Just when I thought I was good.....

Baird6869 · #1 03-01-2007, 08:26 AM

.... I went to a bar called the Orbit Room (Alex Lifeson of Rush's place) in Toronto last night and saw a guitarist and bassist that absolutely blew my mind. Man, do I suck!

Man, some people play so technically well it is sickening. I think I may drop the bass and pick up the spoons or maybe the recorder.

If you like some of the funkier stuff, check these guys out. The guitarist has played with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, James Brown, etc. Seriously good music.

http://www.lmtconnection.com/bio.htm

nad · #2 03-01-2007, 08:35 AM

Why be discouraged? When I see some dude/chick/thing that blows me away it either inspires me to play better or I just appreciate seeing someone with more skill than I have. Win win!

WillBuckingham · #3 03-01-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nad

Why be discouraged? When I see some dude/chick/thing that blows me away it either inspires me to play better or I just appreciate seeing someone with more skill than I have. Win win!

Yeah man, there will always be better bassists and musicians than you, let yourself be inspired by them, not discouraged.

RWP · #4 03-01-2007, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillBuckingham

Yeah man, there will always be better bassists and musicians than you, let yourself be inspired by them, not discouraged.

Yeah, besides, recorder isn't all the easy either.

spindizzy · #5 03-01-2007, 08:55 AM

Good advice all. Having played now for far better than 35 years I can tell you that you will always look at other players and see room in your own playing for improvement. I can guarantee that at times you will observe things that will make you think somehow you are difficient and wonder if you are up to the task. I can also assure that if you keep it up long enough you will begin to understand that music, like golf, is a personal challenge and not a competition. The only important thing at the end of the day is you looking into a mirror and saying, with complete honesty, I did my best today.

I have known of this player for as long as he has been playing and I can also assure you that he didn't come out of the womb playing with the skill he demonstrates today. I can also assure you that at multiple points in his career, in circumstances just like yours, he has made similar observations about himself. We all have and we all will continue to be our own tough critics. It is what you do after, what you take away from seeing someone else play that you can admire and apply to your own effort to be the best you can be, that truly defines you as a player and as a person.

Now steal anything you can from him and incorporate into your playing and thinking. It is how he got there, it is how I got there, it is how every good player ultimately gets to where they are.

Bass Boy · #6 03-01-2007, 09:14 AM

Was it Big John Turbine (Irvine) on bass? I used to see LMT play all the time in St Catharines when I lived there. If Mark is still on drums- COOL! He's great. I've played with him a few times many years ago. Leroy is a cool guy. Definately likes to tell you who he has played with though!

Baird6869 · #7 03-01-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Boy

Was it Big John Turbine (Irvine) on bass? I used to see LMT play all the time in St Catharines when I lived there. If Mark is still on drums- COOL! He's great. I've played with him a few times many years ago. Leroy is a cool guy. Definately likes to tell you who he has played with though!

Same guys. They were excellent. You are right, Leroy sure can talk. I love the green ES335 though!

BTW, I was kidding about quitting. I play bass for 30 minutes a day tops these days. If I practiced all day and quit my job, I'm sure I would acquire mad bass skills too.

I am very comfortable with how I play bass. I doubt the recorder is my kinda instrument anyways. The ladies sure don't dig recorder players.