Who makes you wanna quit?

bjabass · #1 02-04-2011, 06:55 AM

I went to rehearsal last night, played the Warwick Rockbass long enough to know it'll need work to get some definition and to fall back in love with my P bass. Played well, enjoyed playing.

I was surfing youtube this morning and came across a vid of Peter Gabriel doing 'In your eyes' with Tony Levin.

The more I learn as a bass player the more I realize how little I know, it CAN be discouraging.

Who makes YOU wanna just quit and listen to THEM?

Flabass · #2 02-04-2011, 07:03 AM

Lots of players. I've been playing, learning for a long time and I go on you tube and see some 16 year old nailing a song I couldn't figure out for years. Yea, I get discouraged but it goes away and I just "do my thing."

tdub0199 · #3 02-04-2011, 07:08 AM

No One.... I have an old saying that has stuck with me forever... I get what you are saying tho... but I live by this:

A Pessimist sees a difficulty in ever opportunity and a optimist sees an opportunity in every difficulty...

klejst · #4 02-04-2011, 07:11 AM

Although discouraging it can be, you really should not focus on how much better others appear when you are learning, especially just starting out. You should focus on being the best you can be. Sure some may play "better than you," but think of how much longer they may of been playing than you and also of course the phrase "practice makes perfect" could come into account here too. I myself worry about myself when it comes to playing and learning (non-selfish way) and don't worry about others or how good they may be. However do give compliments when appropriate but never necessarily belittling myself in the process. Self confidence. Not sure if this is what you were talking about when you asked your post question, but just how I took it and my two cents is all.

echoSE7EN · #5 02-04-2011, 07:17 AM

I never get discouraged by pros. I get discouraged when you're in the local music shop and some random person is simply tearing the place up with chops. Actually, I'd say I never get "discouraged", it's more like being humbled. The other night I met a dude at Chuck's (D.C. shop) that was getting an audience of customers behind him. I was goofing around with a bass, but he just sat down and tore the place up. I thought people were going to start clapping. I'd love to be at level when I grow up.

bjabass · #6 02-04-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klejst

Although discouraging it can be, you really should not focus on how much better others appear when you are learning, especially just starting out. You should focus on being the best you can be. Sure some may play "better than you," but think of how much longer they may of been playing than you and also of course the phrase "practice makes perfect" could come into account here too. I myself worry about myself when it comes to playing and learning (non-selfish way) and don't worry about others or how good they may be. However do give compliments when appropriate but never necessarily belittling myself in the process. Self confidence. Not sure if this is what you were talking about when you asked your post question, but just how I took it and my two cents is all.

Dude, I am 56, I started playing at age 11. I am an amateur and never had any formal training. I know my abilities AND my limitations. I'm an old rock player and thats all I'll ever be. I STILL would love to learn some of the music theory and techniques I see pro's use, but I know if I began learning them now, I wouldn't live long enough to learn all I want to know. It doesn't keep me from learning and enjoying playing. But there ARE monsters out there, (in HERE!) they are real and they make me feel inadequate at times...

I tend to disagree with one statement you made, 'Practice makes perfect'

I'll say 'practice makes as good as you can get, TALENT makes perfect.'

I believe you can get real good with practice, but to be GREAT you require TALENT. Some got it, some don't.

HeadyVan Halen · #7 02-04-2011, 07:23 AM

Me. If I hear the same lick one more time, I'm punching myself.

Seriously, Jeff Schmit. He makes playing 'The Chicken' seem like a lullaby now.
Thanks Jeff!

kenlacam · #8 02-04-2011, 07:26 AM

Interesting topic! I used to play bass/organ at different churches, and whenever a musican showed up who I thought was way out of my league and started playing, it made me want to quit. It sounds funny, because you would think that a great player would inspire you MORE to play but it had the opposite effect for me.

bjabass · #9 02-04-2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

Me. If I hear the same lick one more time, I'm punching myself.

THATS the spirit!

SteveC · #10 02-04-2011, 07:36 AM

In the spirit of the question...setting aside all the "teachable" moments and stuff...right now I would say Jimmy Haslip would be a player that "make's me want to quit" as he has an amazing grasp of theory and the technical ability to pull it off.

the yeti · #11 02-04-2011, 07:40 AM

nobody makes me wanna quit, but a deluxe red got me fired once...

shadow_FIX · #12 02-04-2011, 07:54 AM

No, when I see or hear a player that's better than me, it makes me want to practice to achieve what they have. A few examples:

Jaco - had to learn about the harmonic series, ramp up my fingerstyle dexterity, get better at soloing.

Billy Sheehan - crap this guy is fast. *starts working on the 3-into-4 finger pattern*

Victor Wooten - I need to learn how to slap well.

Even non-celebrity players that have something I don't...just means I gotta have it!

swspiers · #13 02-04-2011, 08:07 AM

The only bass player that had me considering quitting was Mike sugar, with the band Jambay in California. I saw them a couple times at the Whole Earth Festical in Davis, CA.

He absolutely disabused me of any illusion that I'm competent on this instrument.

rockstarbassist · #14 02-04-2011, 08:15 AM

Umm, nobody. This really happens to people? LOL. I've been able to cop anyone I've tried plenty enough to impress other people and to incorporate it into my own styles. It's just practice.

coffeebeans · #15 02-04-2011, 08:30 AM

A few bassists have discouraged me, but in the end it really only made me ticked off that they're that good and made me practice more. lol

4001 · #16 02-04-2011, 08:31 AM

The entertainment mafia bosses that you have to either buddy up to or allow to take advantage of you and your band to get a gig around most places in Chicago.

AdamR · #17 02-04-2011, 08:32 AM

I went to Ozzfest this year and saw some 9 y/o kid wail out crazytrain like it was nothing. He could hardly hold the guitar. Ive been playing guitar and bass on and off for close to 20 years now and couldnt play as well as this kid. Its kinda depressing.

However I look back on my playing just 2 years ago when I got back in to playing and Ive come a very long way, so I try and focus on that instead.

Savage_Dreams · #18 02-04-2011, 08:39 AM

nothing about bass makes me want to quit. people that want to scream instead of singing....now that makes me want to quit, and commit murder.

Lublin · #19 02-04-2011, 09:00 AM

No one makes me want to quit, they just inspire me to play more.

klejst · #20 02-04-2011, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjabass

Dude, I am 56, I started playing at age 11. I am an amateur and never had any formal training. I know my abilities AND my limitations. I'm an old rock player and thats all I'll ever be. I STILL would love to learn some of the music theory and techniques I see pro's use, but I know if I began learning them now, I wouldn't live long enough to learn all I want to know. It doesn't keep me from learning and enjoying playing. But there ARE monsters out there, (in HERE!) they are real and they make me feel inadequate at times...

I tend to disagree with one statement you made, 'Practice makes perfect'

I'll say 'practice makes as good as you can get, TALENT makes perfect.'

I believe you can get real good with practice, but to be GREAT you require TALENT. Some got it, some don't.

I guess I really don't know what to tell you then...just be encouraging to yourself and have the will and drive to learn and try to make things happen. Only you can choose to or not.