Is TalkBass improving your bass playing? If so, how?

[kesslari]

I've noticed that while I got a lot of inspiration and knowledge when I first joined, I'm not really getting much that improves my playing - not nearly as much as practice does

Am I missing something?

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

No TB is not doing that for me.

Quite contrary really.

Am I missing something?

IMO no .

Regards
Sam

 

[charlie monroe]

Get out of OT and back to the woodshed

 

[Jazz Ad]

It makes playing more enjoyable, gives new ideas for gear, tone, artists etc but it's also a plain time waster.
Had I put a 10th of my forum times into playing, I'd be a much better musician.

 

[Innocuous]

You may be taking things for granted. I just watched a video of a young man that is a very technical player. I was able to watch both hands the way he set up the camera. Really made me reflect on my own playing and some of the bad habits I've acquired. This will make me much more aware of my technique. I read a lot and learn something new every day. Sometimes it's from someone like this young man.
;-/

 

[Mike M.]

It's helped with the theory side of things. (Thanks Scott's Bass Lessons!) As far as actual playing/technique not so much and only because of a lack of time. Too many other things and responsibilities. Wish it was different but that's the way it goes.

 

[MJ5150]

It made me realize that no matter how many thousands of dollars I spent on gear, I still suck, so I quit playing. Don't feel bad for me. I'm actually glad as it saved countless hours of wasted time and several thousands more dollars.

-Mike

 

[sissy kathy]

I don't sound as bad but, maybe thats 'cause I spend all my time here.

 

[Phalex]

I am completely self taught. I have zero background in theory at all. I have found that I actually understand some theory, but haven't really known about applying it even if I already am. ive applied things I've gotten insight about through discussion on TB.

There have been several aha moments, mostly about stuff I've done for years.

 

[BboogieXVII]

Well now I actually spend a lot more time on guitar but still have a beater bass to kick around.. TB just helped me realize what I tend to get more enjoyment from. I still get the bass out at least once a week though. This is the best music site on the web as far as I'm concerned, it just happens to be mostly about bass.

 

[avvie]

It inspires me to think of myself as a bass player now as oppozed to a guy who plays bass. As a result I think about bass a lot more and that has definitely improved my musicianship.

It's also cost me a lot of money from hanging out in the effects forum so much.

 

[Mosfed]

The effects forum has definitely improved my tone. No question. And if I have better tone I have more fun. And if I have more fun, I play more.

 

[tastybasslines]

It inspires me to think of myself as a bass player now as oppozed to a guy who plays bass. As a result I think about bass a lot more and that has definitely improved my musicianship.

It's also cost me a lot of money from hanging out in the effects forum so much.

The effects forum has definitely improved my tone. No question. And if I have better tone I have more fun. And if I have more fun, I play more.

The only effect I was ever prompted to buy from the Effects forum here was a looper pedal, and I have to say, my timing noticeably improved and it made me think more about what I could do creatively.

 

[placedesjardins]

I've noticed that while I got a lot of inspiration and knowledge when I first joined, I'm not really getting much that improves my playing - not nearly as much as practice does

Am I missing something?

TalkBass off-topic? Zero.

 

[bachlover]

I played for a lot of years then took a sabbatical for several years. I picked it up again and played sporadically for a while. All that changed when I joined TB. It totally rejuvenated my interest in playing and got me steered into other areas such as 5 string, 6 string, and fretless. I've also learned more from a couple of books that I picked up on TBer's recommendations, and have also picked up a 2nd hand keyboard to help with the theory and chording that playing str8 arpeggios on bass didn't illustrate all that well. Now that I'm rejuvenated and better educated, I just have to spend more time practicing and less time perusing the topics. I'd say TB has helped improve my playing a conservative 40%.

 

[bassbully]

It has expanded my knowledge of the bass and bass playing but it has not improved my playing. I blame my mediocre playing all on myself.

 

[Fxpmusic]

Nope... It's mostly about how much a bass weights (still don't know what my own do), how much GC sucks, the random sexist overly horny comment and theeeen some useful stuff.

 

[HolmeBass]

Not directly, but comments, video links, new bands, and the amps and effects forum have improved my overall sound. Then the inspiration and camaraderie has motivated me to practice more, so I have been getting better. Slowly but surely.

 

[stratovani]

I started playing bass back in the fall of 2007, and I joined TB in November of '07. I'd have to say that in the almost 7 years that I've been here I've learned so much about bass playing that I credit TB with improving my playing. I've learned about gear, being in a band, music theory, techniques, and so on, things I would have learned elsewhere only with great difficulty. It's like a one-stop shopping for all things bass!

 

[avvie]

Nope... It's mostly about how much a bass weights (still don't know what my own do)

Step on a scale.
Then step on a scale with your bass.
Math ftw.