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How to know if you are a bass player
- Thread starter TheGreatSealof
- Start date
I'm sure your bass playing is better than my trombone playing! Then again, I've only been at it for a year. Do I wonder if I'm a trombonist? No. I am a trombonist, and an aspiring one at that.
As far as your ability is concerned, remember this: Hard work beats Talent when Talent does not work hard.
There are aspects of music that apply to any instruments, such as having good rhythm, and being able to transcribe musical passages by ear. Those are things that fall under musicianship and can be broken down and learned individually. Check out the "General Instruction" Forum for a bunch of info on learning to be a better musician.
With respect to this Forum's mods, I'm moving this thread there, as this subject has nothing to do with Basses.
As far as your ability is concerned, remember this: Hard work beats Talent when Talent does not work hard.
There are aspects of music that apply to any instruments, such as having good rhythm, and being able to transcribe musical passages by ear. Those are things that fall under musicianship and can be broken down and learned individually. Check out the "General Instruction" Forum for a bunch of info on learning to be a better musician.
With respect to this Forum's mods, I'm moving this thread there, as this subject has nothing to do with Basses.
I've played in all sorts of bands except jazz since 1989 and have found that, for the most part, being able to slap and pop at 300 beats per minute isn't necessary. A good sense of timing, note placement and being able to lock in with a drummer are what make you a bass player. It DID tske me a couple of years of being a recovering guitar player to nail down those qualities. When I hear Rocco Prestia or Marcus Miller, of course I think I'm totally inadequate but I love the instrument and I know that the more I practice the better I'll get. The fact that I have yet to get kicked out of a working band and that I have a great reputation as a solid player in most genres gets me through. Don't give up, just keep thrashing at it, the rewards will come.
TomCHunley
Guest
IMO one of the best practice tools is playing along with existing music via an IPod, computer, CD, etc.. I constantly do that in addition to recording the bands music. I'll record the piano by itself to learn songs that are hard for me(mostly instrumentals!).
Practicing with media like that can lead to issues. Timing issues with live players that are not full blown pros...say like Eric Clapton, BB King. Find some folks to play along with. That coupled with what you are doing will only lead to progress. Like Charlie Daniels said..."it's a long road and a little wheel...takes a lot of turns to get there".
As you progress your level of playing will naturally rise. You'll find yourself around folks that want your services..then you keep on the program even harder if that's what you want.
Practicing with media like that can lead to issues. Timing issues with live players that are not full blown pros...say like Eric Clapton, BB King. Find some folks to play along with. That coupled with what you are doing will only lead to progress. Like Charlie Daniels said..."it's a long road and a little wheel...takes a lot of turns to get there".
As you progress your level of playing will naturally rise. You'll find yourself around folks that want your services..then you keep on the program even harder if that's what you want.
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
SirMjac28
Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
^What the hell??
OP, it's easy to play 16th notes. Get a metronome. Set it at a comfortable speed to play 8th notes. Then cut the speed of the metronome in half and play the same rhythm - presto! 16th notes!
As you get more comfortable bump up the tempo.
Keep coming, it gets better.
There has been some killer advise here. And then some NOT so. But, wow, what a great group of bassists. All here to help one another out.
I really feel for the OP, as I consider myself in that area as well. I have a heck of a time with timing, groove and Rhythm. I can hit the notes, and have a good sound, but trying to keep it in time....tough.
OP...PUSH through those days where you don't seem to learn anything. What I do when I "hit that wall" is put it down, listen to some music or watch a soccer game and forget about. The next time...well sometimes it comes the next day, sometimes it takes a while. Find a tune you like, I prefer something I made up and just keep dinking with it. Adding things, changing the tempo, just never give up.
If, like me, you just LOVE to play bass, don't get frustrated, as many here have said...JUST ENJOY PLAYING THE BASS!!!!!!!!!!
I really feel for the OP, as I consider myself in that area as well. I have a heck of a time with timing, groove and Rhythm. I can hit the notes, and have a good sound, but trying to keep it in time....tough.
OP...PUSH through those days where you don't seem to learn anything. What I do when I "hit that wall" is put it down, listen to some music or watch a soccer game and forget about. The next time...well sometimes it comes the next day, sometimes it takes a while. Find a tune you like, I prefer something I made up and just keep dinking with it. Adding things, changing the tempo, just never give up.
If, like me, you just LOVE to play bass, don't get frustrated, as many here have said...JUST ENJOY PLAYING THE BASS!!!!!!!!!!
Dude, I grew up playing trombone and I watched all my fellow band members in school work and struggle and go nowhere so it seemed. Finally about junior or senior year all the kids who worked hard really started to flourish. That's six years in the public school system taking lessons once a week, performing twice or more a year, but the key is mastering things one at a time and I mean master. Keep working man and in three more years and after getting with a teacher regularly you'll see some improvement. I devoted three years to 12 hour days when I got serious. I moved back home, didn't have a girlfriend or any of that mess an was broke!!! 12 hours a day and one, one hour lesson a week. I bought every book I could and worked my ass of. It's all about the sacrifice.
Here's a good one as well. Get with a drummer, if you can. Scales, exercises can be helpful, but playing with a drummer will exponentially increase your skillset.
And you'll have so much fun doing it that you won't have time to wonder if you are a "proper bassist"
And you'll have so much fun doing it that you won't have time to wonder if you are a "proper bassist"
First of all....I LOVE threads like this. I feel more "at home" here because of my lack of playing ability. nice to know we all struggle with similar issues (well except for a FEW "naturals" ).
I had a song that we did in church this weekend where the original recording had 16th throughout the entire song....my fingers would CRAMP!
I really cannot do 16th with any sort of consistency.
I would much rather be solid than have the song "suck" because of MY timing issues....thus, I played 8ths all of the way and it sounded GREAT!
I am not flashy at all...I used to "try to be" but it resulted in too much sonic space filled (at times) or a few "bad notes" which sounded out of place.
My band leader (at church) told me this once and it stuck...he said that if a guitarist hits a wrong note or a bad run, he can be "covered up" by others...if the bass player hits a wrong note or if a run is sloppy, it is "out there" for all to hear....it is the bass players job (along with the drummer) to keep the song on tempo and on time.
do that, and your job is done....add "color" as needed but (most of the time) simpler is better.
keep practicing however: work on timing and tempo....not speed.
peace:
Doug
).I had a song that we did in church this weekend where the original recording had 16th throughout the entire song....my fingers would CRAMP!
I really cannot do 16th with any sort of consistency.
I would much rather be solid than have the song "suck" because of MY timing issues....thus, I played 8ths all of the way and it sounded GREAT!
I am not flashy at all...I used to "try to be" but it resulted in too much sonic space filled (at times) or a few "bad notes" which sounded out of place.
My band leader (at church) told me this once and it stuck...he said that if a guitarist hits a wrong note or a bad run, he can be "covered up" by others...if the bass player hits a wrong note or if a run is sloppy, it is "out there" for all to hear....it is the bass players job (along with the drummer) to keep the song on tempo and on time.
do that, and your job is done....add "color" as needed but (most of the time) simpler is better.
keep practicing however: work on timing and tempo....not speed.
peace:
Doug
I guess I should elaborate when I say there is some truth to what the guy said about 'naturals'. I don't agree with his assessment that he can tell within a short period of time whether someone can play an instrument. That's absurd. Still, some folks have better rhythm, some pick up the foundation pieces of playing easier, that's all...the rest is just blood and sweat...even for those who claim to be naturals. Even they have to put in the work.
I think this has some effect on every skill, but it doesn't mean that you can't hone your skills and be good without any natural ability, just that you'll have to work harder to get it. There is only one skill that I've ever found that you cannot get better at with practice, and that is operating heavy equipment. If you're bad at it, 30 years of practice still won't even make you 'competent', much less good. Everything else you can get better at with time.
I definitely don't consider myself a natural at timing. Playing is very enjoyable, and I find I have a natural knack for bass, and a natural affinity for the instrument itself, but I really struggle with timing and tempo. So much so that I really have to practice that hard. When I get frustrated with timing and want to quit, my love for the instrument is what keeps me practicing. Someone said your timing can never be too good...even seasoned players have to constantly train their timing.
I think this has some effect on every skill, but it doesn't mean that you can't hone your skills and be good without any natural ability, just that you'll have to work harder to get it. There is only one skill that I've ever found that you cannot get better at with practice, and that is operating heavy equipment. If you're bad at it, 30 years of practice still won't even make you 'competent', much less good. Everything else you can get better at with time.
I definitely don't consider myself a natural at timing. Playing is very enjoyable, and I find I have a natural knack for bass, and a natural affinity for the instrument itself, but I really struggle with timing and tempo. So much so that I really have to practice that hard. When I get frustrated with timing and want to quit, my love for the instrument is what keeps me practicing. Someone said your timing can never be too good...even seasoned players have to constantly train their timing.
Man!! Thanks to all for the great advice and support. I feel much better now.
After review of all the responses, I believe I am not as bad a player as I previously thought. I know I will improve my skills if I can find some people to jam with and push my comfort level and better understand the group dynamics. You have all given me inspiration.
After review of all the responses, I believe I am not as bad a player as I previously thought. I know I will improve my skills if I can find some people to jam with and push my comfort level and better understand the group dynamics. You have all given me inspiration.
It's conceivable that you're doing some things physically "wrong" that are preventing you from getting past a certain point with your technique. A few lessons if possible might help a lot
I was self taught on electric bass, until I took my first lessons 5 years after starting out. My teacher basically sent me back to square one on my fingering and physical approach. After an initial setback, the new "correct" technique really helped me move forward.
I was self taught on electric bass, until I took my first lessons 5 years after starting out. My teacher basically sent me back to square one on my fingering and physical approach. After an initial setback, the new "correct" technique really helped me move forward.
And obviously you don't have a natural ability for courtesy, diplomacy and interpersonal communication skills. Perhaps with dedicated practice you can improve.
When I was listening to a song instead of singing along with it i was rolling my two 2 fingers and figuring out the bass line.
When it's strictly a solo project the bass is a difficult instrument for most to maintain inspiration on. During a period of several years where I was also doing 60+++ hour weeks and didn't have time or energy for ensemble situations learning the mandolin kept me interested in making music. You have music in you, we all do and never believe otherwise but maybe right now an instrument that better lends itself to greater harmonic depth would be more fulfilling for you?
Here's a good one as well. Get with a drummer, if you can. Scales, exercises can be helpful, but playing with a drummer will exponentially increase your skillset.
And you'll have so much fun doing it that you won't have time to wonder if you are a "proper bassist"
Playing with a drummer will help, but ONLY if the drummer has got it together themselves....
There's an old saying:
'It takes a good drummer to be better than no drummer at all'
Einstein once said genius is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration. You have demonstrated desire and discipline which is the toughest part. I would strongly recommend getting a good instructor to help you understand your weaknesses and show you WHAT you need to practice in order to improve.
I practiced and played for 20 years before I got some lessons. After just over a year of lessons from a fantastic teacher (with practice in between) I became a MUCH improved player. More importantly, I enjoyed playing a lot more because my confidence in my ability improved.
I practiced and played for 20 years before I got some lessons. After just over a year of lessons from a fantastic teacher (with practice in between) I became a MUCH improved player. More importantly, I enjoyed playing a lot more because my confidence in my ability improved.
