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A list of nonsense
- Thread starter alex1fly
- Start date
Music nonsense doesn't bother me much. 31 trillion is the nonsense that does.
It seems like this is a list of personal frustrations, not blanket statements of right and wrong.
If you want to become a better player then siphoning off limited time and energy into gear acquisition, tone chasing, compulsive forum checking etc is nonsense. It’s at least highly distracting noise. It might feel like you’re doing "bass things" but you’re not doing the ones that will make you play better and if that’s your goal then you end up frustrated.
The internet is designed to keep you clicking like a rat clicking a lever for a food pellet. FOMO is a thing. We are all being powerfully manipulated on a daily basis. If you're struggling to focus on what's important you're likely caught up in this. Breaking free requires a strong will, but it is as simple as not looking at the screens.
If you want to become a better player then siphoning off limited time and energy into gear acquisition, tone chasing, compulsive forum checking etc is nonsense. It’s at least highly distracting noise. It might feel like you’re doing "bass things" but you’re not doing the ones that will make you play better and if that’s your goal then you end up frustrated.
The internet is designed to keep you clicking like a rat clicking a lever for a food pellet. FOMO is a thing. We are all being powerfully manipulated on a daily basis. If you're struggling to focus on what's important you're likely caught up in this. Breaking free requires a strong will, but it is as simple as not looking at the screens.
How do I deal with nonsense? Leave it behind as much as possible. By that I mean you can't leave all of it behind. For me the most nonsense I have to deal with is my job, I'm on call 24/7/365 whether I'm on vacation or not. Yep, that's not desirable at all. But at 58 where else can I go now and continue at this pay scale with 5 weeks of annual vacation along with the ability to work remotely and extend vacation time at our cabin by a couple days on each end? Nowhere is the correct answer.
But outside of work? Leave the band if they're too loud, too lazy, too much drama, bad set list, whatever it is.
Put up a fence if kids on your lawn is really an issue.
Remember not many days will be perfect, so take the good times as often as you can.
Laughing about the bad times will do more for you than being angry about it.
I realize the "best" tone is what I think it is at the time and it's fluid to the situation.
Active basses, 5 strings, 12 strings, 5 pickups with 10 knobs, paying $5k for a bass that you won't take to a gig, 40 pedals. All those things seem like unnecessary nonsense to me. But that's just me and if you like that stuff, fantastic, glad you found you're thing. I'll keep my Fender and Squier single coil, single pickup Musicmaster and Mustangs and keep smiling.
But outside of work? Leave the band if they're too loud, too lazy, too much drama, bad set list, whatever it is.
Put up a fence if kids on your lawn is really an issue.
Remember not many days will be perfect, so take the good times as often as you can.
Laughing about the bad times will do more for you than being angry about it.
I realize the "best" tone is what I think it is at the time and it's fluid to the situation.
Active basses, 5 strings, 12 strings, 5 pickups with 10 knobs, paying $5k for a bass that you won't take to a gig, 40 pedals. All those things seem like unnecessary nonsense to me. But that's just me and if you like that stuff, fantastic, glad you found you're thing. I'll keep my Fender and Squier single coil, single pickup Musicmaster and Mustangs and keep smiling.
Last edited:
How do y'all deal with nonsense?
Well sir, I'm at this point in my musical life..
1. Ordering instruments online
I funk with the distributor where possible
2. Having more than 4 of a given instrument (bass, guitar, keys, flute, etc)
I funk with my bandmates' heads where possible.
3. Trying to get a perfect tone
I funk with my controls where possible
4. Loud bands
I funk with their controls where possible
5. Analog gear
I just straight up funk with it. I also funk with digital where possible!
6. Not recording myself and listening back
You will be funking with yourself if you don't, so do it because it brings you peace and helps your journey. Where possible, naturally.
7. Thinking that my instruments sound significantly different from each other
I funk with them so they definitely sound significantly different where possible.
8. Click tracks for small-time local performers
You should funk with them. Seriously. It's not the size of the act it's the discipline. Where possible.
9. Band drama
Funk with them back. It's always possible.
10. Treating GAS like a hobby and not like an addictive behavior. Corollary, encouraging my fellow musicians to buy gear beyond the basic necessities
There's already funking going on here lol. Wherever possible.
11. Debating *best* this or that
Funk with the OP, where possible.
12. Thinking that my musical pursuits might change the world
Funk with your perceptions, where possible.
13. Spending more than a half hour per day on gear forums
Time that could be spent funkin with people whichever way possible!
14. Buying things *just to see what they sound like*
Hey, you're catching on to this whole funk around vibe!
Essentially, you'll enjoy it more when you're funkin' with everything in your path
Well sir, I'm at this point in my musical life..
1. Ordering instruments online
I funk with the distributor where possible
2. Having more than 4 of a given instrument (bass, guitar, keys, flute, etc)
I funk with my bandmates' heads where possible.
3. Trying to get a perfect tone
I funk with my controls where possible
4. Loud bands
I funk with their controls where possible
5. Analog gear
I just straight up funk with it. I also funk with digital where possible!
6. Not recording myself and listening back
You will be funking with yourself if you don't, so do it because it brings you peace and helps your journey. Where possible, naturally.
7. Thinking that my instruments sound significantly different from each other
I funk with them so they definitely sound significantly different where possible.
8. Click tracks for small-time local performers
You should funk with them. Seriously. It's not the size of the act it's the discipline. Where possible.
9. Band drama
Funk with them back. It's always possible.
10. Treating GAS like a hobby and not like an addictive behavior. Corollary, encouraging my fellow musicians to buy gear beyond the basic necessities
There's already funking going on here lol. Wherever possible.
11. Debating *best* this or that
Funk with the OP, where possible.
12. Thinking that my musical pursuits might change the world
Funk with your perceptions, where possible.
13. Spending more than a half hour per day on gear forums
Time that could be spent funkin with people whichever way possible!
14. Buying things *just to see what they sound like*
Hey, you're catching on to this whole funk around vibe!
Essentially, you'll enjoy it more when you're funkin' with everything in your path
You should make a list of the things for which your life is too short.
Oh great, now responding to your post is on the list.
At this rate I will NEVER get outta here.
- Apr 22, 2016
- 780
- 1,221
- 49
- Disclosures
- Breaking even is the new making money.
How do y'all deal with nonsense? So, I know this ain't particularly serious, but I have answers.
1. Ordering instruments online - Research, videos, measurements, etc (if you can't lay hands on anywhere) and hope for the best.
2. Having more than 4 of a given instrument (bass, guitar, keys, flute, etc) - I just so happen to believe that 4 basses is the right amount for me. New one comes in, an old one will go out.
3. Trying to get a perfect tone - Perfection is an illusory concept. There's what works for any given individual in the moment. For me, this changes from date to date. I have my live tone pretty well dialed in, but I'm always tweaking it.
4. Loud bands - Being in one or being in the vicinity of one? I am in one, so I have experience with both. I wear earplugs and also play loud. Drummer is the baseline. He hits hard.
5. Analog gear - All my gear is analog... not on purpose, I guess, but I don't have a single digital effect. I deal with it by... using it?
6. Not recording myself and listening back - Can't help you here. I do this all the time, both for demos and practices with the band, as well as records. Since I'm also the vocalist, there's really no escaping myself... as awkward as that gets.
7. Thinking that my instruments sound significantly different from each other - I can only speak for myself, but... mine kinda do. Different woods, weights, and pickup configs / placements / brands means different sounds. My Aerodyne with Geezers sounds different than my J with american Js sounds different than my custom build with G&L MFDs. I use the same strings on all three, and they all sounds remarkably different DI'd. Through my rig? Less so, but different enough for me to notice.
8. Click tracks for small-time local performers - You mean live or in the studio? I'm assuming live cuz "small-time local." I'll admit this is a unusual one to me. But really, to each their own I guess.
9. Band drama - Been in the same band at this point for 15 years. We used to have the typical passive aggressive drama stuff, but the three of us who remain squashed that years ago. Do we argue from time to time, sure. That's the nature of human relationships, ennit? Anyway, the three of us had a long conversation / meeting about squashing that stuff and being straight forward and communicating openly, and it seems to have worked. I figure I'm lucky to have a couple solid folks / buds in my band.
10. Treating GAS like a hobby and not like an addictive behavior. Corollary, encouraging my fellow musicians to buy gear beyond the basic necessities - You know, it's funny... I pretty much don't have GAS anymore. There are a few things I want, some more I "need" for recording and the like, but I have it all planned out and I have a budget, so if I've spent my budget, no gear. If I see a cool looking bass or whatever, I'm just like "hey that's a cool bass!" and move on with my day. I have cool basses that I love, with one more custom one planned. After that? I doubt I'll want another for a long time. Nothing sparks the desire to buy in me anymore? I guess none of this is a generalized answer, cuz I don't know WHY I feel this way. Mental discipline or maybe just a sort of non-consumerism mindset? I dunno.
11. Debating *best* this or that - I hate the term best. It is meaningless and subjective*. I try my best to never debate "best". I specifically say "my favorite" but also, everything is situational - "This is my favorite bass for doing this activity..." Just because a thing is your favorite has no bearing on if it's "best" for someone else's needs. This is across the board for everything, but I especially dislike "best band" "best album" etc, because what's more subjective than someone's musical preferences. If I do get in the conversation about gear, I might say like "with your guitarist's set-up, this bass, amp, and these effects might slot in well in a good EQ niche..." Because... it's all based on context. *note: for things like the say the Olympics, Guinness Book of World Records, other physical feats, or scientifically measurable stuff, saying best (at any given time) is reasonable. Person A is the best at jumping rope in the world (currently). Battery B has the best life expectancy. Car X is the best at fuel efficiency. Amp Y is the best at being the loudest. That stuff is measurable.
12. Thinking that my musical pursuits might change the world - Oof. This one hit me in the feels. I guess it's about perspective? I think it's ok to feel this way and hope this is so. Maybe you don't change the world... maybe you just make one person's life a little better or change their way of thinking for the positive? That's world changing in a way. Hope for the best and enjoy the small victories, is what I'd say.
A Short Story: Years ago, my band played a show. A dad brought his young teen son. The son really liked us, and years later told me that our show was one of the reasons he got into music when we played with him. That's a pretty cool victory, and though we didn't change THE WORLD, we had a small part of changing that young man's world, so hey. Pretty cool.
13. Spending more than a half hour per day on gear forums - Um... do what feels good? I think I spent about that much time on these responses. But really, any different than spending more than half an hour on social media, news sites, reddit, comment sections in general? Nah, I don't think so. Modern world, modern diversions.
14. Buying things *just to see what they sound like* - Guilty of doing this with pedals. I try to buy them used at prices that mean I won't lose much money if I have to resell them. Actually, I've done that with basses too.
1. Ordering instruments online - Research, videos, measurements, etc (if you can't lay hands on anywhere) and hope for the best.
2. Having more than 4 of a given instrument (bass, guitar, keys, flute, etc) - I just so happen to believe that 4 basses is the right amount for me. New one comes in, an old one will go out.
3. Trying to get a perfect tone - Perfection is an illusory concept. There's what works for any given individual in the moment. For me, this changes from date to date. I have my live tone pretty well dialed in, but I'm always tweaking it.
4. Loud bands - Being in one or being in the vicinity of one? I am in one, so I have experience with both. I wear earplugs and also play loud. Drummer is the baseline. He hits hard.
5. Analog gear - All my gear is analog... not on purpose, I guess, but I don't have a single digital effect. I deal with it by... using it?
6. Not recording myself and listening back - Can't help you here. I do this all the time, both for demos and practices with the band, as well as records. Since I'm also the vocalist, there's really no escaping myself... as awkward as that gets.
7. Thinking that my instruments sound significantly different from each other - I can only speak for myself, but... mine kinda do. Different woods, weights, and pickup configs / placements / brands means different sounds. My Aerodyne with Geezers sounds different than my J with american Js sounds different than my custom build with G&L MFDs. I use the same strings on all three, and they all sounds remarkably different DI'd. Through my rig? Less so, but different enough for me to notice.
8. Click tracks for small-time local performers - You mean live or in the studio? I'm assuming live cuz "small-time local." I'll admit this is a unusual one to me. But really, to each their own I guess.
9. Band drama - Been in the same band at this point for 15 years. We used to have the typical passive aggressive drama stuff, but the three of us who remain squashed that years ago. Do we argue from time to time, sure. That's the nature of human relationships, ennit? Anyway, the three of us had a long conversation / meeting about squashing that stuff and being straight forward and communicating openly, and it seems to have worked. I figure I'm lucky to have a couple solid folks / buds in my band.
10. Treating GAS like a hobby and not like an addictive behavior. Corollary, encouraging my fellow musicians to buy gear beyond the basic necessities - You know, it's funny... I pretty much don't have GAS anymore. There are a few things I want, some more I "need" for recording and the like, but I have it all planned out and I have a budget, so if I've spent my budget, no gear. If I see a cool looking bass or whatever, I'm just like "hey that's a cool bass!" and move on with my day. I have cool basses that I love, with one more custom one planned. After that? I doubt I'll want another for a long time. Nothing sparks the desire to buy in me anymore? I guess none of this is a generalized answer, cuz I don't know WHY I feel this way. Mental discipline or maybe just a sort of non-consumerism mindset? I dunno.
11. Debating *best* this or that - I hate the term best. It is meaningless and subjective*. I try my best to never debate "best". I specifically say "my favorite" but also, everything is situational - "This is my favorite bass for doing this activity..." Just because a thing is your favorite has no bearing on if it's "best" for someone else's needs. This is across the board for everything, but I especially dislike "best band" "best album" etc, because what's more subjective than someone's musical preferences. If I do get in the conversation about gear, I might say like "with your guitarist's set-up, this bass, amp, and these effects might slot in well in a good EQ niche..." Because... it's all based on context. *note: for things like the say the Olympics, Guinness Book of World Records, other physical feats, or scientifically measurable stuff, saying best (at any given time) is reasonable. Person A is the best at jumping rope in the world (currently). Battery B has the best life expectancy. Car X is the best at fuel efficiency. Amp Y is the best at being the loudest. That stuff is measurable.
12. Thinking that my musical pursuits might change the world - Oof. This one hit me in the feels. I guess it's about perspective? I think it's ok to feel this way and hope this is so. Maybe you don't change the world... maybe you just make one person's life a little better or change their way of thinking for the positive? That's world changing in a way. Hope for the best and enjoy the small victories, is what I'd say.
A Short Story: Years ago, my band played a show. A dad brought his young teen son. The son really liked us, and years later told me that our show was one of the reasons he got into music when we played with him. That's a pretty cool victory, and though we didn't change THE WORLD, we had a small part of changing that young man's world, so hey. Pretty cool.
13. Spending more than a half hour per day on gear forums - Um... do what feels good? I think I spent about that much time on these responses. But really, any different than spending more than half an hour on social media, news sites, reddit, comment sections in general? Nah, I don't think so. Modern world, modern diversions.
14. Buying things *just to see what they sound like* - Guilty of doing this with pedals. I try to buy them used at prices that mean I won't lose much money if I have to resell them. Actually, I've done that with basses too.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
1. Giving my opinion online.
I was about to detail my Steely Dan journey on the Albini/Dan thread, and then I was like “Who cares? Other than my Dan-fan wife, who really cares?” Same with the Fender Mod Shop thread. None of my hot takes are especially hot, and sharing them add nothing to the experience of life for me or for you.
I was about to detail my Steely Dan journey on the Albini/Dan thread, and then I was like “Who cares? Other than my Dan-fan wife, who really cares?” Same with the Fender Mod Shop thread. None of my hot takes are especially hot, and sharing them add nothing to the experience of life for me or for you.
Hilariously I also just moved to a house that's right on the edge of a sledding hill... and people do come on my lawn to sled down! LollllllWell now.............................. Someone doesn't want people on his lawn!
Thanks for showing me the line.
I see you've met my former co-workers.
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Curious what the percentage of bass players use rounds vs flats is.- Latest: Rip Van Dan
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