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I'm a bass snob, but I suck...
- Thread starter khui
- Start date
Wow. This is well said. I agree and add Jaco's tone to that list. Stanley's technique and tone is always spot on. I've seen him a few times live and he set the mark very high. But as with anything in art or music..... It's just a opinion... And you know what they say about opinions....
Totally agree!
True, you make it sound sooo easy and fun
Practice can be many things, it´s not just scale practices.
For example, I often spend nights having my bass in my lap when watching tv, when the commercial jingles are on, i noodle along and this way practice familiarity to the instrument, "becoming one" with the instrument, to use a total Cliché.
I don´t decide to do this because i need to practice, I like to do it, and i benefit from it, I feel.
-I´d like to add this:
I don´t think there is ONE solution to how people should approach music. There are a number of variables, such as amount of musical talent, a musical ear, motorics/physical etc.
Learning in different ways makes you better allround, I think.
Consider that there is and will always be someone who will suck worse than you .. and someone who will play circles around you .. and be happy. If you can afford great gear then by all means get it.. but just do it and yourself justice by playing it.. and in a while you will start to suck less..
Gaolee
Official leathers tester and crash dummy
Have you thought about hookin' up with some other cats, and jammin' with 'em? Especially a good drummer. I cannnot stress enough thatPLAYING WITH OTHER MUSICIANS WILL MASSIVELY IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS. I could care less about people not agreeing with that statement. Because I, and, millions of other musicians firmly believe that as the gospel, too.
So, get the hell outta that bedroom, (and, ship me some of your gear)!!
I used to drool over all the really expensive basses out there. But, after playing more & more basses, and getting better, you really start to notice a line where the increased cost doesn't justify the materials or craftsmanship.
I am quite happy and content playing my sub-$2k basses (most are sub-$1k) and letting the snobs spend their cash on the gear they want. It leaves more of the quality deals for me.
I also agree that playing with people will improve your skills. It will also help you develop an appreciation for the gear you have, and others have.
I am quite happy and content playing my sub-$2k basses (most are sub-$1k) and letting the snobs spend their cash on the gear they want. It leaves more of the quality deals for me.
I also agree that playing with people will improve your skills. It will also help you develop an appreciation for the gear you have, and others have.
Have you thought about hookin' up with some other cats, and jammin' with 'em? Especially a good drummer. I cannnot stress enough thatPLAYING WITH OTHER MUSICIANS WILL MASSIVELY IMPROVE YOUR SKILLS. I could care less about people not agreeing with that statement. Because I, and, millions of other musicians firmly believe that as the gospel, too.
So, get the hell outta that bedroom, (and, ship me some of your gear)!!
Yep . This.
thats ok i suck, havent had a lesson since last november...i got warwick stuff...not cheap...im the same way at stores, can't bear to plug in cos some other dude's there jammin away slappin' & poppin'...totally intimidating....
and im supposed to have a gig in october...
and im supposed to have a gig in october...
Fear to enter the store "contests" is standard. I used to be intimidated by that, but not now. The other day I was in GC trying basses. I plug in and try notes, try settings, do a few simple bass lines to test tone and function.
Some kid was there with his parents wandering around as well. Pretty soon he's plugged in a bass and is doing a slapping frenzy. He's pretty good at that, I thought, but he's not really trying basses, he's putting on a show! I thought, yeah, I could plug in and put on a show too, but that isn't my purpose here. I was there to learn about various brands of basses and what they do. And another thing I noticed about the kid was that he had yet to learn about musical taste! Art is a subtle thing and while a lot of shredding can be impressive, the impression soon fades unlike real art which is defined by it's lasting quality!
It's tempting to join the store "contests" when challenged, but if I say anything at all, it's "people usually pay to hear me play!"
So sure, I can show off with my Alembic, Modulus, or Ken Smith basses or maybe my Conklin 7 string. They do things my Squier and SX can't. But dude, I ALSO can show off with the SX, or Squier basses because they do things the high end ones can't. The key is I know just what I can expect out of EACH bass and can apply it to the music. What I paid for the instrument or how much time I put into modding it doesn't matter and yet it does because that is what give each it's special ablilities I use to pull music out of them. The mistake so many make is thinking that spending lots of money will give you something that will make BETTER music. An Alembic will allow you to do things many other basses can't do for sure, but spending that money will NOT give me what I get out of my Chinese junker Harmonia bass. Music is like that.
Oh well, I have a feeling that you fit the typical TB profile. You may have a lot of company in this forum...
Good for you! Actually it sounds to me like you have a great attitude. You have realized the reality of the situation and you embrace it. Who cares if someone likes top end gear and can't even play a note? Heck, I love comic books and I collect them, I talk about them and debate about them... but I don't read them.
But the funny thing about this place is that we talk and debate all subjects on bass as equals, even though our abilities and interests and gear are vastly different. The only thing that bugs me a bit is when debating some gear, tone or technique issues with others that really don't have real world experience playing. Some come across as experts here even though they may "suck" as you have stated about yourself, and others are more humble even though they are talented musicians. Nothing wrong with that at all, it is just that during these discussions we never really know who we are talking with. In any sense, it is still fun to talk all things bass with ANYONE who is passionate about the instrument regardless or their skill level and no matter what gear they own.
Exactly! I have purchased basses up to $4,000 before and outside of the fancy looks and quality construction, there is not much difference in the end result that the typical MIM Fenders that I prefer. I see all kinds of others bands with bassists using everything from Squiers to top of the line boutiques. I have heard all of these sounding equally terrible and great depending on all the other variables involved. Outside of a very tiny minority of gear snobs, no one cares what brand or make or cost of your gear. All that matters is that you know how to tweak your bass, EQ, amp, and etc. to get the best out of your instrument. As long as you do, all basses are equal. Buying an instrument that feels good to you is much more important than tone. The tone gets washed away anyway more than 20 feet from your amp anyway.
