Considering Video Retirement

[jamro217]

Y'know, Doc, it isn't a competition. There's only one Doc Cheese and you're it. Your videos are liked and appreciated by lots of us here but if you no longer enjoy doing them or feel as if they've run their course, that's up to you. If all of us hung it up when we heard somebody else that we thought were better than we are there'd be no more music. Art isn't about what's better or worse it's about saying something. No one else can say what you can the same way you can. That goes for each and every one of us.

 

[Rib 13]

When I look at bass videos, Im not always looking at chops (as a matter of fact, Id put chops videos as my lowest priority but I do look for them occasionally)....What I mainly look for is "Insight". Many of your videos offer insight about particular instruments (Can I hear the instrument? Does the player do some techniques I do? Is the audio clear enough? Etc). And Many of your videos do this in a friendly "Hey, look what I just found in this store" kinda fun way, which I personally like.......My point is that everybody looks at media for their own reasons whatever they may be. I see no real reason for you to stop making videos unless you just arent enjoying making them anymore

 

[dangevans]

I bet the kids are amazing, and it is always good to see young people passionate about what we love- playing music.
However, I bet you there are more people looking for videos of people instructing them on fundamentals and basic tips of how to be a great BASS player, as opposed to be a virtuoso soloist... So what you do still can have a lot of value.

 

[weird_hermiston]

Yeah I never look at those phenom kid videos cause what will they teach me? I’m not interested in playing the fastest but I want to play with soul and understand some theory, hear what basses sound like, and most importantly learn something. kid prodigy videos don’t do any of that. So keep making videos if you like doing it- they have value for more people than you know.

 

[lfmn16]

We’re only in competition with ourselves. Be better tomorrow than you were today. There’s always someone out there “better” than ourselves; it does nothing to devalue your contribution to the bass community.

 

[frankie5string]

With the genesis of rock music now 70 years in the rear-view mirror, thankfully young players are stepping into more diverse styles of music. It really says something when kids are zooming through baroque etudes INSTEAD of stuff by ear like "Smoke on the Water." Thank goodness!

That aside, you're not actually part of that group. Those people may never find you on the internet. The folks that find you will either know you from here, or may be a bit more search-savvy. It always impresses me when I talk to my young relatives - they have their echo chambers. They post vids, people comment, and then they go look at those commenters. They're not out there just randomly searching for stuff you may be doing. Many seem to have pretty poor google-fu, or just don't care what anyone above the age of 40 posts to the 'net.

Carry on.

 

[RSey716]

I bet the kids are amazing, and it is always good to see young people passionate about what we love- playing music.
However, I bet you there are more people looking for videos of people instructing them on fundamentals and basic tips of how to be a great BASS player, as opposed to be a virtuoso soloist... So what you do still can have a lot of value.

I couldn't agree more...

 

[Plain Old Barry]

You can always start making vids again if the mood strikes

 

[Dr. Cheese]

With the genesis of rock music now 70 years in the rear-view mirror, thankfully young players are stepping into more diverse styles of music. It really says something when kids are zooming through baroque etudes INSTEAD of stuff by ear like "Smoke on the Water." Thank goodness!

That aside, you're not actually part of that group. Those people may never find you on the internet. The folks that find you will either know you from here, or may be a bit more search-savvy. It always impresses me when I talk to my young relatives - they have their echo chambers. They post vids, people comment, and then they go look at those commenters. They're not out there just randomly searching for stuff you may be doing. Many seem to have pretty poor google-fu, or just don't care what anyone above the age of 40 posts to the 'net.

Carry on.

I know you are right because I know how my daughters search and post.

 

[sonojono]

Worrying about it is the biggest block to creativity.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Worrying about it is the biggest block to creativity.

Yes indeed!

 

[pglaser01]

Also…..think about how much quicker kids pick up on things over us as we get older. Especially since they don’t have 15-20 other things they’re also thinking about at the same time.

 

[boombloom]

What is your best hope when you post the videos? The answer to that question might clarify things for you.

 

[turf3]

With the genesis of rock music now 70 years in the rear-view mirror, thankfully young players are stepping into more diverse styles of music. It really says something when kids are zooming through baroque etudes INSTEAD of stuff by ear like "Smoke on the Water." Thank goodness!

That aside, you're not actually part of that group. Those people may never find you on the internet. The folks that find you will either know you from here, or may be a bit more search-savvy. It always impresses me when I talk to my young relatives - they have their echo chambers. They post vids, people comment, and then they go look at those commenters. They're not out there just randomly searching for stuff you may be doing. Many seem to have pretty poor google-fu, or just don't care what anyone above the age of 40 posts to the 'net.

Carry on.

Heck, for teens and 20s, people over 40 are practically invisible, unless they're parents, teachers, or employers. We have a young neighbor, a girl about 12-13, and she regularly walks her dog; when we go past there's not even a hint of recognition; my wife said "why does she hate us?" I pointed out that to her we are slightly less visible and slightly less interesting than the holly bush on the corner.

It was the same with us when we were that age; remember how shocked you were if you saw one of your school teachers at a restaurant with their spouse or date, laughing and flirting?

 

[fishdreams]

Don't.

• I enjoy your videos.
• These kids are young, they are supposed to show off. Does that make someone a great musician? Not yet. I'm happy for them and enjoy their enthusiasm etc, but Dean Town acolytes do not musically/spiritually nourish me.
• No use comparing yourself to what someone else is doing, they are not you. You be you and you got plenty to offer

 

[Rjb1101]

Below Average Joe

I’ve seen your videos before. I didn’t realize they were you. Good videos man.

 

[birminghambass]

Sure they can slay it on bass, but who would win in a fight? I'll take Cheese all day.

 

[1bassplayinfool]

There will always be players that inspire you and players that make you want to hang it up. Just keep doing what you are doing as long as you enjoy it. Never give up...

 

[Ralph Manak]

Once during a set break, someone complained to me soto voce about an artist I was supporting, saying that she sang in a choir, and that the artist could not sing or play guitar. I told her that he was doing it his way. She failed to notice how moving the performance was, and that he had the audience's full attention. This was a restaurant gig, and the tip jar told the truth.

Do what you enjoy, your way. The total sum will tell *your* story, and people will find useful, essential truths in it.

 

[nonohmic]

Comparing yourself to the younger generation really isn't worth it.

I didn't grow up with youtube tutorials, easily downloadable transcriptions, or the household income to let me practice bass all day without having to hold down a job as well as school.