FuNkShUi Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Finished playing a gig on the weekend, and a couple of guys from the audience said they enjoyed my playing and wondered if i'd come have a pint with them and talk about all things bass. Always happy to talk about the bass, so we were chatting and he asked where i had learned to play? What equipment i was using? My influences? All the normal things. Then he asked "How would you describe your playing then?" I didn't really know how to answer. All the answers i gave were more characteristics of how i sound really (my EQ preferences), not how i play. Never much thought about it. I'd guess it's heavily influenced by the person who taught me, but i couldn't describe it as such. What's your playing style? Can you describe it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 hamfisted or agricultural... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Not really. I'm not a technical player in that I don't spend hours working on my technique or practising scales, etc. In fact I'm sure I make loads of 'errors' as far as that goes. I just do whatever is necessary for the song. I've seen guys who do the right thing from the positioning and technique point of view who just don't have very good timing or feel and can't hold a groove, so what do you think is important? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 My aim is to be simple, effective and to get the best sound I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheddatom Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 "failed guitarist" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Inappropriate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Plodding with a touch of groove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1475488001' post='3146221'] I've seen guys who do the right thing from the positioning and technique point of view who just don't have very good timing or feel and can't hold a groove,[/quote] Yes, I've seen this also, but one is not a criteria for the other. I have also seen guys with good techniqie who have great timing and groove. A good all round bassist will have both of these attributes..and more. How would I describe my bass playing ? ...simple..no bells and whistles..but reasonably "solid" at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 John Entwhistle-lite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christhammer666 Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 like hitting a cricket bat with a shovel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cato Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Post modern plagiarism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1475485205' post='3146177'] agricultural... [/quote] That is the word that sprang to mind when I read the title. I use it in my band bio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Heavy RH Technique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Smalls Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 All the right notes, but not necessarily in the right order... When I first started playing (back in 1982!) I wanted to be a slap player, and knew this was somehow done with the thumb. So I learned to play (with no lessons or useful stuff like that) by pulling hard with the thumb, and later, fingers as well. So I've now evolved to do a weird hybrid of slap, pop, thumb pulling and strumming and 3 finger flicking. It feels natural to me but other bass players tend to comment! I also like to play riffs, usually funky, as opposed to melodic accompaniment. Everybody knows bass is a lead instrument! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 "Clearly wishing the knobhead drummer was being dismembered" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dood Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Chameleonic. Modest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 On it............. I make the drums and band sound good. That is the goal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted October 3, 2016 Author Share Posted October 3, 2016 Some great answers!! Discreet- i think it's important to hold the song together first and foremost. That's definitely my aim. Try to pepper it with a "bit of me" every now and again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Room for improvement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Pushy and aggressive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spongebob Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 I've been called 'busy' - in the sense that I play way too many notes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barking Spiders Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) Directionless and all over the shop . Yup anything goes pretty much as long as I'm not doing a Bill Wyman stuck in some murky corner. As well all know, deep in their hearts punters know that without the bass, music generally sucks. Edited October 3, 2016 by Barking Spiders Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo-London Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Good question I am a finger plucking player. I play very lightly with very little force unless I'm deliberately digging in to get a certain tone. I like light gauge strings and light basses. I prefer 4-strings. My playing style modulates to fit the music or at least as I see it. So I can funk it up, play a jazz line, play staccato or play sustained. I've played for so long I just need to feel the groove. The better the drummer the better my playing. "Play the music" would be my style. This may sound pompous, but I get a lot of compliments. Davo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted October 3, 2016 Share Posted October 3, 2016 Up until my current band it would have been "solid", whereas now it`s "aggressive". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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