Why I'm probably the worst bassist on talk bass

[Thebrownarrow]

Whatever inspires you to keep playing the bass, man!

 

[SunnBass]

Listen to a wide variety of music.

Pick one jazz standard per month and learn how to play the melody, chords, bass line, and improvise solos over the changes. Record yourself with a metronome, and look for how you can improve.

Know how to read a lead sheet, transpose songs into different keys, and come to grips with the fact that except for a very limited audience, bass is a background instrument.

And learn how to sing harmony.

No matter how good your mommy and girlfriend tell you are, you can always get better.

Geez, you just blew the OP's mind. Lead sheets? Jazz standards? Sing harmony?

He likes to play punk rock songs. Too much, just practice.

 

[buldog5151bass]

- Play as much, and as many different styles, as you can.
- learn to read music, it allows you to communicate with different musicians.
- consider getting lessons, explain to the teacher what you want to learn so you can find the right teacher
- don't worry about a buying a collection of basses (I gigged one bass for over 20 years, and still own it over 30 years later
- spend time playing with a drummer
- relax and enjoy

 

[Michael B]

I definitely miss being about to spend 30+ hours a week playing/practicing/rehearsing. Keep it up while you can.

 

[Danomo]

Four kinds of people on TB :
Those who suck.
Those who think they suck (but are actually OK).
Those who think they're OK.
Those who think everyone else sucks.

I'm joking of course, but it seems some days there could be competitions here for those who think they suck the most. IMO, it's better to be humble and honest, than snobby and disdainful.
Look at some of the (real) pro's here, some of the most helpful and honest guys you'll ever see.

 

[AaronVonRock]

There are dozens of these. I can't tell if they are done to be ironic. The date on this is 3 years ago. This player could be a monster by now. Maybe posting before you are ready is punk now. I agree, everyone starts out rough. I wouldn't post vids of it myself.

I don't think it is ironic. Or maybe it is. Who knows?

What baffles me is when someone posts a video of themselves playing and say "I really sound like crap" or "I totally messed up the intro/ending". If you know it sucks, then why post it? If you really feel the need to record yourself and share it, why not try playing the song again several times and then post the best version you are capable of. Or maybe we are seeing the best versions.

 

[40Hz]

i don't want to be told how good i am. I want to be told by other players what i can do to be better.

Have a plan for what you want to learn and stick to it. Don't "just play" for several hours a day. Make every minute count. And try to keep it relatively short at first.

You'd be far better off saying I'm going to put in a solid "quality time" 30 or 40 minutes a day to learn (for example) the first two pentatonic scale patterns. I'll consider I've learned them when I can play them anywhere on the neck and know what the names of the notes I'm playing are when I do. Or - I'm going to work at understanding what a blues pentatonic scale is, how it works, and apply that to a basic 12-bar blues number. I'm going to practice with and without jam tracks until I can handle a standard blues song smoothly and competently from a musical perspective. Then I'm going to take all that and work at being able to play along with friends - or with my favorite recorded blues number - until I'm ready to drop in at my local blues jam and know I can hold my own in a real situation.

Either of the above examples (you'll need to adapt your plan for the types of music you want to play) will be a hundred times better than saying, I'm gonna put in at least three hours a day, every day, just jamming and jamming until I can really play this thing!

 

[Doner Designs]

Being able to enjoy something before you get good at it is a great blessing because it allows you to try and enjoy a lot of things, even later in life. As long as it stays fun you will stick with it and you will get better and better and better over time. Rock on and know you are in good company here. There is even a "club thread" for "crappy bassists with expensive gear" (like me).

 

[GregT]

Timing. Your hands work fine. Seems like you are playing behind the beat. Own the timing.

 

[RRDieselbass]

If you like Pete Wentz then learn every Pete Wentz song, play what you like for now. I tried to learn every Michael Anthony bass part when I first started playing. There will be plenty of time to learn how to read music and playing in a band. Go easy on yourself. I think your posts are entertaining but maybe you should practice more and put yourself down less.

 

[gidbass]

if you enjoy playing, keep playing and don't care what others think...

Good Luck!

 

[gjbassist]

You are so young! Do you really think anyone on TB just woke up one morning and were fantastic players? When I was your age, or probably a bit younger, I would sit in my room for hours listening to my favorite songs and playing along with them over and over. That was on guitar! If I had been playing bass back then think how much better I would be now at 50! It takes time and practice!

 

[BAG]

To all the people who have posted I just want to say this....



One of the most supportive threads I have read on the internet anywhere. No taking the piss out of the OP. Just good advice.

To the OP...... it's all been said.

 

[Bigbri]

Play more. Play bass instead of video games, play instead of watching TV.

The more you play the better you get.

Start there. I used to play for hours a day back when I was 12-17

....... Edit......
Oh, and play more instead of posting on Internet forums. . They can serve a great purpose, research, tips, but they can be a total time suck that does nothing but get you all worked up.

Just play. It will happen

I think it sounded great. That playing through an SVT or 2 would bring the house down. Play play play it will become second nature. If your not getting blisters your not playing enough. I love playing Ramones and sexpistols. I always have my bass while watching tv.. .movies and even commercials have pretty good music. I love the kingsford commercial even though it's guitar. Jaco said he learned to play with whatever came through the tv. He played so much I don't think he ever really even owned a case. Also I go to youtube all the time and type in "how to play this song, or that song," and theres a million vids. Excellent way to learn.

 

[JMacBass65]

@Cole Louis Allar
Even if you suck, or think you suck, if the music (or noise) that you make brings joy to you (or listeners in the future) that is all that matters.
EX: i CAN play most of my one of my idol's songs and have worked on his technique for years but i suck because i can never replicate what he does completely (Steve Harris) but i get such a rise outta trying... and it's fun even when i fail

i love Sabbath but there is no-way i'll ever get Geezer's lines tone and phrasing 100%---
i still play them in public.

I'm a S!@#$%ty upright player (yet) i still give it my all, and i enjoy it and others do to

no matter how good you are there will always be someone better. realizing that is both freeing and humbling simultaneously.

This man speaks the truth right here!

 

[bikeplate]

Just curb your online time and practice. Work on all kinds of music, not just punk. Get some lessons. Rock on!

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Don't let some of us make you doubt of yourself. I mean, I know I have a strong opinion when it comes to music but there was time I doubt of myself and what I pursued in this music world.

Do what makes you happy. If you really want to go beyond playing root notes over punk music there is vast world to explore.

 

[JMacBass65]

You are already a TB legend from that Playing Punk While Seated thread.
That was epic fun for us (at your expense of course) and will not soon be forgotten.

Right? I mean, I think he lost a bit of skin in that thread, but he'll heal.

You're young and you're playing along to a Ramones song other than "I Wanna Be Sedated." You're already winning!

Gabba gabba, we accept you, we accept you, one of us.

This.

 

[Bigbri]

Right? I mean, I think he lost a bit of skin in that thread, but he'll heal.




This.

He's got to learn God Save the Queen.

 

[twinjet]

yeah maybe saying i suck was a little much but i just want people to tell me how i can get better because i want to get better. any suggestions?

You wanted us to warn you when you crossed "that" line, so here it is - you crossed "that" line.

If you say you're bad/stupid/lame, some people will probably try and lift you up. Good on them. But, there will be merciless people who won't bother arguing and will just agree that you do suck. Do you really want that kind of attention?

Cheer up, bucko, and start woodsheddin'.