Len_derby Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1376054644' post='2169093'] Exactly my point. Just because someone has not sat down and formally studied from books doesn't mean you don't know theory. A five year old child understands the 'theory' or 'rules' (if you like) of English. They've never read a book but they know the alphabet and what words sound like and mean. Theory isn't rules to be followed, it came after the music to explain why what you play works and to enable you to communicate to other musicians more simply. It's not there to tell you what to play. [/quote] Good points. Victor Wooten expands on this (and other ideas) in an entertaining way in his book 'The Music Lesson'. You're right about so called music 'rules'. They were written after the fact, and perhaps should be called music 'explanations'. Anyway....I digress. (that will probably be written on my tombstone) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger2611 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I guess I am better than I expected I would be when I started playing, but I am not as good as I think I should be considering how long I have been playing especially when some young whipper snapper barely out of nappies post a video on here that I wouldn't be able to repeat if there was 4 of me trying to play it! I look down on him but I look up to him....I know my place! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 [quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1376055581' post='2169110'] As I suggested earlier, there's more to it than being an eyeball-melting slapper. :-) [/quote] Yep...party tricks don't get gigs unless the rest of your game is up there as well. If I had to guess, I'd say a fair few spend so much more time playing slap than they ever get to do on a gig... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I thought the person with the best gear was best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 [quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1376069603' post='2169390'] Yep...party tricks don't get gigs unless the rest of your game is up there as well. If I had to guess, I'd say a fair few spend so much more time on Basschat than they ever do on a gig... [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyfisher Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1376071157' post='2169421'] I thought the person with the [s]best[/s] most gear was best? [/quote] Fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I must be sh*t hot then! So why do I sound so crap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I've got a dead easy way of assessing my ability level. I don't bother worrying about it and just let other musicians decide what bracket I fit in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I think BRX hit the nail on the head. If you can play the music you need to play, then you are good enough. Sure, it`s always nice to feel as if you are improving as a player but I wouldn`t get hung up about it. And remember, Pino can`t read music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1376071755' post='2169444'] I've got a dead easy way of assessing my ability level. I don't bother worrying about it and just let other musicians decide what bracket I fit in. [/quote] Exactly. It's like a ladder. You just climb up it. Audition for a few bands. Don't take the first one you're offered unless you think it's right for you. It is however, chicken and egg. You have to be brave and honest. If you've never played in a band or never done a gig then regardless of how good your bedroom chops are you will simply be thrown to the lions at your first audition. And if you make it to a rehearsal you'll get eaten alive. If you've played in bands then you should know as soon as you walk in the audition what you're dealing with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I don`t assess my level - I know what I can play, can`t play, and have no interest in playing. I can read music but it would take me a while now as tab is easier. I know a few scales by name, can probably play a lot more but am unaware of them. In terms of techniques, again, I can probably do a fair few, but don`t know the name of them. But for the music I play, I can do it well enough, and drummers seem to be happy enough with my playing which I think is one of the main things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave_the_bass Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 I classify myself as a solid player. I have not been "taught" musical theory, but was amazed at how much I've absorbed through experience. It was enough to be able to hold my own in a conversation with a guitarist who'd been to music college. What ever band I've been in I've been able to work well with the drummer and provide a solid rhythm section. When I write bass lines they fit the feel and style of the songs well. I've never had complaints about my abilities, and I've even had people come up to me after gigs telling me that they thought I was really good. To me I'm as good as I need to be. I look at videos posted by members and other virtuoso players and "wow, by comparison I can barely even play" then I remember that I have a wife, a family, a full time job and a social life. If I wanted to sacrifice other aspects of my life and dedicate time to it then I could probably be as good as anyone, but, I'm good enough for me. If I ever audition for a band and get told that I'm not good enough then I'll rethink my stance. Until that day; I'm a solid, confident, bassist with a large amount of gigging and recording experience. And with that, I'm off to put the baby to bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkin Posted August 9, 2013 Share Posted August 9, 2013 [quote name='Dave_the_bass' timestamp='1376076764' post='2169562'] I classify myself as a solid player. [...] To me I'm as good as I need to be. I look at videos posted by members and other virtuoso players and "wow, by comparison I can barely even play" then I remember that I have a wife, a family, a full time job and a social life. If I wanted to sacrifice other aspects of my life and dedicate time to it then I could probably be as good as anyone, but, I'm good enough for me. [/quote] A very good point. If I'm honest, I'd have to say that I was a considerably better player 25 years ago, when i could afford to invest far more time in proper practice than the odd snatched half hour that's all I seem to manage these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 Time put in is very important but some people just have 'IT' and there is nothing some people can do to get to that level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 I'm enjoying this thread & I'm pleased to be amongst some who like myself came to bass-playing rather late in life & without or having had little musical education. It has given me so much pleasure to play alongside other amateur musicians & to make a fairly decent job of it I'm chuffed to bits with myself. To those that achieve just this, good for you. I will always enjoy & admire those whose talent shines brighter, & hopefully, little by little, I'll never stop learning/improving. As an amateuer musician my life is the better for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted August 10, 2013 Share Posted August 10, 2013 [quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1376044264' post='2168903'] BTW I am offically certified by a well respected bass teacher as "internediate" which to me means I can play in time but can't play an interesting bass line [/quote] shouldnt this be on the 'whats the best bass for metal' thread? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the boy Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 I'm sh*t but I love what I'm doing. It makes me very happy. I'm told I'm a good player, but compared to some of the people I associate with I'm less than average. I'm a good ish singer but I'm focused in the bass for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 I'm sh*t, I know I'm sh*t, that's all I need to know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 You can't assess your 'level'. It's relative to your own perception of 'levels', and I bet 95% of musicians don't even know what they want to do, or are capable of, without progressing to the next 'level'. Which then propels you into a brief moment of understanding followed by a realisation that you can only relate your current 'level' to your previous 'level'. It's personal, and you need to understand what you want to be able to do, and that will probably keep evolving. Most people don't understand their own motives and potential so it's largely impossible to assess your 'level' in a useful way. Just assume you can always improve and get closer to your current aesthetic, but understand your aesthetic will evolve and change over time, and that you should possibly get a good tutor who understands you if you find you can't seem to achieve your current aesthetic. Does that make sense? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 [quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1376434125' post='2174060']...Does that make sense?[/quote] Yes, Nigel; now, go and lie down, there's a good lad. No, just the shoes. You can keep your socks on. We wouldn't want your feet to catch a chill, now would we..? I'll leave the door ajar, and we won't be far away. Close your eyes and think of nice things... That's fine... (Shhhh.....) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1376439190' post='2174106'] Yes, Nigel; now, go and lie down, there's a good lad. No, just the shoes. You can keep your socks on. We wouldn't want your feet to catch a chill, now would we..? I'll leave the door ajar, and we won't be far away. Close your eyes and think of nice things... That's fine... (Shhhh.....) [/quote] Yeah, did that, now what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benthos Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1376439190' post='2174106'] Yes, Nigel; now, go and lie down, there's a good lad. <snip> (Shhhh.....) [/quote] I had to read both your and xilddx's posts a few times to attempt to work out what was being said and I've come to the conclusion that I'm not perceptive enough to understand either , but I agree that you should assume you can always improve and get closer to your own ideal. The idea of having a level into which you fit is subjective and, for me, the acid test is playing with others - you'll get pretty immediate feedback on where you're perceived to be on whatever arbitrary scale is chosen. Beyond a modest level of technical facility and understanding of theory (whether formally taught or otherwise acquired), if you can wrestle a noise out of your instrument that fits in and is appreciated, that's good enough. Identifying in yourself what's not good enough by the standards you've set for yourself is another kettle of fish! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funkypenguin Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 I listen to bass players (and other musicians) that inspire me, and every time i realise i still have an awful lot to learn... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1376439190' post='2174106'] Yes, Nigel; now, go and lie down, there's a good lad. No, just the shoes. You can keep your socks on. We wouldn't want your feet to catch a chill, now would we..? I'll leave the door ajar, and we won't be far away. Close your eyes and think of nice things... That's fine... (Shhhh.....) [/quote] And that's from a self proclaimed hippy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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