I just realized something that made me feel old...

Ubersheist · #1 04-24-2011, 04:19 PM

I just realized that I've been playing long enough to see three different eras of bass finger-style playing. Ug.

So, when I started playing, the dominant finger style was very traditional. Fingers perpendicular to the strings with the thumb planted firmly on the rest or pickup. Late 1980s or Stanley Clarke.

Next was 'the claw,' as I call it, that was all the rage. I remember that back in about 1992 to 1994 is when people started really using their fingers more like classical guitarists then traditional bassists. Think of Steve Bailey.

These days, it's the claw that everyone uses and teaches, except there's tons more thumb work, where it's become the dominate digit, and the technique and positioning with regards to tone is given much more attention. Like Victor Wooten.

BTW, here's a great video of the those two guys...

There's also a ton of that old thumb technique of the 1950s where you had those old Fenders with finger rest below the strings. These days, that's gotten incorporated into playing far more then in the last few decades.

Just made me feel old....

kcole4001 · #2 04-24-2011, 04:31 PM

Had a similar revelation a few weeks ago.
I was playing with a guy around 10 years older than I, who was telling stories about the 'old days' when he was the young guy playing with older players, these older guys are now mostly dead or well over 70.

When I started playing gigs, I was the young guy playing with mainly older players, now I'm almost one of the 'old guys'.

Russell L · #3 04-25-2011, 10:27 AM

Well, it don't get any better. 61 here. But still gigging regularly. Saw some pics of me playing the other night and thought, "But, I don't 'feel' like I look." I really don't.

pathdoc2 · #4 04-25-2011, 10:30 AM

The thing that makes me feel old is all these bassist with really low hanging basses. I've always subscribed to the "cover your liver" style not the "cover your nuts" position.

madmatt · #5 04-25-2011, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathdoc2

The thing that makes me feel old is all these bassist with really low hanging basses. I've always subscribed to the "cover your liver" style not the "cover your nuts" position.

Depends on how rough the crowd is.

lindseyp · #6 04-25-2011, 11:03 AM

I have never been comfortable with the cyn position, guitar or bass. I wear them where I can comfortably reach them. I AM trying to get the Jamerson one-finger string skips going, though; there's still a lot I need to learn just with that technique, and I grew up listening to him.

Ubersheist · #7 04-25-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathdoc2

The thing that makes me feel old is all these bassist with really low hanging basses. I've always subscribed to the "cover your liver" style not the "cover your nuts" position.

Having a low-slung bass is a young man's position and the M.O. of a bassist with bad habits. While it's still possible to be a pretty good bassist or a great musician (not necesarrily a bassist specifically), the finger positioning in the fretting hand gets really whacked. It puts a massive crink in your wrists, and is much more difficult to really fret the bass or the guitar right. There's pretty much no virtuosos who sling their bass way down low. Same with guitarists, although you do have a few more of them then bass players.

It's funny - I've been around long enough to see guitarists' bringing their guitars from hanging down low to a much higher position - not because they're getting better technique or the style has change, but because playing 20+ years with your wrist messed up gets to you.

Mike M. · #8 04-26-2011, 12:59 AM

Just seeing my and all my friends hair turning gray (or white....or balding) is enough to make me wonder where the years have gone!

Russell L · #9 04-27-2011, 06:20 AM

Has anyone noticed how when the pretty girls on the dance floor smile at you, it's just a "nice" smile, like how they would smile at their grandparent?

Jim Nazium · #10 04-28-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Has anyone noticed how when the pretty girls on the dance floor smile at you, it's just a "nice" smile, like how they would smile at their grandparent?

I have TOTALLY noticed that.

bluesdogblues · #11 04-28-2011, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Has anyone noticed how when the pretty girls on the dance floor smile at you, it's just a "nice" smile, like how they would smile at their grandparent?

LMFAO

mboogiemanusa · #12 04-29-2011, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Has anyone noticed how when the pretty girls on the dance floor smile at you, it's just a "nice" smile, like how they would smile at their grandparent?

In my case I think they are smiling at the creepy old guy watching all the giggly parts LOL

jeffbrown · #13 04-29-2011, 09:19 PM

Hmmm. Mboogie, have you noticed that those pretty girls keep looking younger and younger every year?

And, they know *exactly* what they are doing with that smile....

steveksux · #14 04-30-2011, 08:03 AM

When you realize you no longer are interested in a chick with a Father complex.

And you have to find a chick with a GrandFather complex.

Randy

**Staccato** · #15 04-30-2011, 08:15 AM

I've got to get busy-since I'm old enough to have heard all three.

Now, I've got to train my fingers to practice what you're ~~preaching~~ talking about.

ProgRocker · #16 04-30-2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike M.

Just seeing my and all my friends hair turning gray (or white....or balding) is enough to make me wonder where the years have gone!

Eh, my hair started turning white when I was about 17 - 18. By my late 20's both sides of my head were almost completely white, and the top was starting too. My barber told me I should either cut it (I've got long hair, almost to the middle of my back), or color it. Otherwise I'd wind up looking like Arlo Guthrie (the guy that did "Alice's Resturant", if anyone didn't know). I was thinking more like Sean Connery (from the movie "The Rock" or "Highlander")... but, I could never look that cool.

So, I've been coloring it for some time now, and I'm only 38. The guys at work noticed once that I was starting to get a little white. I told them that was nothing new, and told them what I've just told here. They said I should let it grow out white. They think it'd look cool. Strange world.

**Staccato** · #17 04-30-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Has anyone noticed how when the pretty girls on the dance floor smile at you, it's just a "nice" smile, like how they would smile at their grandparent?

Nah, but some are starting to look at me like they would at Dad, or one of Dad's friends.

Ubersheist · #18 04-30-2011, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveksux

When you realize you no longer are interested in a chick with a Father complex.

And you have to find a chick with a GrandFather complex.

Randy

...and you thought the girls with Daddy issues were nutty....

Bassamatic · #19 04-30-2011, 08:48 AM

OH - is that what that smile means? DANG!

Rockmusician · #20 04-30-2011, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell L

Well, it don't get any better. 61 here. But still gigging regularly. Saw some pics of me playing the other night and thought, "But, I don't 'feel' like I look." I really don't.

I'm the exact opposite. I'm 51 but most people think I am in my early 30's. There are many days when I feel like I'm 80.