Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How do you see yourself as a bassist?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
They'd be too busy playing a 15 minute solo to notice that there was a question.Hijack, I find bass players on this thread to be very humble I wonder what the answers would have looked like had this been a lead guitarist question? ha ha ha that was a joke folks, please don't respond to this if you play lead. consider this thread un-hijacked
45 years and still suck! Can play pocket but anything else no!
I used to wonder if I was a musician or not as I felt I probably didn't have a natural musical talent. But then I thought to myself "well even if I'm the worst musician in the world... That doesn't make me a non-musician!" And I can live with that!
I view myself as that guy who waits on the basketball court sidelines trying to get in a good game of basketball. I'm pretty good but no one will pick me so I end up playing with the next level down guys. Always getting beat because not enough good players to make a game of it!
Really good analogy for how I feel. Moreover, I get frustrated that the 'next level down guys' don't practice nearly as much as I do.
I am a utility infielder.
I play double bass, mandolin or Guitar in an active Bluegrass Band.
I play whatever is needed based on personnel availability.
In a rock context half the time I consider myself the necessary glue that keeps the band on track - and the other 50 percent of the time I'm the head of the butt movement dept....
Which is to say - I get the people dancing.
I play double bass, mandolin or Guitar in an active Bluegrass Band.
I play whatever is needed based on personnel availability.
In a rock context half the time I consider myself the necessary glue that keeps the band on track - and the other 50 percent of the time I'm the head of the butt movement dept....
Which is to say - I get the people dancing.
Like the Fat Kid in Right Field:
If it's hit to me I'll play it, but I'm not chasing anything foul or diving to make a spectacular catch.
And if it gets by me someone else will have to chase it down.
At the plate I'll do anything to get on base -- usually getting intentionally hit by a pitch.
And in the dugout and at practice I'm the kid screaming the loudest in support of my team mates.
If it's hit to me I'll play it, but I'm not chasing anything foul or diving to make a spectacular catch.
And if it gets by me someone else will have to chase it down.
At the plate I'll do anything to get on base -- usually getting intentionally hit by a pitch.
And in the dugout and at practice I'm the kid screaming the loudest in support of my team mates.
Did I really waste 50 years playing and not improve. Nope I enjoy the ride and meeting other musicians.
I'm OK. I've played in quite a few different bands of different genres including originals, prog rock, classic rock, top 40 functions bands, country and even celtic folk...and now back to hard rock covers. I've always managed to play what has been expected from me (although some stuff has been a real challenge and a lot of hard work) and have always held my own with the standard of musicianship in the bands I've played in.
I would be stumped if somebody asked me to play something from one of the many bass virtuosi (I could hack my way through a couple of pale imitations - maybe 'Grainy photocopy of Tracy' *) but beyond that I'm content to know my limitations and just be in awe of the guys who can really play.
I'm a fingerstyle player, I used to be able to play with a pick as well but that's largely a forgotten skill and beyond the few bits of slap that I've had to learn for various covers I can't slap for toffee (or tap for that matter).
I'm self taught but I am working my way through lots of music theory, scales, arpeggios and I aim to ne sight reading by this time next year.
*feeling quite smug that I just made up the 'Grainy photocopy of Tracy' thing.
I would be stumped if somebody asked me to play something from one of the many bass virtuosi (I could hack my way through a couple of pale imitations - maybe 'Grainy photocopy of Tracy' *) but beyond that I'm content to know my limitations and just be in awe of the guys who can really play.
I'm a fingerstyle player, I used to be able to play with a pick as well but that's largely a forgotten skill and beyond the few bits of slap that I've had to learn for various covers I can't slap for toffee (or tap for that matter).
I'm self taught but I am working my way through lots of music theory, scales, arpeggios and I aim to ne sight reading by this time next year.
*feeling quite smug that I just made up the 'Grainy photocopy of Tracy' thing.
