Am I missing out, by not knowing cover songs?

[Neil Folkard]

Wow..... I've been playing for over 5.5 decades. So doing covers at times was always in the program. And really how I learned new chops. So I'm just kind of wondering how you advance your chops, techniques, and develop your style.

Kind of a confusing question to most bassists I'd think. Since most of us have learned our craft from our heroes. I'd say most players have a list of influences that allowed them to be the players they are today.

I certainly listen to a lot of music and pick up stuff that way, but I've never really learnt bass lines for entire songs. I advance my chops and techniques, such as they are, by doing scales, exercises, jamming over riffs (from original stuff), trying to learn modes, and soloing in them (still a big work in progress, ha), etc. Isn't that how the majority of players improve their techniques? I'm confused now (not hard to do, admittedly).

 

[Neil Folkard]

I've got a question, Does your original bands have gigs and a following and get paid? Or is this as you first stated "A Hobby". Do other musicians in your area see you as a musician of some good repute?

Sometimes you've got to get out of your own world to really experience the world that is out there.

At the moment, one original band has gigs and perhaps a small following but doesn't get paid, the other two are developing material and a repertoire at the moment. All rehearse as regularly as possible. The goal for all three is to rehearse once a week, record material and play live. Getting paid is not really that important to me/us. We are not young bands, but are all having an absolute blast playing our own stuff.

A few people know of me in the area (not sure about my level of repute, though, haha). Somebody even asked me to join their band, after seeing photos/videos of me on facebook, so I guess I don't totally suck.

I do get why people play in cover bands and it's, of course, wonderful to get paid and 'get butts dancing', if that's your thing, but at the same time, I'm sometimes quite surprised by the level of apathy/resentment/lack of enthusiasm/understanding some people (not saying you) seem to have, for others making their own music.

I took up bass playing fairly late in life, and thus far my biggest thrill playing live, was a small, but enthusiastic crowd (some of them friends of the band, admittedly) that actually cheered for an (unscheduled, or expected) encore at the end of our set. For music that we wrote! That, to me, is what turns my crank.

 

[kevindahl]

I used to learn some covers on guitar (Tool, Porcupine Tree, ELP, Yes, etc.), but they require constant attention, to remember them. Not exactly three-chord bands, lol. And I suppose, if the guitarist bust into Xanadu during a break in rehearsal, then I try to play along, but that's about it!

You are correct. Those bands you mentioned and their music are challenging to play and remember. I think one of things that frustrates me, in getting old, is the ability to remember whole songs I have played before. I used to able to play songs that I hadn't touched in many years. Now it's a matter of months. So don't feel bad, there are others who have the same challenges.

 

[Ekulati]

I really don't understand how so many people, seemingly, have no interest in making their own original music.

Neil, this is a false assumption. There is NO SHORTAGE of people wanting to make original music, especially in this day and age when literally everyone and his freaking hamster can now have a "home studio." Believe it or not, in the history of recorded music, being able to do it at home is still a NEW development. And you yourself -- as well as many many others here on TB -- are proof positive that LOTS of people are into original music.

The concept of "being original" does NOT have to extend to writing songs. Many people satisfy their "originality cravings" by playing existing music their own way, certainly in soloing but not ONLY in soloing. And the larger idea of being a CRAFSTMAN/WOMAN is a valid one, that seems to be going by the wayside. Yeah, I'm old, and it's different now. I actually remember a time when "being a musician" meant you were a professional (whether you made money or not) but it meant you had a good ear, decent chops, an OPEN mind to multiple styles that maybe aren't your favorite, and you took PRIDE in presenting that art form to a listening audience with as much integrity as possible. And, gasp, you attained pleasure from it.

I'm glad you clarified that you do at least listen to other peoples' music. I think it seemed earlier that you didn't even do that, which if the case, would beg questions like, what kind of "artist" do you want to be, etc.? But good, you do listen. Last, and this is "big picture" here -- I think your approach is indicative of the trend in society toward "silo-ing," like cable TV has become. We can all just choose our own little flavor of whatever, and stay in that one only, and enjoy the echo chamber, never benefitting from input outside of our own silo. Ok, there...old guy rant...PEACE OUT!