Do you have good and bad rhythm days??...

[skyline_01]

I don't know about bad rhythm days, but some days I have way better finger mobility than others. One day I can play a bunch of technical stuff without a hitch (or much warm-up) and others I feel like I'm fighting just to play simple eighths at a reasonable tempo.

 

[dramatwist]

Nope.

 

[LBS-bass]

I have days when I feel like I do everything right and I have days when I feel like my fingers are not really responding well to anything I ask them to do and it's a struggle to not be late on everything. I have an autoimmune issue that causes a lot of inflammation, so for me it often comes down to making sure I take anti-inflammatories before I play, along with the other medications I use to keep that in check. That usually helps a lot, but some days are still better than others.

 

[Medicine Man]

Occasionally when practicing without a drummer, I get stuck in "swing mode" where I start to swing everything. It's unrecoverable and I have to quit for the day.

 

[rtslinger]

I have had times where I would start out bad and get up to speed after a few songs.
So to make sure this isn't the case live, I will go through the entire show at home so when I hit the stage
all of that was left at the door

 

[jdh3000]

Of course.
Just realize that perception is a big part of it.
Your probably never really as bad as you think you are on a bad day or as good as you think you sound on a great feeling day.
It all evens out

I agree that perception plays a major role.

I've listened back to recordings of nights I thought I was off, and I was hard pressed to find the things wrong that I thought were going on while playing.

It happens from time to time, some issue within the band, or something going on at home can throw you off and you don't feel like you're bringing your A game.

I've found that if I just relax and accept that any issue can arise, but if I just let my playing happen, it all comes together.

 

[Fergie Fulton]

Not really within myself, my daily routine sees that I calibrate myself to be "in tune and Rhythmically" in tune for the day.

Now how that relates to others is a whole different story....but I have a routine that "calibrates" me everyday.

But if I am perfectly "calibrated" and those I am playing with are not....then I could be the one being "out"..even if I am "in"???

If I am in a situation where, I am right and the others are out, then I am the problem if the others are all out together....they are in time with each other and I am out...end of story,

So being correct and Intime is not a given, being in time with your band mates is.

 

[Ron Berenato]

I refer to it as "the S%!T finger". Some days I just don't have it.

 

[Claymore]

That is interesting. I have also experienced the everyone else is "out" in the exact same way phenomenon.

 

[Lobster11]

Reason #117 for being able to play both fingerstyle and pickstyle: If the fingers aren't working, sometimes the pick does -- and vice-versa.

 

[Cutter8]

Yes, I experience it too.

 

[IamGroot]

Do pilots have bad days? Surgeons?

Its all a matter of attitude and training.

 

[GIBrat51]

Actually, given my beat up, worn out body and my age? I have good and bad just about everything days...

 

[BassChuck]

I was interested in your comment about your fingers getting in each others way. I've found when I feel like that, or if I have to do some rhythmic pattern, using just one finger like Jamerson sometime clears up the line.

 

[Claymore]

I was interested in your comment about your fingers getting in each others way. I've found when I feel like that, or if I have to do some rhythmic pattern, using just one finger like Jamerson sometime clears up the line.

Funny you mention that... I've been playing one-fingered more and more. Definitely sounds more consistent. I never understood why so many bass instructors try to stress using 2 fingers when arguably one of the best players that ever lived did it with 1. Thanks for the feedback!

 

[AFRO]

Blame the drummer

LOL when I read the thread title my head went right here!
on the real though, if the drummer is off/struggling it definitely affects my timing. I feel less gluey and much more abrasive..

People have off days doing all kinds of skilled activities. Why do pro golfers sometimes totally stink or basketball playes can't make a 3-pointer all night? We're not machines, so we shouldn't expect to be totally on our game at all times.

And this is what I was thinking as well.
Every day is different (like it or not) Every gig is different. Sometimes you get in to that ever elusive "Flow" (Im thinking 'Dao' Harmony reference here) sometimes that big bottom woman catches your eye shaking that thang and you miss a note or two..
Plus if its live, then it is it's own organic deal 'in the moment'.
I have learned that I need to just move on cause if I dwell on the lone note or two that were sour the rest of the song suffers. unless its a pure train wreck the crowd hardly notices a few off notes (just dont make that classic stank face to point it out to others ) if the other 98% of the song is spot on then you have served the song and kept the booties shaking. you have done your job.

as an aside, just think if we were weather men/women.. we could be WAY off all the time and still sound great lol