My son wants to become one of the Best Bassists in the world.

[Poop-Loops]

Originally Posted by Jereth

Fourteen?! Holy crapparoo!

I'm seventeen and playing for two years myself. Now, it's not that he's shattered my dreams of ever being good or anything, but I must say, there's a tint of jealousy around me at the mo'. I wouldn't worry about letting him have a negative influence, I just enjoy playing.

And the Metallica concert in Dublin? I was there!
It's very evident in your playing that you practice so much. Slightly mechanical, but after playing in your band a bit more, that will go away.

Keep up the good work, I'll be keeping an eye out for ya. I'm in the south of Ireland so I might hear of ya in a few years time.

I'm 19 and only been playing for a few months. It's not that he's so good at a young age, it's that he's been putting in so much time to get that good. I don't have that kind of time anymore, that's what shattered my dream of being good (while still young. ).

Keep it up, though. You don't want to squander that kind of talent and head start.

[jasonhafer]

First I want to say thank you for supporting your son in his music. I know for a fact I would not be half the bass player I am (or man, for that matter) without the support of my folks while I was learning and growing. Way to go, Dad!

Second...He's pretty much rocking. Good technique, good tone, and an appreciation for understanding good music. I read earlier in a post about 'grooving' with a drummer...that's huge! Being able to lock into a pocket is what seperates the boys from the men. Fancy licks and blazing chops are cool, but if you don't lock in you won't get hierd.

I'd reccomend practicing with a metranome. Not a drum machine, just a metranome. That will help him develope an internal time that's not 'drum beat' related. Don't get me wrong- he's gonna need to know just as much about drumming as the drummer, but if he's relating how he feels time to specific grooves, some drummer's gonna get all polyrhythmic on him and he'll get lost! He has to 'own his time'.

Also, make sure he learns from ALL TYPES of music. Even if he never wants to play salsa or can't stand that country music... You need to be able to understand and draw from as much as you can to get the most/best gigs...(most+best=morepay)

And again, get him into drummers. He's gotta know just as much about the drums as the drummer does. Drums and Bass are one. They work together and feed off eachother. Go as far as trying to learn the drums! (don't get too serious, though...we wouldn't want you to switch over or anything)

Rock on, keep the lessons going and keep on encouraging him with your devotion to his passions.