How well do you play Bass..

dbase · #1 04-04-2010, 09:13 AM

I haven't played bass for 45 years. back in the 60's I used a pick to play Cream, Jimmy Hendrix, Soul music etc. Nowdays is use my fingers but I dont slap, I dont play very fast or do funk. Just background heavy Bass letting the amp do all the work. I feel lucky that with the limited riffs I know I am able to play a variety of songs with two bands. Simple Country, Blues and some Rock and Roll. What say you...

snyderz · #2 04-04-2010, 09:16 AM

My momma says I play OK, so that's all that matters to me.

topcat2069 · #3 04-04-2010, 09:38 AM

I've never been one that "plays the Bass" I play songs on the Bass.... I'm not a gunslinger but I get lots of work. I don't slap & pop like a typewriter singing Quagmire gigidy giddy, box of ducks. I try to support the vocals, solos and song structure, I do that very well.... but there's a whole lot of players that can smoke me..... I guess I can say "I'm better than I was yesterday but I'll be better than I am today, tomorrow.

**Engine207** · #4 04-04-2010, 09:49 AM

I suck...but like Dr. Jim says, I practice a lot, and I love doing it.

Take lessons from a good teacher - not necessarily a killer player, but one who knows how to teach. The best investment I ever made. After (not quite 45) years of my bass being in its case, I started playing again, and I believe my skills and groove are better now than they ever were before. So, I must have been really bad.

The goal should be just to suck a little less tomorrow than today.

**mikeddd** · #5 04-04-2010, 09:52 AM

I've been playing bass for about 6 months now. I'm a 20+ year guitar player learning something new. Currently, I'm exactly where you're at, skill-wise.

I can play all the "easy stuff" ZZ Top, most Police tunes...Billy Jean. I can play the bassline to "Good Times"...that one was a real challenge to me...the quick alternating notes b/t the A and D strings killed me for weeks

I think I've got pretty good "feel." I play fingerstyle exclusively. I don't think Mr. Wooten himself could teach me to slap...I suck that badly at it. My right-hand technique is pretty good, IMO. Probably comes from the fact I play classical nylon string so the finger strength is there.

Still workin' on the left hand, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbase

I haven't played bass for 45 years. back in the 60's I used a pick to play Cream, Jimmy Hendrix, Soul music etc. Nowdays is use my fingers but I dont slap, I dont play very fast or do funk. Just background heavy Bass letting the amp do all the work. I feel lucky that with the limited riffs I know I am able to play a variety of songs with two bands. Simple Country, Blues and some Rock and Roll. What say you...

bassplayer8953 · #6 04-04-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbase

I haven't played bass for 45 years. back in the 60's I used a pick to play Cream, Jimmy Hendrix, Soul music etc. Nowdays is use my fingers but I dont slap, I dont play very fast or do funk. Just background heavy Bass letting the amp do all the work. I feel lucky that with the limited riffs I know I am able to play a variety of songs with two bands. Simple Country, Blues and some Rock and Roll. What say you...

I'd say if you've been invited to play in 2 bands, that you're good enough.

There will always be virtuosos, and music that requires virtuosos to be played correctly. If playing like a virtuoso is your goal, then, by your own admission, you've got a ways to go (myself, also)

However, if your goal is to make music, with some like-minded individuals, possibly do some gigs, hopefully make a few bux, and have a good time, it sounds like you're on your way.

Lightning Rider · #7 04-04-2010, 10:00 AM

I'm horrible at it. Then again, I've been playing for 3 or 4 months.

ysand · #8 04-04-2010, 10:04 AM

Friends say i rock! I say i suck!
Who's right???

HEADLE · #9 04-04-2010, 10:12 AM

I'm a hack at best but I have impeccable timing. No slapping and popping.Play a lot of root notes and passing tones. Works great in my band, and the guys love how I play. So in that context I'm great. Next to Vic Wooten I'm a guy who owns some bass gear.

I don't know, you tell me...

Love Dog

H

Avalon · #10 04-04-2010, 10:13 AM

I suck. I'm horrible. I'm still just getting started. It's all good.

HaMMerHeD · #11 04-04-2010, 10:16 AM

Turrible.

**line6man** · #12 04-04-2010, 10:18 AM

Honestly, I'm terrible. Any beginner on his second or third lesson could probably out play me.

However...
I play because I enjoy playing.
Not to make money, not to attract women, just for my own entertainment.

stepswork4me · #13 04-04-2010, 10:32 AM

I love to play. From the time I was 12 until I was 22 I practiced everyday for at least 3 hours. For the next 5 years that dropped to about an hour or two every other day. For the last 5 years I've practiced about once a week for maybe an hour. I don't slap. I play a lot wit a pick, BLASPHEMY! I do a lot of tapping and harmonics and some old school finger playing. There's nothing like getting obsessed with writing a new tune and the challenge of making my fingers play what I hear in my head. Good thread, it helped me to remember my passion. Thanks.

freakfingers12 · #14 04-04-2010, 10:35 AM

Oh, it's really passive.

Sometimes I get to the point where I felt I could almost play anything. Then again, I get the feeling like I play horribly in between. It really depends on if I am in the moment or not, that's during practice. During gigs I couldn't really concentrate on myself.

So, I'd still say I AM HORRIBLE. And I get the feeling many of you are more superior than me.

I don't even have a bass right now. Sigh.

Oh, and I am in two bands too. Some other random sessions with other friends or friends' bands.

Jr555 · #15 04-04-2010, 10:37 AM

haha I'm so happy to see so many others, most working musicians, who dont slap and pop too, how wonderful.

As a player, I can play fast, can naturally nail a straight feel at most tempos, have spent countless hours on 2/4 grooves, and am constantly trying to improve my feel and groove in whatever other avenues I can. All in all I've got a million miles of work ahead of me as a player, but I think my ear and songwriting skills are helping me out a bunch. I still really want to be more efficient with fretless and upright however, two of my big demons.

Datsgor · #16 04-04-2010, 10:39 AM

I have always been chosen by any band I have auditioned for. That's been about 10. I have been called a Monster on the bass and been complimented by one of Elvis Presleys old back up singers. I have been playing 30 years. I don't slap. I fake the Funk. I am average. I am a meat and potato bass player. I don't think i am anything special...there are all kinds of players can could smoke me. All that being said. I just love playing bass. That's about it. I am happy just playing bass. That's good enough for me.

**Mark Wilson** · #17 04-04-2010, 10:43 AM

I'm good to do what people ask me.
I'm also good enough to move this thread to it's right forum.

redefine dave · #18 04-04-2010, 10:45 AM

Not great, but I'm decent. I don't have a ton of theory knowledge, but did take a years worth of lessons for a jazz bass wizard. I didn't learn the way he had hope and when it came down to it, played off of feel more than anything else.
I do pop and slap a lot, but not in a standout, look at me type way. When I do pop and slap it's more of making the drum/bass dynamic more percussive, and it fits best with my drummer who's absolutely insane.
I play fingerstayle, pop/slap, and with a pick depending on what the desired effect is needed for my sound.
I rarely step out and front and far more interested in being the backbone of the song.
So on the grande scale of bassists I'd give myself a 5/10?

**Engine207** · #19 04-04-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jr555

I still really want to be more efficient with fretless and upright however, two of my big demons.

I hear that! My demons are fretless and 5ers. I can get around on fretless, but I'm not really playing it like a fretless. My teacher isn't a big fretless player, so that's something I'll need to develop over time. I love the way it sounds, so maybe this year will be the year for that.

As for 5-string, it wasn't that popular when I first took up playing. When I started up again, I figgered to have my hands full with four. Now that I've got a nice fiver, I've been working on that a good bit. Immersion is my strategy there. I even play my five when there is nothing lower than E, just to get used to the b-string being there, and using the fifth position as if it were first position on a 4-string. It's a great alternative for the arthritic pain in my oft-broken left wrist.

Gougedeye · #20 04-04-2010, 11:17 AM

I'm a good enough bass player. I've learned a lot of cheap parlor tricks in the last 30 years, so I can usually serve the song in interesting ways. With every band I've ever played with, I give them my best effort on every song! That is what does it for me. Lock in with the drummer and keep the band from going off the rails...good thread.