40 Week Cohort Challenge

Do you know how  l-o-n-g  40 weeks is?  Almost a year...    280 days of continuous practice!

I enrolled in Ariane Cap's Online Course using her book Music Theory for Bass Players.  There are 20 units in the online course. Let me just say that each unit has a ton of information. Each unit builds onto each other, bottom up!

That's a lot of material to try to get through. Research says that you can reach your goal sooner if you do it with other people, you commit to your group, if you get encouragement and if people are watching :)   Peer pressure but in a good way. Hence, the Cohort. 

Best thing for me as a beginner bass player...

Nothing worse than being watched, but nothing better than being encouraged! 

How did it all work?  (click here- opens below)

Each unit took 2 weeks. You watched the videos, you committing to the group, then videoed yourself after 2 weeks. That's 20 videos!  (see below) 

I watched other beginners struggle, I watched their progress, I was inspired as much as I was inspirational. There were seasoned musicians too and I learned so much from watching them.  

This was 40 weeks worth of practice summed up in a webpage. I committed, then I submitting, then I got commented   I did the same for everyone too! We became our best encouragers!  Click here if you want to know what's in each unit... 

I'm starting from the end of the 40 weeks as my video editing improved with the weeks and they are the most fun to watch.

The comments after the title of the unit is exactly what I wrote to my fellow bassists. Below this was what I committed to doing.

Unit 20 - The End of the Line

I have practiced most everything except the Motown grooves. My hands just couldn't sustain Sir Duke and Motown- I had to choose :)

The mode review and saying the note names with different scale degrees had my brain cells dying ! Man, that was hard! I only managed the first one-- 1,2,3,5,6,8,7

Enjoy the short video, Hope you watch 'til the end. :)

 I COMMIT TO:
*Bach and the Modes Review.
*The 2 octave arpeggios is a challenge.

COMMENTS FROM FELLOW BASS STUDENTS: (click here-opens below)

Unit 19- Da Blues

First part-- my blues that I've been working on -- slowing the backing track, going over the hard bits. I played 80% slower than the original backing track -- but I got the triplets!!

Mixolydian mode- fun fun mode to play.

Phrygian Rock - dark and dirty (well maybe not dirty but..)

Back to the Blues (Intervals: 1-4-5- Dominant 7

Eb Scale - playing it up the neck

I must admit that I just started an online course about how to practice. I recorded myself at the beginning of the week playing my blues section, and the second video is what you see here.

I think that I've been doing it wrong all along. I should have been recording myself at the beginning of the week, then at the end to see the difference. But saying that, that would have been a lot of work.

If I do this cohort again, I'll have the pre and post videos!

Last unit coming up -- that has come quickly in so many ways!

I COMMIT TO:

COMMENTS FROM FELLOW BASS STUDENTS: (click here-opens below)

Unit 18- Sixths, Sevents, Lydian Mode

The way the modes were explained and played made so much sense in this unit-- starting from the same area of the bass. I would have wanted to practice Bowie's lick, but alas... too much to do. Maybe I'll post it on my Facebook page:)

Practicing basslines using chromatic notes. I read the music on the screen but I want to know:

Do people get so good at making a bassline up on the fly, or is it always written out and practiced?

First bassline was at good speed (30 sec), then the harder one (30secs). I'm finally starting to 'get it'

(0:57secs) Started out with playing the Lydian mode in C -- basically C-G-E, C-G-F# first bar, then did a second example of playing this mode in C.

My main goal for this was to really FEEL how to play the pattern of the notes. I got there. I was listening to the backing track a lot more.

(1:24sec) Playing in Reserved Sixths in C Major

G-B, A-C, B-D, C-E, D-F, E-G, F-A then back. (made a mistake -- which one?-- only noticed this when I watch myself!)

Finished with permutations -- those were hard !

I was going to stick the hammer-ons and pull-offs, but it's a work in progress - for my eyes only :)

Feedback welcome.

Hope we all stay in touch after Unit 20.. great job everyone.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 17 -Walking Basslines, C Minor, G Major

This is the unit that I've been waiting for-- how to play walking basslines. I spent a lot of time with Video 5- walking bassline through the cycle and writing out my notes and understanding the pattern of playing around the fretboard. The beginning part is my proudest achievement. Still a long way to go, but moving on to Unit 18.

I just wanted to add-- by filming ourselves and posting it... we are playing to an audience which is a step up from playing alone in our bedroom/music room. Well done to everyone!

0:00- 0:56sec - Practicing the intervals 1-6-5-3 using the descending 4th arpeggio chords

1:00-2:00 is the C Minor practice in the lower part of the fretboard. You can imagine how my left hand was feeling after jumping around!

2:00 Practicing the Gmaj Scale-- saying all of the notes in order, ascend then descend, then playing in fifths (1-5 or G-D, 2-6 or A-E, 3-7 or B-F#, etc)

saying the notes names and intervals -- that's a mind test!

I also added a 'bonus track' of me playing 4 days before and seeing the improvement-- watching this myself was awesome-- sometimes you doubt that you are actually improving which is why videoing is so important.

At the 5 minute mark, I do my famous permutation practice -sped up with dogs in the background! I sped it up 4 x.. boring to watch it otherwise! I wasn't sure to actually put it in but it's entertaining (for me anyways:) )

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 16         4th, 5th, 7th, Minors, Pop Lab

Learning minors (natural, harmonic and melodic). Who would have thought that there were so many! (and apparently more!)

I'm in lockdown which means spending more time with music, Youtube bass tutorials, dog walking, and ebiking around.

Again, one of those videos that has a bit of this and that. I really wanted to do improv but it seems that I'm "Monkey See, Monkey Do" still. I'll get there:)

0:00- 0:39 -- A minor Fill & Groove (I tried to record both at the same time, but the sound was a bit funny-- I really need to take the time to get my Focusrite going)

0:39 -1.11 -- The three minor scales- a bit of terrible improv

1.12- 1:35 -- The Fifth down and up. I didn't say intervals on video, but ticked that box

1:36- 2:10-- Triplettes using the 7th - yes at normal speed!

2:11- 3:23 -- Note Names-- losing it at the end...

3:24- 4:37 -- Permutations (finger exercises) with a blast at the end

I'm really trying to get my right hand in tempo, finding out how to mute the strings by watching Ari's hand over and over again.. so much to learn!

Feedback welcome.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 15        Triads & Arpeggios

Although this is a review of the last few units, I still learned heaps -- does this mean that I wasn't a good student :)

I was going to stick a pop song that I've been practicing, but -- too much to do!

0:00-- 42sec -- Diatonic Triads in Bb -- the most 'song' that I have on this video.

0:43- 1:52. -- Saying the intervals and note names -- I used the metronome to push me along, and when I missed the 'brain spark' for saying the note, I felt that I had to wait for the metronome to click to the next 'start point' -- silly really, but it felt like a pattern.

1l:53- 2:14. -- The reversed thirds or the 4th. -- I practiced the wrong scale, but it's a bass, so I scooted over a fret, and voila!

2:14- 3:15 -- if you are wanting to listen to a screaming dog in the background, this is one minute of bass exercise that I couldn't stop! from 4 minutes-- the fast forward -- needed to speed up this video somehow. It gets a bit dry watching someone practicing.

4:24- 5mins Triple seventh -- I kept up with the speed which I'm really happy with -- some trip ups, but mostly well done

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 14   Tritones, Diatonic Cycle, Triads....

Finally finding that it is getting easier to play the triads in diatonic cycle. Getting a grip of naming the scale degrees. I didn't say the number smoothly on this video- something to work on.

And very happy that I'm saying all of the notes.. (more than happy, I'm chuffed

actually.)

Any feedback is definitely welcomed.

Started with the funk line as it's a great way of showing my.. hum... talent :) 

I haven't really practice the funks 8 different lines as I was concentrating on my D major, scale degrees and the rest. But definitely going back to revisit this. 

What I found myself not doing was to listen to the metronome as I should- which is why I recorded without it. 

I distribute this video to my family and my sister's feedback was not to record it in fast forward as they wanted to hear the notes, and my written notes went too fast across the screen. 

0:00- 0:19.  Funk   

0:19- 0:44.  Tritone Double Stop

 0:44- 1:18.  D Scale in groups of 3 

1:19- 1:33  Diatonic Triads 

1:33- 2:05 . Scale degrees (I should have redone this as I'm nailing it better)

2:06- 3:05. Triads saying 3-root 5 ---> C-Am-Dm- G

3:06.- 3:49  Finger exercise- permutations.. just a short video. Very hard closer to the 12th fret. Can't move my ring finger! 

3:50- 4:50   Triads in D major -- but I went down as a bit of a challenge

4:51- 6:16   Just stuck my last unit's song... I really like this one. An earworm.

I COMMIT TO:

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

COMMENTS FROM FELLOW BASS STUDENTS: (click here)

Unit 13 -  finding Minnie, Pedalling, Stevie 

I checked what I said that I'd commit to, and I haven't completed the Test your Understanding #6 in the book. Oops.

The reggae song was fun- first up in my vid. I didn't attempt 2nd reggae song as I must admit that my time was spent mostly on diatonic triads, and figuring out how to use the inversions correctly.

Saying the notes in C and A -- well, that was like a bad brain puzzle especially when it came to different note patterns like 1-5-3 and 3-1-5 and trying to say the pattern.. My brain was fried.

Video is 3.38sec long, with Stevie's song, pedalling, FF (fast forward) a bit which made me laugh, C scale with pull off/hammer ons (getting there, but that's another mind blast, permutations using the E string.

Feedback welcome, and needed :) -- ya I know, just practice, and more of it.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 12- Diatonic Triads through Circle of 5th

Filmed before going on a short holiday in the mountains.

I added a blooper to add some real life practice!

Started with triads and my fingers were responding like fleas, so consciously kept my fingers closer to the fretboard, and the sound improved so much.

Those hammer ons needed a bit of help. Anyone having issues?

Said the scale degrees of the triads using my naming method. Not sure how useful it’ll be later on though…

I really didn’t have time for the G# exercise which I’ll come back to.

Im trying not to be sidetracked with my new Pattern book :)

3 mins video.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 11-  Finding the Fast Forward! Triads !! 

I found FAST FORWARD on iMovie! This is probably one of my better videos-- a bit of this and a bit of that, with the fast bits sounding rather good. AND I have three songs.

Feedback welcome.

My main objective this week was learning my notes on the fretboard. I was determined, and did some cards while watching TV. I'm getting there.

The second objective, again, was my plucking fingers. Just need to repeat and repeat on the correct way. Saying this, I found the reggae song, using the thumb, was awesome. My bass finally sounded like a bass.

Weirdly I was speaking to a bass friend tonight who told me that he loves using his thumb, and only uses that now. I wouldn't have understood him if it weren't for that reggae song.

He's been playing since forever!

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 10-  Intervals Grooves with a Twist....

This must be the most boring video that I made unless you like listening to someone saying notes, and playing intervals. Only a teacher would sit through that :)

However, saying that, I learnt that the 2 bar beat is so very useful to 'getting with the programme'. I couldn't dither around thinking about the notes on the fretboard because, well.. I'm still learning them. (Oh, did I say that out loud:) ) But seriously, I've learnt them so much more quicker. Ari was right.

But I only went through C and F. The last 2 weeks was a bit of a break for me. The mind twist exercise was putting me in a 'delayed tactic' ...

If you were to watch this (and I mostly did it for myself and to review my playing), I put some writing to tell the viewer what I'm doing.

I basically did the intervals (called them groove (oops), but I should have said "intervals with a mind twist" :) and calling of root to 3rd and 3rd to root and the fifths.

Enjoy!

I COMMIT TO:

And here I thought that a 'review' was going to be easy-peazy! Wrong! Procrastination set in.

Unit 9 Major scales and beyond

This unit was about the major scale- This is just a glimpse of my practice using the C, F, Bb, G, D scale.

Interesting way of learning the Circle of Fifth and descending 4th.

Reflection:

1) What I liked about these past two weeks was that I was able to practice everything and there will always need work on saying the notes while playing.

2) What I failed to present was a good groove as I need competence before confidence but it's getting there.

3) What I liked was that I bought a stool, and it IS so much better to my practice. But still hunching over looking at the notes!

Break down :

up to 29 seconds- do you recognise the song?

30 to 1:30 Notefinder where the background music is too loud, but I kept it because of the dog.

1:31-- 2:46 The fourths on the fretboard -- I could have cut this piece of the video..

2:47- 335 Watch me struggle saying the tonic in relation to the major scale

3:36 - 4:14 Saying the Major C scale in three's

4:14 - 4:17 Permutations- spider-- then it's 8th notes!

I still haven't had time to get my bass recording right with the computer- doesn't help when you spill honey on your keyboard, you wipe it with too much water, and it no longer works! Argh..

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 8- Grooves, Inversions, Compound Intervals

Love these grooves. I had my music friend play guitar with these grooves-- that was really fun to share. She loved them as much as I did.

Each little video of my practice is around 28 seconds for each. Recorded every exercise except Notefinder.

I used iMovie with Photobooth so the sound is still 'wanting'.

My Focusrite interface is still on my desk. Haven't had time to figure out how to use it but I should get on top of it so that my sound is better.

My observations of my playing:

I have practiced standing up, but forgot to video myself-- which is why I think that I'm picking the strings instead of plucking them.

When I try to concentrate on this, my left hand goes all wonky!

I'm staying more in the rhythm of the music. It's hard to 'feel' the music when concentration on how to play the groove. It'll come with time.

Totally enjoying putting this together-- someone told me that I'll look back on them, so I thought that dating them will remind me where I've been.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 7  Tritones, War of the Flat Fifths, Blue Note 

Here it is- my video. I forgot to smile.

I've been on iMovie and learning how to add titles. I put in all of my practice but shorten each section to around 30sec to 1min. The last two mini-videos are the notefinder and if anyone watches that, it's painful to watch. I'm just not getting the rhythm it seems.

What I liked about the last 2 weeks was that I learned that

1) I should be scooting up the fretboard with my fingers in the same position and not squeeze them together then move them apart. (that's for the Blues section with the big and little box)

-- saying this, I thought I did this until I watched my playing.

2) not to lift my fingers from my strings to high.

-- my fingers still have a mind of it's own, but I'm actually thinking about this while I play

I learned that I should practice in front of a mirror and to buy a stool instead of a chair that I'm sitting on- that'll give me more room to move my left arm. I don't own a mirror in my house except a little bathroom one. Off shopping.

I actually bought an interface Scarlett 2i2 and having the most difficult issues with it. I emailed the company and they said (after a few emails back and forth) that i have a faulty device. Argh!! (that's why I'm not smiling)

I'm very willing to learn what you think, and to provide feedback on any techniques or tricks to improve. My ears are wide open :)

I definitely learn from everyone else's feedback on their video.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 6 Sixths, and Octaves

It was a great couple of weeks of practice.

My little fingers is (sic)  still flying but I wasn't really concentrating on this, rather, I was trying to move my thumb on the right hand on the correct strings, and mute strings... did do a lot of muting, but I didn't capture it on video.-- more of a slide.

It's a short 2:30 video, and it has 6 parts.. I do like the grooves as the example and wish we had the audio, but I recorded on my iPhone and looped it, so it does sound a bit muffly...

I can see improvements, so that's good.

I quit one of my part-time jobs, so I should really be grooving now! and no more festivals until Labour Weekend in June.

Feedback welcome-- as always. And yes, you can suggest how I can do things better because I don't want to repeat my mistakes, as was said in the unit. - smile!

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 5 Fourths and Fifths

Posting early as I'm going to Wellington for the Cuba Street Festival. 3 stages I think.. I'm looking forward to travelling/flying to another city.  I've had 5 days of full practice. Really starting to understand how to beef up a groove. 

It is a bit of a long video, but it gives me a reference to my playing. I enjoy writing a review of my video as it gives me time to watch, and to reflect on my practice. If you want to give me any feedback, well, you got plenty to choose from :)

But one thing that I would like to know is.. should I get a bass with a shorter neck? would this help me keep my fingers closer to the fretboard? Maybe I can rent one from the music shop.

Break down of what's on it.

0- 0.24 secs - Groove with Fourths p.38. This just sounds so cool. I loved practicing it but it needs refinement. I think the timing is off.. 

0.24- 1:00     Groove of Fifths. I noticed that my fingers escape the closeness of the fretboard.. Each individual finger has a mind of its own. Will I ever tame them?

1:00-  2.42    Permutations- 1423 on G string--  trying not to look at the fretboard and listen to make sure that I'm playing the right note. Of course, the metronome has been put to rest.. (for the video, but had it for practice)

 I noticed that my plucking fingers are switching nicely so happy with that. 

2:42- 3:44-     Permutations- 3241 on A string -  I know they say that musicians make their 'face' when playing, but this does look rather painful :)) 

3:44-  5:46    Money Groove-  Well.. I started off well. Noticed that my fingers are close to the fretboard as I don't have to stretch them like the permutations... which makes me think that maybe my bass neck is too long. A bit frustrated with the practice at the end. I actually practiced this better without the camera watching me. 

5:46 -6:48     Notefinder in B -- a bit painful to watch, actually. You can skip this.  I'm still concentrating too much on technique to really listen to the music to groove with it in time.

6:48 -7.31. HipBit --  I liked this groove. You notice that I didn't actually play with the background music as I didn't know if it was going to be too loud to hear my bass. At any rate, the track was in my head :) 

These sorts of grooves make my plucking hand go wanky. When I start thinking of my left hand, I lose my place with my playing-- I cut it off at the end.. oops, I didn't know that I cut my video so brutally.. Not a nice "thanks for  watching" ending.

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 4 Seconds and Thirds

I did a bit of everything and stuck it all in one video.

It also gives me a bit of a reminder how much further I need to go :)

I noticed that I don't really listen well to the music to groove to it and have fun- I'm just too concentrated in the mechanics.

And I didn't do my own groove. I actually didn't practice this one too much but can see that I can pile that one on top of the next weeks practic

I thought that I made a mistake with the G string alphabet but I think that it was all well noted !

AND I need a better way of recording. The sound is awful, and will get a device that I can plug my bass directly. Would be great to hear what other's are doing.

0.15 . -- Major and Minor Groove p.34. (my fav!)

1:00 -- The G String notation attempt!

1:23 -- Finger Kung Fu - Advanced

2:50 -- Grooves Dots in Major and Minor

3:50.-- Creative Notefinder in Bb

5:05 -- Beautiful Theory Practice (definitely not in time- so not that beautiful .. )

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 3 Seconds for chromatic approaches

There's something weird that happens when you sit in front of a camera... your brain and fingers go a bit mushy.

It's a long video which I break down below. You really don't have to watch it all, except when the metronome pushes me over the edge :)

1) Permutation -- From the beginning

2) G String finger exercise -- starts at 4:34m. Take 2. (yes, well, I edited it :). but my faults are still there.

3) Name the notes on D string- with that metronome. starts at 4.57mins

4) Name the notes on D string- without that annoying metronome ~~ starts at 5:46mins

5) Chromatic Approaches Blues Progression. Starts at 6:48mins

6) Creative Note Finder. starts at 8.56 mins... then suddenly ends

What did I learn?

That I should record myself daily so that I don't get the 'video brain' on the last day for submitting!

And of course-- daily practice makes the days that you don't practice stand out! (only had 2 of them) 🎸

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 2 Drills on dots Creative Notefinder

I doesn't really show that I've practiced much because I can see all my mistakes-- ie not keeping my fingers to the fretboard, not keeping time, using the wrong I and M. The scary thing is, I regularly practice 45 mins a day. (yes, even in my caravan during the festival!)

If you do watch the video, I make a lot of verbal oops . How many beats I do in a minute, or is it a second? I didn't even know what year it was :) I can make the excuse that it was 11pm when I recorded it, or that my brain was on 'festival mode'... but in reality, I'm getting older :)

Hope you laugh a lot like I did!

Permutations: starting at the beginning after my ramble

Alphabet on the A string: starting at 1min 45s

Hip bit: starting at 3min 45seconds when the next ramble starts...

I COMMIT TO:

Unit 1

I'm off to a festival, so I'm recording this a bit early.

The first part is practicing with Ariane -- she does it so much better than me!

And at minute 3:40, I'm saying the notes by myself, no help. (and it shows). These are great exercises.

I'm also doing the permutations. I think my index finger looks crooked.

Enjoy the laugh.

I COMMIT TO:

Bass assessment

We were given a task to do the final assessment without stopping the video. It's around an hour long!
Basically, it comprises a many questions that we should know now that we finished the whole COHORT