Top 3 reasons you're a decent player?

[67precision]

Hello all,

I've been kicking around the vast talkbass universe for the past couple weeks - what a tremendous place for players at all levels of experience and ability - wow!

When I was a lad, I religiously read Guitar Player magazine, though bass has always been my deal, it was the only magazine that even remotely covered the instrument.

They had the usual Geddy, Stanley, and the 'flavor of the month' popular bass player feature interviews, and folks like Carol Kay writing columns on session work and reading.

What I remember most were the comments about Time not just being a magazine, not getting in the way (musically of course) and that being a simple groove king will make you loved and very busy.

I've played seriously (sometimes too seriously) since I was 16 and I can honestly and proudly say I have never been fired from a gig. I have played thousands of shows, made records, jingles - you name it I have done it. All that and I have an amazing family wife of 22 years and three awesome kids, hence, pursuing fame took a backseat to far more important matters. I am a lucky lucky guy.

I'm turning 50 this year and I am as busy and inspired (and quite possibly more) now as I was 30+ years ago. But the big 5-0 has me beginning to reflect on what it is that I do and how I have stayed so into it, and in it...

I read the thread about the mediocre bass player club - - it seems these are the (the MBC) folks that get what it means to be a bassist, though maybe not by choice.

I realized in my mid-20's that I was never going to be the shredding type - whether I was more interested in hanging out over practicing, or maybe more simply: I didn't need to play 64th notes to make my day. Lord knows I spent countless hours doing scales and crazy exercises trying to improve my technique. For me it just wasn't the end-all to play like that.

I hope folks will take a second, self google the ego a bit and reply...

Here goes (gulp...):

1. Groove with the drummer - the main reason I get hired - I am a funk lover but even the simplest pop rock can have amazing subtleties.

2. Big ears/Improvisational ease - being able to shift styles and play on the fly without effort.

3. Meter - as simple as it sounds...

Peace!

[onlyclave]

1. I can read
2. I don't waste time in my practice sessions
3. I listen to the kinds of music I'm practicing to understand

[Epitaph04]

1. I can play on time...I think.
2. I always do my best to review and practice songs/material BEFORE I go to jam with someone.
3. Uhh...

[steveksux]

1) Good meter.
2) Grooving, by being able to mimic other styles. Not wanking.
3) Listen to what everyone is doing, especially drums, but everything else as well and blend in.

I'm not the fastest player, by a long shot.

Randy

[funkingroovin]

At the risk of sounding arrogant..
1. My timing is impeccable (weird sub-conscious internal clock thing. I've never had to set a timer or alarm clock or use a metronome)
2. I have an "ear" for key/pitch (no excuse,but it's the reason I've never learned to read notation)
3. Most importantly IMO,I understand the relationship between Bass/Drums. (WE keep it all together!)

[Johnny Crab]

1) Dad bought me a bass when I was 10 years old in 1965. Thanks Dad!
2) HAD TO listen to older sister(now a PHD in music) practice classical A LOT when I was growing up and Mom was pianist/church organist(bass pedals rule). I got good timing and a very good ear out of the above experience.
3) Practice practice practice + work WITH drummers(even when you have to carry the time/feel).

[schecter5string]

1. I know and except my limitations
2. I go to reversal ready to play the material
3. ego and drama free- what is good for the song\band IS good for me

[67precision]

Originally Posted by funkingroovin

At the risk of sounding arrogant..

I know - I was thinking my post might be construed that way... Certainly wasn't intended to be so.

Thanks for the replies - always curious what people think about their playing...

I guess confidence could be number 4 for me...

[giorob815]

1. I can find the pocket/lock in w/ the drummer quickly
2. I have excellent timing
3. I have an uncluttered approach to grooving/ no wanking

[tuBass]

I can read. I mean really really read. any range, and time sig, any key, any rhythm. Comes from being a pro tuba player as my main job

I only play what the songs calls for, no more

I have very good time, and can listen across the band to every member

[JimmyM]

1. I show up on time 98% of the time.

2. I'll wear any stupid thing you want me to wear.

3. I sing, too.

[jumbosilverette]

1.I think I'm a decent player because I listened to a billion records when I was a kid, so have a backlog of ideas before I even became a bassist.
2. The rhythm guitarist in my group is steadier than a metronome.
3. I listen to what the other players are doing and embellish rather than get in their way.

[dtripoli]

I get most of our gigs
I schedule and pay for most of the rehearsal studio time
I bring refreshments and food

Even if I wasn't a decent player, I'm sure they'd be just as excited to see me.

[Fretless55]

Perhaps not the three reasons, but at least the one in my experience.

I'm the GLUE...

Not just musically but in the general band dynamics.

An old jazzbo once told me: " It ain't an A unless the bass player says its an A..."

I honestly feel honored to be in the position (chair?) of playing bass.

[agreatheight]

1. Good Time
2. Good Ear
3. Good Tone

[DWBass]

1. Excellent ear (although I can read, I rely on my ears more often than not)
2. Well rehearsed (Know your sh**......always!)
3. Excellent groove, ability to lock in (speaks for itself)

I'll just add......play what the song needs! Don't be selfish by playing a bunch of nonsense because the bassline is 'boring'! Shut up with that already!

[Dr. Cheese]

I'm indecent. Spent more time looking at gear and not enough practicing.

[AltGrendel]

1. I think I can
2. I think I can
3. I think I can

[Dubista]

1. I have the gear
2. I have gear you can borrow
3. I have a car I can transport you in

[Clef_de_fa]

1. I'm classicaly trained and I also studied jazz during my college degree on DB.
2. I've alway worked on my technic, always learning new thing, new technics, more complex music.
3. I play music for my own enjoyement, it is about the art not the money or playing the same old cover or be in the Enterteinment Industry.