**** it, I'm a punk

GhostLobby · #1 12-22-2006, 05:48 PM

I've tried taking lessons and I've never been successful. Why? I'm a punk. I don't have a mowhawk or piercings or serious problems with authority, I don't dress out of the norm. But.... Music for me is when I **** off and get my instant gratification. The idea of sitting and playing scales, learning theory, honing certain techniques for just that one effect just has never worked for me, much as I'd love to nobly pursue the artistry of the bass. I play in the moment for the moment. Fortunately I have no illusions, or delusions, about making any money making music or being particularly respected for my playing. Also, fortunately I have enough creative and physical talent to not completely and totally suck well, IMHO anyway), but I recognize that I could be way better than I am if I put just a little bit of work into. The thing is, I have other things I have to put work into. Going back to school to start career number three or four ( gotta love the current economy and the vaguaries of one's own body ), house upkeep and payments, motorcycling, etc. Fact is, I can't imagine mixing commerce with music. It's a sacrosanct thing, it's the one thing I do that's just for kicks, for me, for pure abandon. As such, it's a necessarily undisciplined activity. I don't play with legos anymore, I play with my bass. I don't care if the music I write and play is perfect, I just care if it feels good to play it and listen to the playback.

Is anyone but me here on TB a total punk?

anderbass · #2 12-22-2006, 06:18 PM

I'm not in to practicing scales or theory either.
Do what ever works for you...

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 12-23-2006, 07:52 AM

Play it whatever way you want to, punk/hardcore is my area music-wise, and it is really simple to play, and yeah, its never anything amazing, but its fun to play, and i enjoy the music in my band, so thats what counts.

I do other stuff, but thats soley noodling!

bassteban · #4 12-23-2006, 08:03 AM

By your definition, I am pretty much a punk. My musical ideals(reasons for doing it)mostly line up w/yours, although I'm at the point where it's helpful to me to know a bit in the way of theory, etc- so I try to learn as much as possible. Additionally, my tastes have widened immensely & I'm playing a more diverse collection of styles than in my younger days. Play what you like; you'll like what you play.

Joe Nerve · #5 12-23-2006, 08:06 AM

I'm a punk guitarist. I'm an obsessed bassist.

bobalu · #6 12-23-2006, 10:35 PM

I hear ya'. And I think its a good thing that the likes of the Ramones and the Sex Pistols felt the same way!

Helluvatim · #7 12-24-2006, 02:36 PM

always had roots in punk, shared the mentality too, but I prefer to call my style "underachiever". Its just what feels good to me.

Poop-Loops · #8 12-24-2006, 05:28 PM

Music is one of the few things I am willing to put work into. I want to be able to do more than just pump out root 8th notes.

i_got_a_mohawk · #9 12-24-2006, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

Music is one of the few things I am willing to put work into. I want to be able to do more than just pump out root 8th notes.

Alot of punk music is pretty bass driven tho, assuming its all root 8th notes is like assuming all jazz is like jaco

ryco · #10 12-24-2006, 08:06 PM

I'm not a punk because by the time punk came along I already knew way too much and wasn't willing to unlearn everything I had worked so long to learn.

Having said that I always admired the punk attitude of questioning authority and the genuine outlook of rebellion against corporate mediocrity, esp in popular T40 music of that day (late 70s). Rock at that point needed a serious kick in the ballocks. I loved the pounding, driving rhythm section!

However it seemed the longer punksters played (those that lived), the better they got at musicianship (that's the nature of growth) , thereby kind of defeating their "innocence" and naivete.

There's no rule saying you have to know theory if'n it don't interest you. I learned it cuz I was so fascinated with the principles of what made music work.

Most of my friends were punks. And the key to their vibe was always playing. They were always playing with other ppl and jamming out - when they weren't nodding off. If ya ain't gonna learn theory then take the time you would if you were studying and spend it playing out with others.

But beware: you will grow! :j/k kinda: peace

MJ5150 · #11 12-24-2006, 08:36 PM

If it makes you feel good to label yourself, then good for you.

It looks more to me like you are just too busy and lazy to learn how to play music. Especially when it is so easy to fake it and tell people you are being "creative".

-Mike

dirtgroove · #12 12-26-2006, 01:42 PM

That's the spirit!

Lazylion · #13 12-26-2006, 01:55 PM

You'll want to keep your day job.

DigableGrooves · #14 12-26-2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Alot of punk music is pretty bass driven tho, assuming its all root 8th notes is like assuming all jazz is like jaco

except jaco is super good jazz, and root 8ths are not really super good anything. bad analogy, kid.

i_got_a_mohawk · #15 12-26-2006, 02:44 PM

The anaology to show that a genre does not define the complexity of the bass line.

Guess you missed that eh?

Also, dont call me a kid, im not a young goat, got that?

seansbrew · #16 12-26-2006, 02:53 PM

If that's the way you enjoy music, more power to you. I myself would like to continue to learn more, but don't have the time to commint to lessons at this juncture. I still enjoy playing, creating and practicing what I do know (scales, chords, etc.)
I don't have to be able to play like Jaco or be able to sight read classical music to feel succesful playing my bass.

As long as you enjoy yourself that is what counts.

We all get something different out of music, no two people do it for that same reason. What works for one may not be adequite for another.

Some people are not satisfied unless they take their playing to the extremes. And that is just fine too, these are the people I most likely look up too and learn from.

No one can tell you that your wrong for feeling the way you do. As long as your happy, that's all that matters.

Poop-Loops · #17 12-26-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

The anaology to show that a genre does not define the complexity of the bass line.

Guess you missed that eh?

Also, dont call me a kid, im not a young goat, got that?

I wasn't saying anything about the genre. I was saying that I don't want to only be able to play 8th root notes. The genre is irrelevent. Technique is a bag of tools. If all you have is a hammer, then you will likely avoid situations where you have to tighten things or screw things in, and that just limits you as a musician.

Music is supposed to be an expression of yourself. If root 8th notes express you fully... then I don't know what to say...

JoshRomance · #18 12-26-2006, 07:34 PM

All I'm going to say is this: If your in a band, do what's right for the band. If you are in a guitar band, play like it. You should always have your personal time with your instrument, though, just to progress as a musician. Just because there's no room in the band for slap playing doesn't mean you shouldn't know how to play it.