Is there any hope for me?

[Ancient of Days]

I've been listening specifically to Bass Players for over 50 years. Playing for two months. I just listened to Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers by ZZ Top on the way home. I decided that I like Dusty Hills playing more than I like Jaco Pastorious. Should I just quit and sell my stuff? Ancient of Days

 

[Moving Pictures]

You like what you like. It's as simple as that and no reason to stop playing.

 

[bassburner]

Not at all. I much prefer the simple, laid back basslines as opposed the 70's white guy overly busy lines or all that tapping and chord stuff. To each his own.

 

[tangentmusic]

Ancient of Days:

You'll be just fine.

Every player gravitates to the styles they dig.

Just because you like Dusty over Jaco?

 

[PJSShearer]

As a 50 something who's played bass for 42 of them, I would say that there's more hope for you in picking Dusty over Jaco - you'll be more likely to find like minded people to play with anyway!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Sell your gear. There is no hope.

Next you are going to tell me you can appreciate Adam Clayton's restrained playing or some other crazy idea.

 

[neptoon]

I listen to jaco, vic and the like, but I prefer peter steele and listen to heavy rock and metal...I would rather listen to type o negative over the yellowjackets, jeff berlin and all the other virtuoso stuff any day...no worries, mean...different strokes for different folks...my dad just recently took up playing banjo...don't give it up!

 

[bassburner]

We need all the varieties of bass players. Imagine Victor Wooten playing with Type O Negative or Les Claypool with Metallica...

 

[two fingers]

You like what you like. It's as simple as that and no reason to stop playing.

This.

While I respect what Jaco did for the art of playing bass, I can list dozens of bass players whose style and tone I like better. Most of them play(ed) much simpler lines. Again, Jaco was a talent for sure. Just not my thing for the most part. Heck, I even like his son's playing better than his.

 

[Ancient of Days]

OK.....I'm in. Seems as though I'm one of those guys who isn't a fan of flash. I'm all about the guy who can lay down a groove successfully and keep motoring. I was really only kidding guys.......You're all right. I need to stay the course and keep thumpin'..........Thanks. AoD

 

[StayLow]

We need all the varieties of bass players. Imagine Victor Wooten playing with Type O Negative or Les Claypool with Metallica...

A pro plays what's required. Someone listening to Trujillo slapping & popping up a storm in Infectious Grooves might have thought he'd be an odd choice too.

 

[PortlandBass77]

Sell your gear to me! I pay bottom $!

 

[Neon Blues]

Personally, I don't care for any of the crazy modern players like Wooten, Sheehan, any slap bassist outside of 70's Funk or any tapping or chordal work.

It's got no soul or heart to it. It doesn't make my tap my foot or anything.

I'd take the works of Duck Dunn, Nathan East, Matt Freeman, Matt Wong over those guys any day of the week.

 

[Unemploid]

zz top bass player is cool.

i like les claypool. i dislike when players always reference les as an inspiration yet no one plays like him.

 

[PauFerro]

Do whatever really turns you on with bass. It will be different for most guys. I look at Jaco with frustration -- I can't do what he did. I had trouble playing The Chicken the way he does as I am simply not able to maintain the speed you need to play it like Jaco.

I like what David Gilmour said -- as you probably know, he composed some of the most gripping and soulful guitar solos ever created (such as in Comfortably Numb). He acknowledges that he's not fast, but created a very recognizeable sound with this guitar, and his solos really hit people in the heart. He expanded on his strengths and isn't trying to work in his weaknesses -- do the same. What are your strengths as a bass player (both technically, and as a fellow musician) -- develop those things -- you'll probably enjoy it more than trying to emulate players like Jaco...

 

[fdeck]

"I solemnly swear to play the root, the whole root, and nothing but the root, so help me Dusty Hill."

His playing is definitely vital to the magic of ZZ Top, and I say that as a "busy" bassist myself.

 

[BazzTard]

there ARE no rules.

Fender even released an Adam Clayton signature bass fercryinoutloud !

the weird part is that it has more than one string, why?

 

[hintz]

zz top bass player is cool.

i like les claypool. i dislike when players always reference les as an inspiration yet no one plays like him.

well, very few guys CAN play like Les, he's got his own thing no doubt!! He certainly inspires me still, but I've never been in a situation where I had to play anything resembling Primus!!

 

[hintz]

Do whatever really turns you on with bass. It will be different for most guys. I look at Jaco with frustration -- I can't do what he did. I had trouble playing The Chicken the way he does as I am simply not able to maintain the speed you need to play it like Jaco.

I like what David Gilmour said -- as you probably know, he composed some of the most gripping and soulful guitar solos ever created (such as in Comfortably Numb). He acknowledges that he's not fast, but created a very recognizeable sound with this guitar, and his solos really hit people in the heart. He expanded on his strengths and isn't trying to work in his weaknesses -- do the same. What are your strengths as a bass player (both technically, and as a fellow musician) -- develop those things -- you'll probably enjoy it more than trying to emulate players like Jaco...

most bands don't even want the "jaco" sound, tonally or stylistically... Doing so is a great way to get fired from a pop gig, I'm still trying to break some "jaco-ism's" I developed from learning some of his stuff, like playing real staccato on bridge pickup when its inappropriate stylistically!!

 

[Nykki Madd]

um dude, who and what you like is exactly what type of bassist your gunna be. Your influences are EVERYTHING that will make you have your sound. it doesn't matter who are what you like. don't let anyone tell you different. Theres all different styles and types of bassist out there. your influences defenitly help you find your way.