Do guys here do critics for newbies?

geoffyumul · #1 07-21-2010, 08:42 PM

I just wonder if newbies get to post youtube videos of them playing their bass, then people comment for the newbie's improvement.

I see most questions on how to get a bass guitar, how to tune it, what to practice. But how about showing a video of actually playing the bass. Comment on the posture? plucking? Sound? consistency?

Any insights from the community? Thanks!

rollerberg2000 · #2 07-21-2010, 08:47 PM

Absolutely, some of it constructive, some of it smart alecky, some of it downright rude. Keep that in mind and don't get discouraged, nobody starts out as (insert your favorite bass hero) unless they're a phenom.

Aspidites · #3 07-21-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffyumul

I just wonder if newbies get to post youtube videos of them playing their bass, then people comment for the newbie's improvement.

I see most questions on how to get a bass guitar, how to tune it, what to practice. But how about showing a video of actually playing the bass. Comment on the posture? plucking? Sound? consistency?

Any insights from the community? Thanks!

Yes there are critics that do critiques.

geoffyumul · #4 07-21-2010, 09:01 PM

@rollerberg2000: "downright rude" is what I'll be looking forward to. Hahaha! Thanks for the insight. I just want to know how safe posting video links here are. Especially for newbies like me who just play along with a song through PC.

@Aspidites: Would you be one of them?

TolerancEJ · #5 07-21-2010, 10:17 PM

I don't think I'll ever post a video of myself playing on YouTube. Quite frankly, I'd be terrified to post one there. As far as I'm concerned, YouTube is only good to view players perform & pick up techniques, tips, etc.

I personally feel disgusted everytime I start reading comments and/or reviews of some ravenous vultures, passing themselves off as critics. Mind you, some of these people are just posting negative comments for the purpose of flaming (i.e. intentionally eliciting angered defensive replies.) Not only do they pick on amateurs, I've read negative comments regarding most, if not all of my bass heroes.

fearceol · #6 07-22-2010, 02:41 AM

Yes, noobies often post video clips here looking for comments on their technique. For the most part, from my observations, the comments are constructive and fair.

geoffyumul · #7 07-22-2010, 09:23 PM

@ToleranceEJ: I definitely understand where you are coming from. I just thought it would be nice since this is an online community. And what better way to show the community how you are progressing because of their tips but to show them a video. Might that be youtube or mogul. But all your points are valid. It's upto the poster to face harsh comments i think.

@fearceol: Nice to know that the community responds well to newbies. I have posted some on youtube already.

Exploiter8 · #8 07-22-2010, 09:39 PM

I've been "playing" for over 30 years. I played out in the 80's, but now just do occasional coffee-house type gigs and basement jams. I used to think I was pretty d@mn good, until YouTube came along. I see a lot of "shock and awe" and "Look how fast I'm playing" videos. It is a little discouraging, to a degree, but when I play with my friends, none of that matters. I'm sounding GOOD and I'm having FUN! I guess the moral of this story is don't let any negative comments get you down. You'll know the sincere critics from the others. Let's hope everyone is good-natured about it! Just my 2 cents worth.

X8

geoffyumul · #9 07-23-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I've been "playing" for over 30 years. I played out in the 80's, but now just do occasional coffee-house type gigs and basement jams. I used to think I was pretty d@mn good, until YouTube came along. I see a lot of "shock and awe" and "Look how fast I'm playing" videos. It is a little discouraging, to a degree, but when I play with my friends, none of that matters. I'm sounding GOOD and I'm having FUN! I guess the moral of this story is don't let any negative comments get you down. You'll know the sincere critics from the others. Let's hope everyone is good-natured about it! Just my 2 cents worth.

X8

Point well taken! I have watched a number of videos of people playing bass. I am not much interested on how fast they play though. I just want to see if I am making the mistakes they've been doing. But as you might have guessed, I am a newbie... I am not really sure what the common mistakes are. Except for the "standing still" bassist posture hehehe.

fearceol · #10 07-23-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I've been "playing" for over 30 years. I played out in the 80's, but now just do occasional coffee-house type gigs and basement jams. I used to think I was pretty d@mn good, until YouTube came along. I see a lot of "shock and awe" and "Look how fast I'm playing" videos. It is a little discouraging, to a degree, but when I play with my friends, none of that matters. I'm sounding GOOD and I'm having FUN! I guess the moral of this story is don't let any negative comments get you down. You'll know the sincere critics from the others. Let's hope everyone is good-natured about it! Just my 2 cents worth.

X8

Well said !

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffyumul

Point well taken! I have watched a number of videos of people playing bass. I am not much interested on how fast they play though. I just want to see if I am making the mistakes they've been doing. But as you might have guessed, I am a newbie... I am not really sure what the common mistakes are. Except for the "standing still" bassist posture hehehe.

My advice is to get a teacher or, if you cant affort that, then a good book (though this cant tell you what you are doing wrong) to get you off to a good start. There is an awful lot of crap (granted there are also good) bass lessons on You Tube. For a noob, it's hard when sifting through these, to know which is good or bad.

codeinedreams · #11 07-23-2010, 11:16 PM

if you let people know you're a newbie seeking advice like you just did and then remove the video after a couple of weeks or so after you get a sufficient # of comments, I think you'll be OK. what I can't stand is people who post videos on youtube and think they're badass when they actually suck - like the "American Idol syndrome" if you know what I mean.

pbass2 · #12 07-24-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoffyumul

Point well taken! I have watched a number of videos of people playing bass. I am not much interested on how fast they play though. I just want to see if I am making the mistakes they've been doing. But as you might have guessed, I am a newbie... I am not really sure what the common mistakes are. Except for the "standing still" bassist posture hehehe.

What X8 says goes for the pro world just as much as it does for jamming with your buddies.
I would say, as a long-time working pro out here in L.A. where it's sink or swim, the only real "mistakes" (aside from ones where it's obvious because either (a) it truly sounds bad or (b) you could actually injure yourself) are when what you're doing ceases to be "musical". For example, slapping and popping in music where it doesn't fit (IMO the #1 way an otherwise decent player comes off amatuer). Flashy technique and speed won't get you very far except on Youtube.

KingRazor · #13 07-24-2010, 11:41 PM

Whatever you do, pay no attention to any comments you get on Youtube. You won't get any constructive information there. Make the video, upload it, then post it here and listen to the responses here. Any feedback you get here, and I really do mean ANY feedback you get here, will be far better than anything you'll get off of youtube itself.

codeinedreams · #14 07-24-2010, 11:48 PM

yep, what kingrazor just said, that's what I was getting at too

dhampshire · #15 07-27-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I've been "playing" for over 30 years. I played out in the 80's, but now just do occasional coffee-house type gigs and basement jams. I used to think I was pretty d@mn good, until YouTube came along. I see a lot of "shock and awe" and "Look how fast I'm playing" videos. It is a little discouraging, to a degree, but when I play with my friends, none of that matters. I'm sounding GOOD and I'm having FUN! I guess the moral of this story is don't let any negative comments get you down. You'll know the sincere critics from the others. Let's hope everyone is good-natured about it! Just my 2 cents worth.

X8

Chicks At Shows (tm) don't dance to shock and awe, or super-de-duper fast. It's all about the groove and making music.