What is the best bass guitar practice routine?
The answer is deceptively simple.
The best bass guitar practice routine is the one you actually stick to.
Let's go further though:
- How do you structure your routine?
- How do you know what to learn?
- How long do you practise for?
The video below will help you.
The 3 Types Of Music Practice
Practice can broadly be placed into three categories:
- Structured: This is a highly though out, step by step session that is usually split up into different areas of bass playing. Great for beginners and those coming back to bass after time away.
- Unstructured. If you play in a band, jam with friends, compose or record bass lines then that is where you play bass most often. When you come up with something you need to improve, you then work on that in a less regimented way than the first approach. It's easy to become unfocused and plateau with this method because less thought goes into deliberate practice sessions. Improvement does happen but it's maybe a bit slower. I think most people practise like this.
- The "Will Lee" method. Bass legend Will Lee does not practise. But he doesn't need to as he plays professionally almost every day to a very high level. This method is probably not available to most bass players (unless they're professionals).
Which Type Of Practice Is Best For Me?
Only you know the answer.
If you hate the regimented structured method then don't do it.
Instead, learn loads of songs, play in bands, compose, immerse yourself in music. You'll get better that way and it's fun.
Does that seem a little vague, though? Would you rather have more guidance? Then the structured way is for you.
I have a course From Beginner To Bassist I designed to be highly structured and full of the elements that make great bass playing.
If you need lots of bass material, some direction, clarity, and to learn new things like music theory (and what to do with it), check it out.
You can of course, mix things up a little. As long as you're picking up your bass regularly, challenging yourself, learning new things, and loving it, it really doesn't matter exactly what you do.
However, that becomes much easier after the initial hurdle of getting your technique down and understanding how the elements of music and bass playing work.
I like how this diagram explains it:
The more connections you can make, the deeper your understanding becomes. When that happens, you'll be in a much better position to teach yourself and to dictate your own learning and your own path.
I like the way you explain and teach bass
Thank you.