Doddy Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 What kind of player would you like to be? Would you rather be a 'band guy' who does 'your thing', or would you rather be a more versatile player who can comfortably play in different situations? Personally,I much prefer versatility. I really like being able to play with a rock band one night and then do a jazz gig on upright the next. I've always tried to be as versatile as possible,so that I can handle pretty much any gig that is offered to me,whether it's an original band or a theatre show. The majority of the players that I really dig are these kind of players aswell. As much as I like players like Geddy and Claypool,I much prefer guys like Will Lee and Nathan East. Being a more stylistic player is cool,but I really think that I'd have way more trouble sustaining a career if I only did one thing,or played in one band.Plus I'd probably get really bored too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 It's nice to be instantly recognised for your style and sound, but I don't think Nathan East is complaining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I totally agree with you. If you look at my Myspace page you'll see most of my top 10 'friends' are with a few exceptions versatile session or freelance players. I play everything from jazz to rock to funk to country and western. I'm playing on a cruise ship from next week, so I guess that'll be playing everything from ballroom dance music to 60's/70's party music ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) - Edited February 15, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 Do they have to be mutually exclusive? I have my own style which I think it recognisable across a few of my originals bands, but the bits of session work I've done have required certain styles (even when writing original tunes) which I've played without any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rOB Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I reckon there are probably pluses and minuses to both. If you're versatile you'll find it hard to get bored (as has already been pointed to by Doddy) with what you do because you can always move on and do something else. On the other hand if you have a strong style that's unique or interesting in some way you might feel that there's something very personal about that sound/stlye which can also be a great feeling. At the moment I'm trying to work on being more versatile (hence joining a funk/pop/soul covers band) because I love playing different styles to my usual rock/punk styles but I do love doing my thing too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 Versatile is much preferable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithless Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 Well, while I have my favourite style (kind of NY Jazz/Funk..), I'm heading to 'freelance' musician (if that's a correct term for cats like Janek or Doddy..), so, being versalite is all the way for me.. The thing is, that, in our area (that is Lithuania..) there is very little of that 'freelance' scene, where you can 'act' like a freelance musician, so I'm thinking of moving from there, as fast, as I get my chops together.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat Burrito Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I wouldn't exactly say I'm a one trick pony but I definitely do what I do and to my credit I do it pretty well. I'd like to be more versatile but my time is precious so I opted to focus on doing what I do well rather than spreading what I have thinner. That said I recently did a slightly funky soul pop session which definitely had me playing outside the box and I LOVED it. I have to be realistic though and I will always be the sort of player I am. Hypocrite that I am, I would always advise younger players to develop as much skill and technique as possible to maximise the chances of getting more work and keeping their options open. Great thread btw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 i have always had a certain style...i could never be a session guy as i just dont enjoy playing music other than what im passionate about...i just dont dig it...i can play rock, reggae, but i cant be enthusiastic about it...maybe i need to grow up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I'd definitely aim for versatility. To be able to be placed in nearly any band setting and do the bassists job, of making others sound better (than they actually are ). However, due to my limited ability I'm probably stylistic, but I'd like to aim toward the other, maybe. Ironically I seem to have more feel for music that I don't generally listen to. [quote name='bubinga5' post='896782' date='Jul 16 2010, 07:19 PM']i have always had a certain style...i could never be a session guy as i just dont enjoy playing music other than what im passionate about...i just dont dig it...i can play rock, reggae, but i cant be enthusiastic about it...maybe i need to grow up...[/quote] There's nothing wrong with liking what you like and not wishing to play other genres. Despite being one of the worlds worst Bass players, a friend of mine keeps badgering me to start a band with him. Apart from lacking confidence in my ability, I'm also put off by the thought of playing music that, at best I'm ambivalent about and worst I down right hate, combine that with playing in venues that I don't want to be in. The combination of the two put me right off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velvetkevorkian Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I go for versatility- I started out playing DB in school orchestras where we would switch from "early" music to romantic, classical and contemporary music in the same concert, so I think we just got used to playing whatever was put in front of us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) Screw versatility. I have no interest in being able to play 100 different styles which are only any good for music I don't really like. I've stuck with what I like and what I'm good at and will continue to hone those stylistic skills. It might be because I see myself first and foremost as a composer/songwriter and a bassist/guitarist/synth player second. For me the song is the most important thing and I only really feel comfortable and interested writing in styles that I like. The bands and songwriters that I like most tend to have a "tunnel vision" about their music which is what I think gives them their edge. IMO there's a danger in versatility overshadowing your individuality. The few bass players that I admire as players both have extremely unique musical voices - Mick Karn and Peter Hook. That's what I look up to. Edited July 16, 2010 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' post='896862' date='Jul 16 2010, 08:59 PM']Screw versatility. I have no interest in being able to play 100 different styles which are only any good for music I don't really like. I've stuck with what I like and what I'm good at and will continue to hone those stylistic skills. It might be because I see myself first and foremost as a composer/songwriter and a bassist/guitarist/synth player second. For me the song is the most important thing and I only really feel comfortable and interested writing in styles that I like. The bands and songwriters that I like most tend to have a "tunnel vision" about their music which is what I think gives them their edge. IMO there's a danger in versatility overshadowing your individuality. The few bass players that I admire as players both have extremely unique musical voices - Mick Karn and Peter Hook. That's what I look up to.[/quote] this is my thinking in a nutshell...i guess my love for Meshell springs to mind...i also write...from the piano comes a style, and its a keys version of the bass in my mind, but with chords, but the dynamics are still there.. i also think that anyone who concentrates on a certain style/passion/genre def has a certain edge in there playing..but then again it depends on the talent ...just look at Miller...he was/is a sessions guy for a long time... there is no defining answer to this...as always someone will enlighten me with there wisdom...thats why i love everyone on BC.. i have respect for both.. Edited July 16, 2010 by bubinga5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I think you can usually tell when a musician doesn't really like the music they're playing. If you're playing music that you wouldn't actually listen to in your own time, it's obvious. Over the years I have played in bands that span many different genres but in each case it's been music that I like a lot. I couldn't do a Top 40 band or a country band or a rock band because my heart wouldn't be in it. So for me it's not a case of "stylistic or versatile", it's more a case of soul or no soul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) I'm beginning to change my mind after Big Red's post in particular but also Bubinga and thisname. Perhaps it's style, like I said in my last post I'd get p1ss bored playing stuff I don't like. But unlike Doddy I'm not trying to sustain a career, it's simply a hobby for me. Edited July 16, 2010 by Marvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomBassmonkey Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 (edited) [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='896891' date='Jul 16 2010, 09:25 PM']If you're playing music that you wouldn't actually listen to in your own time, it's obvious.[/quote] Disagree completely. One of my bands is (based in, but very unique within the genre) zydeco music. I hate the genre, I enjoy playing in the band (I enjoy playing in any bands I'm in, regardless of genre) but I'm not interested at all in just listening to it (my parents are very into it, so there's been plenty of opportunities to get into it in the last decade or so). I don't even have a CD yet of our EP which has been out a few months now, I'd like it just as a record of something I've done, but I can't imagine ever picking it out on my iPod to play. It's just very good fun to play live. I can appreciate your point if you change the wording to "music that you don't enjoy" (assuming you include playing it in that statement) but music that you wouldn't listen to isn't true, I've had nothing but good feedback on my playing in that band, including from pro session musicians who play that sort of music for enjoyment as well as professionally. Edited July 16, 2010 by ThomBassmonkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mog Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I've done the money thing so for now I'm just playing what I want. Having experience of other styles of music certainly helps the writing process though. Love Nathan East BTW. Probably my biggest influence for the last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='896891' date='Jul 16 2010, 09:25 PM']I think you can usually tell when a musician doesn't really like the music they're playing. If you're playing music that you wouldn't actually listen to in your own time, it's obvious. Over the years I have played in bands that span many different genres but in each case it's been music that I like a lot. I couldn't do a Top 40 band or a country band or a rock band because my heart wouldn't be in it. So for me it's not a case of "stylistic or versatile", it's more a case of soul or no soul.[/quote] Bro is this a live thing..i mean can you tell by there body language? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 [quote name='Mog' post='896946' date='Jul 16 2010, 10:36 PM']I've done the money thing so for now I'm just playing what I want. Having experience of other styles of music certainly helps the writing process though. Love Nathan East BTW. Probably my biggest influence for the last few years.[/quote] Nathan East one of the best...i loved his playing with Anita Baker..it was just (at the time, and now) the best ive ever heard....a totally amazing soul(at the time) bassist...he has so much...did you read the interview in BG?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 [quote name='bubinga5' post='896950' date='Jul 16 2010, 10:40 PM']Bro is this a live thing..i mean can you tell by there body language?[/quote] No that's not really what I meant (although it's a good point and probably true). I mean when you hear someone put in a stand-out bass take, you can hear that they are enjoying it, you can hear that they're familiar with that style of music and they've created an authentic sound but at the same time their own take on it - not just stringing together a bunch of cliche licks and coming up with some JobFinder / Casio auto-rhythm version of the beat or whatever. I also think it's pretty disrespectful to the great artists of any given genre to suggest that you can do what they do and also what everybody else does in all other genres, and be authentic at all of it, without caring about it or listening to it in any detail. It's nonsense really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='896956' date='Jul 16 2010, 10:58 PM']No that's not really what I meant (although it's a good point and probably true). I mean when you hear someone put in a stand-out bass take, you can hear that they are enjoying it, you can hear that they're familiar with that style of music and they've created an authentic sound but at the same time their own take on it - not just stringing together a bunch of cliche licks and coming up with some JobFinder / Casio auto-rhythm version of the beat or whatever. I also think it's pretty disrespectful to the great artists of any given genre to suggest that you can do what they do and also what everybody else does in all other genres, and be authentic at all of it, without caring about it or listening to it in any detail. It's nonsense really.[/quote]i agree with you..but im sure there are guys that feel lot of different styles, and do it very well...thats what makes them great session players... Willie Weeks, Chuck Rainey, Nathan East are masters at this..but i guess that what makes them greats... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted July 16, 2010 Author Share Posted July 16, 2010 It's not disrespectful at all. No one is denying what the more specialist guys do.If they choose to stay within their chosen genre that's great. But then you have players who can do the job in a number of different genres,probably just as well as the guys who stay in one. Take a player like Randy Jackson(yes,the 'American Idol' guy). He's got a discography as long as your arm,ranging from Jazz and Fusion players like Herbie Hancock,Billy Cobham and Jean-Luc Ponty,through to Pop stars like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, via Rock Bands like Journey and Blue Oyster Cult. He's someone who sounds authentic in a number of situations,and who gets called for the gigs because he will get the job done quickly,and more importantly well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6stringbassist Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 [quote name='thisnameistaken' post='896891' date='Jul 16 2010, 09:25 PM']I think you can usually tell when a musician doesn't really like the music they're playing. If you're playing music that you wouldn't actually listen to in your own time, it's obvious. Over the years I have played in bands that span many different genres but in each case it's been music that I like a lot. I couldn't do a Top 40 band or a country band or a rock band because my heart wouldn't be in it. So for me it's not a case of "stylistic or versatile", it's more a case of soul or no soul.[/quote] I play music . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kongo Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I am what I am and that is all I am. I tried versatility but found when in Funk and Jazz situations I was a robot, playing what works but not really putting out any feel because it's not me. Nope, I found my voice, my style, my niche and have slept better and been happier performing, recording and rehearsing ever since. That being said, all the techniques and phrases I learned followed me through which is nice. So I guess "Stylist" is good for me, as I am what I am, NO imitation! That being said, I'm a "Musician" so really...now I'm confused! Is this another label like Chav and Emo perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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