The Mediocre Bassist Club, pt. 3: MBC3

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by rosanne

found it

Thanks! That's quite a story.

[Doelle]

Ok, here's why I should get a number!

I started playing bass 4-5 years ago in a music class. I thought I wanted to play guitar, but when our teacher went through/played the instruments as showcase I was hooked on da bass! "Let the whimps get that thin sounding guitar!!"

I have since then found my home in the rock genre. The Who, Purple, Zed, Sabbath and a lot of the newr bands that are searching back to those earlier days. I have never really learned any of the basslines from those artist. I like the style but some of the Ox's lines are too flashy. I want to lock in the the drummer. That's all. And most of the time I don't go past the 7th fret. It gets hard to sound awesome in the upper registers.

And slapping? I can do that! Flat hand on all of the strings. It sounds like crap though xD I have actually never thought about learning it. It's not fit for my style nor sound. And my sound is what makes me mediocre! I like flats, 2x15's and tubes. Rumble rumble. High notes doesn't rumble.

Pheew! That was loooong :/ I just rambled on. Oh well! Now your afternoon is spent!

[Adam Bomb]

Originally Posted by caeman

Victor Wooten tried to sneak in as Wictor Vooten.

LOOOOOOOL!

Numbers when I get home.

Not sure if last night was my second audition or my first rehearsal, but it appears that I am in. It went really well. All the practice paid off, plus I got there before the guitarist/bandleader and so I had time to warm up.

The singer was home sick so it was an instrumental session. We ran the 7 songs I said I knew and they sounded pretty good. Then we reviewed a few new ones and that went well too. I don't know the neck well enough to go crazy on the fly, but give me two weeks and I can develop lines with a lot of personality and a couple tasty fills. And that's what I did. We finished everything we set out to do and we still had 30 minutes on the room, so we jammed.

For me the two biggest things were that the songwriting process seemed fairly open (NOT a democracy but a somewhat easygoing dictator) and, most importantly, we had 2 or 3 of those psychic-link music moments where everyone is on the same page for no reason. One time we all went into a change while the drummer's eyes were completely closed; another, we all ended a song one verse early becaue that was just where *that* song ended that time and we all knew it. That to me is magic, and I don't know if you can develop that with someone. Maybe you either have that link or you don't. Or maybe you are either all good listeners or you're not.

Also we were pretty tight. Listening to the session today, I hear how we could be tighter. But we had moments where we were locked into one indistinguishable sound, playing stops and stuff, and we were all smiling. I get the impression that they care more about my timing than my runs. That's good, because my timing is OK and my runs consist of loooooonnnnnng oooccccctavvves.

Anyway. I'm psyched.

--Bomb

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by Adam Bomb

...we had 2 or 3 of those psychic-link music moments where everyone is on the same page for no reason. One time we all went into a change while the drummer's eyes were completely closed; another, we all ended a song one verse early becaue that was just where *that* song ended that time and we all knew it...

That's so cool! and 'gratz on landing the gig!

[sgtpepper]

Bomb... It sound like you will be leaving the club soon... hahaha just kidding.

Kudos on that session, man.

[Just Bill]

Good deal, Bomb!
Sounds like you had a great time and, really, that's what it's all about.

[rosanne]

we had 2 or 3 of those psychic-link music moments where everyone is on the same page for no reason.

--Bomb

The gig sounds worthwhile already, but this makes it even more worthwhile. No wonder you're psyched!

[Zomb13]

Congrats Bomb! It sounds like you have the beginnings of a god thing going.

[Flabass]

Originally Posted by sgtpepper

Bomb, man, that's great news! Kudos on that.

I feel happy to tell you that I improved (maybe for God's powers or something) on my last gig: A Beatles tribute.

You know, I can't sing and play songs with hard basslines at the same time, but this time I did ok.

One of the guitarists that were supposed to be in the band for the gig quit like 5 days before because he didn't have time to rehearse... whatever. He was supposed to sing along with me Don't Let Me Down but of course it didn't happen so I had to sing it. The thing is that the part that says "I'm in love for the first time..." has a dodgy bass-lyrics form (for me) but I managed myself to do it and BOOM! the crowd is cheering.

Thanks for reading.
P.S. I still can't slap or tap well...

Have had similar situations happen. This is when we really progress, when it's all on the line in front of a live audience. Finally I can actually sing 4 songs and play at the same time. Have to keep the lines simple though.

So, congrats.

[D1on]

Can I Pleeeeeeze have a number!!!!!!


Not only have I been mediocre my whole life but I'm old, fat and ugly too!! They told me I had to move around more on stage and almost killed our singer with the headstock to the back of his head.

Congrat's on finding that majic mix of people. It just happened to me this past December.

Me and the guitar player have been hangin out in the basement for years. Out of the blue in walks a second guitar, singer that stutters and a drummer. none of us have any theory and everything is written on the fly. We had just started to play together and got asked to open for another band in three weeks, talk about a scramble. Been reveling in our weekend warrior status ever since.

If you care here we are..


Panacea :: Videos - ReverbNation

[sgtpepper]

Originally Posted by Flabass

Have had similar situations happen. This is when we really progress, when it's all on the line in front of a live audience. Finally I can actually sing 4 songs and play at the same time. Have to keep the lines simple though.

So, congrats.

Thank you for your kind words, man. That's what's all about

Kudos for you too

[Adam Bomb]

Originally Posted by souportugues

I'd love to get a number please.
I'm a (one of many) guit-turned-bass player, and have been steadily been putting down six strings in favor of four more and more often. I'm expanding my chops, polishing my theory, tweaking my technique, finding my voice, and I have even built a particular "sound". All said, I'm a much more ambitious writer than performer. Occasionally I teach bass at a youth camp: what a humbling experience when a 7th grader corrects your theory, and a 17 year old shows better technique than you have ever accomplished. But, with age comes wisdom, or in my case, better taste. The biggest thing I've learned through the years isn't what to play, it's what not to play.

Nice. Glad you found us!

Originally Posted by Doelle

Coolest club on TB o.0

How do I get a number?!

Originally Posted by Doelle

Ok, here's why I should get a number!

I started playing bass 4-5 years ago in a music class. I thought I wanted to play guitar, but when our teacher went through/played the instruments as showcase I was hooked on da bass! "Let the whimps get that thin sounding guitar!!"

I have since then found my home in the rock genre. The Who, Purple, Zed, Sabbath and a lot of the newr bands that are searching back to those earlier days. I have never really learned any of the basslines from those artist. I like the style but some of the Ox's lines are too flashy. I want to lock in the the drummer. That's all. And most of the time I don't go past the 7th fret. It gets hard to sound awesome in the upper registers.

And slapping? I can do that! Flat hand on all of the strings. It sounds like crap though xD I have actually never thought about learning it. It's not fit for my style nor sound. And my sound is what makes me mediocre! I like flats, 2x15's and tubes. Rumble rumble. High notes doesn't rumble.

Pheew! That was loooong :/ I just rambled on. Oh well! Now your afternoon is spent!

Awesome

Originally Posted by KillerNeuron

Ah yes, this is a good category for me! Ive only been playing since Christmas, but I progress fast and easily (which I can only think to owe to 15 years of cello and still going). I can't for the life of me get the slap thing down but I like to fake it with funky poppy lines. I can't figure out the pick thing either, it's awkward. I have an excellent ear and can groove with rhythm, but am clearly not meant to reach the level of rapport with a bass that I have with a cello. Still, I freaking LOVE playing the bass and am completely content with who I am as a bassist! My band likes me and I like them, and we make music so what else is there to want?

OMG I thought I was the only one who faked slapping!!!!! lol

Originally Posted by cableguy

Great club. I've been playing 20+ years of covers, originals, rock, blues, & worship. I want to get lessons someday, but life always gets in the way. I have good gear, great tone and I'm never asked to leave a band. Although I have had bands fold after I've left. I like to hold the groove, lock in with the drummer and let the music do the talking. I can't slap, play fast, or play anything that resembles jazz or funk. I know who I am. More Cliff Williams than Billy Shehan and that's ok with me. So add me to the list please.

Sweet. Twenty years of ROCK

Originally Posted by D1on

Can I Pleeeeeeze have a number!!!!!!


Not only have I been mediocre my whole life but I'm old, fat and ugly too!! They told me I had to move around more on stage and almost killed our singer with the headstock to the back of his head.

Congrat's on finding that majic mix of people. It just happened to me this past December.

Me and the guitar player have been hangin out in the basement for years. Out of the blue in walks a second guitar, singer that stutters and a drummer. none of us have any theory and everything is written on the fly. We had just started to play together and got asked to open for another band in three weeks, talk about a scramble. Been reveling in our weekend warrior status ever since.

If you care here we are..


Panacea :: Videos - ReverbNation

Thanks, man. And congratulations! Sounds like some magic going on over there, too!

souportugues - #691

Doelle - #692

KillerNeuron - #693

cableguy - #694

D1on - #695

Welcome!

--Bomb

[turbo chicken]

I would like a number please...

i can't slap, it really feels unnatural... even after attempting to practice it... i quickly just say i can play it easier with my fingers...
same with a pick... i try but dangit it's frustrating

officially joining since i've noticed lately im not as much of a noob as i thought i was... but still very mediocre

glad to define myself as a can't slap, can't pick, but can hold down a groove (most of the time) mediocre bassist club

[the reddis kid]

sup y'all?
Just picked up the bass within the last year. mostly just putz around with it here and there. don't use a pick, tried and disliked it heavily. felt like i needed to use one cuz a lot of fingerstyle ive seen on utube is all the funky slap n pop stuff, whereas i just wana rock!!! so i found this amazing MBC!! thanks to mr adam bomb, i feel content focusing on fingerstylin basslines with an emphasis of less being more.
that bein' said, can i get a number A-Bomb? to those about to groove, i salute u \m/ !!!!

[Tat2dHeart]

Adam - Congrats on what sounds like a great audition. Your excitement makes all the stress actually sound like it might be worth it when I progress to that level of mediocrity. Good luck!

[WackoStu]

Added to my mediocrity tonight. I tried to play with a pick!

But I stopped because I felt like by not using my fingers on the strings, I lost some of the synchronicity and contact with my bass and what I was playing. The pick seemed like it was foreign and in the way. Glad that experiment is over!

[rust_preacher]

I feel like it is more natural to me to learn to use a third plucking finger for faster stuff instead of going for a pick attack.

As for slap, I just yesterday changed the "tug bar" on my 1974 Telecaster Bass to the thumb rest side. I think that's "nuff said".

[My name is Mudd]

Originally Posted by rust_preacher

...learn to use a third plucking finger...

For the past couple of weeks, my instructor has had me working on 8th-note triplets and I've been trying to use three fingers for these...not each and every time, but at least seeing if I can do this now and then.

[rust_preacher]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

For the past couple of weeks, my instructor has had me working on 8th-note triplets and I've been trying to use three fingers for these...not each and every time, but at least seeing if I can do this now and then.

Thumbs up for that! You'll get it!

(I started at age 12 on classical guitar so I think the right hand agility is from that experience)

[Adam Bomb]

Originally Posted by turbo chicken

I would like a number please...

i can't slap, it really feels unnatural... even after attempting to practice it... i quickly just say i can play it easier with my fingers...
same with a pick... i try but dangit it's frustrating

officially joining since i've noticed lately im not as much of a noob as i thought i was... but still very mediocre

glad to define myself as a can't slap, can't pick, but can hold down a groove (most of the time) mediocre bassist club

"i can play it easier with my fingers" - I love it - I feel the same way ...

Originally Posted by the reddis kid

sup y'all?
Just picked up the bass within the last year. mostly just putz around with it here and there. don't use a pick, tried and disliked it heavily. felt like i needed to use one cuz a lot of fingerstyle ive seen on utube is all the funky slap n pop stuff, whereas i just wana rock!!! so i found this amazing MBC!! thanks to mr adam bomb, i feel content focusing on fingerstylin basslines with an emphasis of less being more.
that bein' said, can i get a number A-Bomb? to those about to groove, i salute u \m/ !!!!

Sup! \m/

turbo chicken - #696

the reddis kid - #697

Welcome!

--Bomb