is music i like holding me back, or do i suck?

disasterline · #1 10-23-2007, 07:40 PM

sorry if hard to read, im on a 10 min brake for my last class for today.

is it me, or does the music you LOVE (for me blink 182,+44,etc. i learned for them and used them as a stepping stone) hold back your playing? once i changed from being a guitar player with a bass to a bassist that owns a some guitars i learned almost every bassline from 95% of the songs by blink (not that its hard)

i started playing guitar in 7th grade, im now a freshman in college. i took lessons up till 10th grade and i could play all the songs i liked (blink mainly) i was content with playing power chords and simple riffs. i picked up a fretless fender jbass from GC new for $270 in 10th grade. i had small hands and became frustrated, and left it to sit. a year and a half later i gave it another go, bought a mim fender jbass. with larger hands and frets i started playing it more than guitar. but i played the same music. then after hearing some people talking about how a bassist is just a guitarist that cant play, i set off to become good. within the past year (mostly in the past 6 months) iv learned to read music, music theory, the role of the bass, and going from pick only to being able to play with 2 fingers, then to three, then to my own finger style, to slap and pop. i love bass more than anything i have ever done and just bought a jazz deluxe and an ampeg stack. im decent and getting better but........

the music i LOVE pop-punk type stuff, doesnt really allow for more than playing bass notes. iv tried doing different things but it just doesnt work for the music. i didnt get a spot in a band becasue i was to "good"

where should i go from here? im just really frustrated because i want to make music that i like, but the music is holding me back. or is a good bassist able to do what i am not able to? if so, what can i do? in theory everything i play fits, but it just takes away from the music.

again sorry if hard to read, im on a 10 min brake for my last class for today.

SuperSnake2012 · #2 10-23-2007, 07:57 PM

There's nothing wrong with playing pop punk songs if that's what you like. There is a lot of room for the bass to play more than root notes. The better pop punk revolves around a melodic bass line rather than just root notes under power chords. Right off the top of my head all I can think of is Mike Dirnt's playing on Dookie, but there is a lot of punk like this.

You have to play for the song though... playing a melodic bass line may not work in a song where a driving solid 8ths bass line would.

MaxZolt · #3 10-23-2007, 07:59 PM

The more music you listen to, the more you will pick up and be able to express in your own playing. It's like learning a language. You said you can read music, and know theory--that's like learning grammar.

Now, you'll want to expand your vocabulary; by listening to a diverse collection of music, you'll come across ideas that you won't find if you limit yourself to a few bands, or one genre.

If the music you listen to has bass lines that are straight 8ths on the root, then naturally that's what you'll emulate when you play. Listen to some jazz, classic rock, fusion, death metal, anything and everything--you'll find you start picking up musical ideas from that stuff that you won't find in pop-punk (the opposite is also true).

Romeo and Juliet and The Cat in the Hat were both written in the same language, following the same basic rules of grammar--likewise, Donna Lee and American Idiot both follow the rules of music theory (and who can say which is better?), but obviously utilize very different musical concepts.

Keep working at it. It looks like you're dedicated and willing to learn, so I wouldn't be surprised if you find yourself progressing soon enough.

#4 10-23-2007, 08:30 PM

If you like Blink, you'll love Rancid, and Matt Freeman is one of the best in punk.

John Wentzien · #5 10-23-2007, 08:44 PM

You're on the right track. Keep practicing and don't give up. It will come to you.

Lucas G · #6 10-23-2007, 08:52 PM

ever hear of mike watt? if not, you should check him out. with the minutemen, fiREHOSE or solo, you can't go wrong. a stellar example of awesome bass in a punk application.

John Wentzien · #7 10-23-2007, 09:04 PM

jefkritz · #8 10-23-2007, 09:14 PM

also, check out the buzzcocks and the clash (if you haven't already)

PocketGroove82 · #9 10-23-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterline

the music i LOVE pop-punk type stuff, doesnt really allow for more than playing bass notes. iv tried doing different things but it just doesnt work for the music. i didnt get a spot in a band becasue i was to "good"

where should i go from here? im just really frustrated because i want to make music that i like, but the music is holding me back.

If what you are trying doesn't work for the music, then you are doing something wrong. If you want to play a style you love, then play that style authentically and tastefully.

Don't go audition for a punk band with a Ken Smith 6 string and try to play chords or slap! Go in with a busted P-bass, the longest strap you can find, and 6 picks stuck in the pickguard.

There is no reason why you cannot have two bands.
One in a style you love to play, and one that stretches and challenges you musically.

I think you are boxing yourself in, man.

PocketGroove82 · #10 10-23-2007, 10:01 PM

Also...go download the Rancid track, "Maxwell's Murder".
Matt Freeman is a punk bass god. Amen.

morf · #11 10-24-2007, 06:07 AM

I dont see what the problem is. If you want to play Blink in a band context but feel like you want to play other things at home, then do just that. When you're auditioning, stick to playing blink lines, dont overdo it.

JimK · #12 10-24-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterline

or is a good bassist able to do what i am not able to? if so, what can i do?

FME-
It can only benefit you to expand your horizons...you can already handle Pop-Punk stuff, right? If so, then it's time to move on to something new & different.
Increase your vocabulary, become familiar with other genres...wouldn't it be nice if someone asks you to sit in on something like "All Blues" or "Superstition" & be versed enough to hang?

FWIW-
I have a couple of guitarist friends that I grew up with & played with back in the mid-'70s. Bless their hearts, they know every Beatles & Stones tune in the book...and they get to show this off about twice per year at some old farts' jam.

RiddimKing · #13 10-24-2007, 10:17 AM

+1 on Buzzcocks. Also, though they're not "pop-punk" check out The Killers basslines. Lots of stuff there that's applicable to the genre, with some cool higher register countermelodies and riffs.

CapnSev · #14 10-24-2007, 10:21 AM

You are what you listen to.

Making pop-punk basslines more "interesting" is all up to you, and how you do it. Lines that move more can still fit in a style of music if you make it tastefully work. (i.e. Rancid).

JustOpenYourMind · #15 10-24-2007, 10:41 AM

The thing is that every musician in a band should play for the songs and not from themselves, Pop-punk music has a very minimalist aproach for most parts, guitars or bass. If you go too far in making a complicated bass line and the guitarist goes too far making a complex guitar line you'll move away from the style, if it's what you want to do then fine but if you don't it's another story.

You must understand the music you're playing and the band as a whole, must contribute to make the songs better by playing what is right for the songs.

Someone mentioned Rancid, they are a different story, the songs are all constructed around the bass lines, guitars don't play that much, they just do rythm to back the bass and drum parts.

There is a limit to the sonic space instrument parts can occupy, if everyone is trying to play very melodic and inticate lines, it's going to end up like a sonic mess. Just notice, that in songs that are guitar driven, the bass part is there to back it up and to make the song sound more full and rythmic and when on the other hand a song has a very melodic bass line, the guitars are playing more simple rythm stuff.

I hope this helps,
have a nice day
Martin

GreyBeard · #16 10-24-2007, 10:46 AM

If you're asking the question "is it holding me back" then it probably is. I like all kinds of music and I think you can learn something from all of them.

chasfr · #17 10-24-2007, 02:50 PM

As a freshman in college, I'd say it's your job to open up your ears. There's loads of new music happening these days and genres are hybridizing faster than you can imagine. Get out into the mix, listen to everybody and borrow whatever you like. I'm an old blues/R&B/soul kinda guy, but I've been listening to Cuban Timba and Brazilian Samba lately. And it's great stuff, fun to play! Listen wide, young man...

And have fun!

Chas

Disc · #18 10-24-2007, 02:56 PM

Pop punk is pretty limiting most of the time, why dont you try out some straight up punk bands? Check out the Minutemen, wike watt (the bassist) is brilliant with a lot of harder bassline that are fun to learn. Learning Mike Watt stuff will open you up to other genres as well, like jazz and classic rock.

xiketero · #19 10-24-2007, 10:15 PM

I recommend checking out some earlyish Alkaline Trio. I particularly like a lot of Dan Andriano's bass parts on From Here to Infirmary.

Also, you might try looking into some skapunk. Streetlight Manifesto is catchy enough to appeal to blink fans, but close enough to ska that the bass doesn't suck.

Rancid has already been mentioned, but Anti-Flag is pretty much in the same vein there so check them out too. I personally can't stand Anti-Flag, but the bass player is awesome. He plays a Geddy J.

Funkus Barfucal · #20 10-24-2007, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disasterline

sorry if hard to read, im on a 10 min brake for my last class for today.

is it me, or does the music you LOVE (for me blink 182,+44,etc. i learned for them and used them as a stepping stone) hold back your playing?

...just bought a jazz deluxe and an ampeg stack. im decent and getting better but........
the music i LOVE pop-punk type stuff, doesnt really allow for more than playing bass notes.

where should i go from here? im just really frustrated because i want to make music that i like, but the music is holding me back.

Seems to me that you've advanced past the 1/8 note root playing styles that bands like Blink offer. You are progressing, this IS GOOD. Now you are looking at the bass as a tool of musical expression.

As others' have suggested, start listening to different styles of music and other peoples' styles of playing. Do not stop listening to your Blink BUT add them to your listening repartiore in order to expand your horizons.