I think it's a big compliment, especially for a bass player. We're *supposed* to make things easy and feel good. Dig a ditch and let's all flow downhill like water in a flume!
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Is this a compliment?
- Thread starter Jamvan
- Start date
Solid gold. It should be carved into marble and displayed in the rehearsal spaces for some cover bands and musicians to read and ponder the wisdom.
In addition, if it sold millions upon millions of recordings, concert tickets, tee shirts, etc., who am I to think I can improve on it?
This is the mantra in my cover band, and we sound great each and every show, no animosity, no awkward disorienting puffery, and we can often play a cover with a high degree of proficiency and accuracy after minimal, sometimes no, rehearsal. It's called "the arrangement," and we follow it. It's hardly the sin some make it into. Saves us a lot of time and aggravation.
Anyway, definitely a compliment from the experienced pro drummer. It means you're not treating it as an opportunity to do improv, "express yourself," and get all creative on an already well-composed and well-recorded bass line, and you're not stepping all over him and making his job harder.
Kudos.
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Obviously a compliment. I call shenanigans and question the premise of this thread.
Yes. I've said several times but it bears repeating; I initially took it as a compliment but having never been told that previously, I then twisted it in my feeble mind and turned it into a possible slight against the way I play (timing and note choices). The kind folk here at TB have shown me the error in that line of thinking. #NoShenanigans
As a bass player you have to support both the rhythmic (groove) and harmonic function of the music and keep them both in balance. If either of those requires ore of your attention than the other it becomes less easy. The drummer didn't have to chase you around to establish a pocket which freed him up to relax and be more creative.
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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I don't see how it could be anything but complimentary. Roll with it. 
To the OP (and to the engineers who have posted in this thread):
As a licensed civil engineer in the State of California, I have carefully analyzed the data that is available in this thread, along with empirical data that has presented itself through documented and undocumented life experiences. And of course, I have also consulted with other engineers as part of the usual peer review process. As a result, I have reached the conclusion that this in-depth analysis yields only one possible result: the drummer likes playing music with the OP!
As a licensed civil engineer in the State of California, I have carefully analyzed the data that is available in this thread, along with empirical data that has presented itself through documented and undocumented life experiences. And of course, I have also consulted with other engineers as part of the usual peer review process. As a result, I have reached the conclusion that this in-depth analysis yields only one possible result: the drummer likes playing music with the OP!
I selected "Rage quit THEN fire the drummer!", because it's obviously the wrong answer.
While it was more a complement than not, for sure, we don't have enough information to say whether he meant "you're good" or he just meant "you're good enough".
But it doesn't matter what he meant. Sounds like you know what you're doing, and keeping it simple. Simplicity is underrated. As they say, it's the ultimate form of sophistication. When done well, it takes a lot of work.
While it was more a complement than not, for sure, we don't have enough information to say whether he meant "you're good" or he just meant "you're good enough".
But it doesn't matter what he meant. Sounds like you know what you're doing, and keeping it simple. Simplicity is underrated. As they say, it's the ultimate form of sophistication. When done well, it takes a lot of work.
True point, it falls somewhere below the highest level on the compliment scale, but it isn't exactly near the bottom either
Still, better than "Meh"!
Just roll with it and keep doing the things you're doing.
Not to brag but I have been paid this compliment by a few drummers I've played with. It still feels good to hear it.
I once played with a drummer that told me I was easy to play with but he on the other hand made me work hard to keep him in line. I didn't return the compliment. I probably said something like "man it's hot in here".
Not to brag but I have been paid this compliment by a few drummers I've played with. It still feels good to hear it.
I once played with a drummer that told me I was easy to play with but he on the other hand made me work hard to keep him in line. I didn't return the compliment. I probably said something like "man it's hot in here".
I get that in a roundabout way from drummers too. I've heard "You keep up with me really well" and "You're fun to play with", to me it all boils down to having good timing and tasteful rhythm. Having the "nobody can keep up with me" attitude is for teenagers, it's all about being cohesive.
That's a compliment, 100% sure. It's the most fundamental requirement of being someone that people want to play with, which for me would be the ultimate goal as a musician.
Optimist: The glass is half full.
Pessimist: The glass is half empty.
Engineer: The glass is the wrong design for the application.
The (similar) version I heard was:
Engineer: The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
