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Who has NOBODY as an influence?

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#61
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.
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There's your problem then. You're misinterpreting the question. I can't guarantee it, but I doubt that's what they mean when they ask it. I'd imagine they mean "influence."

Influence: the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways

ETA: By the way, I did read your OP carefully... All my replies are still 100% valid in regard to it. To say "nobody" when you are asked that question means that you have been influenced in no way by anyone, regardless of your opinion of the question. Just because you don't like a question doesn't mean you can give an answer that is, quite simply, not likely true in any way. Call it semantics, but "influence" has a definition in the English language, and it is NOT (to all of you are treating the question like this) "who you try to emulate/copy." The end.
 
#62
Nick, I'm also in Mesa and understand exactly what you are talking about with those phone interviews. I usually tell them that Stevie Wonder is my favorite bass player, just to see how they handle it.

The rest of you need to understand that Phoenix has a rather not totally normal music scene, IME. People here are all about names and appearances, and playing exactly what other people played rather than actually knowing each other, at least more so than other places I have lived. Also, there is such a de-personalized thing here, that many of the "bands" try to weed people out over the phone. Usually its a bunch of BS, and they are just trying to avoid the effort required to audition a few people. OTOH, there are so many opportunities, I just let the not so great ones pass by and wait for more opportune situations.

Bringing your own thing to the gig after you thoroughly understand what was done before is essential. Hell, tell them you like Mozart; it really doesn't matter.
 
#65
What I hear you saying is:

1. "I am a unique individual". Welcome to the real world we are all unique individuals.

2. "I don't want to be put into a box" with the expectations that go with it.

3. "My influences are so vast", I don't have time to list them.

4. "I don't want to be compared to someone else".

When someone asks you what your influences are, they are trying to find some common ground so they can determine what "we" have to build on. You should come up with something. Just tell them what you were listening to on the way over.

Reality: No one is without influences.

Do you have a Mom and Dad? Did you ever go to school? Did you ever hear any music? Did you ever jam with anyone?

Next time someone asks for influences, just say "my mom and dad". You can't get closer to the truth without pigeon holing your self.

Just my $.02

YMMV
 
#66
You keep saying, "I have way too many influences, so therefor I have no influences." You've got to realize that makes absolutely no sense. And like others have said, if I were ever on the phone with somebody who gave me that answer, I would lose any ability to take them seriously. Humble yourself. I usually tell people, when I'm asked that question, that a number of different people have influenced different aspects of how I approach playing. Then I try my best to give some examples and say what I mean. I agree that it's a difficult question to answer, but "nobody" is a crap response.
 
#67
your influenced by sounds you hear throughout your life. more appropriate would be saying, im influenced by everybody, rather than nobody- when both mean the same thing, you have no particular bass players that made you want to be "like them."
 
#68
Nick.

I'm kind of with you.

I've never studied the lines of anyone.. never tried to copy them.. never really listened to geddy or claypool over and over.

I'm more influenced by non bassists..

I once had a coach who instructed me that bass players were irrelevant. He suggested learning from other instrumentalists. IF someone were to have an expansive musical library, they'd be quicker to notice hints of Willie Nelson (Mid 70s) before Mark King or Carole Kaye.

Yes stuff influences.. unfortunately your thread did not go the way as you planned.

Like you I do not perceive my playing as influenced by bassists.. probably more by drummers than anything.. (oops - this was an influence by Mark King)

Timmy
 
#70
In my own art endeavors, I want to find myself more along the lines of finding that just about EVERYONE is an influence. Originality in music comes from the convergence of many different ideas and sounds. The bands that make the biggest imprint were diverse in their influences. Take Led Zeppelin, who from one song would go from sky-high guitar solos to a bluegrass acoustic stomp-fest in the next. Even contemporary bands like the Foo Fighters exhibit their ability to have a very diverse and seemingly polar sound. Needless to say, they didn't go around proclaiming that they had so many influences that suddenly any new-found originality erased them. That doesn't really make any sense.
 
#73
the way i see it, if somebody asks you the question 'who are your influences?' you have the right to answer it whatever way you want.

This guy is saying 'who else feels this way'

I don't think he deserves this bashing, which is a load of BS and totally pointless
 
#75
NickInMesa said:
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".
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Exactly my thoughts. It`s sort of an "all or nothing" deal. Either everyone has influenced me in one way or another or no one individual has simply ever played that big of a role in influencing me.

If you want to ask me who my favorite bassists are I wouldn`t hesitate to drop the names Sting, Steve Harris, John Taylor, and Chris Wolstenholme - but if you want to ask me who`s been an influence that`s been big enough to make me approach bass completely differently then I really wouldn`t have an answer. It`s not meant to sound egotistical and I think anyone playing that card isn`t trying to see things from my perspective, but it`s simply the way I define influences vs. players I just like(which happens to be a lot more than I just listed).
 
#76
It`s not meant to sound egotistical and I think anyone playing that card isn`t trying to see things from my perspective, but it`s simply the way I define influences vs. players I just like.
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But that's just it... You don't get to define influences. It already has a definition. An influence does not have to be someone that you strive to sound like or one person that stands out above the rest in how they impacted your playing. If your playing is influenced by any and all you've listened to pretty evenly enough that you can't pick individuals out, then say that. Say that you don't really have a traditional list of influences (i.e. a handful of players), but that your approach to playing is one where you tend to draw more equally from all the music, musicians, art, life, etc. that you've been exposed to. If you say that, cool. If you say "nobody," you're either wrong, lying, or delusional.
 
#77
boy, someone open a window and let out all this hot air! i'm all for individuality and trying to put your own stamp on things, but let's not disappear up our own butts, mmkay?
 
#78
afromoose said:
the way i see it, if somebody asks you the question 'who are your influences?' you have the right to answer it whatever way you want.

This guy is saying 'who else feels this way'

I don't think he deserves this bashing, which is a load of BS and totally pointless
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Agreed. It also trips me out how ppl give ridiculous super dissected examples to try to prove ppl wrong on here.
 
#79
I believe we're all influenced in some way, large or small, by everyone we listen to, regardless whether we are aware of it or not. Having said that: Nobody has nobody for an influence. Someone had to inspire you to learn to play. There is your first influence.
 
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