• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The things you hate they say about your playing

#67
(Knowing I have a classical and jazz background) "Too jazzy." This was at a church gig where I was given just the not name and told to improvise.
"Too much low end." Same church gig.
"Why don't you slap more? Flea does nothing but slap!"
"You need to play more like Mark Hoppus." That one reeeeeally pissed me off. Freaking high school kids....
 
#68
I've never really had too much criticism from any band I have been in. I do think that I was not asked to come back after an audition because I didn't play with a pick or didn't have the right bass or rig.
Keep in mind that the bands I have played in or auditioned for were punk bands. Seems as though playing with a pick on a fender is a prerequisite.

I did however get a couple comments from people not in the band:
1. Comment from a guy that I knew since high school and self-proclaimed punk-rock historian and general know-it-all, "you should play with a pick and lower your bass."
2. Comment from the guitarist in a high school pop-punk band that opened up for us (really good band too), "you sound really good, even in songs that you should be playing with a pick."

I have to admit that after listening to the cd we recorded that I think I should have played with a pick. Punk needs the kind of aggressive tone that only playing with a pick can deliver. But then, nobody in that band ever said anything about it.
 
#69
Stinsok said:
Is it just bassist that get treated like that? Are we the only ones that get told how loud we can play, what to play, what not to play, and what instrument we should play? Also, get the blame when thing sucks?

I think I read the post here where the guy was getting screamed at by a female lead singer because he was too loud. He explained that over the course of the gig he had turned down completely, later disconnected his amp, then took his head out to the car (but all the while she still bitched about him being too loud.)

Other than being hired to perform a certain way, why do we have to limit our creativity? I have ideas, I like to express myself, I like to be heard as well. Why do I have to be the "red headed step child?"
Click to expand...

+100000000000^^^^
 
#70
T. B. Player said:
Hoot-man!! Have you checked out the Percy Jones instructional videos on YouTube?

To bring this thread back around, my favorite is, "Why don't you play that line like (insert name - Tiran Porter, Paul McCartney, Chuck Rainey, Jaco) does?" When they say that, I reach into my back pocket, get my wallet open it, and stare intently into it. When they ask what I'm doing, I say, "Looking at my drivers license. And you know what? Amazingly, it doesn't say Tiran Porter (or Paul McCartney, etc.)!"

:D
Click to expand...

AMEN!!!!! :D

I have seen those Percy vids, very helpful in a lot of ways in terms of playing mechanics on fretless. Percy's one of my all-time favorites on fretless.
 
#73
I started out with a Cort, and was told by the guitarist in my band; "you should buy a better bass."

I bought a Squire fretless and gave the Cort to a friend as a present, and my band went "You should've bought a more expensive one."

And the drummer suggests: "Why not sell both your basses, slap on an extra $120, and buy a better one?":hmm:
 
#75
I've not gotten too many of those putdowns. I only remember a drummer telling me a certain riff I played at one point didn't fit at all. He was partially right though, and I was overplaying more those days than I am today.

Actually the worst is to not get any feedback at all at a gig, especially if there's people in the audience you'd expect to say something. You know what they say; if you don't have anything nice to say, just keep your mouth shut...

Anyway, it's far easier to remember the good things you hear about your playing, than bad things. :)
 
#78
I was asked once "What kind of bass is that?", I say "It's a Music Man Sterling", drummer says "Music Man? Never heard of it.", guitarist says "I have, Eddie Van Halen used a Music Man." drummer says "Do we want Eddie Van Halen on Bass?"

Sheesh.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back