Have you ever gotten compliments.....

Mike M. · #1 05-29-2010, 05:03 PM

....and feel like you really don't deserve them? I play bass in one of the four bands at my church and some of the compliments I get from other players and from members of the congregation seem a bit "over the top" to me. I mean it's nice, it's flattering and I always say thank you, but I just don't hear what they're talking about. While I feel like I'm good, I'm really just a simple, meat and potatoes kinda player. I can't slap, I can't solo.....I just try to play the best I can with what God gave me. I'm the kind of player who does his best to support the band. I'm into "the band sound" as opposed to "hey...look at me!!"

I've been checking out a lot of video's lately on You Tube of differant bass players from all walks of life playing all differant kinds of things and I'll tell ya, I can't even begin to hold a candle to what some of these guys and gals can do. Not even close. Really, I'd be embarrased to be in the same room with some of these people and say, "I play bass too."

But I still get compliments like I'm one of those great players on You Tube. Oh God, but do I wish!! Again, it's nice but I just don't get it and I don't hear it.

This has really been bothering me lately. Ever happen to you?

Sabu · #2 05-29-2010, 05:21 PM

More often than not, meat and potatoes is the best thing for a band. Don't worry about what others on youtube play and accept the compliments with an honest "thank you". Life's too short to make comparisons.

picnic01 · #3 05-29-2010, 05:24 PM

obviously you are making your audience happy, I wouldn't think about it too much. If you want to learn to play flashier then do it, if not be glad that people appreciate your style.

Armbruster · #4 05-29-2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

....and feel like you really don't deserve them? I play bass in one of the four bands at my church and some of the compliments I get from other players and from members of the congregation seem a bit "over the top" to me. I mean it's nice, it's flattering and I always say thank you, but I just don't hear what they're talking about. While I feel like I'm good, I'm really just a simple, meat and potatoes kinda player. I can't slap, I can't solo.....I just try to play the best I can with what God gave me. I'm the kind of player who does his best to support the band. I'm into "the band sound" as opposed to "hey...look at me!!"

I've been checking out a lot of video's lately on You Tube of differant bass players from all walks of life playing all differant kinds of things and I'll tell ya, I can't even begin to hold a candle to what some of these guys and gals can do. Not even close. Really, I'd be embarrased to be in the same room with some of these people and say, "I play bass too."

But I still get compliments like I'm one of those great players on You Tube. Oh God, but do I wish!! Again, it's nice but I just don't get it and I don't hear it.

This has really been bothering me lately. Ever happen to you?

You're making an influence in others lives- be proud of it. Don't compare yourself to anybody.

slaps76 · #5 05-29-2010, 05:38 PM

Ha, yup, same here. Was practicing with my new band a couple weeks ago, and the guitarist's brother who was there was like "dude, the bass sounded sick!" He's in a fairly successful local band who's opened for some big acts, and I'm thinking, 'uhhh...thanks.'

But yea, just take it with a thanks, and I just think of it, as most people in an audience haven't touched an instrument, so if the band sounds good as a whole, I'm doing my job keeping time and playing my parts without screwing up too much. And I've had some really talented musicians watching me play pretty attentively, but as long as I'm on stage, I'm having fun and don't let any of it intimidate me.

Qvist · #6 05-30-2010, 03:36 AM

In terms of bassplaying LESS IS MORE!!! It requires a lot of discipline for many bassists not to overplay.

Mike M. · #7 05-30-2010, 03:56 AM

Thanks guys. You've really helped me to put things into thier proper perspective. I may not be this or that, but I am trying to improve and I am playing today at church!!

Got to start getting ready! Thanks again.

overdrivethree · #8 05-30-2010, 06:15 AM

YouTube guys may slay, but are they in a band? can they drop the ego long enough to hold down the bottom end for the song? do they ever leave the bedroom at all?

i like to check out demo videos of different basses. if a dude starts slapping in the first 15 seconds, i turn it off.

eaaa410 · #9 05-30-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

Thanks guys. You've really helped me to put things into thier proper perspective. I may not be this or that, but I am trying to improve and I am playing today at church!!

Got to start getting ready! Thanks again.

Playing at church is about all I have time for as a hobby player. There hasn't been any bass in the casual service for a few years. I've only been playing there for a month or so. Each week, someone will tell me how much they enjoyed the "fuller" sound. I figure if I can make it more enjoyable for the congregation, then I'm spending my time in a good way. There just isn't enough time right now to focus on "youtube and guitar store" chops.

Take the compliments, you have earned them by making the music more enjoyable and inspiring for the congregation.

Jeff K · #10 05-30-2010, 03:25 PM

During a break one night, a woman came up to me and said, "My husband said that you're an awesome guitar player!" And of course since I was playing bass, I didn't think I deserved that...

Exploiter8 · #11 05-30-2010, 03:32 PM

Keep following your own path, it sounds like the right one!

X8

Daveomd · #12 05-30-2010, 03:39 PM

I've known some of those "Youtube Monster'' types (bassists AND guitarists) and some of them knew how to chill out and gel with a band. The majority, howewer, had no clue. They would sit in at jam nights, dial in a horrible tone, noodle away, destroy grooves, step on toes, etc. Then, when asked to step down, storm off muttering about what incompetent idiots the other musicians were. These types will never get past their fragile egos to understand what is required to make a groove work with other real humans. And that's perfectly fine.

bass-flyer · #13 05-30-2010, 05:42 PM

Quote:

While I feel like I'm good, I'm really just a simple, meat and potatoes kinda player. I can't slap, I can't solo.....I just try to play the best I can with what God gave me. I'm the kind of player who does his best to support the band. I'm into "the band sound" as opposed to "hey...look at me!!"

You sound a lot like me!
I've quite often down-talked my playing ..... the response usually is,
"But you're solid!"

Ekim · #14 05-30-2010, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by overdrivethree

YouTube guys may slay, but are they in a band? can they drop the ego long enough to hold down the bottom end for the song? do they ever leave the bedroom at all?

Hell no! They're too busy being awesome to play a stupid bassline.

Mike M. · #15 05-30-2010, 11:59 PM

Thanks again, gang! Your responses have truly been uplifing. In fact, the more I think about things it's nice to be able to say, "yeah, I'm a BASS player."

While there's nothing wrong with listening and trying to learn new things, I'm definatley an old school type of player. Maybe that's why I love the way McCartney plays so much. The right note, the right phrase with the right feel everytime.

VinKreepo · #16 05-31-2010, 12:06 AM

You have a vibe about you that the audience picks up whe you play. It's like you breathe through your bass and in a spiritual sense God breathes through you. So as a result, the audience can feel you praising God through your playing instead of you having a show-off attitude.

All I can say is kudos man. Anyone who can play a solid, non-flashy bass line and get such compliments is definitely a great bassist.

Nice to see someone using their talents towards their religious beliefs too : )

martijn_2m · #17 05-31-2010, 06:52 AM

+200 on all the solidity and less is more related comments, very true. In my opinion it i better to be a musician first and a bassist second.

Apart from that also remember that most audience members experience the music in it's entirety. They loved the music and how it touched/moved them. You, as the bassist, are part of that. You did your part, no matter if it is with lasers, glitters, slaps, spandex and 8*10 speakers or if you just modestly ensured the painting had a good canvas to sit on: the compliments are mostly there because there was music that you were an important part of.

Good vibes, keep it up!

Indiana Mike · #18 05-31-2010, 07:03 AM

I feel I am as amateur as they come ... yet i get compliments ...

nice to know there are other humble players out there who aren't sittin on the mountaintop beatin ,,,err ,,, playin their bass

Dave44 · #19 05-31-2010, 10:49 AM

The best compliment I've received was from an old Jazz DJ from the states. Shook my hands and told me I did a beautiful job of holdin' the groove down and then some. To me the most important job of the bass man is the groove. I was never big on solos even though I can hold my own on the stage. I've always said lay down a good groove and the world is at your feet. LOL

Deluge Of Sound · #20 05-31-2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indiana Mike

I feel I am as amateur as they come ... yet i get compliments ...

Same here. I always feel like I've tricked people into something.