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Who has NOBODY as an influence?
- Thread starter NickInMesa
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What if my influence is ME?
Then you're a liar???
Really, I just don't believe for a second that you've never been influenced by anyone. To say such a thing show you either ignorant of your surroundings or with a ego unmatched by most. Just because you don't play like someone doesn't mean you weren't influenced by them.
Before flaming me, some should have read my OP carefully.
I am tired of people asking me who my influences are when I simply try not to copy anybody's style at all.
My tastes are pretty wide and I hate limiting myself to one style.
So when that stupid question comes up "Who are your influences?" I take as "Who do you try to sound like/emulate/copy?" and my answer is nobody for that reason.
I have played with tho many Eddie Van Halen or Steve Vai wannabees back in the days.
So if you think my question made "who is actually influenced by nobody?" then pretty much all of the answers in this thread can be canned.
I am influenced by too many people to pick one or two in particular, which is why I am influnced by nobody in particular, and if a grown up asks me this question over the phone, I will 1-think he is immature and 2-say "nobody".
I am tired of people asking me who my influences are when I simply try not to copy anybody's style at all.
My tastes are pretty wide and I hate limiting myself to one style.
So when that stupid question comes up "Who are your influences?" I take as "Who do you try to sound like/emulate/copy?" and my answer is nobody for that reason.
I have played with tho many Eddie Van Halen or Steve Vai wannabees back in the days.
So if you think my question made "who is actually influenced by nobody?" then pretty much all of the answers in this thread can be canned.
I am influenced by too many people to pick one or two in particular, which is why I am influnced by nobody in particular, and if a grown up asks me this question over the phone, I will 1-think he is immature and 2-say "nobody".
But you do understand how egotistical you still sound, so now your correcting yourself by basically saying your above naming any influences cuz your style is sooo unique. If you have diverse inluences just say that or name different folks like I would say im Influenced by bands like Jamiroquai, Coheed, Mudvayne, and The roots(all true influences of mine, lol), four very different groups and genre's, that way whoever asked the hated question cant put you in a box if thats what your afraid of.
That's an influence. You make it a point not to play like him. Influence can drive you in a number of ways, not just to mimic or copy.
my influences tend to be horn players and singers when i solo in jazz. but the american tradition has definitely influenced me including blanton, brown, ellington, bird,miles, bob marley, jaco. etc. perhaps your influences are not bass players
Right there might be your best answer. Turn it into a thoughtful response & steer the discussion where you want it to go (about your playing).
Feel free to list me as an influence, whenever the question comes up. In fact, I invite everybody to list me as an influence of theirs, whenever somebody asks who their influences are! Let's see how fast we can get me famous (won't happen for my playing)!! We can also use that as a secret inside joke or recognition sign. Whenever somebody includes me as an influence, we'll know that they're a loyal TBer!
That's like answering "Odd numbers don't exist" when asked to say them. It doesn't make any sense at all.
The person who asked you the question (which is not a bad one at all, IMO) will probably not think you're a good musician ITO.
I have been influenced by every bassist I have ever heard, whether knowingly or not. That means, when I was starting out, every British Invasion bassist. Even if it was only to say, "I don't want to play like that." Whoever invented and played the first upright bass -- maybe he had no influences, at least as a bassist. Unless he said, "I want to play lower than that there violin dude."
Where did those elements come from? How did they get into your playing in the first place? If you didn't come up with completely on your own, then it was the result of some influence...
the only musician that can say they had no influences whatsoever were all the musicians from the old testament.
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