Loose versus By the book?

[Libertad]

Here is my dilema:
My Background:
I am originally a drummer/percussionist, grew up totally around the AfroCuban rythems and Funk (my Dad was a drummer, my uncle is a top notch Conga player). I started playing drums at age 5 have also played trumpet, sax, clarinet and all forms of latin percussion instruments.

Basicly I feel the music, like to groove and syncopate and approach my bass playing the same way. I have good timing but definately like to give it flavor not just straight 4/4 rock. On the other hand my guitarist friend which I have been in the same band with for 6 years (Doors Tribute band where I am the singer) is more of a tap his foot to keep time, practice with metronome kind of guy and it works for him (excellent player). Now to me there is nothing wrong with that but I feel that for me that method does not work. We have started a side project where I am playing bass (I have only been playing bass for a year) and he suggested that I work on my finger pluck technique so that when I pluck the string with my finger it stops on the next string up. This seems very unnatural to me and I feel like it is to mechanical and takes away from my groove. Am I wrong or is he being too "by the book". He knows my musical background and I explained all this to him but I have asked him for any advice because he has been playing guitar much longer than I have bass.

Is he right? I am more of the school of thought that everyone has a different playing style and he is more of the one way approach of not creating bad habits and sticking to the so called book of playing. It really isnt a big deal, because the music is sounding great and we all agree but it may just be his personality. How should I handle this?

[Libertad]

Anyone?

[IanStephenson]

Carrots...

Seriously you need to look at option 3. You seen to have decided that you can do things "properly" and sound boring, or wing it and have some kind of feel, at the expense of accuracy.

The "book" was written so by guys who tried different ways of doing things, and found out what worked. If doing it "by the book" is stifeling you you've misunderstood the book.

The techique is there to LET LOOSE the groove. Being loose and sloppy isn't grooving, it's getting by. "Bad habbits" or "quirks" can make you interesting at a basic level, but ultimiatl old you back. Fix the bad habbits, and then CHOOSE what to play.

If a great player wants to sound loose then he can, a loose player can never sound tight.

Poor technique will always hold you back, great technique does not make you a great player - find the middle way.

Ian

[Libertad]

Originally Posted by IanStephenson

Carrots...

Seriously you need to look at option 3. You seen to have decided that you can do things "properly" and sound boring, or wing it and have some kind of feel, at the expense of accuracy.

The "book" was written so by guys who tried different ways of doing things, and found out what worked. If doing it "by the book" is stifeling you you've misunderstood the book.

The techique is there to LET LOOSE the groove. Being loose and sloppy isn't grooving, it's getting by. "Bad habbits" or "quirks" can make you interesting at a basic level, but ultimiatl old you back. Fix the bad habbits, and then CHOOSE what to play.

If a great player wants to sound loose then he can, a loose player can never sound tight.

Poor technique will always hold you back, great technique does not make you a great player - find the middle way.

Ian

I think I worded it wrong and was meaning that the way I look at it is to do things properly but not be stuck in a box of having to do things a certain way instead do what works for you, as long as it is not at the expense of the music. More of a free flowing approach to it instead of a mathematical step by step has to be done like this or it is wrong approach. Sloppy is not what I mean by loose. I would rather use the term free flowing or groove.

Thanks for your response.

[lemur821]

Originally Posted by Libertad

I think I worded it wrong and was meaning that the way I look at it is to do things properly but not be stuck in a box of having to do things a certain way instead do what works for you, as long as it is not at the expense of the music. More of a free flowing approach to it instead of a mathematical step by step has to be done like this or it is wrong approach. Sloppy is not what I mean by loose. I would rather use the term free flowing or groove.

Thanks for your response.

I'm with Ian. You may be misreading the book. The ways that are considered correct have their reputation for a reason. They're not a straitjacket meant to keep you in line; they're techniques that work well, pretty much no matter how you choose to apply them.

I don't know what your playing is like. He may be objecting to your technique just because he believes a more rigorous approach to be best, and he knows that's not the way you do things. In that case, tell him that you respect his opinion, but don't feel that you want to try that approach at this time. On the other hand, if he's got a problem with the way you sound, maybe it's time to look into overhauling your technique. It's all hinges on whether you're impeding the music or not, and of course I can't have input on that.

Don't worry that practicing stricter technique would stick you in a box. No matter what you learn, you'll be as free as ever to do what you want. Doing what works for you is fine and dandy, but don't think that there's nothing that might work even better for you. There's value in knowing how to do things the "right way." How else will you be able to make an informed decision about how to play? I can play one-finger-per-fret style, for example, but much of the time I collapse my hand, and I've recently started fretting with my thumb (because it's fun). My options are open though!

So, uh... stay curious. Why not give his way a try? You've got nothing to lose, and I'm sure he'd appreciate the attempt.

[Libertad]

Originally Posted by lemur821

I'm with Ian. You may be misreading the book. The ways that are considered correct have their reputation for a reason. They're not a straitjacket meant to keep you in line; they're techniques that work well, pretty much no matter how you choose to apply them.

I don't know what your playing is like. He may be objecting to your technique just because he believes a more rigorous approach to be best, and he knows that's not the way you do things. In that case, tell him that you respect his opinion, but don't feel that you want to try that approach at this time. On the other hand, if he's got a problem with the way you sound, maybe it's time to look into overhauling your technique. It's all hinges on whether you're impeding the music or not, and of course I can't have input on that.

Don't worry that practicing stricter technique would stick you in a box. No matter what you learn, you'll be as free as ever to do what you want. Doing what works for you is fine and dandy, but don't think that there's nothing that might work even better for you. There's value in knowing how to do things the "right way." How else will you be able to make an informed decision about how to play? I can play one-finger-per-fret style, for example, but much of the time I collapse my hand, and I've recently started fretting with my thumb (because it's fun). My options are open though!

So, uh... stay curious. Why not give his way a try? You've got nothing to lose, and I'm sure he'd appreciate the attempt.

I will give that technique a try. Thanks for the feedback.

[thebassclef]

I Actually got fired from a band for not playing "By The Book". Yet, In the audition, they told me to improvise to some classic rock. They played some AC/DC, Hendrix, and Animals. I Improvised all of them, and they said that was what they were looking for. Yet, when it came time to record a demo, they wanted me to play by the book. I told them that it would not work, 'cause that is not how we sound live. They fired me that night after about a 30 minute "Discussion".

[Libertad]

Originally Posted by thebassclef

I Actually got fired from a band for not playing "By The Book". Yet, In the audition, they told me to improvise to some classic rock. They played some AC/DC, Hendrix, and Animals. I Improvised all of them, and they said that was what they were looking for. Yet, when it came time to record a demo, they wanted me to play by the book. I told them that it would not work, 'cause that is not how we sound live. They fired me that night after about a 30 minute "Discussion".

Thats my point, we are creating our own sound with all of our influences added together. Its not like we are playing cover songs or playing tribute to any band. As long as the parts are each being played cleanly and sounds good I don't agree with the "This is the right way to go about playing it" Everyone has their certain way to play and as long as the sound is good then who is to say that it is wrong. My guitar friend did not make a big deal about it so I will leave it at that but he does tend to take the more "orthodox" approach in playing because if he doesnt count then it throws him off. I guess it could be called a crutch of some sort. I do not fault him for that. It is just the way he plays and he sounds fine.