radiophonic Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 About Bass, about music, about playing in a band. I've had an odd year - playing music that should have worked, but didn't because of the people (well, one person in particular), getting very depressed about the lack of a music scene where I live - to the point of almost giving up / selling all my gear - and then accidentally stumbling on a whole new group of musicians who I never knew existed, playing music that I totally love. Given that my technique can't have improved in the space of a week, but that leaving one band and joining another has made me feel like a much better player almost overnight, I conclude that synergy and personality cannot be underestimated. I [i]knew [/i]this already, but recent months have really rammed it home. It's about people as much as chops. Technically, I've been learning to follow the singer rather than relying on knowing exactly what chords the guitarist is playing.This has opened up a world of unusual possibilities, since the melodies rely on scales that you don't find often in Anglo-American music. I'm looking forward to 2017 a lot more than I looked forward to 2016. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Learned to play (well sort of), joined a band at work, played our first gig together. And all since September! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I`m continuing to learn that the more hard work you put in the greater the results/rewards you get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I hope I've finally learnt not to buy another Jazz Basses, they just aren't for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I've learned that playing fretless bass is fantastic fun. So much so that I've barely touched a fretted bass since the beginning of October. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiophonic Posted December 20, 2016 Author Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1482223613' post='3198512'] I've learned that playing fretless bass is fantastic fun. So much so that I've barely touched a fretted bass since the beginning of October. [/quote] Actually, I bought a fretless too. I wouldn't say I've [i]learned [/i]a great deal yet, other than 'I can play this' and 'I can play this on stage' aren't the same thing! But I did it anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 That the world contains a LOT of dreamers and time wasters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazhowe Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I've learned that I like using overdrive after finally finding one I really like (Darkglass VMT) following years of playing with a clean sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Less on stage volume = better front of house sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 there's no bad music, just music I like and music I don't, so don't go around dissing other peoples work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dropzone Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I have been in a band that has more musicians leave than we have had rehearsals, and that the musicians you need are only hard to find when you actually need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 I've learned that being reliable, learning the songs properly and not being a total idiot is the key to getting asked back to do depping work and getting good gigs. I've also finally fallen in love with flatwounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1482232472' post='3198608'] Nothing. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedmanzie Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) Actually that's not true, I learned that studying [b]Jazz[/b] has ruined my guitarist friend's ability to play in our (very infrequent) band. Whereas he used to be happy playing a simple spikey fun riff, he now is literally unable to stop himself trying to do a f***ing improvised solo over anything that moves. So be careful out there, jazz can kill your band! Edited December 20, 2016 by tedmanzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Take nothing for granted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassjim Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 For me: Flat EQ ( or as flat as possible) works more than boosting. (In most situations at band volume). I kinda knew this anyway but this year has been one for actively deploying this concept and sticking to it. Adding a bit of chorus pedal here and there is a good thing. Learning/ re learning properly how to read music is a good move. Its a new journey with out end but I find I'm now genuinely interested in it rather than because I suppose I ought to. I really don't want to play on a cruise ship. My Fender jazz is better than any new ones I've tried in shops local (ish) to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyKnees Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Positives - my Dingwall sounds totally bitchin' in a full live band scenario. Negatives - Musicians have no more integrity than anybody else, no matter how good they are or what kind of bloody music degree they have... I knew this anyway but I've had it confirmed in spades this year. Still, onward and upwards... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Playing with a band just for the sake of it or just for money isn't going to make you happy. 2017 is the year I'll do what I want for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 (edited) Alot of theory and the understanding that you never ever get to fulfilling it musically and learn everythig. Then again I knew that back in 2015/2014 and so on. Also alot of musicians passed away and people/ pets passed away and bolsters my view that im an agnostic and religon should not be romantisised..Also I wanted Prince to go on and on. He still had alot of creativity In him. Edited December 20, 2016 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SH73 Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 Being stubborn and continuing to play Steve Harris style! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
progben Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 That most people aren't out to help you, but that the ones that are, are indispensable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles'tone Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 All work and no play makes Miles a dull boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1482238407' post='3198702']Negatives - Musicians have no more integrity than anybody else, no matter how good they are or what kind of bloody music degree they have... I knew this anyway but I've had it confirmed in spades this year. Still, onward and upwards... [/quote] Ouch. That sounds painful... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted December 20, 2016 Share Posted December 20, 2016 [quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1482238407' post='3198702'] Negatives - Musicians have no more integrity than anybody else, no matter how good they are or what kind of bloody music degree they have... [/quote] Why would they have? They're just people and, by and large, people are dicks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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