How experienced are you - Best Techniques?

[Village Idiot]

How experienced are you at playing the bass. Not how long have you played, but do you consider yourself a beginner? A pro? Do you know all your scales and keys so you can play to anything with anyone or do you just know how to play by ear and put together what sounds good?

Also, what's you biggest accomplishment? Can you play slap bass well? Can you solo better than the guitar players you play with?

I've taken theory classes in high school and played several instruments. I'm still not good at knowing the keys and the scales that go along with them, but I can put together a decent bass line.

Last week was the first time since '02 that I've played bass with a band. The 2nd practice I had bought myself a bass and I was back to being able to finger pick just as faster as the guitar player was strumming for his power metal song. Fingers of steel!.

 

[Mark Wilson]

I consider myself a semi-pro. A big part of my income comes from playing.

I do know all my scales and keys, because I'm studying jazz at a music school in Toronto. So I could probably hold my own with some bigshot artist. But I couldn't play with ANYONE.

My Biggest Accomplishment is DEFINITELY getting accepted into the music school. Also, the biggest crowd i've played for was 500 people. Nothing huge, but it was a huge theater, and I felt like it was an ACTUAL concert.

I can slap decently. Not flashy by all means, but I love thumping!

I solo like a rabbit farting. I hate soloing.

 

[huckingfuskie]

Beginer. I practice dilegently every single day. My greatest accomplishment is having taught myself everything i know, but i admit i need a teacher ASAP.

 

[wazzel]

I would rank myself semi-pro. I have done studio work and some has been played on the local radio (Columbia, SC in 95 and 96). I've also been in bands that opend for the likes of Green Day, Lagwagon, etc. At one time I was playing for supplamental income, but never as a full time job. I am sure I could hang with just about any band out their save a few. I am a solid pocket player along the lines of Entwhistle, Deleno, Dalhaimer (live) etc. I hate to solo, unless it is a couple of transistion notes. I have some really killer 4 and 5 note solos leading into verses or chorus and in and out of breaks. I am no Vic, Jaco, etc. No real interest in being that either.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Pro.

Studied Jazz for I dont know how long and have been playing. unfortunately the last 7-8 years I have been producing electronic music I got out of live bass playing... trying to get back into it...

Know all the scales in different fingerings not just the same up and down.

Perfect technique.

Constructing walking bass lines.

Jazz Heads and Soloing.

Can play any style.

Can sight read.

Do the same on Upright.

Ive done some studiowork as well as song writing and bass playing on album's in store.

Know what a bass player SHOULD be doing instead of showing off their chops...