Pete Academy Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt I've been playing for some years in a covers bands, where we do a mixture of classic songs, mainly rock, pop and funk. Over the last few months I've found my playing getting busier and busier. It started with the odd finger pop and has now progressed to actual slapping in inappropriate numbers. I've been warned about this a few times by the other band members and am in danger of losing my place in the band. Please help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt Why do the other band members pull attractive groupies, while I get blokes asking me what strings I use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wotnwhy Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 you are feeling as though your skills on the instrument are not being expressed to the audience. get a guitar and join a steve vai tribute band. that should get it out of your system.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted May 31, 2010 Author Share Posted May 31, 2010 I'll get my coat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='852806' date='May 31 2010, 06:24 PM']Dear Bass Agony Aunt I've been playing for some years in a covers bands, where we do a mixture of classic songs, mainly rock, pop and funk. Over the last few months I've found my playing getting busier and busier. It started with the odd finger pop and has now progressed to actual slapping in inappropriate numbers. I've been warned about this a few times by the other band members and am in danger of losing my place in the band. Please help.[/quote] Dear Worried of The Far East Many bass players go through his phase. As long as the slapping is limited to the side of the drummer's head and the finger popping to the singers' knuckles you should be fine and it will pass. Yours, Marge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Dear Lonesome, yet busy Peter, I think you need to join either a trio where there is room to express yourself, or a seriously cool funk band where you can slap and pop to your heart's content. Remember that when you arrive in bass heaven, the player who plays the most number of notes in a bar is the one who will rule over all mankind & be supplied with an infinite number of nubile virgins... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 Dear Marge, I find great satisfaction in finding songs in the keys of Eb or Bb are used as I know these will irritate most guitarists. Is this natural or am I fundementally warped? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LawrenceH Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='852926' date='May 31 2010, 08:33 PM']Remember that when you arrive in bass heaven, the player who plays the most number of notes in a bar is the one who will rule over all mankind & be supplied with an infinite number of nubile virgins...[/quote] Be careful asking for help on this forum, or you might get the bass equivalent of Katie Price offering relationship advice... But it sounds to me like you are going through a typical mid-band-crisis, characterised by an unwarranted desire for frequencies above 2k. It will pass, but to ease you through the difficult months ahead try switching to a P bass strung with flats, using in-ear monitoring off the DI and playing through a 1980s Carlsbro 1x15" as a stage amp. This will allow you to satisfy your need for speed in a safe, controlled manner that no-one else will hear, much less care about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
burno70 Posted May 31, 2010 Share Posted May 31, 2010 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='852926' date='May 31 2010, 08:33 PM']Dear Lonesome, yet busy Peter, I think you need to join either a trio where there is room to express yourself, or a seriously cool funk band where you can slap and pop to your heart's content. Remember that when you arrive in bass heaven, the player who plays the most number of notes in a bar is the one who will rule over all mankind & be supplied with an infinite number of nubile virgins...[/quote] Quality! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 F*** 'em... what do they know..?? but...I'd suggest a serious funk band would have a no slapping zone anyway... you're stuffed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt Why, as a woman, do I have to prove myself as a competant musician more than my male counterparts, and why do people always presume I'l be either eyecandy or rubbish? Please help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='Sarah5string' post='853323' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:45 AM']Dear Bass Agony Aunt Why, as a woman, do I have to prove myself as a competant musician more than my male counterparts, and why do people always presume I'l be either eyecandy or rubbish? Please help.[/quote] Dear Sarah, You've managed to play one of thise great big guitar things? All by yourself? Oh well done you!! Now don't you worry your pretty little head about it. Yours Aggie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted June 1, 2010 Author Share Posted June 1, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Sarah5string' post='853323' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:45 AM']Dear Bass Agony Aunt Why, as a woman, do I have to prove myself as a competant musician more than my male counterparts, and why do people always presume I'l be either eyecandy or rubbish? Please help.[/quote] Dear Sarah Despite my vast experience, I'm unable to answer that eternal dilemma. Try that little bloke that sits alone up in the Himalayas. Edited June 1, 2010 by Pete Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt Mark King or Flea? from Jeff 'The Tash' Berlin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='crez5150' post='853338' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:59 AM']Dear Bass Agony Aunt Mark King or Flea? from Jeff 'The Tash' Berlin[/quote] Very good. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='OldGit' post='853331' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:51 AM']Dear Sarah, You've managed to play one of thise great big guitar things? All by yourself? Oh well done you!! Now don't you worry your pretty little head about it. Yours Aggie [/quote] hahahahahahaha. I actually did laugh out loud, or as we say here coffe>keyboard. Even though I have finished my (tea) and am on my phone, so no keyboard. But still you get the idea. Oh and dear Auntie, why oh why am I never satisfied with what I've got? Even though I really only ever play my jazz I still find myself wanting warwicks and stingrays etc because I feel I'm not cool enough to other bassists if all I have is two fenders and nothing fancy or boutique anymore! Yours dissatisfied Gaf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='OldGit' post='853331' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:51 AM']Dear Sarah, You've managed to play one of thise great big guitar things? All by yourself? Oh well done you!! Now don't you worry your pretty little head about it. Yours Aggie [/quote] lmao :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='Pete Academy' post='853336' date='Jun 1 2010, 09:57 AM']Dear Sarah Despite my vast experience, I'm unable to answer that eternal dilemma. Try that little bloke that sits alone up in the Himalayas.[/quote] But what does a Yeti know about bass playing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorick Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt... Where has my mojo gone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackLondon Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Dear Auntie, Why have I come here over a year ago with a question about my effect and £4000 pounds later I still have no answer! Yours Jack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt. I have an uncontrollable urge to 'lamp' the other members of my band one, for comments such as 'you only play one note at a time' and 'you only play bass 'cause you were crap on guitar!' Is this propensity to violence normal? Please help before I do something they regret. Yours On the Edge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah5string Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Marvin' post='853698' date='Jun 1 2010, 03:48 PM']Dear Bass Agony Aunt. I have an uncontrollable urge to 'lamp' the other members of my band one, for comments such as 'you only play one note at a time' and 'you only play bass 'cause you were crap on guitar!' Is this propensity to violence normal? Please help before I do something they regret. Yours On the Edge [/quote] Dear On the Edge, This behaviour is totally normal. The actions of your bandmates are through sheer jealousy over your awesome awesomeness. May I recommend the use of violent knee upthrusts to the groin region should you feel the need. Alternatively, if you have any female band members, a forcable punch to the breasts would do well to get your point across. All the best, Chuck Norris. Edited June 1, 2010 by Sarah5string Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Vader Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='Marvin' post='853698' date='Jun 1 2010, 03:48 PM']Dear Bass Agony Aunt. I have an uncontrollable urge to 'lamp' the other members of my band one, for comments such as 'you only play one note at a time' and 'you only play bass 'cause you were crap on guitar!' Is this propensity to violence normal? Please help before I do something they regret. Yours On the Edge [/quote] This is perfectly normal behaviour, remember that they are wrong, but like a 3 year old who is crying for no apparent reason, if you ignore them long enough, they will go away. Or even better, lock them in a cupboard until they appreciate you. Or you could go all Lemmy on your bass for a couple of gigs until they realise that it might be better if you just played the one note at a time, and weren't all good on guitar and stuff.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 [quote name='Sarah5string' post='853705' date='Jun 1 2010, 03:56 PM']Dear On the Edge, This behaviour is totally normal. The actions of your bandmates are through sheer jealousy over your awesome awesomeness. May I recommend the use of violent knee upthrusts to the groin region should you feel the need. Alternatively, if you have any female band members, a forcable punch to the breasts would do well to get your point across. All the best, Chuck Norris.[/quote] [quote name='Dave Vader' post='853708' date='Jun 1 2010, 03:58 PM']This is perfectly normal behaviour, remember that they are wrong, but like a 3 year old who is crying for no apparent reason, if you ignore them long enough, they will go away. Or even better, lock them in a cupboard until they appreciate you. Or you could go all Lemmy on your bass for a couple of gigs until they realise that it might be better if you just played the one note at a time, and weren't all good on guitar and stuff.... [/quote] Dear Bass Agony Aunt (both of you). May I first thank you for your prompt response at this most stressful of times . I have taken on board your advice and decided upon a course of action. 1) extreme violence, ergo violent knee thrusts, promptly followed by ignoring them by locking them in a cupboard. I'm beginning to feel better already. Thank you Slightly less On the Edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EntropicLqd Posted June 1, 2010 Share Posted June 1, 2010 Dear Bass Agony Aunt. I appear to be completely incapable of learning any of the notes above the 7th fret on any string on my bass (except the 12th fret). I've been trying to overcome this proplem for a couple of years without success. What can I do to stamp the knowledge I seek indelibly into my brain? Yours, Lost for notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.