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I hang my head in shame.
- Thread starter xxfaux_punkxx
- Start date
My drummer keeps extra sticks handy, for just in case he hears me thinking about doing something like that on stage!
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Seriously though, It won't likely get you a gig, but it might be a solution for having too many gigs.
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Seriously though, It won't likely get you a gig, but it might be a solution for having too many gigs.
haha a lot of good answer's guys.
I'm actually very self conscious about my playing, because I can't slap and pop, or solo worth a damn. I know I can lock in with a drummer (or at least my drummer anyway) and that's what matter's in the music world, still I felt embarrassed that a kid 10 years younger than me can solo so much better, even if it was only meant to show off.
Side note: I was only there because the band voted to go after practice. Didn't have the scratch to get anything, not even picks.
I'm actually very self conscious about my playing, because I can't slap and pop, or solo worth a damn. I know I can lock in with a drummer (or at least my drummer anyway) and that's what matter's in the music world, still I felt embarrassed that a kid 10 years younger than me can solo so much better, even if it was only meant to show off.
Side note: I was only there because the band voted to go after practice. Didn't have the scratch to get anything, not even picks.
NOBODY goes out to see a band (in smaller venues anyway) to hear the bass player do a solo.
Nobody.
If you're going to a Rush, RHCP, Primus, Yes, etc. concert...then maybe, but to hear semi-pro or weekend warrior bands that feature bass solos?
Not a chance.
Solos don't get the dancers dancin', or the drinkers drinkin' at the local watering hole, so the bar staff don't want to hear wank-fests either.
Neither do I, really.
Do I want to hear a good, groovin', hard hitting band? Any time.
Now don't hate on the kid because he can solo.
He may be a great pocket player also, pretty hard to pull that off without a drummer present.
I just say 'nice job' and leave it at that if he does play well.
Doesn't hurt me any, no reason to feel any less of a person or musician.
If it makes you feel any better I can't really solo worth a damn myself, but people keep calling me to play sub gigs and I'm in two regular bands, so I'd say it really doesn't matter much to anyone else.
If I'm trying out a bass or amp, I just like to stick to watever will show me what the gear's strong and weak points are, and as quietly as possible.
Nobody.
If you're going to a Rush, RHCP, Primus, Yes, etc. concert...then maybe, but to hear semi-pro or weekend warrior bands that feature bass solos?
Not a chance.
Solos don't get the dancers dancin', or the drinkers drinkin' at the local watering hole, so the bar staff don't want to hear wank-fests either.
Neither do I, really.
Do I want to hear a good, groovin', hard hitting band? Any time.
Now don't hate on the kid because he can solo.
He may be a great pocket player also, pretty hard to pull that off without a drummer present.
I just say 'nice job' and leave it at that if he does play well.
Doesn't hurt me any, no reason to feel any less of a person or musician.
If it makes you feel any better I can't really solo worth a damn myself, but people keep calling me to play sub gigs and I'm in two regular bands, so I'd say it really doesn't matter much to anyone else.
If I'm trying out a bass or amp, I just like to stick to watever will show me what the gear's strong and weak points are, and as quietly as possible.
it's like I said in another thread. if you're really good you know it. you have that aura of confidence. you don't have to show off. Peter Gabriel said he knew Phil was a great drummer just by how he sat at his drums.
Me too. When I picked up my new PF500, I went to many stores to check them out. If there was a wankfest in progress I walked right out.
I ended up at Guitar Center during a quiet break. Played a few simple things at a low volume. Turned it up for a few seconds to gig volume to see how it changed, then turned it back down. Talked with the sales kid, negotiated a killer deal based on cash, and walked out happy.
I'm sure every sales kid there, not to mention other kids around, could have out solo'd me, but I walked in, did MY thing and left with gear that I USE ON GIGS.
There is no reason to play on and on in a store except vanity.
I have been to GC a few times and have seen those younger kids wank on the basses. Some of the time, their dad is with them looking on with pride.
Although they can pop and slap like a pro, they are usually lost when trying to play outside that realm. I feel sorry for the GC employees, since those kids have no intention of every buying anything; they just want to show off their wanking skills to someone else.
I usually get bored listening to them within a couple of minutes and wish they would leave so I can hear the bass I am checking out for a possible purchase.
Although they can pop and slap like a pro, they are usually lost when trying to play outside that realm. I feel sorry for the GC employees, since those kids have no intention of every buying anything; they just want to show off their wanking skills to someone else.
I usually get bored listening to them within a couple of minutes and wish they would leave so I can hear the bass I am checking out for a possible purchase.
Play your bass, craft good bass lines that fit the songs you play, and don't worry that some kid can "solo" better than you. You'll be fine.
Two best posts on this thread!
I save the solos for when I play the guitar (most the time) and certainly not for when I play a bass at the music store.
IMHO if you can write a great song, sing and/or play a good groove that will serve you better as a bassist than being able to solo.
IMHO if you can write a great song, sing and/or play a good groove that will serve you better as a bassist than being able to solo.
I'm just the opposite. I'm going to try stealing every piece of technique I can, engage him/her in coversation about playing the instrument, and if it's a guitarist I'm going to try backing him while he's wanking (although some of them don't like that part, so I know when to quit).
I feel your pain man. I was in the key section of my local store, and this kid, perhaps 6 years old kneels on a keyboard bench, reaches up to the Nord Electro 3 73, and whips up a sweet jazz riff. I do not even think he really knew what he was doing, just looked like he heard the effects and ran with it. He then sat a Tyros 4, which I had better view of, and his fingers moved so fast and appropriate in doing a run on the keys. Most kids I see attempt to play keyboard use either one finger, or their palm. He had two hands, and was not intimidated by the black keys.
That, and the kid that played a perfect Free Bird (I know..) guitar solo at a battle of the bands show. He was about 11.
That, and the kid that played a perfect Free Bird (I know..) guitar solo at a battle of the bands show. He was about 11.
the original post could happen to most musicians unless you were the calibre of say victor wooten or jaco. but i bet if i played simple stuff, it would sound fuller, richer, more consistent , powerful and musical than him playing the same lines 
Tabs and imitation go a long way . Give me someone who can work a solo through the same chord changes with his own notes and feel.
Same goes for all the other wankers
I once was trying out an amp at a GC, when I finished up one of the sales people said they enjoyed my playing since I was playing real bass lines not popping and slapping like most fools do there all day long.
I was just doing blues walking basslines w/turnarounds in different keys.
I was just doing blues walking basslines w/turnarounds in different keys.
I had a similar experience some years back at an area store - not GC. A local player and friend was trying out a bass or, more likely, just show boating a little. I was suprised how sloppy he was - good ideas, good groove, but squeak, buzz and clank. He's a good player, and busier than my style, but I did feel a little smug that my technique was cleaner, if not as flashy.
+1
I don't even like testing an instrument in a guitar store unless it has a private room. Even then I usually keep the amp volume low.
May I add... While not all of us do it, I feel the need to kindly request our bass playing community to please discontinue playing Higher Ground at 10 in the store. It's equally annoying as the guitarists playing Stairway to Heaven or Sweet Child O Mine on at full blast.
lol People wanking their instrument in stores probably gives you an idea of how it's like to play with them. Avoid! Avoid! Avoid at all costs! lol
