO KEEP IN TOUCH, WHEN YOU BUY A BASS JUST KEEP PRACTICING AND DONT BE LIKE ME AND BLAME THE BASS IT TAKES PRACTICE IT TOOK ME 4 YEARS TO PLAY WELL AND ITS LOTS OF FUN
Julia you never address my repeated mirage proposals. I know what your thinking (get away stalker). But I'm deeply in love with you and can only maintain this fantasy relationship when you put out new video's. I get it, communication is the key. So I'll write a poem for you. Julia you rulie, so coolia, I love you Julia (lol).
