Do you believe people are just fit to one style?

[scorpionldr]

Moreover, do you you think musicians, be it on guitar/bass/piano/drums/etc are going to only be elitist (i use this term rather loosely) in a genre??

like Bill Dickens or Victor Wooten (I consider them even), the both of them are excellent players, steller, absolute mastery of the instrument, but I mainly hear FUNK/JAZZ influences only (barring Wootens Harmonic Amazing grace).

I mean, I used to be able to do some decent slap work, but when I finely examined my playing, I just really don't have the dexterity, the inner rhythm, the precision that is required of extreme slap bass, but I know I'm going to be a rock (and beyond) bassist, and thats really the only area I really can know backwards and forwards.
Anyone else believe in this?

[bigthemat]

well, you have to find your niche. not to say that versatility is bad, you do need some versatility to get more gigs.

but, like, in the classical world, lots of people will specialize in something. Look at classical pianists. There are some people who mainly focus on one composer. Like I recently heard about some famous guy (the name escapes me) who had his piano tuned exactly like Schumanns.

My old trumpet teacher was a pro baroque trumpet player (a replica of an 18th century valveless natural trumpet) in pro orchestras all along the east coast. Really good money in that.


but it all comes down to what you like, and what you like to do. I love jazz, so playing jazzy/funk stuff is what I like, and want to do. But, if I get a rock gig, I don't mind, especially if the money is good.

to really make it, though, versatility is needed. When you get as good as wooten you can play whatever you like.

[scorpionldr]

Originally Posted by bigthemat

well, you have to find your niche. not to say that versatility is bad, you do need some versatility to get more gigs.

but, like, in the classical world, lots of people will specialize in something. Look at classical pianists. There are some people who mainly focus on one composer. Like I recently heard about some famous guy (the name escapes me) who had his piano tuned exactly like Schumanns.

My old trumpet teacher was a pro baroque trumpet player (a replica of an 18th century valveless natural trumpet) in pro orchestras all along the east coast. Really good money in that.


but it all comes down to what you like, and what you like to do. I love jazz, so playing jazzy/funk stuff is what I like, and want to do. But, if I get a rock gig, I don't mind, especially if the money is good.

to really make it, though, versatility is needed. When you get as good as wooten you can play whatever you like.

well yea, i mean, picking up other genres along the way is fine, but i guess what i'm saying is like, sure, you can play jazz, so you can definitely lay down basic rock lines; jazz is just that complex that once you can get through rudiments of jazz and sound great playing it, rock just comes naturally cuz it's "advanced" music. That's not to say tho you can become an excellent grindcore bassist (i know it's getting old, but bare with me), and have amazing chops there, but not come in and maybe do like a basic walking bass line for jazz well either.....But at times i think certain players are just built for one style and one style only.

[warwick.hoy]

Originally Posted by scorpionldr

well yea, i mean, picking up other genres along the way is fine, but i guess what i'm saying is like, sure, you can play jazz, so you can definitely lay down basic rock lines; jazz is just that complex that once you can get through rudiments of jazz and sound great playing it, rock just comes naturally cuz it's "advanced" music. That's not to say tho you can become an excellent grindcore bassist (i know it's getting old, but bare with me), and have amazing chops there, but not come in and maybe do like a basic walking bass line for jazz well either.....But at times i think certain players are just built for one style and one style only.

Your reply is kind of difficult to understand.

It really boils down to finding your own creative voice, and being comfortable and confident with your abilities. If you know you can't hack it in a jazz setting than let that gig go to someone who can.

It also boils down to making sure to do what you love and love what you are doing. If you put every ounce of your passion into playing just the root notes and bridging the gap between the guitars and the drums, then you will do that well. If you have a creative voice and you need to get it out then you will do that well. It may take a little more effort but it is worth if you have no choice but to get it out.

If you look at different bassists in the same genre you'll most likely find that no two are exactly alike. How about two bassists that played for the same band ie Tool. I consider Paul D'(whatever) to be quite different than Justin Chancellor. I think they both have different approaches and concepts of groove. They are both equally skilled did (do) what they were (are) supposed to do as bassists, but when Justin replaced Paul the whole dynamic of the band changed. His groove was a little fuller and opened up for the guitars to go in new and more experimental directions. Just a little difference in concept allowed another musicians creativity to flourish.

For sure there are guys that are going to be one trick ponies, and that's fine as long as they do it well and love doing it. I don't think you'll find Wooten doing any metal gigs. I don't think he'd have a hard time doing it (maybe a little getting used to), but I also don't think that he'd enjoy it too much.

I hope this ads to your understanding a little bit.

[scorpionldr]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

Your reply is kind of difficult to understand.

It really boils down to finding your own creative voice, and being comfortable and confident with your abilities. If you know you can't hack it in a jazz setting than let that gig go to someone who can.

It also boils down to making sure to do what you love and love what you are doing. If put every ounce of your passion into playing just the root notes and bridging the gap between the guitars and the drums, then you will do it well. If you have a creative voice and you need to get it out then you will do that well. It may take a little more effort but it is worth if you have no choice but to get it out.

If you look at different bassists in the same genre you'll most likely find that no two are exactly alike. How about two bassists that played for the same band ie Tool. I consider Paul D'(whatever) to be quite different than Justin Chancellor. I think they both have different approaches and concepts of groove. They are both equally skilled and held the low end well. They did what they were supposed to do as a bassist, but when Justin replaced Paul the whole dynamic of the band changed.

For sure there are guys that are going to be one trick ponies, and that's fine as long as they do it well. I don't think you'll find Wooten doing any metal gigs. I don't think he'd have a problem doing it, but I also don't think that he'd enjoy it too much.

I hope this ads to your understanding a little bit.

k, thanx....in retrospect it was probably a dumb question....I think I was thinking more on myself, being a sax player, where you really have to be broad across all the musics a saxophone would be needed because it just makes you a better player....

thinking more clearly I guess the real question was does just PLAYING and developing skill without a "designated genre" or whatever really help you play as a person who could fit into any genre you put him or whether it's just making him a good player on his own level of play.....I guess