Billy Sheehan is very good.

Rockin Mike · #1 10-08-2011, 11:23 PM

Seems like Billy Sheehan is very good. I couldn't play like that.

Internet Police · #2 10-08-2011, 11:36 PM

Quite good indeed.

FaithNoMan · #3 10-08-2011, 11:38 PM

^^I knew it would only be a matter of time until you showed up..

Ok TB...fun's over.

Duke21 · #4 10-08-2011, 11:43 PM

Rare statement!
Even though I think 99% will agree with you.

sammyp · #5 10-09-2011, 11:30 PM

i'll be the first ....flame suit on ....i really love the Roth albums and much of Mr Big ....however i don't like his playing or tone ....he is extremely capable obviously and i do love alot of the music he's been involved with ...

i was listening to some mellow mr big the other day and he seems to be ignoring the kick pattern entirely which to me is kinda impostant on a ballad...

madbassplaya · #6 10-09-2011, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyp

i'll be the first ....flame suit on ....i really love the Roth albums and much of Mr Big ....however i don't like his playing or tone ....he is extremely capable obviously and i do love alot of the music he's been involved with ...

i was listening to some mellow mr big the other day and he seems to be ignoring the kick pattern entirely which to me is kinda impostant on a ballad...

The guy is talented no doubt, but I do agree. His playing style and tone aren't my thing.

BrandonBass · #7 10-09-2011, 11:57 PM

Technically really sick, seems like a really cool guy aswell. But he wanks too much. Can never stand any of his 'bass solos'. I dont mind shred, and I enjoy a fair bit of malmsteen and even victor wooten but sheehan....well

I find it ironic since(i read from his interview) he actually believes that a musician should place the music before self gratification.

FaithNoMan · #8 10-10-2011, 12:05 AM

Yeah, a nice guy and monster player, but I never got into the massive amounts of compression he uses.

I understand why he uses it, though..it seems to fit his two handed tapping techniques well.

**funkybass4ever** · #9 10-10-2011, 12:19 AM

He is very good and I have seen him play live many times. He tends to have a playing style similar to many guitarists, He used to be a real bass hero of mine until I found out he doesn't read notation. Don't get me wrong he is a truly honest and nice guy and has a great ear for music but I like bass lines more like your influences John Entwistle and Geddy Lee.

Mr Antt · #10 10-10-2011, 02:11 AM

I'll have to agree here. He plays great, and when my teacher suggested I watch him play a few years ago, I did watch totally amazed. However, I don't particularly like how it sounds. My teacher described his sound like a machine gun. In a way, I agree. I've since stopped my lessons (He spent nearly all the time on his phone, or talking to the guy before me. Before I knew it, lesson over).

Technique, excellent. Sound, not so.

**Faderoktopus** · #11 10-10-2011, 02:22 AM

I agree with the OP, and I don't even mind his sound that much. I just wouldn't aspire to sound that way myself. Yeah, he wanks, but that's Mr. Big for ya' and a big part of their humor and charm is their take on an 80's show-off style.

His solos tend to get a bit long, though...

Martin

FreeBassJunky · #12 10-10-2011, 03:27 AM

I watched a recent episode of That Metal Show in which Billy "played them out" before each commercial break. I like Billy and all but I found myself fast forwarding through his parts. Some guys just don't solo well.

Chopper · #13 10-10-2011, 03:39 AM

great player and nuttier than a payday bar.

hachi kid · #14 10-10-2011, 04:02 AM

you guys don't like his solos or tone?.....you guys are nuttier than Billy, himself.....lol

Raptor0427 · #15 10-10-2011, 04:21 AM

I like his style and his tone. Not my favorite but nuch respect.

henry2513 · #16 10-10-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike

Seems like Billy Sheehan is very good. I couldn't play like that.

You can play like that, if you put in the time it will come.

Rockin Mike · #17 10-10-2011, 03:27 PM

I don't have the time left in this lifetime to learn to play like that.

His excessive shreddy soloing would be out of place in regular songs like most of us play in bands with other musicians, but I think his skills are enough over the top that he deserves (and succeeds with) a band and songs that are centered around his bass playing.

So, he would be the exception that proves the rule.

henry2513 · #18 10-10-2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike

I don't have the time left in this lifetime to learn to play like that.

His excessive shreddy soloing would be out of place in regular songs like most of us play in bands with other musicians, but I think his skills are enough over the top that he deserves (and succeeds with) a band and songs that are centered around his bass playing.

So, he would be the exception that proves the rule.

Unless you've only got a few years left on this planet why couldn't you. It takes very deliberate and focused practice but it's possible.

I'm not a fan of his playing but I'm familiar with it and I don't see why someone couldn't get to that level of playing in that style without having to spend a lifetime getting there. I believe anything is possible (aside from growing a foot taller and playing in the NBA

) if you approach it diligently and are willing to put the work in.

I started playing bass when I was 15, stopped when I was 20 and now 15 years later I'm playing again and have made alot more progress in 5 months than I did In a few years.

That includes completely revamping my right hand technique.

Eventually this is the goal:

Gary Willis:Armegeddon Blues-YoutTube

and I think it's possible to get there with the right type of practice.

That includes:

- No TV, no distractions during practice time
- Putting a practice plan together and working on very specific things
- Sticking to it and being patient.

godofthunder59 · #19 10-10-2011, 05:17 PM

Very good ? Ya think ?! I used to go seem him when he was in Talas at the Penny Arcade in Rochester NY back in the '70s......................................... he was a bass god then.

**younggun** · #20 10-10-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henry2513

Unless you've only got a few years left on this planet why couldn't you. It takes very deliberate and focused practice but it's possible.

I'm not a fan of his playing but I'm familiar with it and I don't see why someone couldn't get to that level of playing in that style without having to spend a lifetime getting there. I believe anything is possible (aside from growing a foot taller and playing in the NBA

) if you approach it diligently and are willing to put the work in.

I started playing bass when I was 15, stopped when I was 20 and now 15 years later I'm playing again and have made alot more progress in 5 months than I did In a few years.

That includes completely revamping my right hand technique.

Eventually this is the goal:

Gary Willis:Armegeddon Blues-YoutTube

and I think it's possible to get there with the right type of practice.

That includes:

- No TV, no distractions during practice time
- Putting a practice plan together and working on very specific things
- Sticking to it and being patient.

+1000
Lot's of dedication combined with focused diligent practice, and anyone can reach an advanced level of technical mastery...Sheehan's technical level is definitely attainable.
If you limit yourself through a negative "I can't do that" thought process, then you certainly won't be able to. Tell yourself you can, then put in the work, and there's not limit to where you may go.