If you play roots because that's what you want to play, that's not a problem. If you play roots because that's all you can play, that IS a problem. IMHO.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Am I an "incompetent" bass player?
- Thread starter Broke
- Start date
- Status
None of us know how much time we have left. The late Christopher Hitchens once said "Better appreciate life now. You've been given consciousness for an indeterminate amount of time, so get the best out of it."
If you are 44, then by the time you are my age (63), you will have been playing for almost 20 years!
I started playing bass in 1972. When I started, I listened to songs, and I learned how to play the notes that the bass player was playing in those songs. That forced me to learn note patterns. As I did that, I got better and better, and more proficient. I started with easy songs, and as the years went by, I learned more complicated stuff, until I found myself in my 40's playing bass in a YES tribute band (lots of fun!.....and lots of notes!)
So my recommendation to you is, sit down with recordings of songs, and teach yourself the bass notes to those songs. And have fun!
I play lots of roots. I also get called incompetent because I stay on the first seven frets all the time.
I believe frets 1-7 represent car payments, rent, food, and financial security while frets 8-22 represent tortured artistic endeavors leading to pain, suffering, frustration, and divorce. But what do I know????? LOL
I believe frets 1-7 represent car payments, rent, food, and financial security while frets 8-22 represent tortured artistic endeavors leading to pain, suffering, frustration, and divorce. But what do I know????? LOL
If you take pride in your playing and have fun with it, don't let anybody take that away from you!
I am new to this board, and I really enjoy it. I've been playing for a very long time. Playing roots, in my opinion, is not a sign of incompetence. Playing poorly, and especially trying to play above your current comfort level is not helpful in the context of a band. Tom Petterson plays roots a lot, and he's considered a very good player. But, the main thing is you shouldn't be bothered about any of this. We play music, we are the luckiest people on earth. And, after all, as Miles Davis said, talking about music is like dancing about architecture. Just keep playing!
The fact that you play the root of the chord does not determine competence.
It's where you play them that does
It's where you play them that does
I must confess that I'm mediocrely incompetent because I often play just the roots due to the piano player that has a heavy left hand to go with her right hand. If I don't in those situations, the lows are too busy and it all gets washed out.
So, in that situation, I just view myself as the florist. I bring the floral to the choir singer's harmony. Good news is that I still get my regular pay... $0.00 and no food.
So, in that situation, I just view myself as the florist. I bring the floral to the choir singer's harmony. Good news is that I still get my regular pay... $0.00 and no food.
Here is an answer to your dilemma. Free Online Bass Lessons!
I support this website but you don't have to contribute in order to take advantage of it. The bass lessons are free, and I assure you they are top drawer. Everything is extraordinarily well organized. For a very minimal sum of money there are also study packs and additional learning aids available. If you have everything on this website under your fingertips then you are indeed a well studied bass player.
StudyBass - Free Online Bass Lessons
I congratulate you for getting out there and playing! You couldn't do that if you were "incompetent". Good show! I see a bright future ahead for you as a musician, and as a bassist. Eventually you will want to find a personal bass teacher, but they are not always that easy to come by. Lots of music teachers will take on bass students, but that doesn't mean they actually know how to teach bass. Studybass.com is the read deal. Study on!!
Playing all root notes should be a stylistic consideration. In some contexts, it's perfectly acceptable (maybe even required) and part of the associated sound. Anything rock, punk, country, most dance music (you CAN get by with just roots and fifths on a samba or a cha-cha).
Nothing incompetent about it. As long as it is your own choice.
Nothing incompetent about it. As long as it is your own choice.
D
I guess that I am an incompetent bass player for 20+ years; playing root notes, fifths and 3rds with a big smile plastered over my face and getting complements from audience and bandmates.
Play what suits the song, ambiance and audience. Don't play what the Patituccis and Baileys want you to play.
Rock on and bass hard.
Play what suits the song, ambiance and audience. Don't play what the Patituccis and Baileys want you to play.
Rock on and bass hard.
I guess so but it's not a big deal. You just realized you've some space for improving.
Clearly continue doing what you enjoy the most but maybe add some learning practice to improve. Do you know how to read music? No? Maybe start doing that!
There are some styles of music where the chord changes fly by so fast playing roots is all you can do. That doesn't make the bassist playing that role incompetent. If you're unhappy with your progress to this point try focusing on the area you need to improve on the most. None of us started at the top, it takes a lot of time and practice to get this bass instrument to consistently produce pleasant sounds. To be able to play cleanly and in the right tempo is arguably the most important part, the flashy stuff can be either good or bad depending on the context. The ability to create meaningful basslines to original music is an art all by itself. Don't get discouraged.
i read that in Dave Chapelle voiceThrow in a fifth once in while..?
My first impulse was to say that you're only incompetent if you play the wrong notes, and the roots are basically never wrong.
But somebody who knows more about harmony and how to construct an interesting bass line would definitely be considered more competent. Also some songs do have bass lines that are a big part of the tune (like Jefferson airplane's white rabbit for instance) and people do expect you to know them. Take heart; nobody is born knowing how to do that stuff. We all have to learn. The more knowledge and technique you have, the more tools you have to make music with and the more creative and fun it becomes. So enjoy the ride. There is a wealth of information on YouTube and all over the web. Also there's a lot a good bass players around who teach.
But somebody who knows more about harmony and how to construct an interesting bass line would definitely be considered more competent. Also some songs do have bass lines that are a big part of the tune (like Jefferson airplane's white rabbit for instance) and people do expect you to know them. Take heart; nobody is born knowing how to do that stuff. We all have to learn. The more knowledge and technique you have, the more tools you have to make music with and the more creative and fun it becomes. So enjoy the ride. There is a wealth of information on YouTube and all over the web. Also there's a lot a good bass players around who teach.
Knowing what a fifth means is a pretty basic bit of music theory. I wouldn't say you're incompetent. I would say you recognize you have a lot to learn. And you can really expand your horizons with just a tiny bit of music theory--learning how scales and chords are constructed, and how those patterns are reflected on the fretboard.
Justinguitar.com's theory courses helped me when I was learning. Scott's Bass Lessons are good too, although he tends to gloss over the theory a little bit. Justin, although he is a guitar teacher, does a better job of explaining theory.
So by the definition of the OP then Cliff Williams is incompitant! Somehow I think there are millions of AC DC fans that would disagree!
OP don't listen to or give a crap what others say, be yourself and play how you play. I tend to be a bit melodic when I play, but there are times when I will just hang on the roots. As the dude on Hotels.com says, "Just do you"
OP don't listen to or give a crap what others say, be yourself and play how you play. I tend to be a bit melodic when I play, but there are times when I will just hang on the roots. As the dude on Hotels.com says, "Just do you"
- Status
