Does it matter how long you have been playing?

Fergie Fulton · #1 06-09-2009, 06:13 AM

Simple premise, "Does it matter how long you have been playing"?

To younger/new players, does it matter how much experience a player has before you ask/accept advice from them.

To older/experienced players do you feel you have anything to offer younger/newer players that does not sound like preaching about "in my day"?

What has changed in you opinion/views now that you were so sure of when you started playing?

For me i have used 10"s for well over 35 years, all my pro playing life because they were the best speaker for punch and response. Now i use Aguilar DB112 cabs and get better response from the 12's than i ever thought. Can't ever see me using 10"s again, 35 years wrong....or just caught up with technology?

smogg · #2 06-09-2009, 06:47 AM

Not really,
I've been playing bass for over 30 years and I still suck.

The only real advise I give out is: "play what you like, like what you play" and
"tell the guitar player to F-off, it's your bass rig." this one MUST be said with a friendly tone and a smile.

Never met a bass rig that I couldn't get a usable tone out of. Some just take a little more tweaking...lol

dalkowski · #3 06-09-2009, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smogg

Not really,
I've been playing bass for over 30 years and I still suck.

The only real advise I give out is: "play what you like, like what you play" and
"tell the guitar player to F-off, it's your bass rig." this one MUST be said with a friendly tone and a smile.

Never met a bass rig that I couldn't get a usable tone out of. Some just take a little more tweaking...lol

Amen, and amen.

Music changes, technology changes, attitudes change but the fundamentals don't. Practice all you can. Play the gear that you like and can afford. Don't listen to the jerks. Have fun. Never stop.

fretlessguy · #4 06-09-2009, 07:02 AM

Not just an interesting question, but four and a comment. I'll answer all for to the best of my ability, and make a comment on your ending statement. Here goes...

1. "Does it matter how long you have been playing?"

Well, that depends on if you have been progressing since you have started. I feel learning never ends, and that you learn constantly until the day you die. I do think we can get in a rut where we no longer are learning, and it effects how we play. Practice and learning go hand in hand.

2. "To younger/new players, does it matter how much experiance a player has before you accept/advice from them?"
"To older/experianced player do you feel you have anything to offer younger/newer players that does not sound like preaching about "In my day..."?

Everyone has certain opinions and feelings about any topic. I usually clarify any statement I make with "This is what works for me" or "In my experiance" to set the tone for my reply if asked. I realized in these last few years that I don't have all the answers, and what works for me is not necessarily going to work for everyone else. One of my pet peaves is when avery opinionated person makes one of those blanket statements like "you should only use tube amps" or "real bass players use picks" or "only active basses really make it" or any of those other statements which generally are self-centered opinions gone wild are made. They really annoy me.
Seeking advice is okay, and I value others opnions greatly. But in the very end, I have to decide what I need to do or use. My choice is MY responsibility. The results are of my own making. If I do follow the advice of another and it doesn't work out, it is still my fault because I chose to use said advice.
Good ideas are not relegated to a particular age group. I have gotten good tips from folks of all ages. Just because I am older now doesn't mean I know it all either. The key issue is here is "Am I willing to learn from other's experiances as well as my own?"

4. "What has changed in your opinion since you have started?"
That my way is not always the right way for someone else.

And now to your statement about 10s versus 12s. Hey, if it melts your butter, and meets your needs, then that is what you should do. It's not a matter of being caught up in technology or being wrong for 35 years, but over time we change or our needs change, and we act on it. As for tens, I sill find their clarity excellent, so for now I 'll stick to them. Someone else who likes more lowend may prefer a 15 or an 18 inch speaker array.

Goodluck with your 12s. My next cab will have a 12 in it. It will likely be an Avatar cab to use as an extension to my Genz Benz shuttle amp for larger venues.

FG

Jefenator · #5 06-09-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

To younger/new players, does it matter how much experience a player has before you ask/accept advice from them.

If someone has been going in the wrong direction, wouldn't the accumulation of experience make his/her advice worse, not better?

I go by the playing. If someone is really swinging and makes me perk up and say, wow, that sounded cool, I want to know how they got there. (It is a little humiliating when said player is younger/newer than me. I guess I'm going to have to get used to it.

)

On the other hand, if the playing is just so-so, I really couldn't care less how many decades they got. (I've encountered plenty of long-timers like this. Sometimes they even tout their years to try and bolster their position, and that's a huge red flag.)

Quote:

To older/experienced players do you feel you have anything to offer younger/newer players that does not sound like preaching about "in my day"?

I got nothin'...

If someone were to ask me, I'd be happy to provide the benefit of my perspective. But I think ultimately, a newer player will either "get" it or they won't.

Quote:

What has changed in you opinion/views now that you were so sure of when you started playing?

I used to focus on speed and dexterity a lot and try and use that stuff at every possible opportunity. Now I'm much more concerned with locking in and making the whole band sound good.

As far as the gear is concerned, it's a lot like the music. After 20 years, I'm still very much in "search" mode. I'll keep looking around with an open mind and trying new stuff. (Like the OP I've been off 10s & hooked on 12s for the past few years. FWIW I'm starting to get curious about 15s again, though.)

Jazzdogg · #6 06-09-2009, 11:01 AM

One thing I know for sure is that there's no correlation between age and wisdom.

I know several young people who are plenty wise, and several older folks who are clueless depite several bites of the apple.

It ain't necessarily the miles that matter, but the detours and the consciousness of the individual.

BigOldHarry · #7 06-09-2009, 11:08 AM

You also are missing a point that equipment has changed a great deal - Amps & cabs are MUCH better today than the were when I started out. MUCH. Basses... hard to say. I think you can get more for your money now, but you could still buy a good axe new back then...

Din Of Win · #8 06-09-2009, 12:29 PM

I think time, in regards to bass playing, is a qualitative thing and not so much quantitative.

I've been playing 9 or so years and i consider myself mediocre at best. But, i also held my self back by playing ONLY in punk bands. Not to say you can't be a skilled punk bassist, i just never looked into technique seriously. Over the past few months, especially since joining TB, i have vowed to up the ante and broaden my spectrum of play. Will i ever play in a Bootsy Collins tribute band? No... probably not. But there are such great skills in all different genres that when combined can make an amazing repitoir and in turn making you an all around amazing bassist.

mambo4 · #9 06-09-2009, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Simple premise, "Does it matter how long you have been playing"?

I suppose it does, but not as much as how long you've been playing gigs with other musicians...

My playing took a such a wonderful lurch froward when I started playing with others, especially my betters. On the job training trumps any solo practice IMHO.

when I was younger I always listened to what older players told me. Having a Jazz guitard for a dad helped me avoid advice from any flakey players who didn't really know anything.

When I respond with advice here, It's usually with a "I've found over the years" type o disclaimer (i hope). tho I am certain I sometimes come across as a know it all jackass -by accident.

cassanova · #10 06-09-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fergie Fulton

Simple premise, "Does it matter how long you have been playing"?

Short answer is no it doesn't.

I've been at it 23 years now and I won't hesitate to ask anyone to show me something or explain something to me if they know how to do it or the answer to my question. You can learn from people of all ages and talent levels.

Quote:

To older/experienced players do you feel you have anything to offer younger/newer players that does not sound like preaching about "in my day"?

Just know what you're talking about, be open minded that your way isn't an absolute.

Quote:

What has changed in you opinion/views now that you were so sure of when you started playing?

Music isn't a competition.

Stickk · #11 06-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smogg

Not really,

Never met a bass rig that I couldn't get a usable tone out of. Some just take a little more tweaking...lol

You haven't played on my Berhinger then. Sigh...

I really need to get a better amp!

smogg · #12 06-09-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stickk

You haven't played on my Berhinger then. Sigh...

I really need to get a better amp!

LMFAO......dude that was priceless. Yes GAS can be very painful.

bassmanrocke · #13 06-09-2009, 02:56 PM

Any bassist can have advice about equipment, technique, or band dynamics. The problem is there is really no guideline as to what is good and what is bad advise. My daughter takes guitar lessons from a player who is far and away a better bassist than I am and is also 10 to 15 younger than I am. I have no problem asking him questions about techniques, and he has no problem asking me about equipment and repair questions. We both respect each others abilities and treat each other with that respect. That said, we both recognize that we may not agree. That is the key. It is a great thing to listen and respect the advise of others(regardless of age) but you must be able to weigh its value to your needs. In the end, what you do should work for you, and may not work for someone else.

Stickk · #14 06-09-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smogg

LMFAO......dude that was priceless. Yes GAS can be very painful.

I wasn't even trying to be funny there. Glad you laughed.

John Wentzien · #15 06-09-2009, 03:10 PM

You can learn "what to do" or "what Not to do" from any player of any age.
The important thing is to know the difference between the 2.
"S@#t or Shinola"
Don't sweat the little S@#t.

By the way its ALL little S@#t.

jaywa · #16 06-09-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mambo4

I suppose it does, but not as much as how long you've been playing gigs with other musicians...

My playing took a such a wonderful lurch forward when I started playing with others, especially my betters. On the job training trumps any solo practice IMHO.

Thank you. This is truth.

As much as possible you want to be playing regularly with people who are at your own level, or slightly above. Being the most accomplished musician in the band is no fun, and the bigger the gap between you and the other players, the more of a drag it is.