A couple guitar questions - Page 2

targa911S · 05:23 PM

Actually I understand what you are saying much better than you think. I picked up a double bass about 9 months ago. Never touched one before. It has been rewarding and humbling at the same time. I've played bass guitar for over 40 years, but this animal is really really different. I set it in a stand in the living room. Every time I walk through there, I play it. I also play at least a half an hour every day. The key is as supe says, repitition. Work on short phrases, get them good at a slower rated, then sew them together. Then work on precision. Speed... comes after all that. EASE is more word you are looking for.. I myself have never looked to master speed, nor have I mastered soloing. I don't "solo". Hate it. I solo all the time at home. I'm about the pocket, I'm the engine. My drummer and I look at our job as creating a canvas for all the "artists" to paint on. Get lost? We will be waiting for you.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Believe it or not, I have to do exercises to stay nimble on the drums. There are a lot of fine points to playing the drums that involve holding the sticks between the fingers, letting the sticks bounce, then grabbing them at just the right point. You practice riffs slowly, then speed up and build upon the basics. Just takes time and energy, and a little persistence to get faster, more precise, better!!

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

I've been playing the drums at church almost every Sunday for about 15 years, but since May of this year, we're at a new church, playing with new people, doing the songs differently than we're used to and it takes work and determination. Beth does a great job on the keyboards and I get by on the drums. Like David said, we "create the canvas" for the singers, guitarists and keyboards. Less is more, especially when playing the drums at church or at a "quieter" venue. I'm a jazz guy, so it's a little easier for me than some of the "rockers" who have always hit the drums and cymbals hard. I can't tell you the last time I broke a stick or a drum head and I've NEVER damaged a cymbal in any way.

Superman · 11-07-2011, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by targa911S

Actually I understand what you are saying much better than you think. I picked up a double bass about 9 months ago. Never touched one before. It has been rewarding and humbling at the same time. I've played bass guitar for over 40 years, but this animal is really really different. I set it in a stand in the living room. Every time I walk through there, I play it. I also play at least a half an hour every day. The key is as supe says, repitition. Work on short phrases, get them good at a slower rated, then sew them together. Then work on precision. Speed... comes after all that. EASE is more word you are looking for.. I myself have never looked to master speed, nor have I mastered soloing. I don't "solo". Hate it. I solo all the time at home. I'm about the pocket, I'm the engine. My drummer and I look at our job as creating a canvas for all the "artists" to paint on. Get lost? We will be waiting for you.

I completely understand this last part, and agree heartily. Bass solo? WTF? It's about the canvas. Or foundation. Like an engine. Well stated.

About speed....you'll know it when you get there, because you will experience the EASE or fluidity that others have described here. BTW, as a side note, there is a WORLD of difference between a guitar that has been set up properly and one that has not. WAY different. Luthiers are cheap, considering what they do. With just a few exceptions (Stevie Ray Vaughan is one), low action is WAY faster and more fluid to play.

I have another friend who plays bass and has a dbl bass in his living room. Says it has taught him to see bass in a new, more complete way.

targa911S · 11-07-2011, 06:24 PM

oooooh yeah. yer friend is so right.

Art, less is more is my favorite saying. Charlie Watts has made a carer out of it.

Superman · 11-07-2011, 06:28 PM

These are the principles I am delicately trying to impart on my current drummer.

stuartj · 11-07-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nathans_Dad

Yeah, I'm not talking about speed metal here. I just need to get my fingers to go where I want them to go in a reasonable time frame lol. I've been playing for about a year now so I guess I have a ways to go.

Well, in my experience, it doesnt really matter what you want to play. Practice. There is no shortcut. Its all rythym and repetition, muscle memory and dexterity. Metronome exercises are very useful.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

The only bassist I can stand to watch use a pick is Chris Squire and he only does it sometimes. Jeff Beck is interesting to watch because he shreds with fingerpicking an electric. I went to a clinic by Kevin Eubanks long before he was famous and he picked as fast as Yngwie, but only used his thumb and middle finger. That was amazing to watch and I was bummer he never did anything like that once on the Tonight Show.