This week I started working on a piece that I have already worked on before. Three years ago. I was probably three months into playing fretless bass at the time. Iβm going back to this piece (and some others) because I like it and itβs been a while since I even looked at it, let alone played it.
Not too long after I started learning to play the bass guitar I made it a habit to record the material I worked on for my lessons. So I have a recording of the piece Iβm coming back to. And after working on it for a week I went back and listened to my recording of it from three years ago. It was interesting.
In some ways, Iβm amazed at how good some of it sounded. Iβm also amazed at how bad some of it sounded. The tone is really great. Nice fretless sound. On the other hand, itβs apparent I recorded it to a click. And the intonation in some parts is really sketchy.
Aside from it being interesting to hear where I was bass-wise back then it also gave me some ideas about what to do better as I work on it now.
So, my advice: record your playing. Not for an audience but for yourself.
π’ Chi-Town Ron On Bass 