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Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I’m having fun. My technique is finger style, a little pick thrown in. I play mostly blues these days, some jazz a little funk. My dog thinks I’m great, comes to the music room every time I play and sits in the best seat. Right next to my beef jerky snacks. Do I think I’m good? Not really but I enjoy what I am doing which is what music is all about. No worries.
I didn't start playing with others until I was 50 and finally joined a gigging band at 54, only to have the pandemic put my progress on hold at age 55.
I started way too late to be as good as the people I've played with. But I guess I'm good enough and I hopefully also come across as dependable enough, committed enough, and continue to show enough progress to get and keep the gig.
Like my signature line says, I may suck, but at least I suck less than I ever dreamed possible.
And ultimately I'm having fun, which is what I wanted from music.
I started way too late to be as good as the people I've played with. But I guess I'm good enough and I hopefully also come across as dependable enough, committed enough, and continue to show enough progress to get and keep the gig.
Like my signature line says, I may suck, but at least I suck less than I ever dreamed possible.
And ultimately I'm having fun, which is what I wanted from music.
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I’m working towards great mediocracy. When I grow up, I want to be like Homer Simpson!
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Well, I'm a member of the "Mediocre Bassist Club" and the "Crappy Bassist with Expensive Gear" club, sooo..... 
Seriously tho, I stopped playing in bands back in the mid-90s, my bass sat in a case in the closet for like 15 years without me ever touching it. Since I actually pulled it back out of the closet, I tend to pick it up every so often and doodle around on it. Yesterday I was trying to see about that tapping bit in the intro to "Addicted To That Rush" and got a raging blister on my ring finger of my fretting hand, so clearly I don't play very often and my "skills" show it. 
I tell people all the time "I play bass guitar because I like it, not because I'm good at it!" 
Seriously tho, I stopped playing in bands back in the mid-90s, my bass sat in a case in the closet for like 15 years without me ever touching it. Since I actually pulled it back out of the closet, I tend to pick it up every so often and doodle around on it. Yesterday I was trying to see about that tapping bit in the intro to "Addicted To That Rush" and got a raging blister on my ring finger of my fretting hand, so clearly I don't play very often and my "skills" show it.
I tell people all the time "I play bass guitar because I like it, not because I'm good at it!"
Been playing about 25 years. Chops wise, I can play pretty well and get compliments on occasion. Those compliments from other players always make me feel great but I have many limitations. Not many players can do it all so I focus on doing what I enjoy. There are things I can't do and don't have any interest in like slap. There are other things that I am better at than most players but probably because they don't have any interest in what I am doing any more than I want to be a slap player! My strength is playing musically and for the song. Thinking about the composition versus playing for my own gratification (which gives me gratification). Chops are just a means to be able to express yourself adequately.
Cave Puppy
"Humph Bo, he's wond!" - John Lennon
As has been said by others, "I base my opinion of my playing on the comments of other musicians."
I started as drummer for many years so I believe that experience taught me alot about tempo, breaks, etc. It helps me anticipate when to play a change or fill.
I'd rate myself as a "self taught bad habits included advanced intermediate player."
The fact that I can add some decent to the vocals while playing "ups" my value too.
I started as drummer for many years so I believe that experience taught me alot about tempo, breaks, etc. It helps me anticipate when to play a change or fill.
I'd rate myself as a "self taught bad habits included advanced intermediate player."
The fact that I can add some decent to the vocals while playing "ups" my value too.
After 34 years as a musician, 26 as a bass player, I'm not as good as "I" want to be, but no one complains. Whether I tackle those weak spots (ultra technicality, blazing fast speed, etc.) or just be content where I'm at, that's the continuing journey.
Define "good", I guess? Years ago I thought if you could slap, tap, chord, freak out with harmonics, do backflips while playing, etc., was what made a good bassist.
Now, "good" simply means playing what the song dictates, which more often or not is more simple than what you want to do. Plus, solid tone is just as important. If I play a gig using good sound and not getting in the way of the song, I feel I've done good.
Now, "good" simply means playing what the song dictates, which more often or not is more simple than what you want to do. Plus, solid tone is just as important. If I play a gig using good sound and not getting in the way of the song, I feel I've done good.
I am the best bass player in our street!
I am sure...I guess….hope so....
I can't even say that. My neighbor across the street is a professional musician who plays both guitar & bass (plays bass in a cover band that gigs regularly), so I'm hopefully the best bass player on my side of the block.
But the truth is I'm hoping to one day be good enough to be considered mediocre. For now I would say I'm a new bassist, but improving.
I've only been playing about 5 months and average about an hour a day (mostly playing tabs), so I'm pretty much absolutely terrible...
That being said - I'm light years better than I was when I started so I suppose that counts for something???
That being said - I'm light years better than I was when I started so I suppose that counts for something???
When I was a youth, I spent many hours a day practicing. And on any regular day after school, 5 days a week, from the second half of 8th grade through graduating high school, had my school band rehearsal for an hour. In 10th grade, I started playing with older folks and gigging bars, so would have local rehearsals a few nights a week as well. There was Jazz band in school, as well. All these groups gigged. When I graduated High school, I joined a serious originals group, and started touring. This was my main job for almost 7 years. This involved daily practice, and I taught lessons in between, as well as doing fill- in gigs. I played a 6 string bass, and worked on advanced techniques. I did a lot of 2 handed tapping, slap, etc etc (the early 90's was a great time for bass!) I learned audio engineering, had a studio in the house, and progressed to audio engineering and playing. Audio engineering took over, progressing from pro studio work to live mixing work and I spent 3/4 of my time touring as a mix engineer, while still playing and writing/ touring/ releasing my music in between. I've been on, and worked for, some very well known labels and artists. With the last year, I've had a lot of time to think, as many full time industry folks have. And analyze my playing. I'm older, many of those advanced techniques haven't been used in many years, and I'm not sure if I can physically pull off what I used to (there's always hope I guess, ha!) Where this is going, is that all that technique and energy was never tempered by listening- mixing taught me that. So, I may not be able to play Bach with two hands on a 6 string bass now, maybe not ever again, I have developed an understanding of how much more right notes, in the right place, with the right technique are far more important to the quality of music. So, I'm thinking in my 39th year of music, I'm close to an intermediate level player at this point, still trying not to suck. Luckily, I'm much more aware now, when I do.
Ive,been a self taught drummer,in & out of bands for 50 years pro and for fun & always dabbled with bass. The timming part comes to me naturally.Memorizing the fret board,Im allways working on that.40 years ago My wife bought me 4 bass lessons.I learned the 12 bar blues progression.Thats all it took.I was off and running.Even though I play by ear Im still learning theory & appropriat scale patterns,but can play lots of stuff in all genures now.I would say im intermediate level now I jam and can hold my own pretty well.Im a student of James Jamerson.I cant match him but I have lots of fun trying.I had to quit drums due to torn shoulder tendons.I think I coud jam with anyone,but not quit at a pro level.I would need to memorize the material.Practice practice practice.Thats what it takes.I love playing bass and trying songs like Bernadet by the 4 tops,& I was made To Love Her,by Stevie Wonder.They really test me. Id say Im at advanced intermediate level.
