Again with this "someone hurt your feelings" post? Look, the comment caused me to question what I do and how I do it and whether or not it makes me incompetent. I consider it a badge of honor that I choose to ask people who I generally regard as smarter musicians than I am. If that makes me look like I got my feelings hurt then so be it. I got good information here that I will use in my quest for becoming the best bassist I can be within my abilities.
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Am I an "incompetent" bass player?
- Thread starter Broke
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Again with this "someone hurt your feelings" post? Look, the comment caused me to question what I do and how I do it and whether or not it makes me incompetent. I consider it a badge of honor that I choose to ask people who I generally regard as smarter musicians than I am. If that makes me look like I got my feelings hurt then so be it. I got good information here that I will use in my quest for becoming the best bassist I can be within my abilities.
1) if in 2 bands (that like your playing/fits) and having fun...keep playing your fine.
2) keep playing and practicing anyway.
Im 45. Just back into playing for 2 years after not playing since a kid. No band as i just want to noodle in my living room (if was in band it would be for fun and not serious job anyway). Playing is something i do just for me.
Happily learning songs using songster (a few small dips into theory and play by ear). Fits my schedule and point in life. Its not going to be my profession. I enjoy just being able to play a few songs from memory while working on new ones. Better than bass sitting in closet untouched for years like it used to.
Your bound to be more competant than me.
2) keep playing and practicing anyway.
Im 45. Just back into playing for 2 years after not playing since a kid. No band as i just want to noodle in my living room (if was in band it would be for fun and not serious job anyway). Playing is something i do just for me.
Happily learning songs using songster (a few small dips into theory and play by ear). Fits my schedule and point in life. Its not going to be my profession. I enjoy just being able to play a few songs from memory while working on new ones. Better than bass sitting in closet untouched for years like it used to.
Your bound to be more competant than me.
Here you go, the circle of fifths and the world is your oyster.
If the song has a C chord in its progression then you're safe with playing a G even though the guitars are hitting C chords. That's the root/5th that makes up a lot of country/bluegrass/folk music. A lot of blues, rock and country chord progressions will be root, 4th, & 5th, with an occasional minor (inner circle). So, a song in key of G (like 90% of them seem to be) will go to the C, the D, and maybe an Em somewhere along the way.
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If the song has a C chord in its progression then you're safe with playing a G even though the guitars are hitting C chords. That's the root/5th that makes up a lot of country/bluegrass/folk music. A lot of blues, rock and country chord progressions will be root, 4th, & 5th, with an occasional minor (inner circle). So, a song in key of G (like 90% of them seem to be) will go to the C, the D, and maybe an Em somewhere along the way.
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Dude, you're in a BAND!
That's more than a few here not in bands.
Relax, you're way ahead of many if you have a regular paying gig
It's like my mom used to say, back in the 70's: "you can go anywhere you want son, just be back by the first beat of the next measure."
I said "no way Mom, I am going to be my own person and you can't stop me. I am going to stay out all chorus, and maybe I'll show up with a root for the one of the first count of the bridge."
She'd say "Stop that at once! I didn't raise no Phish-loving, note-puking high range noodler!"
Dad would say "Now Emmaline, don't be so hard on the boy. He just wants to have fun. It's just music."
And while I looked over appreciatively at Dad, she'd snap back "not when HE plays it, it aint."
Mom sucks.
I said "no way Mom, I am going to be my own person and you can't stop me. I am going to stay out all chorus, and maybe I'll show up with a root for the one of the first count of the bridge."
She'd say "Stop that at once! I didn't raise no Phish-loving, note-puking high range noodler!"
Dad would say "Now Emmaline, don't be so hard on the boy. He just wants to have fun. It's just music."
And while I looked over appreciatively at Dad, she'd snap back "not when HE plays it, it aint."
Mom sucks.
Nobody said anything about getting paid. We get paid quite poorly and most gigs are non paying because we just like paying. I have my own business which supports my bass buying habits and lack of any gig income.
I was an acoustic guitarist for years before deciding I was really a bass player. Still play guitar some.
A few months ago I decided I just did not have enough information and no formal training so I signed up for a year of the scott bass lessons online. I have made a dramatic improvement since January.
He's so step by step and it's so easy to watch his videos. From basic to intermediate to advanced.
A year was only $ 168.00, which I waste more than that on other stuff.
There are more resources than that, but his online bass school is the one I chose.
They even have a free 2 week trial so there is no loss if you don't think you're getting anything out of it.
Cheers and woodshedding!
You're still in a band that performs in front of people
I'm a civil engineer that is a bedroom bass player.
I hope to be good enough to do the weekend warrior routine
- Oct 18, 2012
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For some songs all that's needed are root notes. As long as you're playing what's right for the song, you're competent.
A pint ought to do the trick.Throw in a fifth once in while..?
You are on a journey. Don't let mental games (blocks) interfere with the trip. The fact that you recognize your limitations means you'll over come them when ready.
No worries,if you are playing in not one but TWO bands you are playing well for the band you are in and the music you play! Don't worry about technical skills, the late Stevie Ray Vaughn couldn't read music and he did quite well. I would suggest a copy of "bass for dummies" you don't need to study it,just make it your bathroom reader and things will come to you naturally
That's just a traditional blue walk! Listen to some blues music, and listen to the bass just before the chords change. You'll hear how the bass kind of "walks up" or "leads into" the chord change!
On the bass, if you're playing a G note, and the next chord is a D, you could play a B, C, C# just before hitting the D on the downbeat. In tab, that the third fret on the lowest string (E string), then the second (B), third (C), and fourth (C#) frets on the second-lowest string (A string), before hitting the fifth fret on the A string (D) on the downbeat right when the chord changes.
The best thing is ear training! Just listen to music you like and listen to the bass line, and try to picture what they're doing. You don't have to be able to replicate it immediately, but just general rhythms and melody/harmony they are doing!
You're not incompetent! We're all always learning and getting better; that's the fun!
Miles Davis said notes don't mean sh!7. Like 10% is the note and 90% is the attitude of the MFer playing the note.
Ignore those people who rag about roots. Everyone in the band is looking to you for the roots.
Ignore those people who rag about roots. Everyone in the band is looking to you for the roots.
Have fun playing.
Watch some YouTubes, there are gillions on how to play stuff.... and practice....
and have fun playing.
If you are getting the job done with the band you're with, cool... Have as much fun as you can....
We only get one ride on this big rock. Ride it with your hair on fire....
tao of edro
Watch some YouTubes, there are gillions on how to play stuff.... and practice....
and have fun playing.
If you are getting the job done with the band you're with, cool... Have as much fun as you can....
We only get one ride on this big rock. Ride it with your hair on fire....
tao of edro
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