A few ?'s

JAUQO III-X · #1 04-20-2008, 09:55 AM

When we first picked up the instrument, how many of us just made the conscious choice to just play something on the instrument? Not play what you heard coming from the radio or a recording in the house but just play the instrument.

And if any of you did play the instrument first before you had the conscious choice to then play something that you heard, how did you feel?

How many of us realized later that they were not inspired from hearing another bass player or not even knowing that the instrument that we were even drawn to was even a bass to begin with?

ogrossman · #2 04-20-2008, 10:02 AM

Isn't this just a re-heated version of your last thread "Why do bass players choose to copy rather than create their own voice?"

We've already established that most bass players are "copy-cat" lemmings and don't deserve to me called musicians so let's just move on.

grace & groove · #3 04-20-2008, 10:03 AM

I don't know what you mean exactly, but I didn't pick up the instrument to learn any particular song really. I had created my own slew of riffs before I ever learned a song.

JAUQO III-X · #4 04-20-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Isn't this just a re-heated version of your last thread "Why do bass players choose to copy rather than create their own voice?"

No it's not. It's connected to the original question that you speak of but separate and having it's own meaning(s).

Plus with all the bashing that was going on things got seriously side tracked.

ogrossman · #5 04-20-2008, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

...things got seriously side tracked.

Of course it got side tracked, the question was inflammatory.

Dave Muscato · #6 04-20-2008, 10:13 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2s9fouC5js

spade2you · #7 04-20-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Of course it got side tracked, the question was inflammatory.

You done yet?

Busker · #8 04-20-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

When we first picked up the instrument, how many of us just made the conscious choice to just play something on the instrument? Not play what you heard coming from the radio or a recording in the house but just play the instrument.

And if any of you did play the instrument first before you had the conscious choice to then play something that you heard, how did you feel?

How many of us realized later that they were not inspired from hearing another bass player or not even knowing that the instrument that we were even drawn to was even a bass to begin with?

Of course! One day I was struck, as if by lightning bolt, created a bass from from my 3rd rib, and instantly had tasty technique, killer tone and chops. No need to listen to others or learn any of their lines when you have all that going for you.

etoncrow · #9 04-20-2008, 10:29 AM

A lightining bolt, huh? Wow, I wish my "illumination" was so dramatic. Mine came after being in coma for thirty-four years....but I still can't be sure that I wasn't influenced subliminally by the hospital ward muzak.

Deacon_Blues · #10 04-20-2008, 10:39 AM

I'm not sure I completely understand what you're asking, but I'll try to answer something anyway.

I used to play guitar before picking up the bass, because I noticed I started to play basslines on the guitar. When I made the switch, I had a pretty clear image of what kind of basslines I wanted to play. I didn't want to be stuck playing the same dull basslines most bassists I knew were playing (= only roots, roots-fifths, walking with root-third-fifth-third pattern). I wanted to sound more inventive and less repetitive. That is still pretty much my goal. Later on, I discovered James Jamerson, and I found he was playing just the same kind of basslines as I was striving to play, and he became my biggest influence. Rocco also became a big influence after discovering Tower of Power.

Don't know if that answered anything buy anyway...

Chipsonfire · #11 04-20-2008, 10:43 AM

Well, I'm kind of in between. My first influence was Les Claypool, but I never have nor ever will try and copy his tone or style. I didn't even learn songs when I first started, I only practiced chops and then went on to learn some easy songs. I've always been drawn to the lower register and knew I wanted to control that pitch myself. Claypool may have made me realize I wanted to learn, but he is not who I want to be.

*smb · #12 04-20-2008, 10:59 AM

What does it mean to "just play the instrument" as opposed to trying to play songs or exercises? If you've just bought a bass and you're "just playing the instrument" then you're just picking random notes. That's no more music than me just hitting the computer keyboard is poetry.

Jimmyplaysabass · #13 04-20-2008, 11:18 AM

haha do you want to know why i started playing bass?
I had this friend, freshman year in highschool with me that got a guitar, and then he told me i should get a bass so we could make a band.

We came up with 20+ songs, and we didn't care they all sounded like ass, i had no idea what i was doing btw at this point.

still own the squire i bought with a collection of money id earned (this is pre-job era, so i really didn't have any cash, just enough for a squire p, which i still own)

hows that for original?

BuffaloBass · #14 04-20-2008, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

How many of us realized later that they were not inspired from hearing another bass player or not even knowing that the instrument that we were even drawn to was even a bass to begin with?

Yes me. It was simply "that sound" that resonated within me more than the other voices, but I'd think you'd find many " natural" bass players are "naturally" tuned to that frequncy and gravitiated toward it through before their "ego" had anything to do with it. Soul of a bass player?

kesslari · #15 04-20-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

When we first picked up the instrument, how many of us just made the conscious choice to just play something on the instrument? Not play what you heard coming from the radio or a recording in the house but just play the instrument.

And if any of you did play the instrument first before you had the conscious choice to then play something that you heard, how did you feel?

How many of us realized later that they were not inspired from hearing another bass player or not even knowing that the instrument that we were even drawn to was even a bass to begin with?

I'm really not sure what you mean here... Especially since there seem to be a number of very different questions lined up together (I count 4). Would you mind explaining a bit more, or better still, simplifying down to the one or two questions you'd really like to pose?

spade2you · #16 04-20-2008, 01:47 PM

I wanted to sound like Slash, so the clerk picked up a GTX Les Paul copy and it sounded good. I picked it up and tried to play a note or two and it didn't work....so I put it back in the box, took it home, bummed a few tabs from a friend while I waited to start lessons. I figured I'd be tearing up the fretboard in nothin' flat. Not quite the case.

JonathanD · #17 04-20-2008, 01:52 PM

So, you are asking if anyone played what was in their head before they learned any other information about the bass?

Are you looking for people that never took lessons and just played alone in their bedroom with no influence?

I am seriously asking.
Jonathan

jmcgliss · #18 04-20-2008, 02:03 PM

Like many, I started out playing to records in the late 60's. It's when I started putting my head into Carol Kaye's books and chord charts that my head kind of exploded and I would cry to cram every kind of chord structure into one riff? That was my trainwreck period. A better result came from transcribing Fender Rhodes and horn parts that intrigued me. A lot of the riffs or intro vamps I've written over the years came from that era of exploring ways the bass could emulate another instrument or ad interest in a duo/trio. I'm not a soloist but I'd say that hearing lines in my head that improve original or cover tunes started once I had a few years experience playing with people, not records.

Baryonyx · #19 04-20-2008, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogrossman

Isn't this just a re-heated version of your last thread "Why do bass players choose to copy rather than create their own voice?"

Although my desire to play bass first came from wanting make music, before I had a bass "hero". However, I don't think having heros is a bad thing!

NickyBass · #20 04-20-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAUQO III-X

When we first picked up the instrument, how many of us just made the conscious choice to just play something on the instrument? Not play what you heard coming from the radio or a recording in the house but just play the instrument.

And if any of you did play the instrument first before you had the conscious choice to then play something that you heard, how did you feel?

How many of us realized later that they were not inspired from hearing another bass player or not even knowing that the instrument that we were even drawn to was even a bass to begin with?

At an early age, I was drawn to the bass, but I actually started on cello because the bass was 'too big to transport.' Needless to say, I didn't give the cello the chance that it deserved. After all, I was a bassist, not a cellist.

So, in one sense, I suppose it was more of a mystical draw than wanting to emulate anyone or anything. I didn't really know much about the bass at that age, especially not Scott LaFaro or Gary Karr.

However, my path has always been to expieriment within certain styles and that includes emulating my heros. I cannot deny the influence of Paul Jackson and Chuck Rainey (on electric), and I cannot deny how they have impacted 'my' voice. Music, to me is a natural progression...i.e. you can't play free jazz without learning the blues. This would take one through big band, bebop, etc.

I guess the question could be asked...'If Miles never met up with Charlie Parker and carried his horn to gigs- and studied his style, would Miles have ever developed 'his voice.'