Best musical advice you ever got

[cnltb]

"play as much as you can"
"Learn as much as you can about what it is you are doing"
"listen to a variety of styles and be open minded"
"you can learn just as much from players of instruments other than your own and singers, as you can from those that play the same as you do"
" ...it's only music"


...are the first that come to mind.

 

[Count Bassie]

" ...it's only music"

Perfect.

 

[devilstone]

"Someone already has the lead and all you have to do is support and add to the musical conversation when its comfortable and adds to the experience. Otherwise you just have a good time." my good friend Dave Burke.

'add to the musical conversation", great line...

 

[jaybasically]

dont know if its been said bcause i cba'd to look through all of it but..........."play with your ears, not your fingers" simple

 

[Krowser]

"No, when you slap, you have to MISS the string, don't land on it."

Oh?
Oh.
OHH!!!!!

*Paw pom pa-ting ding*

With that I finally learned how to slap proprelly.

And also:

"Dude, learn some metalcore"

I was getting bored with bass but when I finally decided to get over the screaming lyrics, I learned that even though Bass will never play lead, it can come damn close!

You want a good workout for the fingers? Play some Protest The Hero.

 

[Kaneesel]

"If you miss a note, don't freak out. Move on to the next one in time. Chances are, the audience has know idea how it really goes." -MKPryce, Highschool Choir Teacher

 

[RTL]

"Play for the song, not for yourself."

Best advice I ever got.

 

[funkmangriff]

"shut up and do it!"

greasy big guy at the front of the crowd!

hehehe

 

[Count Bassie]

"Play for the song, not for yourself."

Best advice I ever got.

This one is hitting the spot.

 

[Count Bassie]

"shut up and do it!"

greasy big guy at the front of the crowd!

hehehe

This one is the Bullseye!

 

[Krowser]

"If you miss a note, don't freak out. Move on to the next one in time. Chances are, the audience has know idea how it really goes." -MKPryce, Highschool Choir Teacher

Thats something I noticed on my own.

If the audience doesnt know the song, or even if they do. They don't know every single note that is supposed to be played. So if you skip a note, or you play the wrong one. No one knows you screwed up except the band.

Unless you stop, if you do you look like a moron and even a deaf guy will know you screwed up.

 

[rcarraher]

Play it exactly like that again....only with attitude, man.

Bugsy Maugh

 

[Stumbo]

From a great bass player and friend - Never ever play with a pick.

There's a some great bass players that would disagree with that statement. And some unknown ones as well...like me. There a many threads on Pick vs. Fingers on TB where that discussion can continue.

For this thread, just know that I have always played with a pick. My tone was clean, clear, full and filled the low end fine, FOH or otherwise. Never a request from neither a band member to play only with my fingers nor a complaint from any manager, sound guy or audience member. If you don't want to hear the click of the pick, attenuate the treble.

That being said, since joining TB, I've been practicing with the digits including slap/pop. Whatever fits the music and your skills. Just because you play with a pick doesn't mean you can't cover the low end! Most of all, have fun whatever you do.

 

[Stumbo]

Make ear training a part of your ongoing practicing/training.

Here's a free download for great ear training programs (basic and advanced). Not just intervals. Adds user selectable chord progressions/key/tempo and other features. Then you pick out the note or interval (also movable "do" for Solfege training) from the chord progression.

Thank Alain Benbassat (great last name) and download at http://www.miles.be/

Website has additional free info available and another ear training program for purchase.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Years ago, I had asked my instructor on how to be more a original player, He told me, "One day you'll need to separate yourself from your influences to further your originality, but also this will not be a Conscious effort". Naturally he was right.

 

[(b)Assman]

From a old wrinkly little green man.

"Play you musn't, but do you must."

 

[Dehn]

Play faster than your guitarist!

cant remeber who told me that, but i like it

 

[excane]

The 2 most important rules/advice for a bass player:

1) Play in tune.

2) Play in time.


Everything else is secondary.

 

[Rudreax]

My bass teacher told me that there are only three important elements that make a good bassist:

RHYTHM, RHYTHM, and RHYTHM.

He also told me that, while a guitarist needs to focus on his/her fretting hand, as bassists our focus should be on our plucking hand. Always.

 

[TimWilson]

From previous bandmates:
"Dude, cut back on the gig-drinking. Seriously... You're on the bubble."

Then, a few weeks later, from the same guys:
"Okay, we want you to gig-drink a little... Just, y'know... a LITTLE."

Also, from my first studio experience:
"Hey, plug into this before the DI. It's a compressor."