bass_dinger

I will run out of time before I run out of things to learn (and not just because I am in my 50s)! I am in a band that does not stretch me. Actually, I am in a band that does not stretch itself, and is becoming less discerning. I am struggling with whether I want to carry on with them, and am no longer feeling it. I have a few feelers out for new projects - playing Indian ragas by ear; playing with other members of my family (all competent musicians, and I now feel capable enough to play with them): joining a rock choir to improve my vocals; learning mandolin.

This is very special indeed. It is rare to hear a recording of this quality.

I think that I was mainly musing, but I also wanted to improve my skills, and to understand what lifts a musical and creative genius above the likes of me (someone who can mimic other bassists, badly and slowly). It seems to me that some basslines are very easy to create and play - U2 songs, perhaps. That feels as if being a bassist should be easy, but it clearly isn't. And I didn't understand why it sometimes looks easy, but often isn't. I have learnt a lot from this thread and have been inspired to carry on improving. Playing, and attitude!

I just spent a happy but fruitless 10 minutes looking for Hadyn's 106th! It seems that there are 104 numbered symphonies, and two others, A and B, bringing the total to 106. But nothing numbered 106. 104 it is!

Calling the non rock n roll bassist, @zbd1960

on mandolin, the Bach Cello suites. They work on stringed instruments tuned it 5ths, but are less easy on instruments tuned in 4ths I have found. Listen to the chords change - and then realise that the instrument is not playing chords, but arpeggios.

Good choice! And, for fun, listen to and watch this bass line. At 2'37", listen to the ascending chromatic scale - so clever, so musical. Slow it down to half speed and you may be able to play it on a five string, once you realise that most every note has a second note an octave away from it.

And Post Modern Juke Box have made a living from retro-covering songs. Modern song, covered as if it was originally done in the 50s or the 30s. It can be fun to do - and as Nigel Kennedy once said at a performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons, if you want to hear the original, buy the record.

I was in a ukulele band that spent more time discussing a song, than we spent playing it. People would suggest obscure album tracks that not even the band's mum would know, or stuff that doesn't work well for musicians that only know one strumming pattern and three chords. Looking back, I realise that I was part of the problem - I did not have the talent to learn songs quickly (ironic, given that my other (church) band could prepare a 35 minute set in 25 minutes). I have learnt to be more "wasteful" of material, in an event band. Learn a song, perform it live once, and throw it away, never to be used again. I enjoyed learning a new song, and gained the confidence that I can improvise. Most recently, Dance Monkey, as a swing tune - the singer suggested it as a joke, but we went with it, primarily because it was quicker to do it than to think of other options.

Won't the bridge also have to be moved?

I see that I was not clear. When I say "move on", I mean move on from the church band, but remain in the church. That gives the leaders the problem of explaining why I am not playing - or me the problem of keeping my mouth shut!

You don't know how close you are to being right! Actually, the fact that I laughed means that I am probably going in the right direction. On an attitude scale of Sid Vicious to Guy Pratt, I am definitely a Pratt. At least, that's what people shout out when I arrive at the rehearsal....

I like that the line "the whole earth shakes" has the B chord falling on the word "shakes". Time for that low B!

And not in a way that would persuade other bands that he would be an easy-going guy to have around...

The time seems to have come to leave the church band. I am not feeling it any more. There were various issues, but I am not here to publish the problems of others. However, I walked out mid rehearsal, while the band continued playing. Two WhatsApp messages said that I should not turn up for the Christmas service. I will be charitable, and say that was out of concern for the stress that I was suffering. After three weeks, I realise that I am not missing the music or the stress. Time to take a break, or move on, perhaps. Last night and today, I was playing some new basslines - You Should Be Dancing, Killing Me Softly, for example- and very much enjoyed it. So, I want to play, but right now, not at church. So long, and thanks for all the fish (and loaves).

And that is why I asked the question.... Surely if he can do it, why do others of us need to practice, learn music, study chord charts, and nurture a good attitude? I guess that Sid V had a short career in a single band that was more about attitude, and less about the technical aspects of the music. I would say that he was primarily a professional entertainer, and not so much a bass musician.

Weird Al Jankovich. The name put me off. Having listened to what he has released, I see that he has a huge amount of talent as a lyricist, and is a vocal chameleon who is able to adapt to just about any style.

So, before I posted my question, I thought that musicians in bands were technically skillful players. I now see that the musicians in demand are those with the chops - but also with a good attitude. For myself, even if I can't play so well, I can learn to have a better attitude, for sure!

So, to explain, I don't have much. I can play quarter and eighth notes, and can sometimes syncopate, so long as the pattern is not too complicated. I can improvise a bassline over a chord sequence, in any key. I can read sight read slow music in simple keys. I can sight read tab. I can play simple stuff by ear. However, 16th note syncopation, Bernard Edwards, slapping, popping, thumping, Joe Dart - it all defeats me. So, what skills does a professional bassist (touring band, session musician, covers band player) have that I can aspire to. I think that I am wondering what the difference is, between a band hobbyist, and a professional musician.

Shouldn't that be in a baby seat, or have a seat belt at the very least! Nice.

But how did it happen so quickly!? Shops are shut, and you only had an hour between committing to abstaining, and announcing that you were out... That must have been some special bass - or a saved eBay search that came good.

This one feels, and sounds, and looks, right. And it seems to match what @lozkerr said. https://youtu.be/6OmEmT9_fwE

Count me in. I am confident that poverty and lack of space will assist me to meet my target of no new bass kit (but making good use of the kit that I already have).

Yes, that is what I thought. Very elastic, a bit sloppy. Sometimes late, often rushed, with the band on the track keeping time so that the bassist does not have to. I think that I was confused by the YouTube comments, that seemed to agree that it was good. I like her left hand technique for the root-3rd-5th over the A and B chords - so, I shall take that from the video.

Blondies "Dreaming " played by a ukulele group. It lost all of the snap, bite, and fury of the original and sounded like the Swing Your Pants version of the song. It was rather refreshing and cute, in a postmodern jukebox way.