I must be getting old...

[TheApostlePaul]

When I was younger it was all about fancy basslines with tons of fills. Now it seems that what is important is playing the right notes in the right place. Part of doing that is using a pick (egads!) and playing right over the pickup on my P-bass.

I'm just not interested in proving to everyone that I have chops anymore.

[DaftCat]

Say what?

[Steve]

Yep, the perspective you get with age and experience is wonderful.

Chops is about learning how to play bass.

Throwing the chops away is about learning how to play music.

There's a time and place for everything but it's not nearly as often as most of us would like it to be.
imho

[user101]

i use my chops to impress beginners. I love the facial expressions they make .

But when it comes to the band, those chops have to go. I must admit, most of the time, they are useless.

[DaftCat]

Oh okay. I get the OP's context now.

He is in the same shoes as I am in. No one knows I am on stage unless I play a wrong note.

[TheApostlePaul]

Originally Posted by DaftCat

Oh okay. I get the OP's context now.

He is in the same shoes as I am in. No one knows I am on stage unless I play a wrong note.

Or if you weren't there. Sure the guitar is important but without the bass it just wouldn't be the same.

[chaosMK]

These days when I do stuff where flashiness wont add anything, I use my sneakiness to play simple stuff with the right feel.