Which players inspire you to keep on playing?

Marcus · #1 12-30-2007, 12:10 AM

This past Christmas my girlfriend bought me a guitar (Ibanez rga121h) and I have been practicing on it quite a bit. I am almost worried (not really though) that I may focus on it more-so than my bass. Who do you guys listen to when you need a quick reminder of why you play bass?

Me, I like finding out about different players that I had not heard before. Recently Michael Scott posted a video of Yuura from the Japanese band Kra and that made me pick up my bass for a few hours today. I also listen to stuff from fairly recent players like Janek and Tony Grey when I really want to shed.

Who do you guys listen to?

flipper_gv · #2 12-30-2007, 12:20 AM

jeff schidt, I'm a death metaller but this guy gives me a serious kick in the butt each time I see one of his videos

skaliwag66 · #3 12-30-2007, 12:54 AM

I watch the jam session part of Modern Electric Bass with Jaco.

jollygiantchris · #4 12-30-2007, 01:31 AM

jeff schmidt...because hes amazing and hes the only solo bass player ive ever heard that i actually enjoyed listening to and his technique is mind-boggling

CraigG · #5 12-30-2007, 06:35 PM

I know, may say, there he goes again bringing up Abraham Laboriel, Sr. But I have to say, as one of the senior players out there, Abe still plays with an incredible amount of enthusiasm and energy. He's clearly passionate about using his instrument to glorify God. I hope I can still be plugging away like Abe when I am 60!

MoD_Scotty · #6 12-30-2007, 06:44 PM

Geddy. I listen to metal almost 24/7, but occasionally I'll pop in some Rush and get blown away by his playing all over again. Yesterday, I was driving cross country, and listened to about 3 hours worth of Rush. It still amazes me, after playing bass for 13 years, how much I still have to learn.

MosGuy · #7 12-30-2007, 08:00 PM

I listen to a wide range of styles with great bass players: Jaco, Rush etc. Tho I'll break out CD's and listen to my original influence: Paul McCartney. There's just something about the British invasion era & the Beatles specifically. More recently the biggest inspiration would be: Bill Clements, the one arm bassist.

tbwilson · #8 12-30-2007, 08:02 PM

what inspires me is when you just find bands around the country or even world wide on myspace and you hear just how much you suck compared to them thats what keeps me going to play bass.

capnsandwich · #9 12-30-2007, 08:08 PM

I listen to all kinds of players and continuosly seek out new ones, from Jimmy Johnson, Tom Kennedy, to Alan Goldstein and Hadrien Feraud.

Here recently I came across a player by the name of Michael Manson. He plays jazz and R&B and has an awesome sense of groove. I just downloaded his cd on itunes and have been listening to it all week. Good stuff. Next week I'll be into someone else but this week Mike's the man.

bongomania · #10 12-30-2007, 08:08 PM

Ron Carter. He was a genius player when young; then he spent a couple decades putting out candy-coated dreck; and now he has matured and is playing deep, wise, and strong. We all go through periods of upward movement and regression, it happens even to the giants of bass. So you keep going.

Zephyron · #11 12-30-2007, 08:13 PM

Well i cant really coment on this coz i will start playing bass this xmas when i get a bass for new year ... but i can tell u what bass player grabed my hand and said YOU NEED TO PLAY BASS BOY! Steve Harris from Iron Maiden... once ive heard Affraid to shoot strangers .. the simple but mind blowingly beautiful bass line and the bouncy bass line of Run to the hills .. that was it ... i think that Affraid to shoot .. will always be the song that was IT for me tho

Dr. Cheese · #12 12-30-2007, 08:50 PM

Now that I am pretty much a full time Gospel bassist, Fred Hammond and his bassists are the ones that have me learning.

capnsandwich · #13 12-30-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Now that I am pretty much a full time Gospel bassist, Fred Hammond and his bassists are the ones that have me learning.

Isn't Fred Hammond a bassist himself, and a freakin' good one if I remember correctly.

Dr. Cheese · #14 12-30-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Isn't Fred Hammond a bassist himself, and a freakin' good one if I remember correctly.

He is a great bassist, but he does not play bass on all of his tracks.

BillytheBassist · #15 12-30-2007, 09:26 PM

Feraud always sends me to the shed, as well as Gwizdala, Garrison, as well as various players of whom i don't even know who they are. I'll take inspiration anywhere i can get it. Alot of times even guitar players inspire me to play bass... George Benson, Gambale... the list just goes on and on.

ThunderGod · #16 12-31-2007, 12:32 AM

For me, it's not the PLAYER as much as it is the music that inspires and challenges me to improve. Does that count?

Prahainspring · #17 12-31-2007, 12:53 AM

Jack Bruce or Mike Watt.

They've obtained a level of playing that, to me, is beyond the physical notes and everything right & true in bass playing.

Valerus · #18 12-31-2007, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoD_Scotty

Geddy. I listen to metal almost 24/7, but occasionally I'll pop in some Rush and get blown away by his playing all over again. Yesterday, I was driving cross country, and listened to about 3 hours worth of Rush. It still amazes me, after playing bass for 13 years, how much I still have to learn.

I feel the same way, but substitute 13 with 5.

JoelCMJ · #19 12-31-2007, 02:38 AM

what inspires me to practice constantly is the band im auditioning for! i have to learn all the album songs in under a week and it is not easy!

mlowe · #20 12-31-2007, 02:43 AM

The bass lines that are the most simple but yet have the most drive. Any musician that is into it because of the music not money. eg. The old school motown session players.

or the one session group that turned my music taste 180 degrees, petite blonde. Denis Chambers and Mr Vinnie demonstrated what a real drummer can do musically as well as technically.