Ok be honest, do I suck?

peaveyuser · #1 03-27-2008, 07:31 PM

Please be honest here I know I need to work on some stuff but I was always fairly confident in my bass playing.

here are my videos http://www.youtube.com/user/bassmuffwah

newest one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfNcEbWYtVg

funkybassinator · #2 03-27-2008, 07:42 PM

your left hand technique could use a little work, it seems that you lay your finger over the string, instead of fretting it with your finger tip. i find the latter to allow faster and moer accurate playing if you practice it enough. just make a counsies effort to try it, and you should be on your way. just what i would work on.

mkrtu9 · #3 03-27-2008, 07:45 PM

you are doing just fine my friend

peaveyuser · #4 03-27-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkybassinator

your left hand technique could use a little work, it seems that you lay your finger over the string, instead of fretting it with your finger tip. i find the latter to allow faster and moer accurate playing if you practice it enough. just make a counsies effort to try it, and you should be on your way. just what i would work on.

I'm working on it, the one thing that annoys me is people commenting on THAT part, I'm saying besides that, because if you hear it without the video you wouldn't know.

Also not that I should take the example but some of my favorite bassists have their thumb there (Cliff Burton & Geddy)

natselection · #5 03-27-2008, 08:29 PM

your playing is a little choppy, so,

try to connect your lines better. playing with your finger tips instead of the flat part of your finger would allow quicker and more fluid movement.

but you don't suck. just keep up the good work

also, relax a little, left hand seems a little tense

ElephantTalk · #6 03-27-2008, 08:32 PM

You shouldn't jump on the defense when you ask us to critique your playing.

That being said.....
you sound very good!!
BUT
you will notice a great increase in speed and articulation when you start using your finger tips, instead of the pads.

Keep up the good work.

Illbay · #7 03-27-2008, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natselection

also, relax a little, left hand seems a little tense

Every time you start to tense up, just think of this post, and I just *KNOW* you'll start to relax...

peaveyuser · #8 03-27-2008, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElephantTalk

You shouldn't jump on the defense when you ask us to critique your playing.

nah it's just that I get that comment all the time, and it seems thats all some people say.

Your right though, and I need to use the tips more it's fine lower on the fretboard but when I slide up to the 2nd octave it's a b**** at times.

I love the username by the way, great song. I think I'm one of the only King Crimson fans in my school.

MarkMyWordsXx · #9 03-27-2008, 08:46 PM

you need to start using a metronome. you just need to play more. not a fan of your tone. clean those up and youl be band ready

peaveyuser · #10 03-27-2008, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkMyWordsXx

you need to start using a metronome. you just need to play more. not a fan of your tone. clean those up and youl be band ready

Tone is just a matter of bad camera and amp settings. Personally I like my sound from my finger style.

True with the metronome.

bassaficionado6 · #11 03-27-2008, 09:23 PM

I watched the trooper. I liked that one guy who told you to play with two fingers

Groove Injun · #12 03-27-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaveyuser

Please be honest here I know I need to work on some stuff but I was always fairly confident in my bass playing.

here are my videos http://www.youtube.com/user/bassmuffwah

newest one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfNcEbWYtVg

Not at all man...never ask that btw. It is not about skill level but more so heart. The Cliff Burton solo you did was one of the reasons I started playing.
If I could offer this? Try experimenting with different fretboard patterns...some of what I saw on Pulling Teeth was you working harder than you needed to with that fretboard.

Thanks for asking.

manutabora · #13 03-27-2008, 09:41 PM

If one gets the same comment all the time, maybe that means it's something that's worth considering and working on.
I honestly don't think you suck. I don't really know why you would even ask that. But I am sure there are people on TB that play better than you, and me, and every bass player I know, and they have great advice to give, so just take it and use it for your benefit. And rock on

D.Don · #14 03-27-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassaficionado6

I watched the trooper. I liked that one guy who told you to play with two fingers

Not to bash the thread, hey dude you do well, but look at this guy, this is how you should play the trooper...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=S1WKYmx4i1Q

D.Don

worker201 · #15 03-27-2008, 09:52 PM

These guys do a pretty good job too:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jgqxQmAbTBc&feature=related

daddycal · #16 03-27-2008, 09:55 PM

All of what you're doing is fine, but....can you groove with a drummer and sit in the pocket? I'm not the greatest bass player in the world, but I have a job because I can sit in the pocket and help the groove and keep the band glued together. that's what the biggest thing is man. Play with a metronome or buy some cheap loops and play with them. get used to holding down your lines and grooving with a drummer or other timekeeper. Keep playing bro. it all just takes time. Have fun!! that's why you do it anyway.

Mharris · #17 03-27-2008, 09:55 PM

Those hand farts were incredible. I wish I could handfart like that. ... Soooo many chicks...

Anyway. No you don't suck, but you definitely need some more work, keep at it. You'll be there in no time.

D.Don · #18 03-27-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by worker201

These guys do a pretty good job too:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jgqxQmAbTBc&feature=related

Sorry again for OT, but then you should listen to these dudes as well:

http://www.myspace.com/hellsongs

Been checkin ya vids closer, you should probably have a look at your left hand technique there, it looks like you might be able to improve the way you attack the fretboard there. Take this from a newbie, I'm on the bass since about two months and am struggling with basic tech stuff just to get it right from the start, I am a keyboard player initally (been playin keys since I was about 12, now 36), and never took any classes on keys and still suffer from quite bad technique but it's a pain to improve it since my way of playin keys is in my marrow, so now when I started playin the bass, I decided that time is not the issue for me, to get it right and proper is more important, I aint in a hurry...

D.Don

peaveyuser · #19 03-27-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddycal

All of what you're doing is fine, but....can you groove with a drummer and sit in the pocket? I'm not the greatest bass player in the world, but I have a job because I can sit in the pocket and help the groove and keep the band glued together. that's what the biggest thing is man. Play with a metronome or buy some cheap loops and play with them. get used to holding down your lines and grooving with a drummer or other timekeeper. Keep playing bro. it all just takes time. Have fun!! that's why you do it anyway.

I actually can, well to an extent. In my experience I lock with the drummer quite well, (was keeping better time then Guitard). Seems when I solo I lose rhythm.

A nice example was when I did an audition for music in college, I pulled off Spain by chick Corea OK. My other song was Moby Dick. They put on the drum machine and I locked into it like that! It was the high point of the audition felt so good too

Ric5 · #20 03-27-2008, 10:13 PM

You are not bad ... you seem to be young and somewhat new to bass ... at least from my point of view since I have been playing since 1968 ...

keep practicing and learning ...

Work on your tone ... back off the effects a little and hear the bass a little more ...

learn to get a good feel and a good groove going ...