The harsh reality and acceptance

[Mr.Ace]

I play to my strengths. I use good gear, and I am dependable to a fault. I rehearse the tunes till I know them forwards and back. I conduct myself professionally in a band setting. I try not to compare myself to other bass players. I'm truly happy when I am playing, and that is something.

 

[el murdoque]

I've been playing bass for more than two decades now.
-I can't slap properly
-I don't do tappings
-I don't play funky solos.
-When the rhythm is complicated, i sometimes get lost when the drums stop.
-When I visit a big music store, half of the teenagers there play stuff that I can not play.

I could continue this list until I get so depressed I lock up my basses for good.
But I don't need to fill stadiums. I don't give workshops for experienced musicians, either.

What I can do is drive a band in front of a thousand'ish people, with the dancefloor (or moshpit, depending on the music)
full of moving bodies.
I can sit in with a band without knowing what they will play and wing it, reading off the guitar player's chord sheets.
I can provide competent fundament for several styles of music, and it happened more than once that I was asked
to join a project because i was recommended to these people as someone who knew his stuff.
I was rejected only one time, and that time it was down to chemistry (I did not even play).
Whenever I take a look upwards, towards the Wootens, Baileys, Claypools and whatnots ... I also take a look down and realize that there is a very long way to go to become a second Jaco - but there is also a long way behind me, from the kid that just bought a bass and had a friend show him which finger goes where.
I'm good.

 

[40Hz]

I once attended an Edgar Meyer Master Class. When the top player finished his piece, Edgar asked him how many hours a day he was practicing. The guy says 3 1/2 to 4. Edgar shakes his head and tells the guy if he wants to be competitive, he has to be thinking 10 to 12.

While I admire proficiency and dedication, I have to confess I don't get the competitive sports mentality some musicians have. I've never been interested in "competing" with another musician. Maybe because I never felt I had something to "prove."

I've always been perfectly comfortable with the realization there would always be players who were more artistic or technically accomplished than I was. And I never once cared that the corollary that I would also be a "better" player than some (possibly many) other players was equally true.

As long as I was meeting my own goals and able to play the things I wanted to hear - and as long as what I was playing sounded good in the context of the music - I was happy with where and who I was musically.

I take my cue from the haiku poet Basho. "Every moment is a journey. The journey itself is our home."

Who we are today isn't who we were yesterday - or who we'll be tomorrow.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

I picked up the guitar and bass pretty quickly. Achieved mediocrity in just a few years and have remained mediocre for the last 50 years. I never made that level change from "meh" to awesome.

I retired a year and a half ago and now spend most of my time hanging out with my dog and watching B movies. I decided to use some of my time more productively so I placed a practice amp, piano and a bass next to my sofa in the living room. Now my coach potato life style includes playing bass for an hour or so every day. I've actually improved but not so much that I expect to break through my mediocre ceiling. I find I still stumble over that irritating bass line in sir duke (yes, that's one of the things I do to measure my progress - yeah, I can play the line, but sometimes I mess it up and that's a real indication that I'm not quite prime time).
I hang up a different bass each week. This week it's my SX pj.

 

[lfmn16]

Having the best chops seldom means you will be the best choice for a band.

+1

Everybody can't be great, but almost everybody can be solid. When you think of it, how many bass parts require killer technique? If you work on your timing and play the songs mostly like the original recording, you'll be ahead of most bass players out there. I've heard some bass players with really good chops that can't dial it back when needed. Sometimes you're Jaco, sometimes you're Dusty Hill. Really great players know when to be which.

 

[blue4]

Starting at a young age and learning the correct techniques from the beginning is better than having natural ability in my book. My daughter also plays bass and I'd say we have about the same average natural ability move our fingers accurately. She started at 15 and I started at 35 and the speed difference at which you learn and catch on to different techniques is absolutely staggering. Even the rate you develop muscle memory is light years faster. If I had a choice between being born with natural ability or being able to start at 13 or 14 with just average ability, I think I'd take starting early every time.

 

[Xandrell]

I've always compared being a musician to being an athlete. Both take dedication and practice. They also require natural ability. If it was just a matter of practice, everyone could be a great musician or great athlete.

This sums it up. I'm better and have more natural ability as a drummer than my my bass playing, but I like the bass better.

 

[micguy]

The world needs more good bass players. I'm one of those - I play in churches, and have more calls than I can say yes to. I'm never going to wow a crowd with chops, but...that's part of why I get called a lot - I do my part, I do it well, and don't photobomb other folks on stage. I practice most days for an hour or two (not every day), and although it does take time to see progress, I do see it - notes seem to fall under my fingers much easier than they used to a couple of years ago. When I'm on stage, I'm more focused on playing musically, and less focused on just playing the right note at the right time than I was even a year ago.

I'm old enough that most folks would think I'm done improving. They're wrong. I'm just gettin' started.

 

[Miker27607]

My son's math teacher had a very cogent observation: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." So yeah, somebody could be naturally talented, but somebody else who puts in the time can become better, eventually.

 

[jamro217]

Most of us can agree that we will never be "The Best Bassist In History". There is only room for one of them and chances are it isn't going to be one of us. Could be, but probably not. The next step down from that would be "One Of The Best Bassists Around Today". Surely some TBers would fit in that category, but not all of us. Another step down brings us to "Seasoned Pro". That one's certainly attainable. Next would be "Decent Local Bass Player". Most TBers are likely to have made it to this point. One step below that is "Hey, You Play The Bass?". This is when your friends ask you to play a song on a borrowed bass in the cafeteria. Below that is you struggling by yourself to learn how to get good enough on this instrument to progress up the ladder listed above. We all start at this point and how swiftly you progress is up to you. Sure, natural talent plays a role in that, but using what you've got to maximize your potential is even more important. If you think you'll never amount to anything, just do nothing about it and you'll be right. If you keep at it you'll eventually stumble over mistakes, reach plateaus in your journey, surprise yourself with being able to do what you didn't think you could, and notice you've actually made it up a rung or two on the bass ladder. In other words, don't give up. You may never be the best bassist in history, but when you see happy audience members enjoying themselves to your work, you may as well be.

 

[lbbc]

Very much like a fixed vs open mindset that has been the focus of education professional development seminars for the past several years

My son's math teacher had a very cogent observation: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." So yeah, somebody could be naturally talented, but somebody else who puts in the time can become better, eventually.

.
The fixed mindset says...you will only ever be as good as your natural talent will take you. The open mindset says...if you desire to reach a goal, you must put in the effort and time to successfully achieve your goals.

While I agree that natural talent speeds the process... I am a firm believer in the open mindset. I have achieved many of my goals and will continue to work hard to reach my next set of goals as a bassist.

 

[desertrider71]

But as far as "personal best " goes I think the more musical (plus theory) hallways one walks down the more doors there are that open.

Wonderful comment. Spot on.

 

[whatizitman]

I can play rhythm guitar pretty good. I will never be able to play lead well enough to be asked to play lead. No amount of wood shedding will get me there. It's certainly not for lack of trying. It's not a matter of discipline, but of fine motor skills and finger/hand size. It's far less of a barrier for me for bass. Granted, I'm also ok staying in roots, 3rds, 5ths, and no solos. Nor can I slap. None of this is significantly limiting for a majority of rock/pop/blues/country bass. So I'm good.

 

[FenderB]

I've always compared being a musician to being an athlete. Both take dedication and practice. They also require natural ability. If it was just a matter of practice, everyone could be a great musician or great athlete.

Yep 100%.

 

[bongostealth]

Playing bass is simply awesome. Trying different basses is equally just as awesome. What is also awesome is a person's natural aptitude and talent in music. However, as others here have stated, natural talent is only a starting point. True success and virtuosity is the result of talent plus hard work. If you believe you have no talent, but are willing to put in the hard work, then I believe that your willingness to put in the hard work IS your talent!

Regardless, if you feel you "will never amount to much" with regards to playing bass, just remind yourself that by playing bass you are not curing cancer or reversing mankind's injustices and evil ways. I believe there are more pivotal issues in the world to stress over...

 

[holdfast]

…My path to joy through playing is to avoid all real musicians.

THIS!

 

[micguy]

As a kid, my sister was the one with real musical talent - she could play the piano very well for someone of her age - the piano teacher had recitals where she had had everyone else play, then my sister; there was no way it would be appropriate for someone to play after her. I was OK (played violin), but not any sort of prodigy. A few decades later, I am the musician, perhaps not due to fantastic gifts, but reasonable gifts in combination with persistence (my sister stopped playing regularly).

I get to play through PA's with big sub woofers. Yeah, I know, that's not really the point here, but it helps make what I do seem impressive. And, oh yeah, more fun.

 

[JRA]

we should never get discouraged and be happy with what we've done with our playing

 

[AlexBassMP]

Long history to get to the point (sorry)

I play in a hard rock, modern metal band ( female voice, keybards, ..) we are a 3 piece band at this time because or drummer left. Our guitarplayer has composing habilities that I don't have.. and he can shred to. Last summer someone proposed us an acoustic gig.. and suddendly I see my buddy become a neurotic guy about playing acoustic because he doen't considere himself a rgeat acoustic player. On the other side I accepted the challenge without hesitation. I can play guitar not as well as my buddy but I can strum chords and play arpeggios. Not enough with that I sad to my bandmates "Let's do something different: Instead of two guitars let's do Irish bouzouki and guitar" . I bought a bouzouky and I learn to play the basic chords and arpeggios. My buddy is nervous about all the acoustic stuff meanwhile I'm very confident and still.

It's a very curious fact that when the gig was proposed, my buddy focused on his lack of acoustic skills..meanwhile I focused and got excited about the brand new musical horizon which was in front of us. Re arranging the songs , playing new instruments and so on...

And that let me to a point that I never foscused on my lack of skills. I simply play and, when I do it, there's no place for negativity... I never thought that I won't be able to lear to play bouzouki I simply started to play it and that was all.This has become my main some kind of zen mindset : Don't think while you play.

It sounds weird.. it's impossible not to think , the key is noy playing so much attention to negative thoughts about playing.

 

[desertrider71]

Ray Brown once said that the key to being a great bass player is to know a lot of songs.

I suppose "great" depends a lot on how the player chooses to define it.

There are three primary musical aptitudes that go into how a given player's voice develops: pitch, tonal memory, and rhythmic memory. On those three, you kind of get what you get; until the day when we learn to alter our genetic codes. There are a couple of physical ones as well, like digital dexterity and working through tools.

Beyond that, you just have to put time in the shed. I once attended an Edgar Meyer Master Class. When the top player finished his piece, Edgar asked him how many hours a day he was practicing. The guy says 3 1/2 to 4. Edgar shakes his head and tells the guy if he wants to be competitive, he has to be thinking 10 to 12.

Which, that kind of time needs to be put into learning whatever aspects you choose to master. Running scales and arpeggios and perfecting very difficult parts is required if you want to be a virtuoso player. Learning a lot of songs and playing a lot of gigs is required if you want to know the repertoire. Both of those have value. And there are others as well. Whatever you choose, you need to think about at least two years of that kind of regimen to make progress.

Natural aptitudes are a great starting point. Most players will at last have some degree of them. But, they are just a start. Jaco got where he was going by pretty much living with his instrument. Sure he had aptitude; but, most of what you hear was hard work. Most players have a difficult time putting in that kind of commitment. I don't know many players who have actually put in 10 to 12 hours a day for two years on a given aspect of playing. You kind of have to be willing to shut off the rest of your life while you do it. And, even with aptitudes, there aren't any short cuts; because even the seemingly gifted will eventually run into their equal in aptitudes, who did choose to put the time in.

What can happen is that a player gets a certain level of capability, after which things get harder. So, it seems like nothing more will be learned. That is far from the case. That is just where things start getting interesting. It's like you've learned to talk or to write, but don't know what to talk or write about. No substitutes for patience, persistence, and accumulated wisdom. FWIW. YMMV.

Sticky on this post, TB!! This bloke just simultaneously schooled, humbled, and motivated the heck out of me !!