Something I’m often asked is how can I make things feel easier on the bass neck, how can I make things flow better, and my answer is exactly what has paid off for me this calendar year (2025) - consistent practice and two specific exercises, one to work on harmony, one to keep me gig ready
This is a heartening read. I often bounce between a 6 string bass and a P, so try to keep them in rotation.
I'd onky add that, aside from occaisionally standing up to practise, I also try to do sitting down practise in different rooms, or parts of the room. Also, practising with the light off (sometimes). It all helps.
Thanks Will! Yes, I do the same and in getting the initial batch of transcriptions ready for this site I ended up playing (and recording) my P bass a LOT, and honestly I feel a lot more comfortable on that instrument as a result! Definitely need to play it a little more regularly!
For my last jazz gig on guitar (and as the MD), i did something quite similar to your set prep.
A couple of weeks before, i put together a full 60 minute set of backing tracks to play to, and i would hit that full set at least a couple of times a day working on my single note parts (melodies and solos), running the tunes one right after the other, stepping through the tracks in the order they were going to be played live. This not only keeps you sharp but can also give you a good sense of how the set will flow (i'm looking at the overall vibe, the changes, the tempos, and the keys to make sure that we're not going to play things that are too similar in the same set).
i also would make sure that at least one of those full set playthroughs would happen at the same time the gig was scheduled for; it makes sense to me to align one's biorhythmic clock to be ready to play at showtime, whenever that might be.
i don't worry about practicing standing up because i'm always sitting down on a jazz gig or for recording, and i do practice in low light conditions much of the time just beacuse that's how i like it, LOL.
Another thing i've been doing since March 2025 just to keep my overall chops and stamina up is 20 to 40 minute real time playthroughs of lofi sets that i find on youtube. It's not just for stamina either; it's also a great way to do ear and improv training: the track starts and you need to find the key and then try to play something that works.
That last point is a great idea Eri, and something I might start doing myself, building a set i've never played before and see how much of it I can play through...school of hard knocks for the ears there!! Will report back!
Thanks man!! These playlists definitely contain tunes that I regard as 'modern standards' for the bass player, if you want to work as a player there is an excellent chance you'll end up playing at least some of these.
This is a heartening read. I often bounce between a 6 string bass and a P, so try to keep them in rotation.
I'd onky add that, aside from occaisionally standing up to practise, I also try to do sitting down practise in different rooms, or parts of the room. Also, practising with the light off (sometimes). It all helps.
Thanks Will! Yes, I do the same and in getting the initial batch of transcriptions ready for this site I ended up playing (and recording) my P bass a LOT, and honestly I feel a lot more comfortable on that instrument as a result! Definitely need to play it a little more regularly!
For my last jazz gig on guitar (and as the MD), i did something quite similar to your set prep.
A couple of weeks before, i put together a full 60 minute set of backing tracks to play to, and i would hit that full set at least a couple of times a day working on my single note parts (melodies and solos), running the tunes one right after the other, stepping through the tracks in the order they were going to be played live. This not only keeps you sharp but can also give you a good sense of how the set will flow (i'm looking at the overall vibe, the changes, the tempos, and the keys to make sure that we're not going to play things that are too similar in the same set).
i also would make sure that at least one of those full set playthroughs would happen at the same time the gig was scheduled for; it makes sense to me to align one's biorhythmic clock to be ready to play at showtime, whenever that might be.
i don't worry about practicing standing up because i'm always sitting down on a jazz gig or for recording, and i do practice in low light conditions much of the time just beacuse that's how i like it, LOL.
Another thing i've been doing since March 2025 just to keep my overall chops and stamina up is 20 to 40 minute real time playthroughs of lofi sets that i find on youtube. It's not just for stamina either; it's also a great way to do ear and improv training: the track starts and you need to find the key and then try to play something that works.
That last point is a great idea Eri, and something I might start doing myself, building a set i've never played before and see how much of it I can play through...school of hard knocks for the ears there!! Will report back!
This was my most recent one: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4724y4hgrkg7f4u3ou915/Eri-s-Funky-Saturday-Night-Dance-Party-set-8-day-1-Heaven-and-Hell.m4a?rlkey=co91l7rbkho0hy6xmjzceswab&st=r2ptn5bv&dl=0
Caution: it's almost 50 minutes worth ... good for dinner prep maybe tho'!
Will be checking this out tonight once i'm done with teaching Eri!!
These playlists are great Ben! Feels like the blueprint for bass, learn these and your never going to be caught short. Sterling writing too.
Thanks man!! These playlists definitely contain tunes that I regard as 'modern standards' for the bass player, if you want to work as a player there is an excellent chance you'll end up playing at least some of these.
Outstanding!
Lot to digest here. Going in for a second read.
just a heads up that a tutorial on the 'endless ii-V' will be dropping tomorrow morning!