What piece of music theory will most help me improve as a bassist.?

Question

I play bass and i am trying to better my playing abilities. I was just curious if there were anything in theory that would help me further my devolpment. I have learned the circle of fifths and many other things. if not with music thoery what is the most valueable thing to know being a bassist? Thank you for all of your time and help!

Answer 1

NOTE: w=wholestep h=halfstep

You could learn about the modes...

All of this in C major, just start on different note

Ionian (natural major) (scale starting on root, wwhwwwh)
Start on C

Dorian (m) (scale starting on second tone, w h w w w h w)
Start on D

Phrygian (m) (scale starting on third tone, h w w w h w w)
Start on E

Lydian (M) (scale starting on fourth tone, w w w h w w h)
Start on F

Mixolydian (M) (scale starting on fifth tone, w w h w w h w)
Start on G

Aeolian (natural minor) (scale starting on the sixth tone, w h w w h w w)
Start on A

Locrain (either diminished or minor, i'm not sure exactly what it is officially called) (scale starting on the seventh tone, h w w h w w w)
Start on B

As you can see, A Aeolian, also known as A minor, (because it is the natural minor) is the same scale as C Ionian (C Major), it just starts on A instead of C. You would use this scale over an A minor chord in a song in the key of C.
You could learn what makes a chord...
Major=ROOT w w THIRD w h FIFTH
Minor=ROOT w h THIRD w w FIFTH
Diminished=ROOT w h THIRD w h FIFTH
Augmented=ROOT w w THIRD w wFIFTH
There are so many more, such as D Maj7#9, and you will have to look all those up. NOTE this is important for you to know that way you can improvise an arpegiation over a chord.

Answer 2

whilst i became little we had the soundtrack to "Jesus Christ celeb" (the version with the brown conceal, featuring Ian Gillan of Deep purple) and Tim Rice's nicely-articulated libretto brought about this youthful listener to income various new (to his ears)words and, tremendously, idioms. The strains of many different musicals and pre-rock music 'standards' wafted in the direction of the homestead each from time to time. To on the present time I easily have plenty appreciation for a nicely-crafted lyric or smart verse. a pair of words that are evoked are: omniscient picaresque

Answer 3

All of them, but one thing that you should probably check out is the use of intervals - go up and down the scales in specific intervals, and then vary those patterns, ad infinitum. I did, and my lead guitar playing was vastly improved.

Answer 4

in my opinion i feel that you shouldnt listen to anyone on how to play cause then you end up sounding like someone else instead of yourself. I have been playing the guitar for 6 years and i learned how to play it myself and now i sound better and like no one else