Took my Sterling to my "first" lesson.

[PzoLover]

inspiration & perspiration

So me and my Sterling went to my first bass lesson since, um, high school... I grew up playing piano and one of my main problems is I still think in piano, not in bass, so I wanted to learn the fretboard better, etc.

My teacher (a Berkeley/Pebody grad) complemented the guitar. He was also psyched I played through a Markbass rig. So that made me smile. Yup, awesome combo EBMM and Markbass.

But OMG, here I go again. Circle of fifths, intervals, scales, actual practice!!! Brutal dude. Can you guys please give me the strength to persevere?

Congrats Gassie, I only wish I could practice tonight ... Good On you for getting going again ... recently ,I reconnected with a tune that has a bass line in it that drives me crazy and I offer it as a suggestion to you to help you keep inspired ,... the tune is "Nikita" by Elton John ... and the tastiest part is the bass walkdown after the line " Nikita, I need you so" ... I'm sure it will sound great with your setup and when you can "nail it", I'm sure you will get a huge sense of satisfaction ... Good Luck, and, let me know when you hit it if you decide to go for it ... along the way, I researched "Dee Murray" who I think was a monumental bass player on lots of elton stuff, and a major inspiration to me as a wannabeeSome other stuff that revs me up is Steely Dan, especially the Gaucho album

ATB,
/PL

 

[bovinehost]

I haven't ever researched it or anything, but I've always assumed that "Nikita" was played by Pino Palladino. It certainly sounds like Pino and his fretless. I never heard Dee Murray play that kind of line, although I'm a fan of Dee Murray.

Don't get me started on bass parts to Steely Dan songs! What a treasure trove of gems. So much of that stuff still kicks my ass....and Donald Fagen's first solo album, The Nightfly, is another visit to Fabulous Bass World.

Jack

 

[PzoLover]

bad driving on my part

I haven't ever researched it or anything, but I've always assumed that "Nikita" was played by Pino Palladino. It certainly sounds like Pino and his fretless. I never heard Dee Murray play that kind of line, although I'm a fan of Dee Murray.

Don't get me started on bass parts to Steely Dan songs! What a treasure trove of gems. So much of that stuff still kicks my ass....and Donald Fagen's first solo album, The Nightfly, is another visit to Fabulous Bass World.

Jack

Hey Jack, I can't prove that Dee Murray played my fave line, I only connected some dots I found and I may have zigzagged ... maybe it's wishful thinking that I could visualize Dee doing that lick on a Ric Dee or Pino, it's still iinspiring and I'm with you 1000% on The Nightfly, Ruby Baby is a gem to behold
ATB,
/PL

 

[GassieBall]

Gassie,
How have the lessons gone?

Hey, I'm not the most qualified to say this since I've been lurking more than participating recently, but welcome.

I had to take a break during the holidays. Got too busy. Didn't practice enough. Also had a holiday gig to prep for.

So I think I know the fretboard a little better. Learning arpeggios and chord structures can be challenging. Especially when I "think" in piano, it's like "duh" but when I have to translate to bass it's a total brain fart.

I still have to get over the feeling like I'm a bass "playah". Not a bass "player". In other words I know how to hold my own on playing a tune, but when it comes to really knowing the instrument, I know jack. Oops, sorry, no offense to anyone named that.

 

[stevenee]

That's why I love playing bass- it's all about being in the pocket.

 

[maddog]

I feel like a kid bringing my algebra homework to Einstein. Anyone else feel more nervous at lessons than at a gig? I think it's the one-on-one magnifying glass feeling.

turn this thought out of your head. The teacher wouldn't be teaching if he didn't want to teach. The student wouldn't be learning if he didn't want to learn.

I am awful at Real Analysis and I always dreaded walking into the prof's office to ask questions. I finally realized, if I wasn't in there asking questions I wouldn't be learning and if I'm not learning why be in school.

Have at it and have fun with it. As long as you are doing your homework (even if it is wrong) you got nothing to be scared of.

 

[PzoLover]

"groovin"

Hey Gassie, time for somemore encouragement ... actually, I'm not nearly qualified enough to advise anyone on practicing, but my encouragement is about something a couple of my bass coaches emphasized to me and that is about catching the "feel" of a tune and settling in on the "Groove" ... both of them have encouraged me to continue playing along with recordings ... although I'm not able to play these days, there are some recordings I'm itchin to get backl to for groove and experience values, one artist I was getting lots of practice with last year was Wayne Hancock, even though his primary bass players play acoustic string bass, but it's solid juke joint swing and that stuff drives me crazy ... also, I get lots of education from Tim Schmit and The Eagles, especially "Hotel California" ... also, I dig the solid groove and musical value of Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" 'though I don't know who played bass 'though I've had my ears cleaned and rung by Steppenwolf at Massey Hall in Toronto, and I grew up on that stuff during my Ontario daze...

hope you're doing fine and pluggin' along and I hope these "Groove solid" tunes provide some fun and encouragement for you as they have for me
ATB,
/PL

 

[oli@bass]

That's why I love playing bass- it's all about being in the pocket.

And I thought it was all about knowing Jack