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17 Year Old Bassist, Need Advice!

#61
Deoindra said:
Thanks, I appreciate your encouragement, I am still trying hard to learn music theory and it's getting better, I appreciate your advice because people like the other guy made me feel like I should just totally give up my dreams of becoming a bassist!
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Just keep it in mind. Learning theory can be hard work, so keep at it.

Are there going to be points in your playing career where you fail? Probably. When I had only been playing for about 2 years I tried to get into my college's Jazz band. The professor recognized that I had some ability. But I didn't get the bass slot in the band because I couldn't sight read. That helped motivate me to work on my theory a great deal and work on my reading. Now, I'm pretty good with a chart. But I still struggle with reading full notation. And in order to get work, that could be the difference between a gig or no gig.
 
#62
Deoindra said:
Plus what multiple experience people have told me that i'm not correctly set up for it? I don't believe your a professional plus you really didn't give advice, all you did was discourage me! I asked for what I could do to improve myself not that whatever is holding me back is going to ruin my chances of become a studio musician!
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You want my advice, it's on Page 1 and is based on real world experience. You probably won't find it valid because I haven't patted you on the head, offered you a cookie and told you that if you try real hard you'll surely end up the next Lee Sklar. I simply don't blow smoke up people's backsides. The odds are not even remotely in your favour because the real world is exceptionally competitive and almost never fair.

For what it's worth here's a further piece of advice. Start learning some manners, interpersonal skills and try to treat people with respect. A lot of the members you've been railing on for being discouraging have been gigging for longer than you've been breathing. You could stand to actually read what they have to say rather than just reading the posts that make you feel warm and fuzzy.
 
#63
IPYF said:
You want my advice, it's on Page 1 and is based on real world experience. You probably won't find it valid because I haven't patted you on the head, offered you a cookie and told you that if you try real hard you'll surely end up the next Lee Sklar. I simply don't blow smoke up people's backsides. The odds are not even remotely in your favour because the real world is exceptionally competitive and almost never fair.

For what it's worth here's a further piece of advice. Start learning some manners, interpersonal skills and try to treat people with respect. A lot of the members you've been railing on for being discouraging have been gigging for longer than you've been breathing. You could stand to actually read what they have to say rather than just reading the posts that make you feel warm and fuzzy.
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Again, harsh. And spot-on.
 
#64
Mate, if you want to be a session guy, you have to be the best. So be the best. Not the best at your school. Not the best in your neighbourhood. Not the best you can be. The best.

Nathan Watts is apparently the go-to man around town. So you need to be better than Mr Watts, or Pino, or {insert bass legend’s name}

You need to know that you have to be ready to stand beside you idols as an equal. Meditate on that for a while and then start working twice as hard as you are now.
 
#66
senp5f said:
1.)
10.) never doubt the dream and never, ever give up. If you want this, you're going to have to leave your home, your friends and your family behind. You're going to live in crapholes and eat ramen noodles and drive junky cars and never be able to take a date out to dinner. You're going to get screwed over and used by people with no morals. You will live like an animal and your parents will freak out. All of that is merely the price of admission to a music industry that chews up beautiful and creative people, sucks every penny of profit they can out of them and then spits them out for dead. You'll have to decide whether you want that, or whether you want a more comfortable life where bass is your passion on nights and weekends.

Good luck!
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+1. Freaking awesome!
 
#67
IPYF said:
You want my advice, it's on Page 1 and is based on real world experience. You probably won't find it valid because I haven't patted you on the head, offered you a cookie and told you that if you try real hard you'll surely end up the next Lee Sklar. I simply don't blow smoke up people's backsides. The odds are not even remotely in your favour because the real world is exceptionally competitive and almost never fair.

For what it's worth here's a further piece of advice. Start learning some manners, interpersonal skills and try to treat people with respect. A lot of the members you've been railing on for being discouraging have been gigging for longer than you've been breathing. You could stand to actually read what they have to say rather than just reading the posts that make you feel warm and fuzzy.
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Sir my parents have both raised me with respect, I respect anyone who respects me! I treat everyone and see everyone in the eyes of God and for you to judge me, especially someone being younger is just wrong on your part. I apologize if I came off rude but I just asked for some help and yes, I might have been rude and again I really do apologize but please learn to forgive and forget. And if you really want to fight online with a 17 year old go right ahead but I'm just going to end the conversation right here. So God bless you and I apologize to all who I have offended!
 
#70
ShoeManiac said:
Just keep it in mind. Learning theory can be hard work, so keep at it.

Are there going to be points in your playing career where you fail? Probably. When I had only been playing for about 2 years I tried to get into my college's Jazz band. The professor recognized that I had some ability. But I didn't get the bass slot in the band because I couldn't sight read. That helped motivate me to work on my theory a great deal and work on my reading. Now, I'm pretty good with a chart. But I still struggle with reading full notation. And in order to get work, that could be the difference between a gig or no gig.
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Let me add to this, that I've been playing for 34 years, and I understand a lot more theory than I can explain. A lot of the things I learned in college while working toward my still unfinished degree in music (Long story.... I'd like to go back someday), creeps up on me at the oddest times.

I'll be playing something that I've played for years, and it will suddenly occur to me "Wow! That chord is a strict resolution of the previous chord!"

I knew it, but I didn't know I knew, you know??
 
#71
Study and LEARN music theory as in previous posts.

Learn the neck of your bass or basses.

Here's the hard part... GET AN ENGINEERING DEGREE followed immediately with a P.E. License. THEN..join a country covers band...Yo uwill be great and make some extra cash on weekends and parties.

Sorry to say but its the only way my younger brother...
 
#74
..ALSO..Enjoy your youth ...as you will only be young a short while..don't be in a hurry to get married to have children.

If you are lucky.. you will be older A LOT LONGER than you were ever younger.

Avoid becoming a daddy until you have a steady secure income...

Do whatever you can to avoid any time of being incarcrated. If you can't do the time..don't do the crime.

Hopefuly you will find a true love and if it is the plan of the almighty.. then,children...if not ...don't sweat it.

Don't sweat the small stuff and really..it's mostly small stuff.. ...it really is.

Learn from mistakes..preferably FROM SOMEONE ELSES MISTAKES.

I don't have kids but I hope I would impart some wisdom from life's lessons.
 
#75
zon6c-f said:
..ALSO..Enjoy your youth ...as you will only be young a short while..don't be in a hurry to get married to have children.

If you are lucky.. you will be older A LOT LONGER than you were ever younger.

Avoid becoming a daddy until you have a steady secure income...

Do whatever you can to avoid any time of being incarcrated. If you can't do the time..don't do the crime.

Hopefuly you will find a true love and if it is the plan of the almighty.. then,children...if not ...don't sweat it.

Don't sweat the small stuff and really..it's mostly small stuff.. ...it really is.

Learn from mistakes..preferably FROM SOMEONE ELSES MISTAKES.

I don't have kids but I hope I would impart some wisdom from life's lessons.
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TRoof spoken here!
 
#76
obimark said:
Another field to stay away from is Architecture. I can tell you as a licensed architect from one of the top schools, the whole field is becoming a commodity. not the great ARTISTIC endeavor that is shown in the media. Jobs are tough to come by and making a living at it sucks. (and this is after 5 years of school (min.) 3 years of working for peanuts as an intern, passing 9 exams and paying lots of dues...for years and years...)
Many other 4-year degrees just aren't worth it, at least with a Vo-Tech type degree you have only invested minimum time and energy if it doesn't pay off, sunk costs are a *****. Become an airplane mechanic or VC technician. (Play music as a hobby/with min. pay)
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This is truth! I'm another registered architect. I have not practiced architecture in the traditional sense for decades, because I needed a real job to support my wife, kid, and mortgage. The building industry in general can be a boom and bust place to be, but if you are versatile enough, you can move around within the industry and keep learning more skills. I even picked up my tools and went back to carpentry for a year or two recently, while the economy was really in the tank. That has given me a huge boost in credibility in doing some of the other things I do now. Everything builds from everything else.

I wouldn't say a four year degree is a waste, nor would I say a music degree is a waste. If you aren't going to study computer engineering or whatever the latest hot field is, one degree is about as good as another. The main thing is to develop good work habits and break bad work habits. Good and bad habits spill over into everything, whether it is music, work, or relationships.
 
#77
Deoindra said:
Im sorry sir but your absolutely wrong on your part! There are lots of famous bass players who never knew bass theory, for example David Dyson, and he went to Berkley College and has played for thousands of different artists, so before you try to put a kids dreams down do some research!
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There are far more successful musicians (long term) who know and understand music theory than who don't. There are one hit wonders who were famous for a very short time but are now working in warehouses because they were stars for an instant but never became musicians. There are a whole lot of aspiring musicians who know music theory inside and out, sight read flawlessly, improvise brilliantly over charts they have never seen before, and who can play just about anything by ear, all while grooving relentlessly. And, they have a hard time finding work and getting somewhere because it is a tough industry to break into. Unless you are very, very, very lucky, then you had best know as much as anybody you are competing with. More would help. If you go in with the attitude that you don't have to do this or do that, then you will fail. You might as well have your dream smashed now and switch directions if you think you don't have to learn theory. Just being realistic here, because if you choose not to learn something, your dreams will get destroyed along the way, as sure as the sun rises in the east. I'm not being harsh. I'm being honest.
 
#78
ben23c said:
Another 17 year old bassist here... Wondering what reputable brands or dealers carry quality uprights? Something that could last a lifetime... Anyone?
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Look on the internet for a local dealer. I don't know where you are. There are plenty, and if you get one, don't assume it's going to be the right one for the rest of your life or career. Assume it's a good one to learn on, and don't go deep into debt buying a hundred year old carved top bass. I play a Chinese made plywood upright, and it does just fine for me, but I'm not a professional. Strings and setup make a huge difference as well. It is a different instrument from electric, and the fingering is a little different as well. All things to keep in mind. Best of luck finding the right one for you.
 

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