Best. Week. Ever.

[Dubadays]

So, a little history here: I'm 15 and I've been playing bass for 5 years and while I'm not amazing by any means, I'm pretty dang good. I've been playing in the jazz band (upright and electric) from 7th grade until now (and let me tell you, this jazz band is not crap like some. We won in our category at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival). So, I started a band with my brother and a couple friends, and we played a couple kick a** shows, and I played everything as I should, but I could have done so much more. My dad was so impressed with how I played that he said he would buy me a new bass (I've used the same Ibanez Ergodyne for the past 5 years) if I put enough research into it. So, I joined TalkBass in order to find out what to purchase, but I learned so much more, and I was inspired by all of your enthusiasm so I started practicing a lot more and watching and learning from history's great bass players. Between when I joined and this week our rock band played at our community's biggest school event of the year, which was okay (it was FREEZING). Then, all of a sudden, things started picking up in terms of my skill. Our jazz band toured 3 different schools in our area, and I played the best I ever have. My solo on Birdland (Weather Report) garnered a lot of attention, which I was really proud of. I heard that my music instructor was very impressed with it, and just how our band played in general, that he wanted us do something he's never EVER done with another band. Record a CD. So, fast-forward to this week. 1. I played the absolute best I ever have at a concert. 2. The next day, I get called up by the principal of the junior high school, and he wants my rock band to play at their last day of school. 3. We recorded for 3 days and I played really well. 4. I played at our school's battle of the bands with another rock band I have, and we ended up winning out of 10 acts (and I got a lot of comments for how we played, and my bass solo)

So overall, I just want to thank all of you out there in the forums for inspiring me to push my music career as far as you did, and for inspiring me to strive to become a better bass player. So, thank you VERY MUCH. None of this week would have happened without you guys. And I can't wait to share the CD and my performances with you!

PS: For those that want to know:
The CD:
1. Birdland (Weather Report)
2. Hot Hot Hot (No Idea)
3. Riverscape (Fred Sturm)
4. Four, Five, Six (Count Basie)
5. Groove Merchant (Thad Jones)
And a couple others I can't remember right now

At the battle of the bands, we played Shake Your Blood as played by Probot.



Thank you again!!!!!!

[jgsbass]

Keep up the enthusiasm. Nice to see dedication like that in the new generation. Now go learn keyboards, too

[Dubadays]

Originally Posted by jgsbass

Keep up the enthusiasm. Nice to see dedication like that in the new generation. Now go learn keyboards, too

I've got enough on my plate between 2 jobs, bass, drums, and drum lessons lol.

[Joe.shaffer]

Rad, keep playing and expanding.

[Dubadays]

BUMP. I want more people to hear my thanks

[kesslari]

Very cool. keep groovin', it will serve you well.

[Mike Shevlin]

This site will help you to continue to kick butt.

http://playbassnow.com/

[EddiePlaysBass]

Very cool, Dubadays !! From what I read, you're already lightyears ahead of me in terms of skills and technique All I can say is, and I'm gonna sound like an old fart, make the most of this time, because you will never have so much time to invest in your bass playing as you do now.

I started playing around age 20, when I was at uni. I'd practise for about 1 - 2 hours a day. Had I known then what I know now I would have practised so much more, because with work and commuting I never seem to find the time. Adhering to the old adage that you do not have but make time, I've started making conscious efforts to practice more. But it's hard. Thank [insert appropriate deity] my gf does not want kids yet

[Jimbob Jones]

Wow, 2 jobs AND 2 bands at 15? That's dedication man. Keep on truckin!!

[Hiromakuta]

You're a badass kid. Keep it up!

[vbasscustom]

so, did you get a new bass?

[finalrequiem]

Off topic but you are very well spoken for a 15 year old these days. I appreciate that as it shows that you respect who you are communicating with. Way to be!

[Dubadays]

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

so, did you get a new bass?

No, unfortunately, it'll be a while. I'm trying to decide between a Fender J, Jag, and Ric 4003

[Dubadays]

Originally Posted by finalrequiem

Off topic but you are very well spoken for a 15 year old these days. I appreciate that as it shows that you respect who you are communicating with. Way to be!

Thank you very much . Well, I'm in honors classes so I suppose I better be able to speak well lol. I try as hard as I can to separate myself from my increasingly idiotic generation, so it looks like my attempts aren't in vain! Thanks for the compliment!

[Stickk]

Aw yeah.

[Dubadays]

I'm loving your sig Stickk. Hot Rod is an awesome movie

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by Dubadays

I'm loving your sig Stickk. Hot Rod is an awesome movie

This will be my avatar whenever I become a supporting member...

[Dubadays]

Originally Posted by Stickk

This will be my avatar whenever I become a supporting member...

The only reason that isn't too funny to me is because my classmates have quoted that movie WAAAY too much

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by Dubadays

The only reason that isn't too funny to me is because my classmates have quoted that movie WAAAY too much

Dave: Oh, whoa, wait, what? Why is Rod kissing his sister?
Kevin Powell: Oh, Denise isn't his sister.
Dave: She's not?
Kevin Powell: No.
Dave: Oh. That shatters my entire universe.

[Dubadays]

Originally Posted by Stickk

Dave: Oh, whoa, wait, what? Why is Rod kissing his sister?
Kevin Powell: Oh, Denise isn't his sister.
Dave: She's not?
Kevin Powell: No.
Dave: Oh. That shatters my entire universe.

. Now, that one isn't played out yet.