Ask JMJ a question thread

[jmjbassplayer]

Originally Posted by icarussmicarus

Also a different question for you - i'd like to know about your evolution from bass player to bass player with lots of effects.

I'm assuming when you started out and started gigging with your first bands you didn't have an army of effects as you do now, probably a little too much money to afford in the early days!, and i was wondering how your transformation came about? Was it a gradual accumulation or a sudden burst of inspiration/fixation where you acquired alot at once.

Hope that makes sense!

I always had a DDL, a chorus, and a distortion since I played my first show. After that it was gradual. And sickening. I just was always tripping on guitarists and listening to bands with cool bass effects and wanting all that and more.

[jmjbassplayer]

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

Love that story with Beck it's Spinal Tap pt2

Got a question Re: Ima Robot again

Black Jettas is that bass line a synth? It sounds like it should be all the speed and how clean it's played but it sounds like it could be you as well.

Also what's it like not having any problems

That, my friend, I can proudly call a bass guitar. That is my palm-muted picking stuff getting showcased, and I love it when people call it a synth because nothing gives me more joy than telling them it's not. I'm sure you can appreciate that. Plus, when I played it live, you can see the musicians all turning their heads in sync towards me and TRIPPING out on me playing that somewhat elaborate line on a bass while I'm dancing around. You know: sometimes it's fun to get a chance to blow minds.

Dude I have PLENTY of problems! For instance, session rates are slashed these days due to budgets. I make 1/2 as much sometimes as I did, say, three or four years ago. And there is less work! So I have to get really creative. That's my main problem; just having the freelance life.

Best,
JMJ

[TaySte_2000]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

That, my friend, I can proudly call a bass guitar. That is my palm-muted picking stuff getting showcased, and I love it when people call it a synth because nothing gives me more joy than telling them it's not. I'm sure you can appreciate that. Plus, when I played it live, you can see the musicians all turning their heads in sync towards me and TRIPPING out on me playing that somewhat elaborate line on a bass while I'm dancing around. You know: sometimes it's fun to get a chance to blow minds.

Dude I have PLENTY of problems! For instance, session rates are slashed these days due to budgets. I make 1/2 as much sometimes as I did, say, three or four years ago. And there is less work! So I have to get really creative. That's my main problem; just having the freelance life.

Best,
JMJ

I'm going to learn that bass line now

I'm not sure if you got my joke again and gave a serious answer

[pbass2]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

For instance, session rates are slashed these days due to budgets. I make 1/2 as much sometimes as I did, say, three or four years ago. And there is less work! So I have to get really creative. That's my main problem; just having the freelance life.

That's a really good piece of info for younger players who wanna go pro these days. You clearly have it dialed-in in the diversification department, between playing, producing, writing, etc. etc. It's mandatory to wear more than few hats these days if you're gonna do music full-time. Everybody is in belt-tightening mode . . .

[jmjbassplayer]

Originally Posted by TaySte_2000

I'm going to learn that bass line now

I'm not sure if you got my joke again and gave a serious answer

Oh no, I realized you were being facetious, it's all good. I just wanted to give the serious answer so that people could get the useful info that it's not all roses and that I truly work my balls off to get where I'm at, and that (most importantly), I have to really stay on my toes. I haven't exactly cemented my reputation in enough industry minds yet where my phone is ringing off the hook all the time.

Best,
JMJ

[jmjbassplayer]

Originally Posted by pbass2

That's a really good piece of info for younger players who wanna go pro these days. You clearly have it dialed-in in the diversification department, between playing, producing, writing, etc. etc. It's mandatory to wear more than few hats these days if you're gonna do music full-time. Everybody is in belt-tightening mode . . .

UTTERLY MANDATORY, you're right! It's stressful right now. But not too stressful to bear by a long shot. But I have a lot to say about this issue, we should start some threads when I get my area here on TB.

JMJ

[TaySte_2000]

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

Oh no, I realized you were being facetious, it's all good. I just wanted to give the serious answer so that people could get the useful info that it's not all roses and that I truly work my balls off to get where I'm at, and that (most importantly), I have to really stay on my toes. I haven't exactly cemented my reputation in enough industry minds yet where my phone is ringing off the hook all the time.

Best,
JMJ

Yeah but it was more of a reference to the first lines of Black Jettas

[David Wilson]

ok guys. Justin has his own 'Ask a pro' forum now - JMJ Ask A Pro Forum

I'll close this thread off for now, lots of good information here but with a single thread it all got a bit convoluted. Many thanks again to JMJ for his contributions.