I was 48 when I started, but it took me over 70 gigs to stop staring down the fretboard most of the time so that I look at the audience most of the time.
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How have you changed as a bass player?
- Thread starter tb-player
- Start date
I've been playing bass since 1989. Over the years I've changed as a bassist and musician. But I've also stayed the same. Here's an off-the-top-of-my-head list. I'm curious how many of you can relate or even add to these...
- My skills have improved
- I own better gear
- I have better ability to lock-in
- I play less on a song
- I don't 'gig' as much
- I like to practice now more than I used to
- I still don't practice as much as I'd like
- I have less time to play and practice
- I now enjoy the hang as much as the playing
- I'm definitely more enamored by gear
- I can definitely afford better gear
- I definitely don't need more gear
- Deep down I still somehow believe I can 'make it'
- I don't enjoy playing out like I used to
- When I do play out, it's still a rush
- I'm much more comfortable in the studio
- I still feel like I need to get better at sight-reading
- I no longer find my fulfillment in playing music
- I still enjoy making music
- I have a better sense of what a song needs
- I have less desire to fix other musicians
- I still don't understand those fast walking jazz basslines
- I appreciate drummers more than I used to
I'm sure there are plenty more. Please share yours and I'll steal a few.
I share the following
- I play less on a song
- I now enjoy the hang as much as the playing
- I'm much more comfortable in the studio
- I have a better sense of what a song needs
- I still don't understand those fast walking jazz basslines
I will add:
- I don't practice anymore
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,122
- 16,795
- Disclosures
- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
I change on a weekly basis lo! Seriously, when you're doing 5-6 different groups plus freelance work, you better be fluent in all styles. This year, I've actually sharpened my thump-and-pluck skills because I've been subbing with this act that does a ton of 80s funk.
- Musical snobbery has no place in a pub/function covers band. Don't try to musically educate the audience.
- Play what people will dance to, and put aside your personal bias against certain artists or songs.
- If a wedding, play for the bride and groom friends, not grandma who won't dance.
- Likewise, if a wedding, play to the dancefloor, not the back of the room. People want to talk and catch up with old friends and family.
- Don't let the client pick the setlist. They can make song requests within reason only.
- Wear comfortable shoes.
- Having a coherent dress code for the band looks great.
- Inexpensive instruments are much, much better than they used to be.
- I wish I had explored modelling and frfr speakers years ago.
- I'm not as fit as I used to be.
- Frequency slotting.
- Just because you've got a Billy Sheehan bass with dual outputs doesn't mean "that sound" will be great in every setting or genre. Choose the right bass, and right tone for the right gig.
- As you get older and settle down, your priorities change. I find I have less personal time to woodshed.
- I probably reached my technical ability peak around 19 years ago.
- Practice these days is split between learning songs or dialling in the odd specific patch on the helix.
- That said, don't get bogged down in tone matching.
- I don't listen to as much music as I used to either.
- Having lots of instruments/gear is nice, but if they don't get played, there's no point keeping them.
- Have a backup plan for every piece of gear you gig with. Oh and keep a small bottle of baby powder and indigestion tablets in the gig bag.
- Be professional but don't take yourself too seriously. It's meant to be fun.
- Will I ever be proficient in slap or jazz?
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I quit bands faster ... I was playing in a SRV tribute band and the drummer started ragging on me about playing 3 extra notes in a song. I am totally done with people micro-managing my bass playing. This is my hobby, and when the hobby is not fun something has to change. I found a new band with a better drummer and a better guitar player and a better playlist.
When I was starting out on electric I was pretty adept early on (had background in upright bass from school orchestra) but I was focused almost entirely on executing my parts accurately despite what others in my bands were doing.
In other words, I was not listening and making adjustments to play along with others, especially important being the drummer.
That changed at around age 18 and thank goodness it did.
In other words, I was not listening and making adjustments to play along with others, especially important being the drummer.
That changed at around age 18 and thank goodness it did.
The most siignaficant change for me over the last 60+ years since I started playing music was a minor stroke at 4am on July 4, 2018 that effected my right side. I had suffered three TIAs the prior evening so I went to the hospital then and was admitted. A nurse was taking my vitals when the actual stroke hit.
The first things I did was tell the nurse what was happening while I was trying my right hand to see if I could move my plucking fingers and they moved ok. While I can move reasonably well the stroke left me with the inability to sync my right and left hands and missing strings with my right hand and that's accompanied by pain, heaviness, fatigue and numbness over my entire right side from the top of my head to my toes 24/7.
I was scheduled to play a show two days after I was released from the hospital so rather than cancel I started concentrating on syncing up my hands, improving my plucking accuracy and simplifying my parts to accomodate my new reality. Playing the show went well enough and I haven't missed a show or rehearsal.
My playing is now about where I was prior to the stroke (still working on some aspcets) but the other related issues have persisted.
I am extremely grateful it wasn't worse.
The first things I did was tell the nurse what was happening while I was trying my right hand to see if I could move my plucking fingers and they moved ok. While I can move reasonably well the stroke left me with the inability to sync my right and left hands and missing strings with my right hand and that's accompanied by pain, heaviness, fatigue and numbness over my entire right side from the top of my head to my toes 24/7.
I was scheduled to play a show two days after I was released from the hospital so rather than cancel I started concentrating on syncing up my hands, improving my plucking accuracy and simplifying my parts to accomodate my new reality. Playing the show went well enough and I haven't missed a show or rehearsal.
My playing is now about where I was prior to the stroke (still working on some aspcets) but the other related issues have persisted.
I am extremely grateful it wasn't worse.
The biggest change has been my technique. I used to dig pretty aggressively when I was younger and that was encourages during my time in punk bands. But now I use a lighter touch and lighter strings but can still get the dynamics I need for a wide variety of styles. Better control with my hammer ons and pull offs too. My technique is much smoother now... unless the song needs me to get down 'n dirty.
And my general approach to bass, music, and life has matured since I've grown up and matured. I'm a different person now than when I first joined TalkBass circa 2004... 18 years ago!
And my general approach to bass, music, and life has matured since I've grown up and matured. I'm a different person now than when I first joined TalkBass circa 2004... 18 years ago!
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I can pick out key signatures and chord changes way better and faster than I used to, which means I can learn songs easier. I don’t sweat the note for note thing anymore. I used to smoke a lot of pot and play a little bass. Now I play a lot of bass and smoke a little pot.
The biggest differences for me are both byproducts of getting older and no longer tying my identity and self worth to my bass playing:
- When I see a player who is better than me in some way, I feel curious and excited rather than threatened.
- I take feedback on my playing better. When a bandmate or producer makes a suggestion, I take it as a gift, not a slight.
I like punk too, always did, but I think maturing may be overrated. If I could age like Al Swearengen or Greg House I'd consider it an accomplishment. Can't beat a bit of wisdom but that's not something owned only by those of us over 50.. If I ever get too mature I think I'd lose something important. If I could have played 40 years ago like I can now, I'd have had an edge I'd never want to lose. As it is now, the people who might then have wanted to work with me all have settled jobs and no time!
I’m a lot older than I used to be. I used to have long hair, now I have white hair and a bald spot.
I'm gigging more than everI've been playing bass since 1989. Over the years I've changed as a bassist and musician. But I've also stayed the same. Here's an off-the-top-of-my-head list. I'm curious how many of you can relate or even add to these...
- My skills have improved
- I own better gear
- I have better ability to lock-in
- I play less on a song
- I don't 'gig' as much
- I like to practice now more than I used to
- I still don't practice as much as I'd like
- I have less time to play and practice
- I now enjoy the hang as much as the playing
- I'm definitely more enamored by gear
- I can definitely afford better gear
- I definitely don't need more gear
- Deep down I still somehow believe I can 'make it'
- I don't enjoy playing out like I used to
- When I do play out, it's still a rush
- I'm much more comfortable in the studio
- I still feel like I need to get better at sight-reading
- I no longer find my fulfillment in playing music
- I still enjoy making music
- I have a better sense of what a song needs
- I have less desire to fix other musicians
- I still don't understand those fast walking jazz basslines
- I appreciate drummers more than I used to
I'm sure there are plenty more. Please share yours and I'll steal a few.
Leading my own band
Singing lead over bass
Playing basslines that have more to them
All within the last 4 years or so, after starting in 1978.
I've been playing bass since 1989. Over the years I've changed as a bassist and musician. But I've also stayed the same. Here's an off-the-top-of-my-head list. I'm curious how many of you can relate or even add to these...
- My skills have improved
- I own better gear
- I have better ability to lock-in
- I play less on a song
- I don't 'gig' as much
- I like to practice now more than I used to
- I still don't practice as much as I'd like
- I have less time to play and practice
- I now enjoy the hang as much as the playing
- I'm definitely more enamored by gear
- I can definitely afford better gear
- I definitely don't need more gear
- Deep down I still somehow believe I can 'make it'
- I don't enjoy playing out like I used to
- When I do play out, it's still a rush
- I'm much more comfortable in the studio
- I still feel like I need to get better at sight-reading
- I no longer find my fulfillment in playing music
- I still enjoy making music
- I have a better sense of what a song needs
- I have less desire to fix other musicians
- I still don't understand those fast walking jazz basslines
- I appreciate drummers more than I used to
I'm sure there are plenty more. Please share yours and I'll steal a few.
Record yourself as often as possible. Gigs, rehearsals, and practice session. It the only true measure of your progress. You can’t remember every note you play, and how well or how horribly you played it.
Well there is that and the quality of other musicians willing to work with you should give you a pretty good indicator where you are in the process.
- Jul 7, 2010
- 3,383
- 2,311
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
Late 60's and on for a handful of of decades I was in it for try he thrill of being on stage, gear, money and women. Now, I am married, living in an RV leaving little space for gear, and too old/out of shape to do 5-10 gigs a week, practice, rehearse, and party Jan in the same week.
I have/had improved my pick and my finger technique. I lost my feel for rhythm and had a bear like a cop. Fortunately some of f feel has returned.
I have/had improved my pick and my finger technique. I lost my feel for rhythm and had a bear like a cop. Fortunately some of f feel has returned.
When I started playing, any opportunity to make noise with other folks was exciting. Now, decades later, I've become very selective about musical camaraderie. As others here have noted, I've also learned how to politely say "no."
That's pretty much where I'm at, too. No more plying gin joints at less than minimum wage.
I've been playing bass since 1989. Over the years I've changed as a bassist and musician. But I've also stayed the same. Here's an off-the-top-of-my-head list. I'm curious how many of you can relate or even add to these...
- My skills have improved
- I own better gear
- I have better ability to lock-in
- I play less on a song
- I don't 'gig' as much
- I like to practice now more than I used to
- I still don't practice as much as I'd like
- I have less time to play and practice
- I now enjoy the hang as much as the playing
- I'm definitely more enamored by gear
- I can definitely afford better gear
- I definitely don't need more gear
- Deep down I still somehow believe I can 'make it'
- I don't enjoy playing out like I used to
- When I do play out, it's still a rush
- I'm much more comfortable in the studio
- I still feel like I need to get better at sight-reading
- I no longer find my fulfillment in playing music
- I still enjoy making music
- I have a better sense of what a song needs
- I have less desire to fix other musicians
- I still don't understand those fast walking jazz basslines
- I appreciate drummers more than I used to
I'm sure there are plenty more. Please share yours and I'll steal a few.
Original band player to cover band player
Six string player to four string player
Trying to "make it" in music mindset to "never gonna make it (and I'm ok with that-mostly)" mindset
Playing live all the time to "never going to play live again" to playing live all the time again
Slappin', tappin' overplayin' bass wanker extreme to pocket player (mostly
Active pickups guy to passive pickups guy
No pedal guy to guy with 9 pedals on my board
