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Playing for enjoyment vs. becoming a virtuoso?

#21
I'm still young, and i do have the free time and patience to put the required time into my playing. i'm not tied down with a family/kids, and don't plan to be for a long time, and if nothing unexpected comes up, i plan on getting an education in music. if i can ever play at the level of john myung, or steve digiorgio, or victor wooten, or john patitiucci, I'll be more than happy, but if i find myself in a situation where i can no-longer dedicate my life to music, then I'll probably end up in the same boat as you guys. not sure if i'm contributing much to this thread, but i figured there should be some input from someone who is in a situation where becoming a "Virtuoso" is currently a realistic goal. that said, who knows what life has in store? there have been enough surprises for me over the past few months that i can't say for sure that I'll ever know what my goals are:p
 
#22
hunta said:
If you play for enjoyment you can't fail.
Click to expand...

Yep, hunta nailed it.

There's a reason it's called playing music.

Me, I like to practice, and jam with friends a few nights a week. I've participated in the occasional coffee house gig, as well. I get pleasure from all of it. Yes, I want to get better, because the better my playing, the more fun I'll have, and the more fun the folks who play with me will have. Truthfully, I think that if I practice consistently and jam a lot, I'll become much, much better over the next 20 years. I chose my signature for a reason: getting better at any skill takes a lifetime, and virtuosity is a worthy goal. Virtuosity just for the sake of dazzling technical prowess, though, I can do without. I care about improving my skills only because it will make playing music more fun.

If I'm not enjoying it why the heck am I doing it in the first place?
 
#23
This was a great post and I agree.

You shouldn't be expected to become a virtuoso either (this is an opinion I've encountered a lot from people I know).

Have fun when playing! I often enjoy playing the most simple bass lines ever just because the music or the band is great.

Also Hunta, sig'd.
 
#24
capnsandwich said:
I think being a virtuoso at an instrument has to be in the person before they become that person. I believe that not everyone that picks up an instrument can get to that level, no matter how hard and long they practice.
Click to expand...

+1.

Some people will never get to that level of greatness, and I am one of those. My strengths lie more in groove, feel, and dynamics. But there are many of the advanced technics that I will never master, and I'm OK with that. I have fun playing in my various bands, all low-level fun stuff. I get a few compliments from other musicians I play with, mostly along the lines of "solid" and "good groove". But you won't see me tapping or double-thumbing.
 
#25
I always dream big. When I first got into bass I automatically assume that I'll be the next legend, even though I just started a year ago and am already 24. I know that sounds too cocky but if I'm going to hope I'll shoot for the stars. Does not matter if I get into that level. In my dying breath either I reached my dream of becoming a bass god level my idols have reached (jaco, wooten, etc.), or be content with the fact that my time had been short. I'm not going to accept quitting between now and that time. I don't know, maybe the bass was really for me. At the minimum level I want something nice to pass onto my children, like basics of the bass, and for them to build upon.
 
#26
When I first started playing I wanted to be the fastest, ,most accurate player ever.... that was many, many years ago. I accomplished alot for myself over the years but unfortunatly my hands just can't do what the once could.
My normal job is VERY demanding on my hands and this has helped to wear them out even faster... If not for my exercise routine, I would probably have lost the majority of my ability. I have focused on what I have forgotten about music and theory and trying to relearn all that was once forgotten. I enjoy teaching my students and anyone else who wants to learn...
As far as bands go, I just want to have fun playing. Locking in with my drummer and watching people enjoy the music I am playing for them..

Advice for you younger guys....
Get a job that doesn't require the over usage of your hands. Make a hand exercise routine DAILY and stick with it.

HAVE FUN!
 
#27
Everybody has different aspirations...

Some people wanna "master" every technique there is, some people want to be able to fit into all musical styles no matter what kind of bass they have in their hands, some people just want to be able to write what they feel and some people just want to play along with a band.

Personally, I have no clue what my aspirations are really. I'm in a band, and I always want to "get better", but I suppose your definition of "get better" has a lot to do with your aspirations as well. I like alt rock MUSIC, but I prefer funk BASS...mixing the two and making it expressive is one of my goals in life. I'm not quite satisfied with where I am but I hope I never am (that's when you know you've stopped trying), but I'm not some jerk who thinks that somebody has to be able to play YYZ blindfolded before they can be allowed to play a bass because of some esoteric group of idiots who happened to have bought the same instrument that we all play.

Anybody who requires more of themself than what is expected by the average listener has my respect, no matter what style or genre.
 
#28
Learnin' and Burnin'. That's my goal. As music teacher I feel it's important for me to be practicing and performing, otherwise I have no position to encourage kids to do the same. I love practicing and working out playing goals for myself. Getting on stage with the guys in the band puts that all together and keeps me in touch with why its important to help kids have music in their lives.
 
#29
I eventually came to the realisation that I wasn't going to be a professional bass player with slick chops and impeccable technique recording on everyone's albums.

At first I was very disappointed. Then I realised I could put the same effort into my chosen profession. Having just entered my final year at university and looking forward to a great career (touch wood); I'm comfortable with being an amateur bass player who does it because he loves it. And I'll be able to pay the bills and buy some nice gear because I diverted my energy into my education.

Now I'm very happy about the situation.

EDIT: Having said that, I still take the hobby very seriously and I'm always working to improve myself as a musician. I even went as far as getting private lessons from top notch teacher. There's always something to learn in the world of jazz and improvisation. Infact, the more I learn the more I realise how much I don't know.
 
#30
RiddimKing said:
One thing about virtuousity to consider is: do I really like the music virtuosos produce, or am I just awed by the technique and innovation?
Click to expand...

This question sums up my feelings about playing bass, and to some extent about music more generally. I like to learn complex tunes and patterns for the sake of my technique and as a challenge, but most of the music I play and listen to has simple bass lines that are all about laying down a foundation and listening to the overall sound. They're about feel, and definitely not about speed and complexity. I usually like music because of an overall feel, or maybe because I really like the writing, or because of the way a rhythm section clicks--but never because one player, especially a bassist, demonstrates incredible technical ability in the form of speed and complexity.

I started playing bass 25 years ago. I had a few years of recording and touring in the early 90s, but since then I haven't pursued music as my main project. I play with two groups now, and it's my social life more than anything else.

Great, thoughtful post. Puts worry about practice time and gear acquisition neuroses right in perspective, and reminds me about doing it all for fun. Thanks.
 
#31
There are people who have hobbies and people who have talents. Some people have both. Unless talent is cultivated, it is not going to go anywhere. Just for the sake of an example (it may get me into trouble but I'm willing to take the chance), Jaco would not achieved the level of greatness he deserved unless he put all the time and effort he did. His talent, originality and dedication along with the effort he put, drove him to this legendary status. I am just a dedicated hobbyist who has a great time, does some original things sometimes, that's it that's all
 
#32
For me, it will be a hobby. I just want to keep learning, even though, some techniques, such as double thumbing, tapping, etc., will take some time. As long as playing is fun, I will keep doing it. For those who want to become the next bass god, it can be tough road...even with the great technical skills may not get you recognized, you just have catch a break, here and there. Jaco caught his break with Weather Report and Marcus, with Miles.
 
#33
Someone will have to explain to me why being a virtuoso isn't fun. I would think that aspiring to be the best you can be goes hand in hand with fun. In fact there is nothing more fun than finally playing that passage that has driven you crazy for weeks as you developed it or learned.

Regardless of what you aspire to, fun must be a part of it. Sure there are folks who are not motivated this way but most are and if they are having fun while accomplishing great things more the better.

Spin
 
#34
I'm not sure why I picked up the bass in the first place. My friends all had guitars and I liked to be different :D

But now my focus has really shifted to being a musician, not just a bassist. The bass is just one of the tools that I use best. That being said, I love playing because it's the best instrument. Guitars seem silly and weak to me :D
In the end, it's all about bringing the thunder :bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#35
Great thread.

I'm just a fingerstyle groove player. I've had a great time playing in cover bands in years past. Now I'm having a great time contributing to original projects. I never devoted the time to refine a wide range of techniques, but I feel that I can bring a good game in a fingerstyle rock context.

Some folks only think of "improvement" in terms of technique, but I feel that the *judgment* component can not be ignored. I may not be a much better technical player now than I was fifteen years ago, but I have much better judgment about parts now. The more I play, and the more music I listen to, the better my frame of reference for choosing the right parts to fit the song (within the constraints of my technique toolbox, of course).

Have you ever listened to a part you recorded a decade ago, and thought "What was I thinking there? I should have played it *this* way!" That's a fairly good indication that your judgment as a player has evolved/improved.

Still having fun being creative and jamming with others! Hope to keep doing it for a long time.
 
#36
Not trying to sound full of myself (okay that's impossible), but I've reached a technical peak in my area of interest... "rock".

In order to become better, I've found that I need to express myself creatively rather than physically on the bass. Sure, I could add more strings and get my finger speed up, but what's that worth if I don't know where it fits in a song?

I believe becoming a virtuoso is far more than just being able to play Rush flawlessly.
 
#38
I strive to be the best I can be and though I almost failed out of high school just so I can become as good as I can. I ended up joining the military and now I am using the time I have here to study and audition for the Navy Band. here I can hone my skills and get a degree and have a constant steady gig while traveling and playing with all sorts of musicians. All this stems from a meeting I had with a guitarist who I saw play something short of miraculous on the guitar. Take it as inspiration; I take it as a life lesson. Why fall short of what you are able to accomplish? I learn more and more everyday and will not stop after 12 years. To be a virtuoso to ones self is what matters, no one might notice you but at least you can say you are an accomplished musician.
 
#40
I've found recently that I had been letting virtuoso bass players and phenomenal bands negatively affect my playing.

Gradually I have been correcting this negativity by leaving my ego aside and just embracing their talents as opposed to thinking, ''damn, I have to play 6 hrs a day to be this good, I'm never going to get there''.

The more I've relaxed, the more I enjoy playing, and I'd say I've improved and got even closer to finding my true voice which is what I strive for bit by bit whenever I pick up my bass.
 

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