Is there any hope for me?

[Ritchie_Darling]

Ah, you're fine. I've never been a Jaco fan.

I appreciate what he did. I just don't care to listen to or emulate him.

Like what you like. And screw the naysayers!

 

[Lichtaffen]

I'll never forget what my last teacher told me when I came in for my first lesson. He asked that I play a groove so he could here where I was as a musician. When I finished he said "there was only one Jaco and there will never be anyone like him. Play like yourself."

 

[pbass6811]

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.

Wow. If you don't hear any heart or soul in Victor Wooten's playing or Billy Sheehan's playing, or any of the "outside of 70's Funk" players, apparently, you weren't paying attention. Attitudes like this are just as damaging as the guys who think Adam Clayton and Dusty Hill don't deserve sig models necause they can't play a billion notes per second. Get over it, man.

OP, Dusty Hill is a perfect example of what a bass player SHOULD be. He's solid, soulful, and plays exactly what the song calls for. Great tone, great feel, and something a competent bassist should aspire to be. Jaco is a perfect example of what a bass player COULD be if one were so inclined, just like Wooten, Sheehan, Claypool, Wimbish, Caron, et al...

Keep listening to Dusty, he's the man, but keep your ears open, you never know what cat might inspire you to maybe go a little further...

 

[singlemalt]

You probably need more theory. Here's mine: play music you like with people you like.

Other theories that stand the test of time: play music women want to dance to. That fill dance floors and sells drinks. More fun gigs playing music with guys you like.

It just snowballs once you get some theory down.

 

[MDBass]

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.

Nice choices brother! I dig all of the virtuosic, boundary pushing stuff too, but those guys in particular (along with Karl Alvarez and Jay Bentley) are who inspired me to start playing...learning their bass lines instead of attending my first semester of college is the catalyst that lead me to this career path

 

[Jack Butler]

I actually think you are better off. For a hobbyist looking to play in a bar band or do some open mics, Dusty's style probably fits what most bands need better. That said, it's not an either/or thing...you can like them both. Personally Jaco's playing doesn't move me at all, but I do respect his major contribution to electric bass.

 

[MrBKerth]

I wasn't much of a "flashy" stuff kind of guy. Personally I find that many bass players are bass players because they prefer to solidly hold it down in a supporting role. Of course there's a power trip in watching a guitar player ruling it and knowing you have your finger on the self destruct but knowing you'll never hit it.

I like Jaco, but I appreciate him like I appreciate instrumental groups (in short spurts before I lose interest)

There's this thing some know nothing playwright wrote forever ago. I think his name was Billy Shakesman or something and he said "brevity is the soul of wit". Restraint and perfection in restraint can be incredible.

 

[ole Jason]

I definitely prefer virtuosic or high end playing but the vast majority of people are more into simple 'groove' playing for sure. Just play what you like.

 

[DaZombieWoof]

Leland Sklar and Phil Williams. Lovely lines that are what we in engineering circles call "elegant". If any less, the song falls apart. If more, it just seems cluttered. Of course I also love Jack Casady and Jack Bruce who are more hyperactive. Tim Bogert as well.

 

[DJS]

At least once every couple of months, either before a show, or when I'm not feeling super inspired with my own playing, I'll watch this clip of Van Halen in 1979. Listen to Michael Anthony, a guy with often debated skills, do a brilliant job holding it down with three larger than life icons, at arguably their peak. Those of us without solo record deals should all aspire to be this brilliant, in this exact way.




In a similar way, Dusty Hill provided an amazing foil for Billy Gibbons. I'm amazed at how these guys have always played like brothers. For 40+ years!



So, yes, there is plenty of hope for those of us who respect the Church of Jaco, but really might only aspire to be ushers.

 

[zontar]

You're allowed to like the music you like & the musicians as well.

I've heard songs played by musicians with poor technique & musicality, but something about their performance moved me.
Other times I hear people play who are excellent musicians, but they leave me cold.

 

[bassbully]

Heck no. I don't like Jaco, bass solo's or bass players who make solo albums and it's never stopping me.

Keep it simple brother, lock in the pocket, be cool, stay sober and you will be a busy bass player.

 

[JimK]

Leland Sklar and Phil Williams. Lovely lines that are what we in engineering circles call "elegant". If any less, the song falls apart...

Lee Sklar, in case people have forgotten, is an original '70s Fusioneer...and all that that encompasses.

 

[JimK]

I usually don't chime in on these Jaco disscussions...been here since the '90s. Been their, done that.
Anyway, thinking back to the '70s when Rock & Fusion were still relatively new + the fact that me & friends were just learning how to play our chosen instruments...
Z.Z. Top, IIRC, was a guitarist's band. Their initial 3-4 albums rocked...but it was my guitar-playing pals that really gravitated towards their brand of Blues-based Rock.
Bass players, like me (noobs) were more into Cream, The Who, etc. Bands with "busy" bassists.
Guitarists & bassists both liked Led Zeppelin, Yes, Aerosmith, the Allman Brothers Band, & Rush.

By the mid/late '70s, the circles I ran with would spin Weather Report, etc any day vs. Z.Z. Top.
Listening habits have changed?

Dusty Hill is very, very cool. No doubt about it.

It just some of these comments remind me of certain scenes outta Amadeus…