Hello TalkBass members and administrators, I registered yesterday and have been browsing curiously for sometime. A thought popped in my head that just might potentially be a good idea. I believe a new board should be made and this new board should be entitled "Accomplishments". Young or experienced bass players all accomplish something in their progression to becoming better players (learning a riff, song, bassline, technique [slapping, popping], etc.) Everyone who posts in this board makes a thread entitled "So and so's Accomplishments" or something along those lines and updates it regularly with new info regarding their recent goals and achievements. For example, I make a thread concerning my accomplishments. Let's say I learned Hysteria by Muse on bass, and I'm really excited. Even post a YouTube link. People comment with encouragement, criticism, and lift the Topic Creator's spirit. What I see the pros to this is a mindset to go beyond one's expectations to learn something hard and work towards a goal, specifically newcomers to bass. The response from users can help boost the bassists confidence. For example, I create a post concerning me learning Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. I get all kinds of "Nice, keep it up!" and "Try Lithium now!". This is an incentive for more playing and getting better. I also can see it as a way for the TalkBass community to become involved with one another, helping each other along the way. Perhaps a user spots another user has learned a certain song and they aren't too sure how to play it; they help each other out and now this user has a new accomplishment. Not even for newcomers, but experienced players as well may have a say in this too. Let's say their band is releasing an EP or even an album. A sold-out gig. Possibly (and this is just a theory), newcomers and intermediates see this achievement and think to themselves, "I wanna do what this user is accomplishing." Another incentive. Overall, I see this board to post, gloat, receive CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and encouragement and just keep playing. This is a just an idea, evolve it, twist it, use it, or just completely trash it; I thought I might be a fun way to get the TalkBass community to come together.
You could always post a link to your "achievement" on therecordings form. Say a little about it and ask for opinions. I did that once and got loads of feedback on my slapping bass line and general mixing advice. I don't think members do this as often as they could.