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My regret as a bass player
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
And I can do it in my underwear, even though I usually don't
I don't either. I mean, I think wearing underwear to record in the comfort of my own home is kinda overdressing, really.
(too much information?
)
Way too much. Besides, I assume you sit in a chair at some point of the process. Yucko!
So for the first time in a few years, inspiration struck and I wrote two songs on the way home from my gig and another one when I got home. Some of my most brutal stuff yet. It's refreshingly offensive and repulsive. Can't wait to get it recorded.
So for the first time in a few years, inspiration struck and I wrote two songs on the way home from my gig and another one when I got home. Some of my most brutal stuff yet. It's refreshingly offensive and repulsive. Can't wait to get it recorded.
I'm 49 & in the last year my soul has been on fire for playing. I've been playing for over 30 years and I am evolving like never before. When I see young people struggling to play, I always encourage them to find their voice in the instrument & to practice & fall in love with it. I'm also joining a second band, I look forward to waking up everyday & seeing my axes and picking each one up and coaxing the music out. I pray I never lose that.
I always wanted to be a bass badass, but never had the chops. Was never fast or super shreddy. But I did discover later in life that I had what a lot of bass players don't. A great sense of groove in my right hand. The beat is like a jungle gym for a good bass player, and some of the best songs ever written swing all over those monkey bars.
Similar situation here. But, no band (no biggie). Wasn't very good 30+ yrs ago. Set it ALL down for almost 25 yrs. Been back at it for just about two years...can't get enough of it. Seriously in love with bass.
Great post Jimmy.
Andy West had similar comments about bass and music and self in an older blog he put up.
Andy West had similar comments about bass and music and self in an older blog he put up.
Thanks Jimmy,
Early on in my bass playing career, I was a chops guy and stuck to my guns, overplaying on everything etc. As I gradually mellowed and started to serve the music, I got hired more. (An old familiar story to most of us by now). The difference for me was that I always had a "creative" or "artistic" project where I could do what I wanted to, and that made it possible to go to work and play simply, knowing that I could solo and freak out on my project band another day.
Division of "Craftsman" and "Artist" is fundamental for me.
Early on in my bass playing career, I was a chops guy and stuck to my guns, overplaying on everything etc. As I gradually mellowed and started to serve the music, I got hired more. (An old familiar story to most of us by now). The difference for me was that I always had a "creative" or "artistic" project where I could do what I wanted to, and that made it possible to go to work and play simply, knowing that I could solo and freak out on my project band another day.
Division of "Craftsman" and "Artist" is fundamental for me.
That's a good point. I'm going to have to make that delineation a lot clearer in the future.
lots of good stuff in your OP Mr JM.
Take heart, at 52, you are hardly an old guy (57 here and never giving up). So, don't fear the AARP card, and the magazine actually has some interesting and useful articles from time to time
It's been said, but I'll say it again for emphasis; there is lots of compromise in life. To make a living, support a family, keep true to yourself, be unique but still be able to work things out with others (in music, in business, in personal relationships etc etc.). Just the way it is.
I have played bass (and keys and vocals) in working bands for 44 years, all kinds of styles from the simplest 3 chord blues and rock to turkish folk music, to straight ahead bop and fusion jazz, to country and polkas and klezmer, and whatever the heck made my musical taste buds salivate at the time. Always made money doing it and have had a great time along the way.
Today, at 57, I work primarily in 2 all original bands. One a fairly eclectic world music/jazzy thing, and the other a much more accessible roots/americana thing (which got invited to SXSW by Sony records for 2 shows this year - imagine our grey haired 50+ y/o selves in that sea of talented and enthusiastic youth!
).
I can play roots/5ths all day long if called for, I can also play my a** off over alternating bars of 5 and 7 in a turkish arabesque style using makam modal forms (and hop around on stage like a dervish while I do it), or a cool Brazillian chorro where the bass never hits a 1, or - what the heck - Sweet Home Alabama. People seem to like it, I enjoy myself immensely, I work all the time (currently booked through 2014 in both bands), and make solid money in the process. Also have met a lot of great and amazingly creative people and players over that time too, which has really added a lot of joy to my life.
I stopped worrying about pleasing others, and listening to much of the criticism, way back in the early 80s somewhere, probably after playing my 1000th version of Celebration or Boogie Oogie Oogie (blargh), and just decided to seek out music and players I liked and interested me and learn to serve the music, and the goal of scratching my own musical itches and not worry about the rest.
So, hang in there brother, it does NOT need to be a chore. Make your music, satisfy YOUR soul and don't worry about what anyone says (unless you think their opinion bears consideration). Music is a life sport, you can do it until the day to pass out of this veil of tears, in the mean time get out there and enjoy the s**t outta every note you produce.
and put some damn pants on dude
Take heart, at 52, you are hardly an old guy (57 here and never giving up). So, don't fear the AARP card, and the magazine actually has some interesting and useful articles from time to time
It's been said, but I'll say it again for emphasis; there is lots of compromise in life. To make a living, support a family, keep true to yourself, be unique but still be able to work things out with others (in music, in business, in personal relationships etc etc.). Just the way it is.
I have played bass (and keys and vocals) in working bands for 44 years, all kinds of styles from the simplest 3 chord blues and rock to turkish folk music, to straight ahead bop and fusion jazz, to country and polkas and klezmer, and whatever the heck made my musical taste buds salivate at the time. Always made money doing it and have had a great time along the way.
Today, at 57, I work primarily in 2 all original bands. One a fairly eclectic world music/jazzy thing, and the other a much more accessible roots/americana thing (which got invited to SXSW by Sony records for 2 shows this year - imagine our grey haired 50+ y/o selves in that sea of talented and enthusiastic youth!
). I can play roots/5ths all day long if called for, I can also play my a** off over alternating bars of 5 and 7 in a turkish arabesque style using makam modal forms (and hop around on stage like a dervish while I do it), or a cool Brazillian chorro where the bass never hits a 1, or - what the heck - Sweet Home Alabama. People seem to like it, I enjoy myself immensely, I work all the time (currently booked through 2014 in both bands), and make solid money in the process. Also have met a lot of great and amazingly creative people and players over that time too, which has really added a lot of joy to my life.
I stopped worrying about pleasing others, and listening to much of the criticism, way back in the early 80s somewhere, probably after playing my 1000th version of Celebration or Boogie Oogie Oogie (blargh), and just decided to seek out music and players I liked and interested me and learn to serve the music, and the goal of scratching my own musical itches and not worry about the rest.
So, hang in there brother, it does NOT need to be a chore. Make your music, satisfy YOUR soul and don't worry about what anyone says (unless you think their opinion bears consideration). Music is a life sport, you can do it until the day to pass out of this veil of tears, in the mean time get out there and enjoy the s**t outta every note you produce.
and put some damn pants on dude
- Jul 3, 2004
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- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball MusicMan Guitars
Nicely put, Jimmy.
I play my @ss off. I try stuff. I play beyond myself, sometimes. I stumble, and laugh. Sometimes I find myself thinking "maybe you should calm it down, Kedo..." then I remind myself that being calm and proper didn't get me the gig.
I play my @ss off. I try stuff. I play beyond myself, sometimes. I stumble, and laugh. Sometimes I find myself thinking "maybe you should calm it down, Kedo..." then I remind myself that being calm and proper didn't get me the gig.
....intelligence studies indicate that older individuals have access to an increasing store of knowledge gained over a lifetime of learning and experience. Combining bits of knowledge into novel and original ideas is what the creative brain is all about. Thus, having access to increased internal warehouse of knowledge provides fertile ground for creative activity in the aging brain.
Other studies show that certain areas of the prefrontal cortex involved in self-conscious awareness and emotions are thinner in the aging brain. This may correlate with the diminished need to please and impress others, which is a notable characteristic of both aging individuals and creative luminaries. Both older individuals and creative types are more willing to speak their minds and disregard social expectations than are their younger, more conventional counterparts.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-art/200903/creativity-and-the-aging-brain
Other studies show that certain areas of the prefrontal cortex involved in self-conscious awareness and emotions are thinner in the aging brain. This may correlate with the diminished need to please and impress others, which is a notable characteristic of both aging individuals and creative luminaries. Both older individuals and creative types are more willing to speak their minds and disregard social expectations than are their younger, more conventional counterparts.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/life-art/200903/creativity-and-the-aging-brain
Wow, that's cool, Stumbo! Who knew there was a physiological reason for not caring what people think as you get older? I thought it was all about getting the life sucked out of us with all the people pleasing we have to do to get ourselves established.
Maybe that too!
Also, one of the signs of dementia is lack of inhibition...I guess that means we're kinda half way there already.
So, I guess that we'll be creative and speak our minds but won't remember what we said and if it meant anything....
Woo hoo! Party!Maybe that too!
Also, one of the signs of dementia is lack of inhibition...I guess that means we're kinda half way there already.
So, I guess that we'll be creative and speak our minds but won't remember what we said and if it meant anything....
