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[farmertom]

@Mushroo encouraged me to post these videos publicly so maybe we could all learn something.
I’ve been playing stringed instruments (this time) about 3 years. Bass probably a year. I’m all self taught/ YouTube taught for the most part. I’d like some feedback if you guys will. I really struggle with confidence in my playing, which in turn seems to hamper my playing. Hoping to get some of your thoughts on my progress. My main goal with all this is to be in a Dad hard rock cover band.

And a big shout out to @MD-BassPlayer for the help on Tobacco Road

God Bless

 

[Mushroo]

You rang?

I love your enthusiasm! And the hat!!

I'll repeat the same suggestion I made in the other thread: I recommend more effort tuning your bass to the backing tracks. Sometimes those old classic-rock songs were recorded off-pitch, so it's the recording's "fault" not yours, but even so, you've got to try a little harder to tune your bass to the recording (even if your tuner pedal says you're in tune). The role of the bass is to support the song, so when the bass and vocals are out of key with each other, the audience will assume the bassist is wrong (even if it was actually the singer's mistake). So you should always listen and always try to be in harmony with the singer. Practicing in-tune is a good habit that will speed your learning and development as a musician.

Your feel and groove are better than your pitch. I can tell you have a love for these songs and you are a fun person.

I did not vote in your poll, because you mentioned in your other thread you are aware of the tuning issues and this area is a "work in progress" for you. On that basis I find your playing in these videos "unrateable."

 

[Beersurgeon]

Those TMNT pants are AWESOME!!

oh, and I dig your playing too!

With home sweet home Alabama, sounds your playing a different pitch than the song.

 

[AGCurry]

Well, I give you props for attitude, but:

How can you play in a different key than the backing track? Trying to do that would drive me nuts.

Why aren't you using your left pinky finger? We play full-step patterns like Tobacco Road and Sunshine of Your Love using fingers one and four.

 

[farmertom]

Well, I give you props for attitude, but:

How can you play in a different key than the backing track? Trying to do that would drive me nuts.

Why aren't you using your left pinky finger? We play full-step patterns like Tobacco Road and Sunshine of Your Love using fingers one and four.

Well when I practice I have a set list of songs on my phone that turn on and play straight through like it’s a gig. 14-18 songs start to finish with out stopping for anything, mistakes or otherwise. Honestly when I’m doing that on bass I can’t tell anyway (guitar is a different story). they’re all gonna be within a half step of right anyway. I keep my bass tuned 1/2 step down all the time. If I stopped to retune for every song the only thing I’d be practicing is my tuning. So if that’s all that you can find wrong I’m extremely satisfied with myself then!! Lol. Timing timing timing that’s my main concern hitting every note at the exact right time is what I strive for, even though I guess everyone is gonna miss some from time to time

God Bless.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I'm not rating anybody until after the swimsuit competition.

But siriusly, do/did you play any organized sports - high school, college, parks & recreation teams, etc.? If so, how much time (particularly for high school/college) was devoted to scrimmage play and how much was devoted to other foundational endeavors ( running laps, lifting, drills, etc.)? Because what you are doing here is just scrimmage play and it's going to be hard to put scrimmage play into real world playing if you don't solidify basic foundation. As you say above, you don't stop for mistakes and you can't really tell if you're in tune (which means you can't really tell if you're playing the correct pitch); because that backing track is going to keep on chugging along no matter WHAT you play, even if it's another song entirely. That's NOT gonna happen in the real world, particularly if you're playing with other players who haven't done a lot of foundational work.

Music's a real GIGO situation, and you get out what you put in. So it kind of all depends on what you want to get out of it.

 

[Mushroo]

If I stopped to retune for every song the only thing I’d be practicing is my tuning.

Tuning is, actually, the main thing you need to practice though. I would even recommend spending a week practicing nothing but tuning. A really good exercise is to put on a playlist of classic rock songs and try to figure out the key of each song by ear. Some classic recordings might be tuned in between keys, so you'll have to slightly retune your bass flat or sharp to match the recording. This is a really good skill and probably the most important thing you could possibly be practicing right now.

Tuning in music is like measuring in craftsmanship, making sure everything is square and level. Musicians who don't tune their instruments are like carpenters who "eyeball" their cuts and make a table with uneven legs. If you put a meatball on this table, it will roll off the table and onto the floor. Learning to tune your bass is how you become a good craftsman who makes flat, level tables with equal length legs.

 

[farmertom]

I'm not rating anybody until after the swimsuit competition.

But siriusly, do/did you play any organized sports - high school, college, parks & recreation teams, etc.? If so, how much time (particularly for high school/college) was devoted to scrimmage play and how much was devoted to other foundational endeavors ( running laps, lifting, drills, etc.)? Because what you are doing here is just scrimmage play and it's going to be hard to put scrimmage play into real world playing if you don't solidify basic foundation. As you say above, you don't stop for mistakes and you can't really tell if you're in tune (which means you can't really tell if you're playing the correct pitch); because that backing track is going to keep on chugging along no matter WHAT you play, even if it's another song entirely. That's NOT gonna happen in the real world, particularly if you're playing with other players who haven't done a lot of foundational work.

Music's a real GIGO situation, and you get out what you put in. So it kind of all depends on what you want to get out of it.

Well that makes sense. I actually didn’t ever play sports but @Mushroo analogy hits home with me I used to work in the carpentry field.

I realize that the backing track will keep playing with or without me that’s what makes it hard to me, if I screw up they just keep going. Now I actually find it easier to play with other people. When we screw up (provided it’s not a train wreck) we adjust and likely no one would notice other than other musician


Well I was trying post a video of me and some guys playing but can’t get it lol.

Thank you all for the help. All much appreciated

 

[FretlessMainly]

Notwithstanding the tuning issues on Sweet Home Alabama, I'll echo the pinky issue. It should be among your most strong and important fingers. Any two-fret intervals (meaning a full step) should be index-pinky unless you're at 10th fret or above. The ring finger is probably the weakest (or most susceptible to injury) digit in bass playing (especially if there's a wedding ring on it...ba-zing!). But take my word for it. I lost six months of gigs and had to relearn all of my fingerings after I blew out my ulnar nerve in 2001 or 2002. 1, 2, 4 is the way to go until you are up near the octave.

 

[Son of Wobble]