Not really what I wanted to hear.

[GManfromOz]

So we've got this pro guitarist subbing for us, toured with national acts, recorded albums, tutor to the stars, etc. He's done three gigs and a rehearsal with us and it's been awesome but it hasn't been "social" as we're gigging not sitting around shooting the breeze. This weekend we had two gigs away so there was some social time and I got to know him a bit better. No dramas, good guy and very approachable.

So after the first set of gig two we were chatting about who is in tune and who isn't and I plucked up the courage to ask him something I simply can't ask anyone else as most non bass players or hacks like me would just say everything sounds good if you're in tune.

He knows I've been playing for only a few years and have no ego about my skills whatsoever so I asked "if there's one thing you'd want from my playing what would it be?"

He gave it a little bit of thought and said "technique". Bastard!

I wanted him to say I needed some new pedals, extra cabs or whatever but it came down to that thing I've gotta work at. Disappointed!

(NB. I applied a couple of his tips into the last two sets and the difference was notable, and good.)

 

[btmpancake]

So we've got this pro guitarist subbing for us, toured with national acts, recorded albums, tutor to the stars, etc. He's done three gigs and a rehearsal with us and it's been awesome but it hasn't been "social" as we're gigging not sitting around shooting the breeze. This weekend we had two gigs away so there was some social time and I got to know him a bit better. No dramas, good guy and very approachable.

So after the first set of gig two we were chatting about who is in tune and who isn't and I plucked up the courage to ask him something I simply can't ask anyone else as most non bass players or hacks like me would just say everything sounds good if you're in tune.

He knows I've been playing for only a few years and have no ego about my skills whatsoever so I asked "if there's one thing you'd want from my playing what would it be?"

He gave it a little bit of thought and said "technique". Bastard!

I wanted him to say I needed some new pedals, extra cabs or whatever but it came down to that thing I've gotta work at. Disappointed!

(NB. I applied a couple of his tips into the last two sets and the difference was notable, and good.)

Out of curiosity, what did you change about your technique? I do a lot of jamming with retired seasoned pros and never thought to ask because if I was that bad they'd either speak-up or not invite me back. they always call me back (so far). Maybe they're being nice because they don't play out anymore and I do bring pizza.

 

[GManfromOz]

Out of curiosity, what did you change about your technique? I do a lot of jamming with retired seasoned pros and never thought to ask because if I was that bad they'd either speak-up or not invite me back. they always call me back (so far). Maybe they're being nice because they don't play out anymore and I do bring pizza.

His key comment was to get a compressor but not until I work on my actual physical movements.

But on the night he suggested palm muting (which I never do) and just using down picks (I'm a pick player) when I'm playing 8ths to even out the attack. That sort of has the same leveling effect, usually I'd up/down pick and control the ringing string with my left fingers in the frets, not a totally successful way of doing it but not too bad.

I've also auditioned and played with people who are pretty pro level and I've recorded tracks with an engineer who did work for Cher and Guns and Roses. Nobody ever said anything probably because I didn't ask.

I figured this guy is a hired gun so I night as well get some free lessons.

 

[andruca]

Playing with people that's better than you is where it's at for upping your game. Constructive criticism never hurts if you're confident, much the contrary, coming from skilled people and accompanied with proper reflection it's a great chance for improvement

 

[eJake]

His key comment was to get a compressor but not until I work on my actual physical movements.

But on the night he suggested palm muting (which I never do) and just using down picks (I'm a pick player) when I'm playing 8ths to even out the attack. That sort of has the same leveling effect, usually I'd up/down pick and control the ringing string with my left fingers in the frets, not a totally successful way of doing it but not too bad.

I've also auditioned and played with people who are pretty pro level and I've recorded tracks with an engineer who did work for Cher and Guns and Roses. Nobody ever said anything probably because I didn't ask.

I figured this guy is a hired gun so I night as well get some free lessons.

+1. To free lessons!!!

 

[lfmn16]

just using down picks (I'm a pick player) when I'm playing 8ths to even out the attack.

I'd get a second opinion on that from other pros. Carol Kaye would be a good one.

 

[Nashrakh]

Take it as a compliment. If the only thing worth critiquing is your technique, it must mean you're doing a great job in the musical department - dynamics, tone, note choice. Not overplaying or getting in anyone's way. And that goes a long way.

 

[hondo4life]

I have the same issues. I prefer to up/down pick, but the notes sound different. I also do not palm mute very often or ever, and do most of it with my left hand. I probably do it wrong. I have never had a bass lesson.

 

[toddbooster]

Both picking styles are valid and appropriate in different situations. You can't cop Carol Kaye if you only do downstrokes, and you can't do Dee Dee Ramone if you pick up and down.

 

[REV]

I play with a lot of different people. Whenever I play with a new guitar player that seems pretty good, I always ask ( if I get the chance) " What do you want to hear from the bass player".

 

[40Hz]

Lucky man!

The best sort of advice I've received from time to time was often the most unwelcome. I remember an old jazz dude with chops to die for and a melodic style that would bring tears to your eyes. I asked him what he though of my playing. I was 20 and had been playing bass since I was 12. I didn't consider myself an expert. But I figured I knew a thing or two at that point.

He told me I didn't sound "half bad." He said I had a good sense for melody and structure - even though I was pretty sloppy at times - and seemed to him to be undisciplined. And maybe a little lazy. But then he smiled and told me not to worry about it. "You're still young." he said, "Maybe the day will come when you finally decide to get serious about your music. If you do that, in about six more years, you'll have some idea how to really play your instrument."

Ouch!

Funny how the truth so often hurts.

 

[filmtex]

I can relate. I've been playing for almost 40 years and generally do a pretty fair job. We recently hired a "Nashville" picker and vocalist that I met a couple years ago. He, like me, has to travel over two hours for rehearsals and our CD release a couple weeks ago. (Things are really spread out down here in the Texas Hill Country.) I held my breath the whole night, hoping it would all come together-we'd only had a couple rehearsals and just played for 5 hours. At the end of the show he turned to me-I'm holding my breath-and said about the show "One down, a million to go!" Guess we did ok. BTW-I've never stopped working on my technique.

 

[Pbassmanca]

So we've got this pro guitarist subbing for us, toured with national acts, recorded albums, tutor to the stars, etc. He's done three gigs and a rehearsal with us and it's been awesome but it hasn't been "social" as we're gigging not sitting around shooting the breeze. This weekend we had two gigs away so there was some social time and I got to know him a bit better. No dramas, good guy and very approachable.

So after the first set of gig two we were chatting about who is in tune and who isn't and I plucked up the courage to ask him something I simply can't ask anyone else as most non bass players or hacks like me would just say everything sounds good if you're in tune.

He knows I've been playing for only a few years and have no ego about my skills whatsoever so I asked "if there's one thing you'd want from my playing what would it be?"

He gave it a little bit of thought and said "technique". Bastard!

I wanted him to say I needed some new pedals, extra cabs or whatever but it came down to that thing I've gotta work at. Disappointed!

(NB. I applied a couple of his tips into the last two sets and the difference was notable, and good.)

Don't beat yourself up brother! This is some kind advice from someone who knows. I've been playing since I was 13 years old and I still have lots of work to do on my technique! It's all part of the fun.

 

[John B jr]

Lucky man!

The best sort of advice I've received from time to time was often the most unwelcome. I remember an old jazz dude with chops to die for and a melodic style that would bring tears to your eyes. I asked him what he though of my playing. I was 20 and had been playing bass since I was 12. I didn't consider myself an expert. But I figured I knew a thing or two at that point.

He told me I didn't sound "half bad." He said I had a good sense for melody and structure - even though I was pretty sloppy at times - and seemed to him to be undisciplined. And maybe a little lazy. But then he smiled and told me not to worry about it. "You're still young." he said, "Maybe the day will come when you finally decide to get serious about your music. If you do that, in about six more years, you'll have some idea how to really play your instrument."

Ouch!

Funny how the truth so often hurts.

That's a jazz thing. Jazz is a life-long endeavor. My mentor would woodshed on his Gibson L5 for hours on end. Gave lessons for five times my hourly wage and had to drive 100 miles for his lessons. He could play three note chords faster and cleaner than my teen-age cohorts could do single note leads. Bluesmen, rockers, country boys and all that have to be very good to make it big but those Jazz cats are a different breed. You have to be very good just to be anonymous.

 

[Kmonk]

So you ask a question of a seasoned pro, and want an honest answer. Then he gives it to you and you get upset. You asked him what he wanted from your playing, not your gear. If you don't want the truth, don't ask. Take his advice and learn from it.

 

[Shifty722]

So you ask a question of a seasoned pro, and want an honest answer. Then he gives it to you and you get upset. You asked him what he wanted from your playing, not your gear. If you don't want the truth, don't ask. Take his advice and learn from it.

I believe the OP is saying that while he did not get the answer he was hoping for, he took the advice to heart and it improved his playing in the next sets. I didn't pick up on much but hurt in his post.

In a world of wishy washy people, I am happy the OP got an honest answer from this guy.

 

[bolophonic]

Just my opinion: if a guitarist -- any guitarist -- offered me advice on my bass playing that involved palm muting and using all downstrokes with my pick, I'd probably follow up with some conversations with actual bassists, because it kind of sounds like he gave you advice on how to play bass like a guitarist would.

 

[Duanestuermer]

Most pro musicians could care less about your pedals, they just want you to sound like a nice fat bass, and to provide the bottom and the groove, and have good time.
Most good bassists can do all those things without any pedals.

 

[beatnut]

That was good criticism. At least it sounds like you groove.

Once I played some gigs with a well known funk musician, and his comment was "Funk is a funny thing..", pause, then stabs his finger to my chest, ".. and you're not it!" Now that's a put down!

What don't kill you makes you stronger.

 

[bass4more]

Playing with people that's better than you is where it's at for upping your game.

Man, this is so true. If I am the best musician in the band, I am guaranteed to have a bad time. If I am playing catch up, there may be a little anxiety, but I have more fun and I improve.