Paradox. What the...?

[Peace Cee]

So, I was recently asked to try out for a band. The members of the aforementioned band came to a gig to ask me to sit in the next day. They needed a bass player. My present band was splitting up, so one door closes... I showed up at the practice, plugged in, and sat in. I didn't know any songs; the guitarist did the, "It's basically a D pent., then it changes to... Basically, I played roots, 16th notes, flew by the seat of my pants, did the Victor Wooten,"you're only a half step, away..." thing, Jazz-ish approach. I thought that I sucked. The thing is, they were stoked. They wanted me back and slapped fives and stuff. I didn't even get to do my Geddy/Jaco/super complex arpeggio, rad bass player routine. The guitar player's lines were complex, almost metal, yet Jazzy. He had been holding down the bass and the lead. I wanted to wow them; I felt like a bore. The drummer is super talented. He loved my playing. Why the hell do I practice complex musical concepts so much? Why am I paying for upright jazz improv. lessons. Is this enlightenment, or have I "grown up"?

[kedo]

It sounds like the time and effort you put towards being a literate, competent, and confident player might have paid off?

[Derek5272]

Even if you felt like you sucked, they may have taken the mature approach of "Wow, this guy didn't know any of the songs, but he still managed to pull it off OK," rather than, "All he did was play the root, that's boring." It just means they'll be even more impressed when you do learn the songs and play more interesting lines.

[johndough247]

This is a bassist: "Oooo look at what I just spent hours practicing! Look at me Look at me! Just in case you didn't hear it the first time here's that lick again! look at me! You gotta hear this NOW, I don't care who's singing/soloing!"

This is a bassist with maturity: ...... ....... ...... ...... ..... ..... ....... ....... ....... (quick insane fill when there's room for it) ...... ....... ...... ...... ....... ....... ..... .........

Any Questions?

[tycobb73]

My former teacher went to Berklee for guitar. He's in a rock band. I like the songs and think they sound pretty good. I asked him if he used what he learned at Berklee. He said "hell no."

You have the tools if you need them. But learn when to use them.

[powmetalbassist]

Originally Posted by johndough247

This is a bassist: "Oooo look at what I just spent hours practicing! Look at me Look at me! Just in case you didn't hear it the first time here's that lick again! look at me! You gotta hear this NOW, I don't care who's singing/soloing!"

This is a bassist with maturity: ...... ....... ...... ...... ..... ..... ....... ....... ....... (quick insane fill when there's room for it) ...... ....... ...... ...... ....... ....... ..... .........

Any Questions?

so true

[MonetBass]

Welcome to Being Tasteful Without Stepping On The Other Parts.

[dragon6]

Sounds like they didn't leave you much playing space. Did they open up and stretch their tunes, since you didn't know their arrangement's?. Or was it hey catch this! type of thing? You have to quickly evaluate if this is worth your time. We all practice endlessly. Don't waste your skills on ego bands. I don't know for sure your situation but it sounds like your struggle is with finding really talented minds that go along with chops.
CREATIVITY is EVERYTHING. Players with all speed are BORING!
Players with all the chords are sleeping pills! Arrangers with all the turnarounds with be the death of you.
I hear so much music in my head. Sorting it all out in a creative fashion is the hardest part.
And yes you have grown up. Welcome to your new Paradox.

[pklima]

Originally Posted by kedo

It sounds like the time and effort you put towards being a literate, competent, and confident player might have paid off?

Yup.

Spare horsepower is good to have, especially when you don't really know the songs. You play some note which is really pretty lousy as a note choice, but if you have enough skill you can quickly play some other stuff after it that will make it make sense in context.

[Downunderwonder]

Yup.

Some of my finest moments come from making a mistake sound like it was deliberate. I just wish I could do that with all my mistakes. I didn't sign up to the mediocre bassist list for nuttin' eh.

You liked what you heard from the band, if not your own note choices? You heard where you wanted to fit in but missed most of the opportunities for a little bass moment? I would be right into giving it a shot. It could work out really great.

[Munjibunga]

Did Fassa take a new screen name?

[Mooch]

Nathan to Dethklok, "Wow that was awesome! How did you guys do that?". Toki - "I honestly just played any note." Swisgar - "We don't even know how to read music..." Pickles - "hey guys there's guitar tabs in the back of this thing!"