Ever get lost, or lose it?

Slammin · #1 06-22-2011, 08:20 PM

The story;

I started on guitar at about 6 with my cousin teaching me some Blues and Gospel. Went to blass exclusively at about 8 years old. Got heavy into Bootsy, Parliament Funkadelic, Larry Graham, during school years, played in a few bands, etc.. Never really listened to much music though. I've probably bought less than 2 dozen LP's in my life. The only time I really hear music is when I'm in my car. That's pretty much always been my deal. I love music, but rarely listen to it. Just like football too. (edit: btw, will be 50 in a couple of months)

Then get married, had two kids 5 years apart, and of course I cannot amp up since it would wake someone up, so I went for quite a few years playing w/o ever amping up, hence I am heavy handed now.

Now, to re-discover the bass players out here. Wow! I think I'm am an o'l school 'hold the bottom type' but with some flair (Bootsy, Graham, Lewis Johnson, BB King, etc.), but seriously out of touch now! I mean, folks are playing multiple stringed basses like a piano! Tapping wha? When did that happen?

It seems like playing the bass well, requires skills that not only I don't have, but also cannot even get my head around.

Hope this doesn't sound too much like a rant because I do, and always will enjoy the noise I make, but man, I feel like Rip Van Winkle. When did it all get so technical?

sikadelic · #2 06-23-2011, 10:23 AM

I hear you buddy. I just got back into serious playing after several years off. I decided to try and really learn how to "play" and not just hold notes with the guitar players.

I picked up a couple books from my local library and decided to read up on the technical side of bass playing but, wow, it's way over my head.

Mayers · #3 06-23-2011, 10:37 AM

Well I don't when it became that way but I still think 90% of the bass player aren't that technical or extrem player. The vast majority still play very simple stuff.

But in the jazz / prog / death metal it is where you get a lot of extrem player.

And well if you still like what you play and listen to, there should be other people that like it too.

**VincentSalizeri** · #4 06-23-2011, 10:43 AM

If there is a bass in your hands and you're making music, well you're a bass player. If your music works with what everyone else is playing, well then you're a good bass player.

ghostsontheroad · #5 06-23-2011, 10:49 AM

I'm compelled to listen and play music...it's never really felt like a choice.

Tandrew · #6 06-23-2011, 11:05 AM

As long as you're playing bass and enjoying/feelin' and groovin' it then you should be content...

Things have definitely expanded in terms of technique on bass but the bottom is still "usually" the #1 aspect (depending on the music). There have always been virtuosos (Ray Brown, Stanley Clarke, Paul Chambers, Jaco, Victor Wooten, Hadrien, Tal, Matthew Garrison) ... those are just a few of some groundbreakers and there are many more expanding across different genres.

Playing bass requires skill that you do have ... it all depends on where you want to be at and what you want to be able to do sonically, physically that will take work and dedication.

Play it and Enjoy... make some music or jam along w/a record you have or buy a new one

.

Slammin · #7 06-23-2011, 12:56 PM

One thing that cannot be denied about TB is that there is a lot of knowledge, experience, wisdom and talent here and I really do enjoy when you guys share it. Sometimes just hearing a different perspective is all it takes to put things in the right perspective. Thanks!

Russell L · #8 06-23-2011, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghostsontheroad

I'm compelled to listen and play music...it's never really felt like a choice.

Me, too, always have been since a child. Irresitable compulsion. (Oops, gotta stop now and go play.

Ok, I'm back, good for awhile).

I, too , feel like I haven't listened enough, nor did I ever have a big library of recordings. I listen more now than ever before, but it's still not as much as some folks. As a result, there's a lot of players whose names I don't know, nor do I know all their styles. Nor do I know all the tunes I shoulda learned years ago. But, I've done well as a player, and never been out of gigs. Most of my time, though, when not rehearsing with a band or playing a gig has been jamming alone at home, writing some stuff, or working on some aspect of whatever my style is. Nothing fancy, though. I'm into grooving and getting the feel. That's what playing bass is all about, to me, that feel.

So, don't fret (pun intended) about all the techno stuff out there. Just playing good solid bass is never out of style.

Audiophage · #9 06-23-2011, 04:08 PM

But all of the people doing all of that chopsy stuff is probably about 5% of actual music made with Bass guitars. The other 95% is done by people like you, who just want to hold down the bottom end. There is no shame in that.

Exploiter8 · #10 06-23-2011, 04:21 PM

I used to think I was a D@MN GOOD player! Thanks to YouTube I've lost a quite a bit of confidence in my ability when practicing alone. When playing/jamming with friends in an actual band, I ROCK and I STILL HAVE FUN! That's what's really important to me! I can't entertain or "wow" people with soloing "Mario Brothers" or "The Simpsons" theme on bass, but that wasn't my intent when I picked up the Bass in the late 70's.

X8

zachoff · #11 06-23-2011, 04:29 PM

Yeah, took a good 4 or 5 years off from playing bass when my daughter was born. I wasn't ever that awesome of a player, but back then I had way more of a drive to improve than I do now... I was 20 and didn't have much else to worry about, ya know? Then she was born, I was a single dad (splitting time w/ her mom) finishing college w/ a full time job, and didn't have much time or energy to put to playing bass or anything else for that matter.

I got back into it after I graduated from college, but lost the drive to purposefully get "better". These days I noodle aimlessly but my frequency in playing has gone up a lot so I think I'm actually a better player now at 35 years old than I was when I practice scales up and down the neck at 18 years old.

Oh, and I never quit listening to music or going to shows. That's always been a part of me and always will be.

jmbjandfam · #12 06-23-2011, 05:30 PM

I fully understand how you feel. In fact, the more I read here on TB the more I suck as a player... who knew there were so many musical genious's?

Maybe we should both just play more and read less!

Mike M. · #13 06-23-2011, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I used to think I was a D@MN GOOD player! Thanks to YouTube I've lost a quite a bit of confidence in my ability when practicing alone. When playing/jamming with friends in an actual band, I ROCK and I STILL HAVE FUN! That's what's really important to me! I can't entertain or "wow" people with soloing "Mario Brothers" or "The Simpsons" theme on bass, but that wasn't my intent when I picked up the Bass in the late 70's.

X8

You Tube does have a way of putting one in thier place really quick. While I've been told I'm good I never once ever thought I was "Mr. Hot-to trot" so to say. But still, I can't believe some of the talent that's out there. It's really scary hearing how good some folks are. Especially the ones with chops who still manage to say something.

It's a big world out there.

EricssonB · #14 06-23-2011, 05:56 PM

I know what you mean. I've been playing for just over ten years (wow, that long?) and never had formal lessons. It wasn't until the past year or so that I feel I'm even proficient at the instrument. TB has both humbled me and inspired me as a player -- and made help coax me into calling myself a bassist vice guitarist.

ster · #15 06-23-2011, 06:08 PM

Don't let all of that new technique bring you down. Let it inspire you instead.
It's not necessary to be the best in the world or to tap, slap and play 8 string basses. The whole idea is to let your own personality shine through and have fun.
It's your own personal journey.

Slammin · #16 06-23-2011, 08:59 PM

Ya know, it's really nice hearing all these different perspectives. Really, it is. Hell, I'm almost an o'l guy (by numbers) though I don't feel that old yet. I cannot imagine how good it must be to be a younger bass player hearing all the words you guys are speaking. I am taking heed too, listening, and learning.

Several in this thread have said some very profound things. Many worthy of a perm signature quote. Wisdom...

And yes, youtube has a lot to do with my original post :-)
I mean, sheeze!! What planet did these guys learn to play bass on? Please beam me there for a few years!

I do not feel like I'm a bad bassist. Actually, I don't even call myself a bassist. I just like to play music with the bass, and I am all good with that. But I do kind of wish I could 'master' this instrument like some of those Masters I see on youtube these days.

henry2513 · #17 06-25-2011, 05:52 PM

I played for about 6 years then quit for 14 years

I've been back for two months and I'm back to almost playing as well and in some ways better than I was before I quit which was at a pretty high level - I was playing jazz and fusion ala tribal tech before I stopped.

It's just a matter of being disciplined and setting aside time to practice each day and really practicing not just doodling around or soloing over 10300434 bars of changes.

oldcatfish · #18 06-25-2011, 07:25 PM

I can't tap, am not very good at slap, and am not fast by "metal" standards. But I turn down as many gigs as I play. You just need to master the basics and find your niche.

BassAsAHobby · #19 06-25-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exploiter8

I used to think I was a D@MN GOOD player! Thanks to YouTube I've lost a quite a bit of confidence in my ability when practicing alone. When playing/jamming with friends in an actual band, I ROCK and I STILL HAVE FUN! That's what's really important to me! I can't entertain or "wow" people with soloing "Mario Brothers" or "The Simpsons" theme on bass, but that wasn't my intent when I picked up the Bass in the late 70's.

X8

I hear you there!

BassAsAHobby · #20 06-25-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slammin

The story;

I started on guitar at about 6 with my cousin teaching me some Blues and Gospel. Went to blass exclusively at about 8 years old. Got heavy into Bootsy, Parliament Funkadelic, Larry Graham, during school years, played in a few bands, etc.. Never really listened to much music though. I've probably bought less than 2 dozen LP's in my life. The only time I really hear music is when I'm in my car. That's pretty much always been my deal. I love music, but rarely listen to it. Just like football too. (edit: btw, will be 50 in a couple of months)

Then get married, had two kids 5 years apart, and of course I cannot amp up since it would wake someone up, so I went for quite a few years playing w/o ever amping up, hence I am heavy handed now.

Now, to re-discover the bass players out here. Wow! I think I'm am an o'l school 'hold the bottom type' but with some flair (Bootsy, Graham, Lewis Johnson, BB King, etc.), but seriously out of touch now! I mean, folks are playing multiple stringed basses like a piano! Tapping wha? When did that happen?

It seems like playing the bass well, requires skills that not only I don't have, but also cannot even get my head around.

Hope this doesn't sound too much like a rant because I do, and always will enjoy the noise I make, but man, I feel like Rip Van Winkle. When did it all get so technical?

Wow...with me, same situation.