Asking a bassist his max BPM is like asking how long is his manhood

[mellowinman]

While some guys are measuring their units, others are out on dates.

I'm just sayin'...

[two fingers]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Simply put, I got flamed to hell by some of the folks over here who are pretty kind most of the time.

It's just a ridiculous question and a waste of time for a pro who offers up his insight for us here. As many times as I practiced with a metronome early on to work on timing, I never felt the need to keep getting faster and faster. I can slap, tap, pick and pluck pretty quick. But that never got me a job. And in the 2 1/2 decades I have been playing and teaching, no one ever EVER asked me anything close to that question. Find better things to ponder. I assure you pro players don't sit around thinking about, working on, or practicing runs at faster and faster bpm's or keep score.

[Clark Dark]

just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...eVwr0YUSA&NR=1

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Responses usually = ' Who cares? It is all about taste, music is not all about speed lolz. playing at 500bpm wont get you paid lolz'

'its not about how big man, its all about the skillz and foreplay lolz'

You know, no matter how politely you ask the question people are always gonna feel like you're challenging them : - /

Btw, no, I can't play at insane speed and I dont have a 10 inch manhood.

Politely asking a silly question doesn't really make it any less silly. It's something that most people figure out is unimportant.

I'll admit you might be able to find a band where being able to play at 500bpm might be seen as an asset. Pretty sure that's a band I wouldn't want to be anywhere near. What happens when a kid who can play at 537 comes along? You're out of a job? Then it's back to bedroom, repeating the mantra" Come on 542!"


Good luck with your search. If you work at lower speeds for consistency, higher speed will come. How high is really up to you and your physical capabilities. Taste is clearly optional.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by Clark Dark

just when I thought it couldn't get any worse...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...eVwr0YUSA&NR=1

Larry Graham just commited suicide.

[sludgelord3000]

Asking a bass player his BMI seems to be the more pertinent question. I bet Buddha Dickens' is way up there.

[Brad Johnson]

Originally Posted by sludgelord3000

Asking a bass player his BMI seems to be the more pertinent question. I bet Buddha Dickens' is way up there.

Did he gain weight? Haven't seen him since January NAMM.


Of course taking anonymous shots is an interweb staple.

[SquierJazz72]

I have honestly never measured either my manhood or my maximum BPM. Both have always seemed adequate to the task at hand.

But seriously now, I do tend to practice and work up to speeds I'll probably never need. So all I can say is I'm easily as fast as I need to be for most stuff, but I couldn't put a number on it.

[MarkMgibson]

There was a time in the late 80's where guitarists were often talked about in regards to their speed, and guitar magazines ran ridiculous articles about "hemi-demi-semi-notes, etc. Most of them played the most boring crap, and thankfully quickly disappeared to the musically desolate hell from which they came. I'm sure Yngwie Malmsteen is still trying to perfect those scale runs in his bedroom. I'm surprised to find such a thread in a Bass forum - leave the musical wanking to guitarists; many of them are so good at it.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by two fingers

It's just a ridiculous question and a waste of time for a pro who offers up his insight for us here. As many times as I practiced with a metronome early on to work on timing, I never felt the need to keep getting faster and faster. I can slap, tap, pick and pluck pretty quick. But that never got me a job. And in the 2 1/2 decades I have been playing and teaching, no one ever EVER asked me anything close to that question. Find better things to ponder. I assure you pro players don't sit around thinking about, working on, or practicing runs at faster and faster bpm's or keep score.

Anyways, jus incase Ive been misjudged due to the way I opened this topic, Ive never been a fan of shred even though I respect and admire those who have put in the hours to achieve that level of proficiency. I actually dig flea and geddy lee's playing over say someone like a certain Mr Sheehan.

Thing is, I've been trying to play some metal songs that goes up to 160bpm for more than afew bars. Their bassists all uses pick. As of now, I am only confident with about 138bpm for a sustained period of time. Actually, I havent heard anything on radio that requires me to go beyond that and I havent had any problems with say Muse's or RHCP's catalog.

But it really irks me that its really hard for me to go beyond that speed since I actually DO need it to play certain songs(w/o a pick)

Basically this 'what's ur max bpm' question was just asked out of curiosity. I just needed a different perspective from someone who has more experience.

I mean, if someone asked me what's my max bpm I'd gladly tell him, ' 135 at a constant speed, and around 155 for anything lesser than 5bars.' And if he is slower, I'd be glad to offer him some tips. And if hes faster, I'd appreciate some advice.

It just seems that some people :

1. feels speed that is totally irrelevant to the playing of music, and it is preposterous that someone in their right mind would bother to ask his fellow bassplayers what is their max bpm

OR

2. Just damn insecure

OR

3. Dont practise to a metronome

[TigerInATrance]

I've never heard a song I wanted to play that was faster than 110, and there are precious few that come close to that fast. I do, however, really enjoy playing in 11/8. That's where the fun stuff is...

[SactoBass]

Originally Posted by MarkMgibson

I'm sure Yngwie Malmsteen is still trying to perfect those scale runs in his bedroom. I'm surprised to find such a thread in a Bass forum - leave the musical wanking to guitarists; many of them are so good at it.

Funny you should mention YM as that is who immediately came to mind when I started reading this thread. I can only listen to YM for about 4.8 seconds and then I have to turn it off. YUCK! I would always think "what a bunch of meaningless mindless jibberish!" And then I listen to someone like Steve Howe who plays with meaning and knowledge and taste.

Speed playing is for dweebs and wankers, which is perfectly fine if your goal is to be a dweeb or a wanker. I prefer playing music.

All IMO, of course.

[sevdog]

I'm loving all of the posts saying there are better things to do with your time as a musician...apparently one of those better things is making rhetorical smart aleck remarks on a comment board.

[adivin]

I've heard girth is important.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by SactoBass

Funny you should mention YM as that is who immediately came to mind when I started reading this thread. I can only listen to YM for about 4.8 seconds and then I have to turn it off. YUCK! I would always think "what a bunch of meaningless mindless jibberish!" And then I listen to someone like Steve Howe who plays with meaning and knowledge and taste.

Speed playing is for dweebs and wankers, which is perfectly fine if your goal is to be a dweeb or a wanker. I prefer playing music.

All IMO, of course.

[BrandonBass]

Anyways for those of you claiming that nothing musical can be made beyond 110bpm, well I suppose you guys dont really like metal right?

[kellyrojo]

Why not just come out and ask it dude.......
How much ya bench?

[Nashrakh]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

+1

YM has also written a handful of tasty songs, Far Beyond the Sun comes to mind. He actually knows how to compose and his tone ain't bad either (you can really hear it in the sustained notes that the dude got tone in his sausage fingers)

He's a bit of a love it or hate it affair, but he certainly knows what he's doing. Mindless shredding sounds different.

[BrandonBass]

Originally Posted by kellyrojo

Why not just come out and ask it dude.......
How much ya bench?

Well, I have no idea tbh. My routine only consists of cardio plus push ups/pull ups/dips/bicep curls. Its been awhile since Ive hit the gym.

But what I know is, if you go to a martial arts/fitness forum and ask people how much they bench they are very open about how much they can bench/ squat etc.

Infact, most of em would actually put their stats in the sig.

[MarkMgibson]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Anyways, jus incase Ive been misjudged due to the way I opened this topic, Ive never been a fan of shred even though I respect and admire those who have put in the hours to achieve that level of proficiency. I actually dig flea and geddy lee's playing over say someone like a certain Mr Sheehan.

Thing is, I've been trying to play some metal songs that goes up to 160bpm for more than afew bars. Their bassists all uses pick. As of now, I am only confident with about 138bpm for a sustained period of time. Actually, I havent heard anything on radio that requires me to go beyond that and I havent had any problems with say Muse's or RHCP's catalog.

But it really irks me that its really hard for me to go beyond that speed since I actually DO need it to play certain songs(w/o a pick)

Basically this 'what's ur max bpm' question was just asked out of curiosity. I just needed a different perspective from someone who has more experience.

I mean, if someone asked me what's my max bpm I'd gladly tell him, ' 135 at a constant speed, and around 155 for anything lesser than 5bars.' And if he is slower, I'd be glad to offer him some tips. And if hes faster, I'd appreciate some advice.

It just seems that some people :

1. feels speed that is totally irrelevant to the playing of music, and it is preposterous that someone in their right mind would bother to ask his fellow bassplayers what is their max bpm

OR

2. Just damn insecure

Don't take it personally; I think it has more to do with musical tastes than anything else. I know in some forms of music (especially metal), speed is important simply because it's necessary.