Best musical advice you ever got

[bruce sorensen]

1.When it comes to Bass...Less is More.
2.You are half of the rhythm section. Play WITH the drummer.
3. Play that funky music white boy.

 

[soulman969]

To practice with a metronome or drum machine. As a bassist/vocalists there were times when my singing influenced my timing and I would tend to push the beat at times. A solid six months of practicing only with something to provide tempo did wonders for my internal timing clock.

It's something I would advise for any bassist whether or not he or she is a vocalist as well. Without it we tend to develop lines or licks that fit the tempo we learned them at but that doesn't necessarily fit with how they have to be played in ensemble. I had to learn that one the hard way.

 

[roden]

1. Less is more
2. Music is a language (Wooten?)
3. move you body to the beat, get into the groove
4. Listen to you heart

 

[KrisWarrington]

the advice everyone gave me was " dont bother, youll never go anywhere, its a waste of time". that was 15 million records ago

Staind sold 15 millions records. I like Aarons voice, never really payed attention to anything else.

 

[DBCrocky]

People would rather hear a simple song played well than a difficult song played half-ass.

 

[Session1969]

Staind sold 15 millions records. I like Aarons voice, never really payed attention to anything else.

Maybe you should.

 

[bogert]

Whenever you are going to sing.Stand tall and try to look a bit upward.
It will help you sing frequently.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Virtually the same as everyone else.

It's not about what you play. It's about what you don't play.

 

[Kevmon66]

"******** with conviction." This was from the experienced guitarist in my first band as I was expressing concern about my first gig. I should note that this works best with originals which is all I play.

 

[Mayers]

- Be yourself

- Don't let the instrument dominate you, it is just a tool.

- You can be a bass player or a musician, as far as I know, you could play the head of All Of Me on drum, play the walking on a trompet and do chords on DB.

 

[duke2004]

Dont wait till the end of set break to get your drinks

 

[Lowbrow]

* Always hit the one
* Follow the bass drum
* If it sounds lousy when you follow the bass drum, consider firing the drummer
* Always pack duct tape and a Sharpie

 

[joebar]

i think number one has to be to get timing down to where it is a non issue. secondly, learn different styles of music regardless if you listen to it or not.
and thirdly, if you play something, execution is paramount

 

[Jabazz]

I was 23, on the road, trying to make a living at playing full time, when a producer told me; "You won't always be able to play your best, but your worst better sell." Not an earth shattering statement, but as a young player looking for my niche as a working bassist, it was advice that stuck with me, and motivated me to work harder at my craft.

 

[MycooLeeyun]

any suggestions on how to get human feces stains off my bass?

 

[Baron Von Vik]

When I was at school, my bass instructor picked up a drumstick and turned to show me the butt end. You know that little black dot in the middle of the butt end of a drumstick? He told me "Get in there."

I may be wrong, but I think he was actually telling you to get in his butt.



Hope everything went well...

 

[addylewis]

Theres ONE piece of advice I like to follow when I've been bandless and really fed up of being a musician in the past...and it comes from the film "That Thing You Do" - when that drummer meets his hero Del Paxton, and I quote - "You gotta keep playing, no matter with who..."

Good philosophy when you find yourself bandless and asking yourself "why?"

Also - I sometimes think to myself "Well, if I give up now (even if its only for a couple of years) I'd only start wanting to do it again at SOME point...and by then my chance of becoming successful in a non-covers band will probably be over, so I'm gonna stick at it!" (thinking logically and telling yourself that when you're down and out can really help)

 

[totallyfrozen]

Best musical advice you ever got

Use a metronome when you practice.

 

[Pacman]

I may be wrong,

You are.

 

[msb3671]

"I can't teach you... how do you learn anything? You do it. Go do it."

~ Charlie Wood, Woods Instruction Studio

I took 3 lessons from him as a kid; Mel Bay Guitar #1. He got frustrated with my skipping ahead, but was a cool old grump. Was good advice.