Hi from Cincinnati

[WeDriveTheBus]

Well, obviously I'm new to the forum, but I'm fairly new to bass playing as well. I'm an old drummer and guitar player who has spent most of my prime years developing a career as an airline pilot. Now that the "development" stage of my career is mostly over, I find myself with some extra time to get back into the game.

I've always loved the bass and felt it was a good fit for my personality. This last new year's eve, after 4 or 5 beers, I told my neighbor (who is a good drummer) that I was going to take up the bass and we should start a classic rock cover band. He just smirked and gave me a look that said "it's the beer talking". Well, now it's August and I've got 6 months of lessons under my belt. That neighbor and I recruited 2 others and we practice once a week. I have a wife and child (and another on the way), so I gave up the lessons. I'm usually only in town 3 days a week, so every night home has to count. As my seniority at work and monthly schedule improve, I look forward to playing out more and more.

One of the most important things I took away from my lessons is found in my handle. As I was hashing out pentatonic patterns furiously up and down the neck in a flurry of self-perceived virtuosity, my teacher said "Don't forget the most important part of this: Laying down a groove. Remember, we drive the bus and everyone else is along for the ride." I don't know why that stuck with me so much, but it did. And it's true. When I play with my band, nobody is fazed when the guitar player screws up, but when I have a musical train wreck it gets everyones attention in a hurry.

Of course I spend a lot of time on the net listenting and learning. I like to read about all the greats... Jaco, Jamerson, Wooten, etc..... and that's what brings me to this forum: The opportunity to learn from all of you: My fellow bus drivers.

Thanks for reading my lengthy intro. and I'll see you in the forums.