How do you play those rifs when trying out a bass at the local music store

dbase · #1 12-07-2010, 06:58 AM

You know those bass players who pick up a bass to test in the music store and then go to town on it... How can I learn to play like that. Just for showing off.

Bassdirty · #2 12-07-2010, 07:10 AM

Well...Personally, I cant play those awesome riffs either.
Do what I do..just play a small part of a rif...then lean in and make a "tweak" to the amp.. as if you're really "testing it out"..lean back..play your mini riff again...repeat.
I do this with like 5-6 different small parts.
And dont forget the classic "plucking an open string with one hand and making adjustments on the amp with the other" routine.

Just dont forget..when you mess up the riff.."lean in to make the amp adjustment"..otherwise it looks like you only know that small piece.

Or..you could actually learn the riffs you speak of...but my way is easier.
See you at the music store..

.

bolophonic · #3 12-07-2010, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassdirty

Well...Personally, I cant play those awesome riffs either.
Do what I do..just play a small part of a rif...then lean in and make a "tweak" to the amp.. as if you're really "testing it out"..lean back..play your mini riff again...repeat.
I do this with like 5-6 different small parts.
And dont forget the classic "plucking an open string with one hand and making adjustments on the amp with the other" routine.

Just dont forget..when you mess up the riff.."lean in to make the amp adjustment"..otherwise it looks like you only know that small piece.

Or..you could actually learn the riffs you speak of...but my way is easier.
See you at the music store..

.

This.

SteveC · #4 12-07-2010, 07:30 AM

I play music that I play when testing gear. I don't worry about what it sounds like, or if it's a cool lick, etc.

T-MOST · #5 12-07-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbase

You know those bass players who pick up a bass to test in the music store and then go to town on it... How can I learn to play like that. Just for showing off.

Play what you what know. Don't worry about "music store riffs".

christw · #6 12-07-2010, 07:34 AM

I play what I normally play to test. Yes, some of them are flashy riffs that I've written for my bands or just for my own enjoyment when trying to push myself as a musician. (Typical fast hammer ons, slap, etc) However, I spent a lot of time tweaking on the bass and just hitting open strings, single fretted notes, or chording to tweak the tone and see what I like. I pay more attention to this part of the process because I use these tones a lot more often than OMG I AM GOOD PLAYER LOOK AT MUH SLAPS tone.

natw42 · #7 12-07-2010, 07:39 AM

i believe it's required to learn how to play Hysteria by Muse Higher Ground (RHCP version). The GC employees will usually ask if you know these two when they are getting you an instrument cable.

Advanced music store wankers can attempt Victor Wooten's Amazing Grace or Jaco's Portrait of Tracy.

treekiller · #8 12-07-2010, 07:50 AM

As someone who absolutely detests the music store "wankfests", I feel your pain!!!

Try learning something fairly obscure, yet interesting to pull out in these situations or keep it funky. I used to play the opening bass part from "We Gotta Live Together"(Hendrix: Band of Gypsys) in between songs occasionally onstage and it was a great way to get the crowd back. Actually, there are a lot of riffs from that album that if you have them down cold, would be cool to play in this situation. You might not be the flashiest, but you'll get some respect......

Low Sound Love · #9 12-07-2010, 07:50 AM

When testing gear in a store, listening >>> playing
IMO

if your sole intent when going to the store is to show off, then you'll have to slap Higher Ground, followed by some Primus, after that some well-know tunes from tv-shows, ending with some of Stu Hamm's solo routine (love thing - moonlight sonata - Linus & Lucy)

SteveC · #10 12-07-2010, 07:51 AM

I'm pretty sure the guys at the store are tired of hearing my riffs, too.

lbwdog · #11 12-07-2010, 07:51 AM

LOL! Egos abound among youths in music stores.
When I'm trying out a bass or amp, I'll just play some random sustained notes on all four strings, in various positions, to see how it handles various frequencies. Then I'll play some short, stacatto riffs to see how the transients sound This is all I need to do to see if the gear meets my needs. I never feel like I have to perform, thank goodness. On some levels, age and maturity has it's advantages.

hrodbert696 · #12 12-07-2010, 08:01 AM

Can I just add here, I like my local music store staff, but the one thing that I can't stand is the sales guys going off wanking on their super riffs. They are pretty good, but it's totally intimidating. I don't know how they expect a customer of modest capabilities daring to try a bass off the rack after one of those displays. Really not good salesmanship.

NOAH_FX · #13 12-07-2010, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrodbert696

Can I just add here, I like my local music store staff, but the one thing that I can't stand is the sales guys going off wanking on their super riffs. They are pretty good, but it's totally intimidating. I don't know how they expect a customer of modest capabilities daring to try a bass off the rack after one of those displays. Really not good salesmanship.

They do it to impress you, not put you off lol, that way when they say "Oh yeah this bass is AWESOME" you believe them due to their awesome wanking skillz.. I wank around with Pulling Teeth alot... but only cause it sounds pretty.

What bugs me, is the guys with their bass amps cranked... Like i usually find a decent smaller amp, turn it down so i can hear it but its pointed right at me so it dosent have to be that loud and try out the intrument.. I'll know what i think within 5 -10 minute max. No need to have a 300 W amp cranked to 8 to try stuff out...

behndy · #14 12-07-2010, 09:09 AM

i just turn the amp way up, get a fuzz pedal, hold the bass closeto my face and yell, "I CHOOSE YOU PIKACHU!!!" over and over while fiddling with knobs.

i get MAD repect yo.

MonkeyBass · #15 12-07-2010, 09:10 AM

I've worked at several music stores in my time. The guys that really know how to play... like the true pros... come in, ask politely to play a guitar or bass, play a few tasty licks or scales at a reasonable volume, try another instrument, play a few tasty licks or scales... etc. Until they land on the one they want and the they usually let loose and shred for a little bit. But never do these true pros and show off. They know they're good and don't need to prove it.

Also, as someone that's worked at many music stores for many years I can tell you that nobody cares what you can and can't play. They guys working there have seen it all and heard it all. Nothing impresses or disappoints. So just do what you do and enjoy playing.

DarkArwen · #16 12-07-2010, 09:14 AM

I thought that guitar and bass guitar were the worst wankers until I went to "local music supercenter" to pick up a keyboard for son. Dude went around from keyboard to keyboard loudly singing and playing the same song. I started to wonder if he was hoping to be "discovered" but he was way to old for that.

HeadyVan Halen · #17 12-07-2010, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyBass

I've worked at several music stores in my time. The guys that really know how to play... like the true pros... come in, ask politely to play a guitar or bass, play a few tasty licks or scales at a reasonable volume, try another instrument, play a few tasty licks or scales... etc. Until they land on the one they want and the they usually let loose and shred for a little bit. But never do these true pros and show off. They know they're good and don't need to prove it.

Also, as someone that's worked at many music stores for many years I can tell you that nobody cares what you can and can't play. They guys working there have seen it all and heard it all. Nothing impresses or disappoints. So just do what you do and enjoy playing.

Damn, you musta seen me in there then........yeah.
anyhow this is on the
NOT TO BE PLAYED IN MUSIC STORE LIST:

Higher Ground
Areoplane
anything by TOOL
Superstitious
Portrait of Tracy
Continium
Teen Town
Solo from 'Havona'...(guilty..once)
Iron Man
My Girl
Get Ready

What is on the List:Anything that sounds cool, that ain't on the list.

Taking bits from a Marcus Miller song that no one knows and say when asked "Oh, you know, I'm just messin' around.."

Jazz Blues..completely baffles the 'Higher Ground' guy

Any southern Gospel.

Most importantly, if your really into buying gear, ask the sales rep. to play something while YOU hear it from different angles, volumes, styles.

behndy · #18 12-07-2010, 09:21 AM

urrrrr.... i think somebody trying to Get Discovered at a music store wouldn't understand that he was too old.

Febs · #19 12-07-2010, 09:28 AM

I think that this is appropriate here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RD1KqbDdmuE

over_the_moon · #20 12-07-2010, 09:36 AM

I turned the tables on the sales guy when I bought my bass. It was my first bass and I didn't know anything other than some stuff from my guitar days. So I handed the bass to the sales guy and said "lemme hear how it sounds when YOU play it". He was a bit flabbergasted, then starting playing the typical slap-wank stuff that everybody else plays.