Then anytime I asked my friends a music or band related question they would say, "Your Momma." 
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I'd don't know, I'd probably take 20%, that's fair, no? 
Knowing my mom, she'd lay down that funk, but then she'd go and do all the laundry, pay the bills, get my butt from playing games to do the homework, cook for the family, walk the dog, take care of her parents, have a 5 minute cigarette break, do the accounts for dad's business, clean the house inside and out, cook some more, get groceries, let dad vent for 15 minutes after work, and then we might actually have dinner together. And she might never pick up the bass again, because she doesn't have time for such silly things... And that's probably the same for most moms out there anyway
Knowing my mom, she'd lay down that funk, but then she'd go and do all the laundry, pay the bills, get my butt from playing games to do the homework, cook for the family, walk the dog, take care of her parents, have a 5 minute cigarette break, do the accounts for dad's business, clean the house inside and out, cook some more, get groceries, let dad vent for 15 minutes after work, and then we might actually have dinner together. And she might never pick up the bass again, because she doesn't have time for such silly things... And that's probably the same for most moms out there anyway
Ok, hear me out. You can still contribute if your Mom has long since passed away. Mine has. But let's rewind to back when they were with us and for those of you who still have a living, breathing Momma, be thankful for what you have.
But let's just say that one day, shortly after you started playing bass, your Mom decided to pick it up... and she just killed it. I mean within a matter of weeks, she was beyond anything that your young bass-playing mind could hope to comprehend.
Angels cried for joy in heaven as she executed ridiculously complex rhythmic passages and laid down funk so nasty, it would make Bootsy blush. So, you've got a few different ways you could react...
A) Decide that your Mom's interest in your chosen hobby has instantly made it uncool. "C'mon, Mom... This is my thing! Why couldn't you take up knitting or something?" and possibly give it up or
B) Just come to terms with the fact that the person who brought you into this world also happens to be a bass demigod who you will likely always be in the shadow of.
I know, I know... Asking the hard questions going into the weekend. But it was either this or another "what's the best bass for metal" thread so have at it.
If there's another way you could see yourself reacting, feel free to add.
Mom was concert quality french horn player. She also had perfect pitch. From the time I was 3, she had severe respiratory issues that prevented here from playing. She had an acetate recording that my older siblings (also accomplished musicians) got to hear before it became unplayable. They said she was really good.
Knowing the talent level of our family, it's highly unlikely she could play at a "Jaco" level however.
My mom was a bass player, though not a monster by any stretch. My ex-mother in law, however - she was a beast at jazz. Married a jazz cat, and she picked it up really well. I'm terrible at jazz. I was already playing quite a bit before I met her, so it wasn't really a big issue.
Remember - music is not a competition.
Remember - music is not a competition.
My mom didn't play any instrument but man she could sing and dance like nobodys business. Her and my Aunt traveled in the USO during WW2. She always supported me and my brother and encouraged us with my music endeavors growing up,instruments ,lessons,coming to shows etc. I sure do miss hearing her singing as she went about the house.
[edit] Well, there's chops and there's music , and the way kids learn and the way adults learn ...
Mom was first a music teacher (1946) and then taught kids with learning disabilities twenty years later, and for thirty after that. Played piano but not bass.
If she'd heard that one of her friends was a hotshot electric bass player, she would have said "Wonderful ! we all have it in us. She must have played an instrument or sang before this, which was it ?"
Because to her, chops - the generation of new music once you'd acquired the skill. Practice, and all the time it takes, are what is needed to have chops. "When you practice enough with true intent and direction , the music inside will come out.You have been hearing and trying to talk since a few months old, maybe 12-16 hours per day. Think of how many thousand hours you put into your language. Why should music be any different? Being a skilled musician doesn't come out of thin air and it's not magic. It's how much work you put in."
And about music, when she 90 in about 2015 , one weekly phone call went like this :
(Mom) " You know what I'm really liking this week ? Those Victor Wooten YoutTube Videos"
(me) (trying to place this , I'm thinking ... but banjos ? Some World-music thing ? ) "Hmm, Bela Fleck ?"
"No him with the kids , and the TED Talks . That guy actually gets it!"
"hmm, um ?"
"The way you learn and play and experience music, the way kids do it. Like language. Listen to him. He's right."
Mom was first a music teacher (1946) and then taught kids with learning disabilities twenty years later, and for thirty after that. Played piano but not bass.
If she'd heard that one of her friends was a hotshot electric bass player, she would have said "Wonderful ! we all have it in us. She must have played an instrument or sang before this, which was it ?"
Because to her, chops - the generation of new music once you'd acquired the skill. Practice, and all the time it takes, are what is needed to have chops. "When you practice enough with true intent and direction , the music inside will come out.You have been hearing and trying to talk since a few months old, maybe 12-16 hours per day. Think of how many thousand hours you put into your language. Why should music be any different? Being a skilled musician doesn't come out of thin air and it's not magic. It's how much work you put in."
And about music, when she 90 in about 2015 , one weekly phone call went like this :
(Mom) " You know what I'm really liking this week ? Those Victor Wooten YoutTube Videos"
(me) (trying to place this , I'm thinking ... but banjos ? Some World-music thing ? ) "Hmm, Bela Fleck ?"
"No him with the kids , and the TED Talks . That guy actually gets it!"
"hmm, um ?"
"The way you learn and play and experience music, the way kids do it. Like language. Listen to him. He's right."
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As sacreligious as it sounds, I respect Jaco more for his contributions to raising the profile of the role of bass guitar than I care for his tone and style. I wouldn't be threatened by my Mom's sudden ability to play like him, nor would I lose interest in playing. Mom could mwah and showboat all day and I probably just tell her to put on some d@mn headphones.
Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
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Well it worked for the Partridge Family. It really came together when mom sang along!
