What do you do that's different?

[Frost.Blast]

I'm just different from all point of views :

1- I play bass (in this world, it's already a notable difference)
2- I'm a redhead (I know all the lynching jokes already, dont waste your time )
3- I play fretless in a metal band
4- I play 3 fingers, whereas most people I know play 2
5- I very rarely "hold the root", I rather tend to do my own little things, just as long as I know I'm following the drum and I'm in tune with whatever the guitars are doing
6- I do a f**kload of tapping all the time

[professor_bills]

Well I tried a new tecnique last week... I showed up sober... I wasn't impressed...Just kidding

[mattblissett]

I try to make it groove within the chords and make it melodic at the same time, almost a song within the song, but only if it helps the song.

[OtterOnBass]

Originally Posted by matthewbrown

Those are all good things to say. How do you build the techniques to say them into your practice routine?

I find music I like and play along, finding what the other guys did to say what he did.

[somebody]

I tune all of my strings to a similar level of tension.

I listen to the kick drum.

[heath_the_great]

i dont think, i let my mind go blank and i just go with the flow...i just play, play what feels right

[CharlesHartman]

Originally Posted by matthewbrown

So what are YOU doing?

Taking lessons.

Originally Posted by nysbob

I play the bass to best of my ability, then have a beer afterward.

Originally Posted by matthewbrown

Yes, but how do PRACTICE drinking a beer?

With a metronome... always with a metronome.

[LilRay]

Improvise, Overcome , Adapt.

I can use only my thumb and index finger on my plucking hand so that hinders me from doing things like slapping, or super fast playing, etc. However that leaves me with an opportuinity to be creative within the groove and improve my technique as best I can.

Positive attitude is KEY
If it doesn't feel right, Don't play it.

Later R.

[dvh]

Originally Posted by fearceol

It's the amount of posts asking "how can I play faster?" that surprised me. Yes, it's good, and sometimes necessary to be able to play fast. Though there are just as important aspects of playing.

IMO playing a "slow" blues with feeling would be as hard, if not harder.

I've been playing, off and on, for almost forty years and I just don't seem to have the mojo to play fast. I can play the odd fast triplet or something but not consistently - thumbada-thumbada-thumbada.

Know what? Doesn't matter. None of my projects care or require it. If they had a guy who could play really fast he wouldn't have the qualities that I bring.

Besides, that last point (I bolded it) is right on. You wouldn't know it from all the music store slap-wankers though.

[capnsandwich]

I like to play with a soft touch, adjusting my amp to be able to pick up every little thing my fingers are doing. That way my feelings and soul can come out through my fingers without forcing it on my strings. I also like to mix the melody and the rhythm in my playing so staying true to just playing root notes just isn't really my thing, unless the dynamics of the song call for it. I play a lot up past the 12th fret and I like to mimic what the lead singer is singing sometimes, all while keeping true to the bass line. It's hard sometimes.

[Ric5]

I use a lot of techniques ... fingers, picks, thumbs, plucking, slapping, whacking, flicking, etc ... There were a few techniques that I thought I had "invented" then I see some Entwistle or Billy Sheenan videos and I see they were doing those things before me.

So I am content in being a good bass player who can play several styles.

[bassfrenzie]

I'm (happily) in a blues/rock fusion band who's promo tagline is "No nonsense hard driving blues rock"

We all play our guts out every set. This allows me to take chances and interpret as long as I'm back on the "one" & in sync with the kick for the most part, keeping the groove alive.

The drummer & I work on synchronizing note for note fast rolls, shots, 1/2 timing, drags, & so on together.

I zone in & play with a lot of emotion & sweat. Don't really care if what I do is musically kosher or makes theory sense or not, because the crowd digs it & the groove is happening.

If your not having a blast your probably in it for the wrong reasons IMHO.

[aFrknPuertoRica]

well i take songs and make them sound somewhat worse, so i add something thats my stile to it.