I haven't been playing bass for that long, but I need to know, just for peace of mind, how good I am for how long I've been playing.

While I had a bass for a while, I only started playing in the past 8 months, and joined a band 4 months ago. Now, most of the bands around here suck pretty badly - I mean, insufferable. That's why I didn't touch my bass for years after buying it, thinking I could join a band - I never had an incentive. Until I started listening to Rush, which branched off to Primus, Jaco, etc. Our drummer, who is a goddamn virtuoso by any measure (we're both 18 years old, and he studied under Mark Craney and played with major musical personalities like Reba MacIntyre and Stweart Copeland just because of his talent) tells me that of all the bassists he's played with, he likes me the best, for whatever reason that may be. That wouldn't be as hard to swallow if anyone around here could play the damn instrument, so I can never take any compliments about my ability - I'm forced to dumb down my parts for the band, and I think that everyone is just being polite - I feel like a hack. So I have no way to guage my ability, and any search for old Geddy/Les/Jaco/Sheehan/Entwhistle vids on youtube are more than enough to humble my ass.

But I digress. I'm not very good at improvisation, and I don't know a lick of theory. But just to cover terms of technicality: About 1 month in, I was playing YYZ, the song that got me back into bass (courtesy of the Guitar Hero 2 demo). About 3 months in, I had learned Tommy the Cat (see what I mean by the music I listened to?). About two weeks ago, give or take, I finished up learning Portrait of Tracy pretty solidly (although I still think I can tighten it up - that final chord is a bitch to ring).

So, based on this diatribe, I'm just wondering where I stack up, and what I should work on. I'm about to form a Rush tribute band as a side project if all goes well, so I'm wondering exactly where that might put me, as far as owning up to Geddy's lines (I've already learned things like the Show Don't Tell bass solo, etc).

you've been playing bass all of 8 months and:
- your first or second bassline (ever) was YYZ
- you're in a band
- your (obviously talented) drummer says you're the best
- you've nailed tommy the cat
- and it appears to you that the bassists in your area (LA) suck

and you want to measure your progress?
against whom or what can you possibly be measured?

ack

For peace of mind, you can consider that you are and will be a very good player. Sounds like you have good ears and lots of abillity. My advice is to adopt an attitude that views bass playing as a life long learning experience and good things will follow. MHO

you've been playing bass all of 8 months and:
- your first or second bassline (ever) was YYZ
- you're in a band
- your (obviously talented) drummer says you're the best
- you've nailed tommy the cat
- and it appears to you that the bassists in your area (LA) suck

and you want to measure your progress?
against whom or what can you possibly be measured?

ack

ACK! DON'T DO THAT! The last thing I need is an ego.

I picked up YYZ early because it was the song that got me into bass - it's really just a matter of dexterity, so if you sit down with a bass and just watch a TV show while doing a couple of right hand exercises subconciously (for going back and forth between strings), you can "program" your fingers pretty quickly. Not a big deal.

The band simply came because our rhythm guitarist (the only one I get along with besides the drummer) saw me thumbing Tommy the Cat on my belt in the hallway at school, and I took it up because the other bands here suck (most of them, at least). As far as seeing the other bands around here, I haven't had much experience, but with the shows we've played at the Whisky and the Roxy and such, a majority of them seem to be death metal bands holding two or three notes through the whole song - which is what our lead guitarist would LIKE me to do, but I fight tooth and nail to keep somewhat melodic lines in the songs (more on band drama some other time, but I think my days in it are numbered). I will admit, though, some of the bands have pretty good bass players, but I can't hear them most of the time because they get mixed out live (as do I) for some reason. Tommy the Cat wasn't difficult, but again, I'm playing on a four-string, so the verse is all of two chords, a hammer-on and a bunch of muted slaps, not very complicated (or maybe I'm playing it wrong). And our drummer - I'm assuming he's just played with some crappy bassists, because he was apparently singing praises about me to my brother after we played Rock You Like A Hurricane, which is pretty simple. I don't have a very good frame of reference around here, you know? Most people in this forum could blow me out of the water, and I know it.

I still have to work on my improv skills, though =P

For peace of mind, you can consider that you are and will be a very good player. Sounds like you have good ears and lots of abillity. My advice is to adopt an attitude that views bass playing as a life long learning experience and good things will follow. MHO

Well, I'm caught in a difficult situation regarding music as a life choice, but that drama is probably best saved for another time.

ACK! DON'T DO THAT! The last thing I need is an ego.

I picked up YYZ early because it was the song that got me into bass - it's really just a matter of dexterity, so if you sit down with a bass and just watch a TV show while doing a couple of right hand exercises subconciously (for going back and forth between strings), you can "program" your fingers pretty quickly. Not a big deal.

The band simply came because our rhythm guitarist (the only one I get along with besides the drummer) saw me thumbing Tommy the Cat on my belt in the hallway at school, and I took it up because the other bands here suck (most of them, at least). As far as seeing the other bands around here, I haven't had much experience, but with the shows we've played at the Whisky and the Roxy and such, a majority of them seem to be death metal bands holding two or three notes through the whole song - which is what our lead guitarist would LIKE me to do, but I fight tooth and nail to keep somewhat melodic lines in the songs (more on band drama some other time, but I think my days in it are numbered). I will admit, though, some of the bands have pretty good bass players, but I can't hear them most of the time because they get mixed out live (as do I) for some reason. Tommy the Cat wasn't difficult, but again, I'm playing on a four-string, so the verse is all of two chords, a hammer-on and a bunch of muted slaps, not very complicated (or maybe I'm playing it wrong). And our drummer - I'm assuming he's just played with some crappy bassists, because he was apparently singing praises about me to my brother after we played Rock You Like A Hurricane, which is pretty simple. I don't have a very good frame of reference around here, you know? Most people in this forum could blow me out of the water, and I know it.

I still have to work on my improv skills, though =P



Well, I'm caught in a difficult situation regarding music as a life choice, but that drama is probably best saved for another time.


Many people play while having other professional careers. If you enjoy playing bass.......then play.

Many people play while having other professional careers. If you enjoy playing bass.......then play.

Yeah, I know. The problem I have is that I'm expected to ship off to college in Rochester in the fall. I can always defer (they hold my slot for a year, but I lose the opportunity to be in the first class to graduate from the new game design program), but the band I'm in is pissing me off, both with their musical direction, assembly, and domineering asshole of a lead guitarist. People seem to like us, though I think they're just being polite, and we have a lot of people in the know who listen to our stuff, so I have to think whether or not to ride it our for a year and see where it goes (though I think my days in this band are numbered for the above reasons), or just ship out to college and see what I can find there.

when youre in a band you will always have people interest in you. even if its not for the music and in the hopefulness of just getting laid :p lol

seriously though, it sounds to me like you can really go places with your band. sure some members may end up being dropped, but theres not one band i know of that have all the original members since they first ever joined together. there may be loads, but the bands i listen to have a struggle first finding their 'niche' and working out what they want to do and where there level of expertise is.

so even if you only get as far as the end of the road with your band, youll know what youll want to do next. :D

speaking from my own experience on the improvisation part, i feel thats the thing im best at. i can never sit down and learn songs, which really does stall my progress of ever becoming good lol i have no real technique in it nor do i know any kick ass solos, but i do know the basic blues scale and also in my head what works for me. i just randomly play whatever comes to mind, and about 60% of the time i like it. i just do trial and error. thats what its all about. its due down to 'not having much else to play'. i would like to one day use all the fretboard effectivley and im going to start by simply boosting my finger technique so i get the best range possible from the space of my hand.

i suggest you dont fully concentrate on improv :p but instead work a balance out in your practices by learning others songs and coming up with your own lines and licks, because then from what youve learned from songs you can include in your improv.

one things for sure; if a drummer with experience says that he likes you then it can only mean one thing. he finds it natural and fun to play with you ;)

Yeah, I know. The problem I have is that I'm expected to ship off to college in Rochester in the fall. I can always defer (they hold my slot for a year, but I lose the opportunity to be in the first class to graduate from the new game design program), but the band I'm in is pissing me off, both with their musical direction, assembly, and domineering asshole of a lead guitarist. People seem to like us, though I think they're just being polite, and we have a lot of people in the know who listen to our stuff, so I have to think whether or not to ride it our for a year and see where it goes (though I think my days in this band are numbered for the above reasons), or just ship out to college and see what I can find there.

Then carefully weigh the pros and cons of the opportunity that Rochester provides vs the opportunity the band provides.
You can probably guess I'm older, so you may sense a parental tone to my advice.
Is the band about to be signed to a recording contract? Do you have a financial interest in that regard? Are you writing material that the band would then record?
If not, I'd say go to school and play in many bands. Play and learn from others. You can make a good life/career from being a good solid bass player and a designer of games.
Best,
Tom

If you can be an honest judge of yourself than there is no better measure than confidence.

No doubt you have some strong technical agility, but it sounds to me like you should focus more on the 'music' side of things. By that, I mean theory, improv, and the like.

Forgive me if I make an assumption here - did you learn those lines by following the tab for them? If not, if you trained your ear and picked up enough to play them confidently, great. If you did, though... well.... tab is like the dark side - it gives you great abilities quickly and easily, but ultimately leaves you without a deeper understanding.

Jaco didn't bust out Portrait by copping someone else's lines. Geddy didn't come up with YYZ by simply following the guitarist.

If I were your instructor, I'd recommend a strong and steady dose of theory. Learn your fretboard, first off. Know all the possible places to play an F# (or B, or Eb, or anything) on your fretboard. Know the components of (at least) major and minor arpeggios, and how to play major and minor scales in any position. Understand intervals, memorize your circle of 4ths. Learn to read, and eventually to sight read.

Technical skill is good - very important - but being a great 'tab player' is nothing compared to the feeling of following a complex set of changes on a song you've never heard before - the first time.

Honestly, in your position, I'd put down the bass for a little while and start learning the why beyond the how. Thats going to give you the improv skills that you're looking for, as well as songwriting, and real understanding.

No doubt you have some strong technical agility, but it sounds to me like you should focus more on the 'music' side of things. By that, I mean theory, improv, and the like.

Forgive me if I make an assumption here - did you learn those lines by following the tab for them? If not, if you trained your ear and picked up enough to play them confidently, great. If you did, though... well.... tab is like the dark side - it gives you great abilities quickly and easily, but ultimately leaves you without a deeper understanding.

Jaco didn't bust out Portrait by copping someone else's lines. Geddy didn't come up with YYZ by simply following the guitarist.

If I were your instructor, I'd recommend a strong and steady dose of theory. Learn your fretboard, first off. Know all the possible places to play an F# (or B, or Eb, or anything) on your fretboard. Know the components of (at least) major and minor arpeggios, and how to play major and minor scales in any position. Understand intervals, memorize your circle of 4ths. Learn to read, and eventually to sight read.

Technical skill is good - very important - but being a great 'tab player' is nothing compared to the feeling of following a complex set of changes on a song you've never heard before - the first time.

Honestly, in your position, I'd put down the bass for a little while and start learning the why beyond the how. Thats going to give you the improv skills that you're looking for, as well as songwriting, and real understanding.

+10

He sounds like typical young noob from his comments. Only use chops as measurement and doesn't know enough about music to know good from bad. You don't need to ask others if you are good or not. Someone will always complement you and there will always be other better than you. That is until you finally discover its all about the music. Good musicians talk about others music and ideas not if so-n-so can't play <fill in chop monster song dujour>. If your good or bad your gut will tell you. Just focus on the music.