What do you think about when you play bass?

[Mannyinnewyork]

Without meaning to come across as contrary/argumentative- if you're not thinking about the song/sound and overall effect on the audience, then why are you playing (financial considerations aside)?

 

[Sid Fang]

...If I have a list, I write down the first note of any song I might forget. I find that if I just play that first note, once I hear the downbeat I know what it is and what to do next.

Good to know that I'm not the only person who does this!

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Why do we have cheeseburgers as an option, but not sex?

You can have sex with a cheeseburger, haven't you seen the movie American Pie?

 

[Mastermold]

All our songs have specific parts so I don't improvise much. Just listen to the band and try and breathe as one.

 

[Jazzish]

Beautiful women

 

[tpaul]

Zeno's paradox.

 

[DennisM]

Trying to practice more while NOT looking at my fingers to get away from it on stage, but I currently do look at my fingers about 75-80% of the time. The rest I'm either feeling the music with my eyes closed, scanning the crowd or rest of the band, or happily spacing out until I hit a clam

I check fingers on technical parts,but then just feel music and get into the great vibes..

 

[7615]

Did I lock the car?

 

[azureblue]

The music and the groove.. And staying in it. Since I play mostly funk and jazz, what the other players are doing so I can adjust my notes to complement their playing.

 

[SactoBass]

Sushi. I think of sushi.

 

[Wasnex]

If I am playing a cover tune, I am just in the groove and my fingers know what to do. Sometimes your fingers know what to do because you are playing and established finger pattern, like Mustang Sally, so your really on auto pilot. Under these circumstances I might be thinking about that beer if I get bored enough.

If I am in a jazz setting, I tend to move in and out of various musical thought processes. The closest option is:
"A mix of feeling, fingers and theory." However I would add "use my ear" to this list.

Other times you sort of hear what is going on around you and simultaneously hear series of notes in your "minds ear" that comes out through your fingers. That's one of the basic goals of ear training, to be able to play what your hear or imagine without thinking about it. I.E. your fingers just know where to go.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Questions in my head while performing:
1. Am I grooving with the tune and the band?
2. Is the audience enjoying what we're doing?
3. What can I play differently to make it better for the band, the audience and myself?

 

[Haunted House]

Geezer Butler, Roger Glover, John Paul Jones and Chris Squire!

 

[LBS-bass]

Other times you sort of hear what is going on around you and simultaneously hear series of notes in your "minds ear" that comes out through your fingers. That's one of the basic goals of ear training, to be able to play what your hear or imagine without thinking about it. I.E. your fingers just know where to go.

That's what I call being in the flow. It's like the music is an extension of you and you just do the thing.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Choose the response that fits best

I basically think about my financial situation and count every beat I play every every note I play

I'm thinking about the notes I'm playing and how much I'm being paid and iI am workin' cheap.

 

[Cave Puppy]

And you may ask yourself, well
How did I get here?
- Talking Heads
Who's gonna drive me home, toniiiiiight? - The Cars

 

[Cave Puppy]

I'm thinking about the notes I'm playing and how much I'm being paid and iI am workin' cheap.[/QUOTE]

I posted that video earlier on this thread! Classic!

 

[Watchootognbout]

Play this when the music does that.
Simple enough.

 

[Andy Daventry]

Sex of course.

 

[ultra60]

I'm thinking about the notes I'm playing and how much I'm being paid and iI am workin' cheap.

I think about Sheep... and... little candies.