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Considering Video Retirement

#83
I’m 62 years old and I actually like watching awesome young bass players. There’s no denying that young people have incredible energy and creativity. Of course what they don’t have are jobs, mortgage payments, colonoscopies, a broken dishwasher and families of their own. I just try to channel some of that energy and innocence. Rather than being intimidated I think it’s better to be inspired, those kids will be old soon enough, wondering what happened as they sign up for extra overtime shifts at work.
 
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#86
One of the nice things about so much video content is that you can find bass players of all styles, and all levels of skill and I really appreciate that. I like watching bass prodigies play, but sometimes they make me want to practice more while other times they make me want to throw my bass out the window!
I actually enjoy bass videos by mere mortals as I learn more from other peoples practice habits and tips than I necessarily do from watching someone shred through something.
 
#87
We all need encouragement - whether we are new to the instrument, or are masters of the universe - thank you for continuing to post...as long as you are getting what you need from the process, keep at it! If you are done...thank you for your work (subscribed!)
 
#88
So soloing like a guitar player won't guarantee getting a gig or that you can hold a groove. Sometimes I feel that Berklee has taken the soul out of jazz /African-American music.

If you are slick and fast, you will lose some/a lot audience as well because the audience that like's you (skill, age, generation) now cannot relate - maybe they will even stop playing bass. If there are no 3 chord songs in 4/4, there will be no popular music but just an elitist group of music technocrats. Because media production is now accessible to all, relatable content is more accessible than ever. That is what you bring.

Be you. Stop thinking about that retirement garbage
 
#89
Dr. Cheese said:
I saw an announcement that Evan Marien had a live video on IGTV today. I turned to it, and it was Berklee’s summer bass camp and it featured middle school kids taking turns playing and soloing over Dean Town. I was like, dang, do I ever want to post on Instagram again with the bar that high?

When that video was on, I was struggling, trying to read the final measures of Bach’s Prelude #1 in C Major. I played all of it yesterday with my teacher showing me what to play, but I really am catching it trying to read parts of it. Those kids would likely sail through it.
Click to expand...

I don't come around like I used to but I always appreciated your little music store jams. You seem like a positive cat - I dig on that just as much as I dig on killer playing. I will just toss out a couple pieces of wisdom I give my students:

1) Don't worry about chops or being the best. Be more concerned about being a good person who is reliable and you will go much further as a bassist (and a person).

2) Have fun at all times. If you are not enjoying it, no need to keep at it. If it is meant to be, you'll be at it again. I stopped playing for years at one point, I just wasn't feeling it. One day, I found myself back playing bass and I was WAY more into it than ever before. I started learning theory, bought a 6-string bass, and immersed myself in bass (and pleasure).
 
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