Bluewine

I am not sure everyone understands how important the "fun" element of gigging actually is. I make it my business to have fun at every gig. However I don't play for fun, I play for money. Since I'm being paid, what I like or don't like doesn't come into the picture. I'm paid to play the songs our band leader calls, not what I like. "Fun" is a requirement for my band the minute we arrive at a gig. I'm a proud B list bar band player. Blue

I'm not inspired by Jaco either It's hard for me to be inspired by someone where there's no way on earth I could replicate or draw from such a high level of skill, talent and ability. Blue

It happened to me this past Saturday night. My Line 6 wireless failed, fortunately it was during the sound check. I'm still not sure what the problem was because the receiver was getting the signal but it wasn't making it's way through my pedal train to my amp. Blue

Interesting, a very good friend of mine toured Britain this past summer. He's now on his way to New Zealand and Australia. Blue

If I had what it takes to tour as a professional bass player I would evaluate tour opportities on a case by case basis. Blue

What I described was meant as example of why I personally don't have what it takes. Not the level of a tour. That's another topic. Blue

Col2, Agreed and great point for a different thread about and focused the value of passion Blue

I really don't have what it takes Cheddatom. 1.Being in a foreign country not knowing where I'm going to sleep or eat. 2. Being dead tired at midnight and I have to get in a van with 4 smelly dudes to drive 8 hours to get to the next gig in Manchester. 3.Being able to adapt to foreign culture. 4.Unable to understand foreign transit systems or currency 5.Being stranded when the tour fails 6. Someone might kick my arse for being a Yankee The list goes on and on for me and none have nothing to do with musicianship. However, I have what it takes to do what I do. I'm a very successful Midwest bar band guy. I love it. Blue

Looks like a nice Pub. Great hearing a band playing what sounds like The Vanilla Fudge version of 'You Keep Me Hanging On" Blue

I am sure there are too. But that's really a different discussion. Blue

Good question. I don't know, I guess ability could come from passion. I can only speak for myself. No one could have been more passionate than me about being a pro bass player touring the world and making a living. Reality, I never had the ability, bever had what it takes. It's different for each of us. I probably wouldn't have what it takes to get it together to get a passport and a visa to work in other countries. I don't have the organization or focus Blue

Yeah, I guess it can be a little depressing. Looking at reality can be that way Cheddatom I am quite sure you have the ability to get better and always improve. Remember my premise is a little different. I knew whatever I did or how much I practiced I would never have what it takes to be a pro bass player touring the world and making a living from it. I practice a lot and get better everyday and I'm sucessful at the bar band level. Blue

My argument, Lots of artists have the right passion for putting on a show their audience will enjoy., but in reality they suck at putting on a show their audience will enjoy. They have the right passion but don't have what it takes. Blue

That would be great for a thread about being happy and having fun Blue

At one time I was passionate about being a pro bass player touring the world, until I realized I didn't have the ability, I didn't have what it takes to do that. I did have the ability and what it takes to be successful at the bar band level and I became passionate about playing at the bar band level. We might be talking about the same thing. Blue

Again that's a different discussion. I don't think the guy that shows up at the right time for anything is going to get far if he doesn't have the "ability" to do the job. Blue

I think we're talking about 2 different issues Charic. A person could have a passion for big stage shows but suck at putting together big stage shows. In other words having the passion but no ability. And then the guy who's passionate about practicing, but no matter how much or how hard he practices he never really improves because the ability is not there. Blue

Folks, lots of good comments here. We can debate passion vs ability from all sides. However, we can't dismiss that some of us are not quite as good as we think we are. That's the honest truth, which is just another way of saying "it's my opinion". I think, at some point it's beneficial to Know your spot, I think I know mine. Blue

We did a gig with Peter Noone (Herman's Hermits) a couple of years ago and their guitarist who is also their musical director and he watched our whole set and I spoke with him about opportunities. He told me how important it is to always be prepared. That means competent to understand different genres, might mean able to read charts and sing.Being able to pass a pro level audition. It could mean having an active passport and Visa to work in other countries. All part of ability in my book. Blue

I know guys with no recognizable passion but join the unions network, market themselves and take advantage of opportunity and can make a living. To me that's ability. How many of us know very talented highly skilled musicians that can't work with or understand others preventing them from being able to make a living. For example, how about the musician that doesn't have business ability. Very hard to nake a living without that Blue

Very hard for most of us to admit Now, there are guys that are musically good enough to make it professionally, but lack direction and again can't see or recognize opportunity. Blue

Are talent and ability the same. Blue

To me it means you have the right ability for the opportunities you persued which allow you to make a living from playing bass. There are a lot a guys with high levels of musicianship but lack passion and many cases can't see or take advantage of opportunity. Blue .

I'll go with that. I should have made it clear that my premise evolves around being able to realistically make a living from performing music. That can be challenging to those who's passion way exceeds their ability. Or can't distinguish between the two. IMO Blue

That would be an entirely different discussion. IMO Blue