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How good do you think you are?
- Thread starter DBCrocky
- Start date
How good do I think I am? Good question. I first picked up the bass around 1992. Wasn't really serious about it or anything. Kinda messed around on it for a bit. Joined the church praise band I was going to. Put it down around 1994 and didn't pick it back up until around 2008. Started piddling around again on it. Got asked to join another praise band at another church in the city where I live. Played there for a while. Left. This past year, me and a buddy of mine formed our own Christian Rock band. We have played many gigs since then and up until about 2 weeks ago, we were going strong. Then as it happens in so many bands, differing opinions and strong minds bumped into one another and now I'm a bass player without a band once again. I have an audition with a guy locally who is doing quite well and plays "Red Dirt Country". So we'll see.
So back to the question. How good do I think I am? hmmm. I can read tab. I am the mindset of K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid). I can't read any music. I play by ear and even then I have to ask the guitar player what key the song is in before we start to play. I don't do any fancy fills or runs. So I guess best guess would be I'm ok and can keep the song flowing and stay in the pocket. I've been told I'm really good but we are our own worst critics when it comes to stuff like that. I do have a lot to learn and would love to be able to create my own bass lines that are more than just root 3rd 5th notes. Maybe that will come. I am 44 years old but act like I'm 24 years old. You're only as old as you feel, right?
However good I think I am is of no consequence really. How good the people listening to me play think I am is all that matters. I haven't had any complaints yet.
So back to the question. How good do I think I am? hmmm. I can read tab. I am the mindset of K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid). I can't read any music. I play by ear and even then I have to ask the guitar player what key the song is in before we start to play. I don't do any fancy fills or runs. So I guess best guess would be I'm ok and can keep the song flowing and stay in the pocket. I've been told I'm really good but we are our own worst critics when it comes to stuff like that. I do have a lot to learn and would love to be able to create my own bass lines that are more than just root 3rd 5th notes. Maybe that will come. I am 44 years old but act like I'm 24 years old. You're only as old as you feel, right?
However good I think I am is of no consequence really. How good the people listening to me play think I am is all that matters. I haven't had any complaints yet.
bluewine said:
But what were many of those musical icons when they were still considered modern?
They were a thorn in the butt to any older people that just didn't get it.
They weren't music's greats the day they hit the stage, they became legends over time.
And just like your an old guy that doesn't get Rage or why anyone would want to cover them, your elders felt the same way about the bands you liked.
Just as today's musicians will carry on in the hearts of those who grew up listening to them, and one day some kid and his band will do a cover of some new modern group from 2025 and the guy covering Rage today will look at him and say, man why would you cover that new band?
When I grew up, blah blah blah blah.
It's just the way things work, and it's not rocket science why you like the bands of your day better than the bands of recent years.
You don't relate to them, younger guys do.
But to tell that younger guy his music is not as good as your days music is pretty closed minded. And you are now your parents or your grandparents.
You should try to understand that there is a reason behind these things and it's DEFINITELY not that your youths music was better or more "prolific" it's that you relate to it better.
These artists from recent years that ate idolized by the youth WILL DEFINITELY become musical icons to them when they grow older.
bluewine said:
To you, it wasn't because you didn't come of age then.
To them it is and was, and that's why they play bass just like your days music inspired you to play.
And if you honestly believe that if you were born in let's say 1978-1980 that you would dislike today's music and not have any inspiration to play, then anyone engaging you in conversation should simply shake their head and walk away from the discussion.
You would like the bands that you now don't because you would relate better to them.
Whether you want to admit it or not is a completely different story all together.
1SHOT1HIT said:
You guys don't seem to read between the lines very well.
My position, the best new music always comes from the current younger generation.
I get new music and young musicians, I perform with them and I go to see their shows.
But, I still say a rage tribute is a waste of time for any young musician.
I need to redefine how good I am.
I went to three auditions in the last two weeks. Last night I got to choose from the three. They all asked me to join.
I guess I'm good enough. Still, I continue to practice.
I went to three auditions in the last two weeks. Last night I got to choose from the three. They all asked me to join.
I guess I'm good enough. Still, I continue to practice.
jive1
Commercial User
Don't forget all the great music that dominated the charts during the 60s and 70s.
No-one today can rock it like Connie Francis, Lawrence Welk, Neil Sedaka, and the Flying Nun did in the 60s. And the 70s were just as rockin with Helen Reddy, Roberta Flack, Barbara Steisand, Tony Orlando, and Barry Manilow.
Mine is about <-------------------------------THIS BIG------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------>
Seriously, I'm an Artiste with a little accent on the e, and I could care less whether people think I am a "good player." Most folks who listen to a band don't seem to know what instrument the bass is, nor if they do do they care. I have one friend who ever bothers to ask me about my technique and it's a novelty.
What I do care about is if people listen to the songs, and as a songwriter I think I'm pretty good. Much better than I was 20 years ago. I give my CD to anyone who asks, and I've been told several times that folks can't get the tunes out of their heads, and that's the complement I live for. My playing is just a part of the overall deal that is my band. I work very hard at it, and make it very good in my critical opinion, but I do that for me, not for the audience. If they like it, great. If they even know it, awesome. If they just hear the song and dig it, much better.
Seriously, I'm an Artiste with a little accent on the e, and I could care less whether people think I am a "good player." Most folks who listen to a band don't seem to know what instrument the bass is, nor if they do do they care. I have one friend who ever bothers to ask me about my technique and it's a novelty.
What I do care about is if people listen to the songs, and as a songwriter I think I'm pretty good. Much better than I was 20 years ago. I give my CD to anyone who asks, and I've been told several times that folks can't get the tunes out of their heads, and that's the complement I live for. My playing is just a part of the overall deal that is my band. I work very hard at it, and make it very good in my critical opinion, but I do that for me, not for the audience. If they like it, great. If they even know it, awesome. If they just hear the song and dig it, much better.
Drum roll please for the ultimate misplaced hit....
People forget that 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' kicked ass on everything the Stones and Beatles did in '66 and also topped 'California Dreaming.'
jive1
Commercial User
The original f*** music. Luther Vandross and Teddy Pendegrass got nothing on Sgt Sadler. I think I'm gonna throw that tune on and wake up my wife after I come home from a gig. That's romance, right there.
Maybe, but....
What many people attribute to luck or deem to be miracles are usually the result of a lot of hard work done on somebody's part. This includes a successful music career and/or a pilot landing a crippled jet liner.
Riis
Zooberwerx said:
I have seen several young acts on national tours including Letterman & Conan with bass players that sound like they may have a few months playing experience.
Just because a person is making a living at it doesn't mean you have a high skill set or level of playing.
