I've got chops -- now what do I do with them?

[The Clap]

Are you ever really playing each note exactly in the pocket, with the funkiest duration and dynamics? Especially in a funk band, I think the greatest satisfaction lies in setting the feel -- making it funky. And of course, that has 0 to do with the number of times you pluck the bass each bar. I mean, can you honestly say that you're expressing yourself completely though your instrument, especially when you hear yourself on recording? That each sound you make is the direct and unfiltered representation of how you feel the music inside? If you're bored, it may be because you're giving too much credit to an aspect of musicianship that has to do with anything other than pure and perfect expression. It's a lengthy journey that's filled with honest self-evaluation

[Eric Grossman]

I've been honing my chops in the studio and live, for 25 plus years. Yes, I'm old, but my experience has taught me many great lessons. Some important perspectives are these.

Don't play bass, play music. Music is a soundscape. It's an aural experience. Do what you can to create that. It's not about chops for chops sake.

I take comfort knowing that since I've built extensive chops over many years, that I have effectively narrowed the gap between my ears and my fingers.

I have a vast vocabulary that can be quickly drawn on to create whatever it is that I'm trying to create, whether that is accomplished by the right 8th note groove or something more complex. I want that "knowing" grin from the other players I'm with.

When creating a bass part, the best way to keep your ego in check, is to think like a songwriter. Imagine that you wrote the piece, and that you will be playing every instrument. If you know that you will be playing guitar, drums, keys, bass, etc... then your technical prowess on each will be less important to you, and you will be more apt to do what is best for the composition. You will see the big picture, which really is the only picture.

All that being said, I think it's somewhat important and inevitable for young players to want to go through the "sport bass" period of growth. I did it, and so did everyone I know. Having great technical ability is very important, and you should pursue it to no end.

Train you ears, too. close that gap between the ears and fingers. Practice properly and often, and things will flow.

When playing in public, play WITHIN your boundaries, but when you practice, keep taking chances, and expand those boundaries. You don't have to do everything, but everything you do must be commanding, and rock solid.

[dougjwray]

The funny thing is that you might turn out to be an innovator of historic proportions, and here we are, all urging you to be tasteful and a team player!
~ In his youth, Jack Bruce repeatedly got fired for overplaying (including by Ginger Baker, when they were both in the Graham Bond Organisation and Baker was his boss).
~ Berry Gordy (head of Motown) supposedly repeatedly told James Jamerson to "stop playing all that jazzy stuff", or something to that effect.
I'd say you should seek out other players with the same outlook as you, and see what you can create. To pay the bills, you'll probably have to continue in projects where you have to be "tasteful"... but don't stop pressing on, even if it has to be in side projects.

[steveksux]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Kid

Play how you want to play, not how someone else wants you to play.

Just make sure he turns the lights out in the basement when through....

There IS some wiggle room here, some people want a really simplistic bass line, and maybe what he's trying to put in really would be nice. They just want something really simple. In that case, he needs to find another band.

But often, people that have great chops don't have such good meter, in that case the problem is going to be with every band he tries to play with. He's never going to lock with any drummer. "Chops" are an illusion if they aren't accompanied with good time.

Assuming he's got chops AND good meter, he needs to be playing some sort of music that doesn't have simple bass lines, or with people more accepting of busier bass lines, or both.

Try those fancy lines against a metronome, see how they come out. If it isn't effortless to keep with the metronome, practice those chops at different tempos until you can do them at any given speed without rushing, dragging, or landing a little offbeat here and there. Smooth, gooving, steady is the goal.

Randy

[Correlli]

Originally Posted by steveksux

Just make sure he turns the lights out in the basement when through....

There IS some wiggle room here, some people want a really simplistic bass line, and maybe what he's trying to put in really would be nice. They just want something really simple. In that case, he needs to find another band.

But often, people that have great chops don't have such good meter, in that case the problem is going to be with every band he tries to play with. He's never going to lock with any drummer. "Chops" are an illusion if they aren't accompanied with good time.

Assuming he's got chops AND good meter, he needs to be playing some sort of music that doesn't have simple bass lines, or with people more accepting of busier bass lines, or both.

Try those fancy lines against a metronome, see how they come out. If it isn't effortless to keep with the metronome, practice those chops at different tempos until you can do them at any given speed without rushing, dragging, or landing a little offbeat here and there. Smooth, gooving, steady is the goal.

Randy

What I meant was, be the boss, be the person who makes the decisions, be the person who controls the music, be the band leader, get people to fit you, not the other way around. If you feel strongly about the type music you want to play, don't sell out. play how you want to play.

You have to remember that you're not doing a gig for a bunch of bass players.