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I hang my head in shame.

X

xxfaux_punkxx

Mar 18, 2010
1,054
18
Indiana
#1
I was in GC a while back and checking the basses while the rest of the band was off somewhere else.

I'm noodeling on this Epi T-bird and this kid, couldn't be any older than like 14, steps in. He picks up the same model bass as me and starts noodeling... and then he just ripped into a solid funky 5 minute bass solo. Imagine the guy from tool were to meet Geezer butler and than sprinkle some flea on top of that and you get what this kid was cranking out.

After he was done rapping the bottom end out that bass he turned to me and smiled. I smiled back politely hung up the bass I had and then tucked tail and whimpered off to find the rest of my band mates.
 
#4
Violin and piano are brutally competitive like that - there playing an hour a day since you were 7 would probably not be enough - but bass isn't so bad.

As a bassist you're in short supply and when you do compete with others for a gig it's largely on personality, reliability etc. Musical skills count too, but the ability to play stuff that makes a positive impression on other bassists ranks way below the ability to learn new material quickly, the ability to sing etc.

No reason to feel shame or worry.
 
#5
Blame it on youtube. When I was growing up we had a rare Mel Bay guitar chord book and learned everything by ear off records. Wanna learn a riff today...youtube it!

BTW..all the wannkie stuff he did doesnt work in the real bass world and its not what most bands will ever hire you for. If you dont belive me go ask Victor Wooten.
 
#7
At my daughter's last recital, a 7th grader played a 10-12 minute Fritz Kreistler piece solo on violin with NO MUSIC!

Not only was she excellent at the music, but her bow techniques and phrasing made me feel as if I were in some east European auditorium watching this rather than the 'burbs of Detroit.

Yes folks, we got little to worry about when we have gifted people such as this.
 
#8
xxfaux_punkxx said:
I was in GC a while back and checking the basses while the rest of the band was off somewhere else.

I'm noodeling on this Epi T-bird and this kid, couldn't be any older than like 14, steps in. He picks up the same model bass as me and starts noodeling... and then he just ripped into a solid funky 5 minute bass solo. Imagine the guy from tool were to meet Geezer butler and than sprinkle some flea on top of that and you get what this kid was cranking out.

After he was done rapping the bottom end out that bass he turned to me and smiled. I smiled back politely hung up the bass I had and then tucked tail and whimpered off to find the rest of my band mates.
Click to expand...

I had the opposite happen. I used to go to a local GC back in Michigan when I lived there. One of the managers there was a really good bass player who also taught bass. (and he was a really nice guy as well) So I am in the bass room trying out a bass when this guy comes in with several of his students and picks up a bass a plays some impressive stuff. I simply answered each of his riffs with a good one of my own and kept up with him. His students were a little disturbed that I could keep up with him, But we were friends so it didn't matter to us.

But another time in the same GC I saw a teenager in the guitar section playing SRV riffs note for note ... I was impressed.
 
#11
I hate people that go into guitar center just to show off wanky chops with zero intention of buying anything.

It's like bringing a grill into McDonalds to show you can make a better burger. It's distasteful.

I am trying to buy something, I don't need you to be showing off and distracting me. I don't solo, tap, slap or whatever turns heads. I play the stuff our band plays to see of the tone and feel are good.
 
#14
I hate playing at the guitar stores. Been playing for 40 years and know I'm no solo king. I've been in the same band since the early 90's and am very good at what I do, but put me in the middle of GC and I freeze up.

Short story:
Our lead singer used to be a pro, opened for some big names type of guy. He and I went to GC for him to buy an amp. The place was full of wanken kids and players. My friend takes a $100 guitar off the wall and starts playing with the salesman standing there. The whole place went quite with just my buddy playing. It was kind of cool. The salesman said "Looks like you have practiced some". Russ goes" yep just a few". It was cool. In our band he's the singer not the lead guitar player. Had to be there but it was cool. I sure the sales kid had to think, Damm ol man
 
#15
I wouldn't read much into it, quitar store 'show offs' are there because they don't play outside of their bedrooms. They don't have a band, don't work with other musicians and don't play shows. Sure they might be talented and sound good solo, but it's because that is all they've known and practiced.

Most solo guitar store show offs are social rejects who can't function in the real world anyhow, don't worry about it.

Very rarely do you get the kid who comes in every day and plays the same guitar, who is saving his pennies until he can purchase it. That's not how the world works anymore.

Russell L said:
I'm 61, and I don't care.
Click to expand...

Russell, your quote is sig worthy. Thank you.
 
#16
People ,stop going to music stores feeling you have to impress other musicians with your greatest licks in the universe. Your there to tryout gear! The store is not going to give you a discount,people asking for autograph,chicks/guys will not bang you,test the gear and enjoy yourself and spend that hard earned money.
 
#18
bassteban said:
What jimmydean said- also, IME a lot of these guys can spank the schizz out of a solo in a store but have no idea how to get along w/the rest of a band, be supportive, groove, etc.
Click to expand...

+1

At a jazz gig with my high school band there was this one 14-ish kid that was literally HALF my height just wailing on his ibby, made me feel kinda self conscious about my slapping chops, then when he starts playing with his band he could barely muster a walking line!! He was reading every note off of the music and couldn't lock in with the drummer. It felt nice to beat his little as* where it actually counts in the music world.
 

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