The Mediocre Bassist Club, pt. 4 - We can count to four!

Adam Bomb · #1 03-31-2012, 05:08 PM

Greetings! Welcome to the new spot.

Here's linkages to our previous highs of middling:

The Mediocre Bassist Club.

The Mediocre Bassist Club, pt. 2: Bigger! (Better, not so much.)

The Mediocre Bassist Club, pt. 3: MBC3

And here is the post that started this:

Quote:

I was born to play the bass. I was not necessarily born to play it great. After 4 years of playing daily, I can barely handle myself in a Guitar Center. Nine-year-olds school me.

Don't get me wrong. Bands love me. I have good rhythm and a good ear. I groove like eff. I love to play. There appears to be no limit to the (simple but funky) bass lines I can come up with. What I can't do is (1) play a solo worth a damn or (2) slap worth a damn; and nothing says Monster Bass Player like a 20-minute slap solo. That's not me. May never be.

I try to look like I *could* play a 20-minute slap solo, but, after doing that for like 15 years, I'm over it, beyond it. I'm evolved, and I know what's really important. That's how I come off, I hope. But in truth, what's really important is all that I can do.

I have taken exactly one (1) lesson.

Flame me, sure, yes, please. But, also, those kindred spirits out there, fess up. Stand up and be counted!

<Braveheart voice> Who's with me!!!! </Braveheart voice>

...

--Bomb

We have come a long way since then. We have grown, both in number and as musicians. And we have found ourselves better received by bandmates and audiences than we might have thought based on, e.g., getting pwnt at Guitar Centers by 9 year olds. (Which still happens to me.) This is where we come and say, "All I did was lock in with the drummer and play the root and maybe sometimes a fifth and I got into the band / I got props from other bass players / I got the girl / I got the boy / I got an endorsement deal / I got my share of the tip jar. We don't play because we're awesome at it. We play because we love it. This matters more than I'd dared hope.

So, welcome

if you're new, and welcome back

if you're not. Newcomers, if you would like a number, please expressly say so, and tell us a little about you and how awesomely mediocre you are. If you asked for a number back in Pt.3 and I didn't get you, I'll hook you up here. I issue numbers every couple weeks, but you're in when you ask. For life!

Alright then

--Bomb

Tat2dHeart · #2 03-31-2012, 05:16 PM

Four already? I'm here. And I'll show off a bit. Here's my family of babies...

Plus one...

My name is Mudd · #3 03-31-2012, 05:32 PM

Geez, I want that orange Lakland...

Adam Bomb · #4 03-31-2012, 06:27 PM

Whoo, baby, them's some swett swett basses ... *drool*

Headed out to a gig! Playing two solos, one more or less improved. Also wrote a new bass line for one song. Last night. What could go wrong?

--Bomb

Lady Kayri · #5 03-31-2012, 07:41 PM

Nice stable, Tat. I gotta take some new photos of mine with the new Dinger added in...

Yep, nice to be trusted to write your own bass lines, even if they are mostly root - fifth with the occasional octave thrown in... So long as the band is happy, I am happy. Plus they'll let me change it up somewhat, once we get the setlist down solid!

Tat2dHeart · #6 03-31-2012, 08:02 PM

Thank you thank you thank you everyone. That little amber Lakland is an amazing player. She won't be my only Lakland forever, though. I'm sure I'll have another one.

BayStateBass · #7 03-31-2012, 09:59 PM

Still here.
Still mediocre.
Still practicing.
Still learning.
Still trying to dial in my amp.
Still playing the same slap and pop lines I could before, only a little better.
Still pounding out roots....'CAUSE EVERYONE LOVES A ROOT BASS PLAYER.
Still in awe of those who are actually talented.
Still taking lessons.

Still firmly rooted in this club.

kiripunk · #8 04-01-2012, 04:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayStateBass

Still here.
Still mediocre.
Still practicing.
Still learning.
Still trying to dial in my amp.
Still playing the same slap and pop lines I could before, only a little better.
Still pounding out roots....'CAUSE EVERYONE LOVES A ROOT BASS PLAYER.
Still in awe of those who are actually talented.
Still taking lessons.

Still firmly rooted in this club.

I can see myself in your post, Can i Join? Besides if Jay Bentley (I really like him) is in here I wanna b here 2, pls!

Limadito · #9 04-01-2012, 07:23 AM

There is no other place to stay for me.
Mediocre bassist for ever!

caeman · #10 04-01-2012, 10:42 AM

Yes, we can indeed count to four!

BayStateBass · #11 04-01-2012, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caeman

Yes, we can indeed count to four!

It's natural. It's how we play....

"one and two and three and four and one and two and three and four....."

GladToBeBack · #12 04-01-2012, 05:28 PM

IMO, being mediocre is a blessing. That way, when you do nail a cool sounding melody line or walk or run or simply add-lib with a well placed slide- it gets noticed. Instead of those showboats who do it so often it becomes expected...

I still enjoy watching really good players go to work though.

Tat2dHeart · #13 04-01-2012, 09:15 PM

Went today for Round 2 with the drummer guy. IT WAS AWESOME! I think we're gonna turn this little Sunday fun into something bigger. Round 3 is the Sunday after Easter and we're bringing in a guitar player for the first time to play with us.

BayStateBass · #14 04-02-2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tat2dHeart

Went today for Round 2 with the drummer guy. IT WAS AWESOME! I think we're gonna turn this little Sunday fun into something bigger. Round 3 is the Sunday after Easter and we're bringing in a guitar player for the first time to play with us.

Go get 'em, Tat!!!

Yesterday I went to a blues jam/open mic with the lead guitarist from my (soon to be "previous") band. I really like the guy on a personal level, we've become good friends, even if we don't click in a band scenario. We didn't play, we just had a beer or two and checked out the musicians. I kinda wished I'd brought a bass. There were no other bass players other than the house player and he looked.......bored.

So Rick says to me...

"You know what you need? A hat. Like a black cowboy hat. That would get you more playing time anywhere. Hats make a bass player."

I think he needs to get Chad to play with him. Isn't Chad the "Hat Guy"?

Lady Kayri · #15 04-02-2012, 08:47 AM

I think I agree with Tat. If you play mostly basics, when you do play a really nice fill - and manage to nail it - the rest of the band really notices, and usually says something nice.

And hats... Don't normally wear them playing, but I have an Aussie style bush hat and three fedoras... Maybe I should try wearing one to a gig or two, once we start playing out, and see what happens!

caeman · #16 04-02-2012, 08:50 AM

Yes, wear a hat. Any kind of hat, just wear one.

For one thing, they add an extra air of coolness to a musician. Two, if it has a bill or edge over your forehead, it can shield your eyes from the glare of stage lights.

Tat2dHeart · #17 04-02-2012, 09:28 AM

Do you think if I wore a hat in addition to playing barefoot, it would look too gimmicky?

Tat2dHeart · #18 04-02-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Kayri

I think I agree with Tat.

I appreciate the credit for that sentiment, but it's not mine. That was GladToBeBack chiming in from one post above me.

GamecockDan · #19 04-02-2012, 02:43 PM

Hmmm...a use for my despair.com cap

SBassman · #20 04-02-2012, 02:54 PM

I'm still looking for my Chad/caeman hat.

In black. I need that hat for gigs.