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Bill Dickens

#42
Didn't Bill play w/Barry Manilo way back when?

My view of Bill has changed a lot within the past year. I'm now a pretty big fan of his, once i learned about what he does besides play faster than i can dream of.

The man has groove & has been at it for longer than i've been alive. Knowing that he's done gigs in such a wide range of musical settings while totally killing them-is enough to earn my admiration. Before i graduate from CCPA, i want to study with him for awhile. FWIW, a guy that is often mentioned in a revered status, Scott Pazera, studied w/Bill for awhile-i forget how long he said.

take it easy.
 
#43
Bill Dickens is pure and simply a very fine musician. In addition to being a monster pocket player, he happens to be very adept in thumb and slap techniques. When did that become a bad thing? Bill knows what to play and when to play it and I'm sure that's why he gets the calls he gets to play the gigs he plays. Just my $.02
 
#45
Watching the video, I think I've figured out what I like and dislike about his slap playing. He has some amazing grooves right up until he plays triplets. Those always seem a little "wanky" to me, not really required at all. When you listen to the non-blazing-fast-triplets parts though, he does amazing melodic and harmonic things with all those strings on his bass.
 
#46
Chris2112 said:
check out the dvd "Bill Dickens: The Collection".

It has not only instruction from him on his techniques, but also some really cool videos of him playing in a band setting (the guy who he does the interviews on it with also proves himself to be an amazing drummer). Bill plays in some really cool jazz, latin jazz and funk numbers, it's one of the best dvd's I own, without a doubt.

Plus, Bill comes across as a really warm, jovial kinda character, which is really cool.
Click to expand...


Bobby Rock does the interview and is a monster player. If you can, grab the double CD by Bobby Rock, guitarist Neil Zaza and The Budhha called "Snap, Crackle and Pop". Bill Dickens inspired me enough to get a 7 string.... nuff said !!
 
#48
The audio quality of that clip is poor.
Bill Dickens' ability however is not in question.I can't understand how people can pour condescending comments on a bassist who could show most people on this forum how to play 'basic bass' and take it further.The guy is nothing short of a legend,yet many(not all) here persist in employing negative comments to describe his playing.The term "wanky" is the lowest of the low when Bill Dickens' name appears in the critique's sentence.I ask,is it a greater player who can pass judgement? If so then let's hear it from those who can and have,hiding behind the barrier of literature ,passed negative and destructive comment on one bass player who is so talented.

I despise jealousy.

I applaud honesty.

Ego has no place in musicianship.

Bill Dickens is simply,:hyper: Bill.
 
#49
Big nebula said:
The audio quality of that clip is poor.
Bill Dickens' ability however is not in question.I can't understand how people can pour condescending comments on a bassist who could show most people on this forum how to play 'basic bass' and take it further.The guy is nothing short of a legend,yet many(not all) here persist in employing negative comments to describe his playing.The term "wanky" is the lowest of the low when Bill Dickens' name appears in the critique's sentence.I ask,is it a greater player who can pass judgement? If so then let's hear it from those who can and have,hiding behind the barrier of literature ,passed negative and destructive comment on one bass player who is so talented.

I despise jealousy.

I applaud honesty.

Ego has no place in musicianship.

Bill Dickens is simply,:hyper: Bill.
Click to expand...

:rollno: Steve Vai is talented, doesn't mean that everyone has to like his music or that one has to be "more talented" to form an opinion about his music.

Adam the honest, non-jealous, ego free bassist here.
 
#50
Not caring for his music has nothing to do with his talent though, I'm not fond of Jaco Pastorious' music, but I know that by listening to it that the guy could burn on that bass and that would bar me from making derogotory comments about his talent. Being a bass player first, I respect anyone who takes up the instrument,I am a bass player, it's our "weapon of choice", so more power to HOWEVER you choose to wield it.
 
#51
abark000 said:
:rollno: Steve Vai is talented, doesn't mean that everyone has to like his music or that one has to be "more talented" to form an opinion about his music.

Adam the honest, non-jealous, ego free bassist here.
Click to expand...


Steve Via is talented indeed! No argument there.

Asto liking his music,once again I agree that music is taste.

Now,forming an opinion about his music is slightly different to what I was discussing,and that is playing.Steve,like Bill is talented and it makes me feel uncomfortable to read negative critique of such a talented bassist without feeling a sense of "ok you don't like him,then let's hear what you've got" :hyper:

Just my thoughts.
:bawl:
 
#54
Chris2112 said:
check out the dvd "Bill Dickens: The Collection".

It has not only instruction from him on his techniques, but also some really cool videos of him playing in a band setting (the guy who he does the interviews on it with also proves himself to be an amazing drummer). Bill plays in some really cool jazz, latin jazz and funk numbers, it's one of the best dvd's I own, without a doubt.

Plus, Bill comes across as a really warm, jovial kinda character, which is really cool.
Click to expand...
+1 I just borrowed this off a friend today, not watched all of it yet but it definitely seems like a quality instructional DVD, with plenty of ideas to keep me practicing.

PS is Bobby Rock any relation to Bob Rock, of Metallica producing fame?
 
#58
Lo end PUNCH said:
^I agree, heaven forbid some one comes along and tells you that YOUR playing has no taste or you're just wanking. I'm sure you'd feel kinda bad and wonder whats wrong. Lets respect each others ability.....or lack thereof.
Click to expand...

I doubt I would, but then again I'm not thin-skinned. I'd rather people say they hated my playing than have them hold their tongue. If anything, a real opinion would help my musical growth more than someone blowing smoke.
 
#59
I dont know why people have always said what Bill does is "wanking".. I wish I could go to NAMM and have people hooting and hollaring for me while I was "wanking" (ummm, that didnt sound right but you know what I mean). Fact of the matter is, whether is wanking or not, his made a name for himself and plays with more cats than many of us would probably dream of.

On the other hand, I've heard him play some melodic stuff and its VERY VERY tasty. There is a video somewhere on Youtube where he is soloing finger style and I was astonished.

Lets face it, to be a well rounded bassist, you have it all: be melodic, groove, be solid, play all styles, and YES even be able to wank a bit (or better called "being a showman").. Bill does it all..
 
#60
in response to the "wanking" ness.. I remember seeing a clinic with Alain Caron, alain did his slap version of Donna Lee which was super fast,clean, and way sterlie to my ears SO!!!! right away my internal cynic went off and said ya but anyone with time on their hands, a metronome and no life could eventually end up at that but can he really slap a groooove...ya, then he did, a waaaaay funky simple four note groove and I have shut up since. Although this vid of Bill isn't really doin' it for me tonight I have no doubt in my mind that the man is an amazing player regardless of genre or tempo :)

thanks for the link J!
 

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