The Mediocre Bassist Club.

[Adam Bomb]

I was born to play the bass. I was not necessarily born to play it great. After 4 years of playing daily, I can barely handle myself in a Guitar Center. Nine-year-olds school me.

Don't get me wrong. Bands love me. I have good rhythm and a good ear. I groove like eff. I love to play. There appears to be no limit to the (simple but funky) bass lines I can come up with. What I can't do is (1) play a solo worth a damn or (2) slap worth a damn; and nothing says Monster Bass Player like a 20-minute slap solo. That's not me. May never be.

I try to look like I *could* play a 20-minute slap solo, but, after doing that for like 15 years, I'm over it, beyond it. I'm evolved, and I know what's really important. That's how I come off, I hope. But in truth, what's really important is all that I can do.

I have taken exactly one (1) lesson.

Flame me, sure, yes, please. But, also, those kindred spirits out there, fess up. Stand up and be counted!

<Braveheart voice> Who's with me!!!! </Braveheart voice>

...



--Bomb

 

[GassieBall]

I think I'm in your club.

But if you could do a 20-minute slap solo, but couldn't hold down the groove in the pocket, you'd be worse off.

 

[Atoz]

Gimme a number my man...

Around me, Pete Wentz looks like Jaco.

 

[Matt Till]

I think this is the only TB club I really want to belong to! I'm normally opposed to the forum club thing, but I'll gladly join up.

For some reason, I'm not going to get any better than I am right now. I'm where I'm at and I've been there for the past 3 years or so. Mediocre is where I'm at and it's probably where I'm staying. I don't consider it a bad thing, we can't all be Wooten.

 

[bassflyer19]

# 5 BABY! WOOHOO! i can definitely hold my own and can probably school some people, but cant pop/slap worth a damn. alot better bassists out there. and i admit it to. peace out, im mediocre!

 

[Adam Bomb]

This is sweet!

Adam Bomb - #1

GassieBall - #2

Atoz - #3

Matt Till - #4

bassflyer19 - #5​

We rock.

--Bomb

 

[martyman5000]

You know being mediocre means that you might do something great from your heart and not from a lesson or a tab.

I am Mediocre and proud of it.

 

[cb56]

I was born to play the bass. I was not necessarily born to play it great. After 4 years of playing daily, I can barely handle myself in a Guitar Center. Nine-year-olds school me.

Don't get me wrong. Bands love me. I have good rhythm and a good ear. I groove like eff. I love to play. There appears to be no limit to the (simple but funky) bass lines I can come up with. What I can't do is (1) play a solo worth a damn or (2) slap worth a damn; and nothing says Monster Bass Player like a 20-minute slap solo. That's not me. May never be.

I try to look like I *could* play a 20-minute slap solo, but, after doing that for like 15 years, I'm over it, beyond it. I'm evolved, and I know what's really important. That's how I come off, I hope. But in truth, what's really important is all that I can do.

I have taken exactly one (1) lesson.

Flame me, sure, yes, please. But, also, those kindred spirits out there, fess up. Stand up and be counted!

<Braveheart voice> Who's with me!!!! </Braveheart voice>

...



--Bomb

You just described me!!!
Except I've been playing bass 25 years.

 

[kai_ski]

Knowing your limits is what makes a mediocre (or good) player a great one.

I'll take a number... 6?

 

[bassflyer19]

yo Bomb, do you find it nifty how honest we can be around other mediocre bassists?

 

[PoundinThunder]

Count me in haha. I learned quickly and can hold my own, but for a few months now, i havent gone anywhere. its a little frustrating, but i guess its better than straight up sucking! haha

 

[brutal bassist]

im 16, i just worked on my slapping, and now i can run with the big slap dogs, but... im the best at my high school, but when i get into college, im not gonna be anywhere near the best, why cant highschool be forever???

 

[sirpug]

I'm in. Give me a number. I think I'm on the lower side of mediocre since I've only been playing bass for 1 year but I was in the "bass section" of concert and marching bands for 7 years in primary school so I'm ahead of the curve when it comes to feel, rhythm and ear. Also ahead of the sight reading game.

 

[GassieBall]

This would never happen in a guitar forum.

 

[Rezlax31]

Haha can i get a number? This group is right up my alley!

 

[Blueszilla]

I'm perfectly extra medium, I will gladly accept membership.

 

[Adam Bomb]

yo Bomb, do you find it nifty how honest we can be around other mediocre bassists?

I feel tha lub ...

Adam Bomb - #1

GassieBall - #2

Atoz - #3

Matt Till - #4

bassflyer19 - #5

martyman5000 - #6

cb56 - #7

kai_ski - #8

PoundinThunder - #9

brutal bassist - #10

sirpug - #11

Rezlax31 - #12

Blueszilla - #13

​

Anyone, let me know if I've miscounted--

--Bomb

 

[WickedPissah]

Count me in. I'm God-awful.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

bass soloing... I've never really seen the value of it unless you are WAY good. I mean so good that what you play isn't just skilled, but *interesting*. How many wanking solos have we all heard that seem to be inserted into a song just to give the bassist some love? I say the heck with that - I don't do solos; I lay down grooves. If I ever can do tricky stuff like Victor Wooten or interesting stuff like Manring, then I'll solo - but until then...

 

[Bluedawg]

Duck Dunn

Knew what he could do and did it well.

Heard a cool story about one session that he was hired for.

He walks into the recording studio and starts setting up. When he looks over into the control room Stanley Clarke is sitting back there.

He says "No way, I'm not playing when Stanley's here."

But Stanley comes out and says, "It's got to be you, Duck. You're the only one that can play what this song needs. I can't do it!"

May not be true, but it makes a good story.