confidence, maturity in sound

[floydman]

it has been coming to my attention recently that a lot of what makes certain players immediately ear-catching, relaxing to listen to, interesting to listen to are confident sound, individual style and aspect of maturity in their playing and lines- I play and perform with a mostly originals rock/funk/jam band and would like to improve on each of these characteristics. I realize some of it comes with experience and time- but I'd like to be active about improving these things. when it comes to writing music I have a very creative side coming up with original lines, but sometimes play more traditional groove lines to fit in with whatever is going on in the music--
but for the component of the music aside from particular note or bassline choice,
like progression of the line, where to use fills, where to place any given line in the music (out front or lay low beneath someones solo), dynamics, are all variables that can make or break the overall quality of sound in a band-where can one learn how to fine tune details such as these? these all seem like important aspects of one's overall style.
Do you have any suggestions for developing one's own style other than time and experience? I suppose the obvious answer is that it is rooted in one's own creativity.
howabout the element of confidence coming through in sound?
In improvisation sections, do you go through in your head what you might envision playing, a plan of ideas, emphasize listening and matching the feel of the rest of the band? I imagine this would be one method for making one sound as though they are meaning to play what they are playing not just coming up with it as flashes of ideas.
I basically am trying to sound more integrated and smooth within a band like most pros do.
Sorry for the lengthy ambiguous post, I expect I may need to clarify some of those questions and I suppose I partially answered some of them myself- but thank you for any thoughts, Pat

[JohnDavisNYC]

i look forward to janek's take on this, but i'll toss a few cents in:

i think what really really makes all the great players so great at all of the things you mentioned is a deep listening ability. if you are listening deep within the music, and really hearing what is going on from a rhythmic, melodic, dynamic, and harmonic perspective.... that is when the seemingly telepathic interaction and magic can happen, and when the true intent of the music reveals itself...

practicing and transcribing give you the technique and vocabulary that listening allows you to use... chances are if you have to think about the next fill or line, you aren't listening and are just playing something for it's own sake.

this is obviously the pinnacle that we all strive for as improvisers, becuase as professionals there are times when you DO have to think, and plan, because due to whatever reasons you are distracted from true listening by any number of complications (personal stuff, bad monitor mix, sick, drunk, etc....) and still have to play.

the confidence, style and maturity that you admire in your favourite players, i think, comes from excellent listening skills filtered through their aesthetic and personality. technique, equipment, etc... all play a part too, but i feel are secondary.


john

[janekbass]

I don't really pre conceive anything that I'm going to play ever. I start with a fresh slate whenever it comes to improvising. And yes, I do think one of the main aspects of creating something unique when it comes to your sound is the time you spend on it. The longer you spend working with your instrument, the more depth you're going to be able to get out of expressing yourself with it.

Easy,

Janek