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Ignorant bass comment thread

#124
knumbskull said:
Create Your Own Pig-Ignorant Comment!

mix and match the following phrases with some basic grammar and hey presto, your own comment!

Jaco
Rickenbacker/Gibson/Squire/Woolworths
at least [x] number of strings
boutique
too expensive
cheap gear
at least one Fender
at least 600 watts
not a proper bass player
not a proper instrument
can't play funk/metal/polka with that
less is more
more is less
slap/fingers/pick
I rub my strings with monkey grease you know
Click to expand...


Jaco can't play funk/metal/polka with that boutique cheap gear

:ninja::hiding:
 
#126
Them: "You play bass?"

Me: "Yes."

Them: "You don't look like a musician" (as if bathing and several steady jobs and a puppy make me inelligible for musicianship"

OR

Them: "You can't be the bassist- you're white!"

Then after the show...

Them: "Holy cow! You can really play!"

T
hHe usual. I'm sure you've all experienced the same or too similar
 
#129
spade2you said:
In my personal experience, this can apply to just about everyone in bands these days. It's becoming rare to work with guys who know much about theory.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, but is that a problem? I picked up the bass and just started playing. I liked the sound of the instrument and it spoke to me. I never took a music theory class, but I hold my own just fine. :rollno:

You don't need to know the theory behind how the engine in your car works to drive a car.....
 
#130
Tony G said:
I'm sorry, but is that a problem? I picked up the bass and just started playing. I liked the sound of the instrument and it spoke to me. I never took a music theory class, but I hold my own just fine. :rollno:

You don't need to know the theory behind how the engine in your car works to drive a car.....
Click to expand...

Depends on what you're trying to play. Most can mimic basic rock structure, but I've learned how much most don't know with auditions for my band when guys are thrown into unconventional settings. Having a decent background in music helps me figure out stuff without having to mess around until I find the right note. Playing stuff like Jaco without a background is challenging, but really hard if you don't really understand what you're doing and why it works.
 
#131
The Hammer said:
this is a real comment someone said to me. "I've heard five string basses are for guys who can't cut it on a four string".:rolleyes:

Oh yeah, extra strings make it so much easier

or

Bass players should only play with their fingers and never a pick
Click to expand...

in a way i have to say that to an extent it's a lot easier to play when notes are all accessible without having to move your left hand, so in that sense five is easier than four. just MHO
 
#133
spade2you said:
Depends on what you're trying to play. Most can mimic basic rock structure, but I've learned how much most don't know with auditions for my band when guys are thrown into unconventional settings. Having a decent background in music helps me figure out stuff without having to mess around until I find the right note. Playing stuff like Jaco without a background is challenging, but really hard if you don't really understand what you're doing and why it works.
Click to expand...

I guess all I can do is just mimic basic rock structure then since I'm not educated in theory....:scowl:

I've been playing funk, fusion, improv styles for years. Are you really going to tell me that I don't know what I'm doing with my bass? I know my fretboard well, I have ears, and have continued to improve my playing for the last 12+ years, simply by playing. I guess I should go join a rock band though, since I don't know much theory to hang....
 
#136
Tony G said:
I guess all I can do is just mimic basic rock structure then since I'm not educated in theory....:scowl:

I've been playing funk, fusion, improv styles for years. Are you really going to tell me that I don't know what I'm doing with my bass? I know my fretboard well, I have ears, and have continued to improve my playing for the last 12+ years, simply by playing. I guess I should go join a rock band though, since I don't know much theory to hang....
Click to expand...

So you're telling me you could play through fusion and improv with ZERO theory. I know people take pride in not being educated in theory and often wear it as some sort of badge of honor, but I don't buy that you lack theory with the aforementioned styles. :eyebrow:
 
#137
spade2you said:
So you're telling me you could play through fusion and improv with ZERO theory. I know people take pride in not being educated in theory and often wear it as some sort of badge of honor, but I don't buy that you lack theory with the aforementioned styles. :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

I certainly don't mean to come off like I'm proud I'm not educated in theory. I honestly wish I was. I wish I had taken music classes from a very young age and continued on with it all the way through school. The more tools you have the better, and I will always believe that. But I didn't, and I am 28 now with a career and a kid on the way. I don't have the time to put in to learn extensive theory, and when I try, it isn't fun to learn on your own. I pick some stuff up here and there thanks to this board, but when it comes to playing, I don't seem to think too hard, I just play what I feel sounds good...

However, I did grow up in a jam band heavy area, and from the start that was the music I played. All funky improv, pretty much all the time. I learned to listen to the other instruments separately and as a whole. Through trial and error these short 12 years I've learned what sounds good and what doesn't. I still learn new things every day I jam with people. I will never say that I could go out and "make it" on the fusion circuit. But as I said, I can hold my own for the most part, and enjoy playing. If I auditioned for a band and they peppered me with questions about music theory, I likely wouldn't be able to answer most if not all of their questions. And to be honest, I think it would be pretty silly to judge a musician solely on that anyways. But ask me to come over and jam, play some songs, etc., I could likely deliver.
 
#138
spade2you said:
So you're telling me you could play through fusion and improv with ZERO theory. I know people take pride in not being educated in theory and often wear it as some sort of badge of honor, but I don't buy that you lack theory with the aforementioned styles. :eyebrow:
Click to expand...

Some people who haven't been schooled in theory (I have... somewhat) have some ideas about it that aren't accurate. Learning theory is mainly learning the language so that you can communicate with other musicians. It's in large part learning how to talk about stuff that you already viscerally understand. It won't ruin your ability to jam, and it won't make you so that you can't play without charts.
 

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