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What is your most difficult challenge in playing bass.
- Thread starter Neil Folkard
- Start date
Yeah, if I didn't have to make a living, I could play bass more.
On the gear and gig side, the biggest challenge has been seeing what I'm doing - I play on big dark stages a lot (the singers 20 feet in front of me get much more light), and although I'm sure things look cool, it's tough to see the position markers I have on roasted necks (they look really dark when the lighting is dimmed). Sooooo.......
Having an uncomfortable neck makes it hard to play fast. I can play fast, but need to play a little faster.
Very good observation, IMO... "Play the holes louder than the notes"
You realize the importance, much respect 9Thumbs!!!
Playing solo in front of people, no matter how small group or setting. I don't even like to try out a bass I'm planning on buying in front of the seller. I just draw blanks and freeze up. As soon as a drummer lays down a beat and/or a guitar player starts playing a melody, I'm all good.
For me, it was and still is figuring out how to keep improving myself to become a better overall musician that serves as the bass player in a band/composition context.
I've always been very impressed with bass virtuosos who can do all sorts of amazing things that I can't (and won't ever be able to) do. However, even for these great players, the opportunity to utilize those skills has to be pretty limited.
Similarly, I am skilled enough at what I do where just playing roots or roots and fives on the beat is not satisfying.
Really, the key has been learning more about how music works (theory, chords, etc.). This is helping me strike the balance between delivering a solid bass part that others can rely on and play off while also incorporating enough challenging improvements to a standard bass line.
I've always been very impressed with bass virtuosos who can do all sorts of amazing things that I can't (and won't ever be able to) do. However, even for these great players, the opportunity to utilize those skills has to be pretty limited.
Similarly, I am skilled enough at what I do where just playing roots or roots and fives on the beat is not satisfying.
Really, the key has been learning more about how music works (theory, chords, etc.). This is helping me strike the balance between delivering a solid bass part that others can rely on and play off while also incorporating enough challenging improvements to a standard bass line.
Never hearing me as everyone else does ( ' . . . . gee, I wonder what it sounds like OUT THERE . . . .' ) and hearing me as everyone else does ( ' . . . . boy, he's got this stuff down cold' . . . . or . . . . 'man, WHAT is he thinking, what is that crap? . . . . ).
It's very hard to find someone who's a legitimate sounding board to encourage you, and at other times, reel you back away from the brink of disaster.
It's very hard to find someone who's a legitimate sounding board to encourage you, and at other times, reel you back away from the brink of disaster.
I have been playing fingerstyle for 26 years but can't really use a pick. I am playing guitar so hopefully that helps.
Motivation.
My band has no shows, recording, songwriting or rehearsal scheduled. I have written only a couple of songs recently so I'm not feeling that burning desire to record them in my own studio, either.
I recently got a Sterling By MusicMan 5 string bass and had strung it with Dunlop Super Brights which have less tension than the Marcus Miller DSBs. I was fighting with this bass for the accuracy of the runs in the middle of this song. Changed strings, switched normal style of playing from three to two fingers and the song came back for me. My other 5string bass needs the two-finger technique with change of thumb position to make that one happen. My suggestion is to try different positions and if that doesn't work maybe strings with a bit more tension - up one gauge?
Suffering from burnout? Seems that at one time you guys were hittin' it pretty good. It happens. Hook up and collaborate with some other people. Maybe the other one will come around after a break.
Is that you Donald?
So much THIS.
I'm working on a book and work 10 hour days. Between work, taking care of the house and my amazing little girl, and spending a few minutes with my wife, I am so burned out that I barely want to write, let alone play bass.
It sucks since I love playing and get a lot of enjoyment out of playing.
Yep. Knowing theory (contrary to popular belief) makes coming up with basslines and just playing in general so much easier. Learning what it means to harmonize a major scale is gonna help you more than anything. It instantly informs everything you do.
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