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make me into a remarkable bassist

B

brothertupelo

Aug 7, 2005
152
1
#1
i have an ok ear from other instruments and i've been around for long enough that right now i can get by as a fairly uninteresting stand-in, but i don't do anything that well. turn me into a human god, a funky sex machine, a virtuoso, and a snazzy dresser.

go.
 
#4
To me, being remarkable is being able to compliment what your band is doing. Aiming to not be the weak link when the band is working on new material, and keeping your ears open to what is going on around you is also key. Starting simply, and building things up as required is how most groups work, so if you can work in that flow, or just slightly ahead of it, the cats you're playing with will think you're remarkable.

The turning point for me was when I opened up my ears and started playing what I knew/felt I should be playing, instead of what I thought I should be playing...... does that make sense? Years ago, I stole a regular gig from a guy that I thought was about the most wicked player in town. The band needed someone to fill in for a few weeks, and I was asked to do it. In the end they were happier with my playing than they were with his "wanking", so they dropped him. One of the tunes we did was I Heard It Through the Grapevine...... I just kinda copped the jist of the Jamerson groove, made it my own, and we grooved...... They told me they could never do that tune with the other guy, because he would have turned it into a slap and pop fest, and ruined the whole tune.

Rocco talks about stealing and incorporating, and that is really what it's all about. Figure out what someone is doing, and turn it into something that is all your own..... while finding a way to make it compliment what the other cats in your group are doing. When you can do that, you'll be considered remarkable by your bandmates, or anyone else looking for a solid player.

And spats..... don't forget the spats.

Ljazz
 
#5
Don't become a purely rhythmic/harmonic bass player, who's willing to play purely root notes or "catchy grooves" no matter what the context. Explore equally (or at least partly) the melodic possibilities of the instrument.
 
#7
motivate me, i guess would be the response to that, and give me ideas to practice. there's always listening and copying, but if there's anything you could say, say that.
please don't think i'm a prick. i have a lot on my mind.
 
#10
there's no short cut i'm afraid being a furious bass player of legends involves locking yourself in your room with 2 buckets (one for feaces one for urine) with a load of water and energy bars and practicing all day untill you wear through the fretboard and you can see maple poking through from behind

as for being a snazzy dresser just take any cloths and wear them with sex appeal rule of thumb is if your mates say you look daft then the ladies will love it
 
#13
POOF!!!! You're a remarkable bassist.

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#17
truthfully, if you're asking... learn as many songs as possible.. from as many different bands as possible.. start with AC DC, the Beatles, Iron Maiden, Weather Report, Rush, Mariah Carey (yes, Mariah Carey), Rascal Flatts, then learn theme songs to TV shows to train your ear.. there is no such thing, to me, as a song not worth learning.. country, rap, rock, metal.. .learn it all.. then you will become a remarkable bassist with an ear of your own (figuratively) and be able to draw from various styles.. The worst thing I hear is a bassist that refuses to learn songs he/she does not like.. that's just me, but I try to learn songs I dislike.. and usually end up liking them and appreciating them later (Def Leppard, for example). Lay the bottom down first.. then become flashier where you believe it suits the band. play in bands.

It is funny, to me, I listen to Billy Sheehan for so much advice, but I don't listen to his music often.. he played in every band possible.. and played all music possible.. Wooten, Manring, etc.. had to start somewhere..

and there is no "formula.." if there were, Wooten, etc Geddy Lee, etc would be a dime a dozen.. and not famous. Geddy always claims he got to where he is today by "breaking rules I did not know existed..." ala 2112, releasing their record on their own label, and so on.. it worked out..
 
#19
Play along with CD's, MP3's, whatever - genres & songs that you never would have considered before, stuff that you'll never play in a band situation. Play any melody that pops into your head; heck, I've recently played Somewhere Over The Rainbow, America The Beautiful, even stupid TV commercials (play strictly the melody, not the bass line) - laugh, but I think it makes you a better player. In other words, S-T-R-E-T-C-H yourself.

As far as clothes - go out with your wife or a savvy female and let her pick out a few items, even if they look like something you'd never buy for yourself. You might be surprised. Again, S-T-R-E-T-C-H yourself.
 

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