For no apparent reason I have been feeling much better towards my music, my new instrument and in some ways myself for the past few days....I am looking forward to the day I can say OK I'm not doing too bad on the new choice. PRACTICE--PRACTICE--PRACTICE tho....that's the pirates life for me.
I am without a doubt the OLDEST bass player in my area...............
I have been wondering how this is going to work out for me now. I never before had to worry about convincing people to gig with me. After all I had two CD's out, gotten radio time, sang on a commerical for a shrimp company (really yes)....played locally quite a bit. All tho a long time ago and completely across the country from where I am now. I never had to hunt for musicians they pretty much came to me---
Couple my age 57 with the factor that----- although I've played popular music for the money---but have never liked it--preferring progressive, world music or smooth jazz. This all now adds up to the fact that I probably will have a difficult time finding musical soul mates.....from a new world of strangers. Gigging is important, as we all know. Nothing builds you as a musician as does facing that audience that may turn on you at any moment. It's like being a prison guard---you may be taken hostage at any time by the mob. So you had better be sharp and on top of your game.
Once I feel complete on the bass I want to gig. What good is it being a musician if you don't gig? It's like being a addict without a needle----How I am going to accomplish this is a mystery to me.
Maybe an add in the paper or at the local ( the only) music store:
OLD GUY----ELECTRIC BASSIST SEEKS BAND....
NO GIG'S AFTER 9:00 PM--NO HEAD BANGING---
NO JESUS BANDS PLEASE!
NO TEACHING---- YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PLAY----
NO ARGUING---PAIN'S IN THE ASS-- PRIMA DONA'S---
OR LEAD GUITARISTS WITH GIRLFRIEND SINGERS!
CALL THE GEEZER BEFORE 9:00 PM.
ya think this will work?
My concept of what I want to do as a bass player, how I hear my sound, and basically where my head and soul are at with the bass---is a fretless smooth jazz place. This is why when I decided to start playing again and decided to switch to the bass I went six string, which I do love. That perfect sound you hear in your head is a bitch however, and must be pursued. I needed to experiment while I was in training with a fretless bass. At this time I required reasonable expenditure, fret markings at least since I am still on the learning curve, and direction since I am new to this instrument. The Fender Squire fretless jazz bass seemed perfect for my needs. Reasonably priced, painted on fret lines and a perfect score on all reviews. So I just ordered one. Unfortunately the reviews on this bass expend much ink in discussion on how this bass may help you develop Jaco's sound BLAH-BLAH-BLAH.
You cannot copy a man's sound--it's his or hers and you may get close to it----- but it is not yours and everyone listening will know....yeah they will know....not in the way a professional will know, but there will be a nagging thing in the audience's mind of "he's good but....." going on.
My intent is to develop my own, old guy, smooth but very trick sound, unique patterns and develop my own technique---right or wrong. I for sure did not purchase this bass to copy a sound but to create one.
I did pay attention to the reviews on the Squire Fretless that indicated the first thing necessary is to switch to round wound or nylon coated strings so my order included a set of Fender Nylon Tapewound's.
I had promised myself that this time around converting to the bass from guitar I would not become swallowed up in gear acquisition. I knew at the time that this was a laughable position to claim if you are any form of an electronic musician. Although my 6 string Yamaha is tremendous and I have yet to learn the subtly of playing it---i had to have a fretless bass and the Squire seemed to be the way to go with this.
Next of course comes the pedal box construction and building a real gigging amp rig. Basically the internal concept of "I promise no gear weirdness" is completely fucked.
warren
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