Find your own sound

[the_hook]

When I first started learning bass (last year) I too wanted to sound like my favorite bassist Geddy Lee (and I don't even have a Ric). So I bought some Rotosounds and put them on my SX Jazz, learned some Rush songs and learned to play the way Geddy plays (on video anyway).

Recently I lucked into a bunch of articles on Geddy from the mid-80's to 90's, and his bass rig was so far removed from the standard 'big amp and Ric' that it's more like a whole factory vs a guy in his garage.

So I've been out a few times with my bass and rig, and I like to take video when I can. Guess what? I don't sound like Geddy.

But I do sound distinctly myself. More and more I can pick out my style of playing and the unqiue 'tone' of my bass in any of my videos, and I like it. Others that have played my bass display a different style, but the 'tone' is always that of my bass and rig.

If you're trying to chase the Dragon's tail and getting nowhere, find your own, you might actually like it.

[RobertPaulson]

I sound exactly like jesus would have had he played bass.

[no1likesme]

I have a bit of an odd slightly guitarish style in that I play lots of chords/intervals with a pick, in fact I am pretty sure 90% of tb would openly mock me if I were to become famous.

[NickInMesa]

You define your sound not by trying to emulate but by varying your influences (hence my decried "no influence" thread).

When I play metal I do sound a lot like Steve Harris, because I integrated a gallop in my technique after listening to a lot of Maiden.

When I play classic and modern rock, I sound like nobody in particular. I am a finger player exclusively and have developed my own gimmicks over time and that's part of my sound.

The other part was trying many different basses, first P basses, then active soap bars and very very late opting for Jazz basses, because I love the punch. So it's more of the bridge pickup, scooped on the EQ and fingers plucking close to the bridge, emulating pick playing as much as I can.

For strings, I tried everything and that cost me a fortune of course until one day I settled for light gauges. I have played flats as well, but came back from them.

Once you have built your playing style, determined what basses felt the best for you, as well as what strings fit your style the best, Geddy Lee will be in your rear view mirror.

[tycobb73]

Most of us know this. But if someone picks up bass to sound like someone else, at least he picked up bass in the first place and will probably grow out of it like you did.