• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How "Whiplash" changed my life.

#41
If your time is struggling and you want to get better, get a metronome or drum machine and a good teacher. Notice in the Carol Kay clip she sets the metronome and uses the clicks on beats 2 and 4, not 1 and 3, or all 4 beats. This is a super effective way to learn how to groove in time, not just play in time.

I have been in school bands from 4th grade all the way through 8 years of college bands. (4 years mucking around in community college then 4 at a real college) The best sounding/performing/award winning groups I was in had hardcore teachers like in Wiplash. I saw kids cry in rehearsals. I saw band directors attack kids personally. I thought it was uncalled for. But the next day we sounded better. I was more focused and practiced harder and got better as a bassist AND a musician with a boot camp style teacher than with the guy who didn't want to call people out or be "mean."

Get a good teacher and metronome.
 
#43
There are no shortcuts to reach a certain level of technique/popularity, but 2 things can speed up the progression dramatically:

1) establishing short-term goals: increasing indefinitely and generically your "practice" can be very dispersive, frustrating and not effective (personal experience :D). What do you want to do exactly in the short-term? Some goals can be: finishing an exercise book, making a youtube clip to increase your online visibility, finding the elements of a new group...

2) a good teacher: if you have no teachers, the risk is that you spend years reinventing the wheel. If you save money from spending in gear, some private lessons can be a good alternative. This is an academic approach, of course you can develop your personal technique or avoid it at all.

Regarding gear, imo it is important to try stuff to know what exists out there. You can also invest a lot of time and money on that, there is nothing wrong with that. You may even become a maximum expert in that, but it is a different thing than making music. Normally, I can distinguish when I buy something for real need than for personal pleasure. Again, nothing wrong in any case.
 
#44
I like gear. It doesn't make me play better. Playing all the time is what makes me play better. Unfortunately, I also play several instruments, which means I never get great at any of them. That's OK. I do it for fun and I'm not trying to be Jaco or Mingus or Willie Dixon anybody else.
 
#45
Gaolee said:
I like gear. It doesn't make me play better. Playing all the time is what makes me play better. Unfortunately, I also play several instruments, which means I never get great at any of them. That's OK. I do it for fun and I'm not trying to be Jaco or Mingus or Willie Dixon anybody else.
Click to expand...

I definitely do not want to be Jaco or Mingus or Willie Dixon either. But I bet they'd like to be me right about now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: twinjet, derylgallant and Gaolee
#46
I think there is liking to buy gear and then there is liking the gear you buy. Enough gear is when what you have excites you to want to play. If you're playing because you feel you have to, then getting better or different gear is certainly a good idea. Even as a player with experience your situation should be no different from a small child starting an instrument following the old maxim of "get the best instrument you can afford." Great gear doesn't make you play better, but great gear should motivate you to want to pick up your instrument and that, given good direction, WILL make you play better.
 
#47
Great post!

If you want your gear to sound better, the only sure-fire way is to buy lessons and practice them diligently. Gear/GAS costs more and takes more time, and won't get you a single gig or any satisfaction.
 
  • Like
Reactions: twinjet
#48
SLO Surfer said:
If your time is struggling and you want to get better, get a metronome or drum machine and a good teacher.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the suggestion. I am looking at those tiny KORG drum machines (about as big as their tuners). The beats and options are actually quite good and, apparently, sound realistic when plugged into a speaker.

I do own an acoustic metronome, which has helped, but is a bit difficult to use when I only want beats on 2 and 4.
 
#49
twinjet said:
Thanks for the suggestion. I am looking at those tiny KORG drum machines (about as big as their tuners). The beats and options are actually quite good and, apparently, sound realistic when plugged into a speaker.

I do own an acoustic metronome, which has helped, but is a bit difficult to use when I only want beats on 2 and 4.
Click to expand...

Those little KORG gadjets are great. Sometimes I travel with just one of those 'nome/tuner/recorder all-in-one deals and their tiny Pandora multi-effects processor and I'm all set for gigs and rehearsals except for an amp. Considering the Pandora has "100 different rhythm patterns plus a built-in metronome; ideal for composing and practice" I'd arguably only really need that.
 
#53
I haven't watched a music-oriented movie since I watched this film last year.

Oh wait, I did watch some Punk band documentaries, The Stooges, The Damned, etc., but no dramatized movies that were music-centric.

I finally got over the "practice until you don't embarrass yourself" thing, because I decided no one ever needs to hear me play.

Unfortunately it puts a damper on my practice time some days, especially during the Summer when everyone is at home.
 
#56
(Somewhat on topic, but not directly about the movie that started this thread...)

The latest issue of Guitar Player magazine has an article titled "Youthquake", which focuses on up-and-coming younger guitarists.

One featured player - an Australian named Joe Robinson, who now resides in Nashville - states: "I try to work on my music career 100 hours per week - which is 14.2 hours a day. I practice every day, and I warm up before every show and recording session."

At first when I read that, I thought he was saying that he practiced 14.2 hours per day, but now that I've read it again (and quoted the guy), I realize that's not necessarily what he is saying - ie., not every single minute of that 14.2 hours per day is necessarily spent with a guitar in his hands (however, I bet the bulk of it is.)

As much as I admire that kind of dedication, I can't help but wonder: is it actually harmful to live life like that? Whether it's music you're focused on, or a sport or whatever...14.2 hours per day...that leaves you just under ten hours per day to, y'know, sleep, eat, and bathe - the basics of staying alive - not to mention anything "extra" that might either be just fun, if not life/experience-building.

This guy is working on his fourth solo album and has been a touring guitarist since age eleven (after picking up guitar just the year before), so his dedication has paid off, and maybe for people like him, they just can't imagine living any other way.

Like I said earlier - I admire that kind of dedication, but don't really understand it, and I do wonder at times if it is healthy...:unsure:
 
  • Like
Reactions: hrodbert696
#59
I recently watched this movie for the first time and also liked it a lot. My thoughts after watching were "...man, I better hit the shed too."

One thing I found to be sticking out like a sore thumb was the last scene. Spoilers.
During the last scene, when Andrew had to play a tune without sheets. I thought, what the hell did the kid learn during his years of music education? He should have been able to wing it without the obvious need to show off. It's like the kid was never taught musicality, only technical ability. Dynamics mean anything? Listening to the other players? Nope, just blast through the thing on 11.

Thus, I think the movie is more of a sport flick than a movie about music. It's all about athleticism.

I'm not saying I could have done any better, but man! For a so-called prodigy, that was lame.
 
  • Like
Reactions: progmanjum

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back