#1957586 - 06/13/08 09:05 PM
Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
|
jar546
Gold Member
Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 591
Loc: West Pittston, PA
|
Offline
|
|
My friend who just moved back east after a 20 year career as a professional musician in California just sat in with our band tonight to fill in because one of our guitarist/vocalist went MIA about 2 weeks ago.
I value his opinion because he is a professional, Berkley Coll. Music graduate and has spent about 35 years playing the guitar, sax, keyboards, bass and now accordion professionally with the last 20 in the TV and movie industry. In other words, he knows music very well.
We now sound much better but there were obvious corrections in just about every single song. We need someone like him to help us out. Having a professional sit in makes you realize how much more work you actually need and to be quite frank, how much you actually suck.
He had to make adjustments to my bass lines, the structure of songs and literally take over almost all guitar parts that the other guitarists has been fumbling through.
I suppose you have to start somewhere. I am just glad for the constructive criticism. I started eating humble pie when I watched Jeremy C on the internet last night and just finished a big piece after practice today. I can;t really call it rehearsal at this point.
Lots to learn.
Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957591 - 06/13/08 09:14 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: jar546]
|
jeremy c
10k Club
Registered: 02/01/01
Posts: 10826
Loc: Berkeley,CA,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
We all started somewhere, Jeff.
You've grown lots and lots in the last year and while continue to do so.
_________________________
Visit my webpage
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957592 - 06/13/08 09:16 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: jar546]
|
Luke73
Platinum Member
Registered: 05/14/03
Posts: 1344
Loc: Melbourne, Australia
|
|
Offline
|
|
Yeah - there sure are alot of wonderful players around, but I try not to let watching them illustrate how much I suck, but rather use it as a source of inspiration and think, wow - with some practice I can sound that good!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957593 - 06/13/08 09:19 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: jar546]
|
Bottomgottem
Platinum Member
Registered: 08/16/05
Posts: 1735
Loc: Morganton, North Carolina, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
No pressure, jar. Don't push yourself or your band too hard or you will get a serious case of burnout.
Being critical of yourself and your playing abilities is a good thing; just don't be too hard on yourself. Avoid the negativity. There is no way that a new musician can compare to a Berkley grad with 20+ years of experience.
_________________________
"Our time should be spent on building intimate, everlasting relationships with those who care for us, thus transcending this physical realm....but first you have to get that bass." - rizzo9247
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957623 - 06/14/08 01:32 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: RicBassGuy]
|
EddiePlaysBass
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 06/24/04
Posts: 2623
Loc: Belgium
|
|
Offline
|
|
Jeff, I think it partially depends on where you want to go. Sure there's always room for improvement and we should all strive to better ourselves, but like Bottomgottem says there's a difference between weekend warriors like you and me, and schooled musicians.
I for one am in it for the fun of things, and if I become a better musician in the long run, that's the icing. Take this experience for what it is: a lesson and an inspiration  By the way, what is the skill / experience level in your band?
_________________________
http://www.myspace.com/thedapperdansAfter the various bands you've been in, and the headaches you've seen, you figure having TWO bands at once will be better? - Tom Capasso
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957639 - 06/14/08 03:47 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: EddiePlaysBass]
|
Phil W
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/07/05
Posts: 9245
Loc: London, England
|
|
Offline
|
|
Wow. Sounds great Jeff - although that sounds strange I do mean that. I think if I'd got to play with a Berklee grad who'd spenty 20 years in the music business , my progress would have been hugely more rapid.
That's the kind of experience you learn bucketloads from. You usually pay for that kind of experience. I took lessons from Ed Lucie, who writes some lkessons for BP, and from those lessons I realised I had a lot more to learn than I'd thought (and I'd been playing 20 years). That experience has fast-tracked my progress since then.
Whenever I get to play with a great musician in a band context it's just a huge learning experience. Humble pie is fine - but you've learned a lot and those no problem in realising you still have a lot to learn.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957654 - 06/14/08 05:08 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: Phil W]
|
jar546
Gold Member
Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 591
Loc: West Pittston, PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Great replies in response to my post.
I am having a ton of fun with this and don't remember smiling this often in years and years.
Yes, I do use it as inspiration and not as a gauge for how bad I am. I must keep everying into context and do realize that I am actually pretty good for having picked up a bass less than 2 years ago. Several hours of practice and playing every day (yes every day) has paid off BUT I do realize that I have a long way to go an a lifetime to get there.
One thing that I figured out pretty quickly is that you get better quicker and play better when you play with a great musicians VS playing with mediocre/poor ones. This is why I am able to learn songs quicker with the band that I sit in with once in awhile. They are very experienced and do originals.
Again, thanks for the replies.
Jeff
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957673 - 06/14/08 06:33 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: jar546]
|
Frank M
Platinum Member
Registered: 11/21/03
Posts: 1735
Loc: Benton City, WA
|
|
Offline
|
|
One thing that I figured out pretty quickly is that you get better quicker and play better when you play with a great musicians VS playing with mediocre/poor ones. This is why I am able to learn songs quicker with the band that I sit in with once in awhile. They are very experienced and do originals.
Ah, there's the rub. It's hard to put together a bunch of great and keep them on track and dedicated. Opportunities like yours are golden. Take advantage. Mine's costing me $105 a month.
Humble pie is good once in a while, especially with fresh ground pepper and a little salt. A steady diet sucks.
"I don't need no doctor"
I can't believe NO ONE has done anything with the Humble Pie analogy.
_________________________
Respectfully, Frank M They have to keep me. I own the domain name. The Columbia Jazz Trio
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957713 - 06/14/08 08:45 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: Frank M]
|
5 string Mike
Senior Member
Registered: 08/23/07
Posts: 320
Loc: Southwestern Michigan USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
Good for you, jar. I a glad things worked out well. I am glad that your friend was offering some good advice, and your band was open enough to receive it. Humble pie is great, once in a while. We all need to be brought back down to earth and have our egos deflated a tad now and again.
This is one more thing to add to your 'things I learned in 2 years' list- how to make the most of an opportunity.
_________________________
The real art of conversation is to not only say the right thing at the right time, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957767 - 06/14/08 12:13 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: 5 string Mike]
|
Yourup
Member
Registered: 02/28/08
Posts: 13
Loc: Spain
|
|
Offline
|
|
The best thing about your attitude is that you realize that you still have a lot to learn. With that attitude, you WILL learn.
I have a friend in the professional music world here in Spain, he's about ten years younger than me and he really knows his stuff. You reminded me of him in your post.
He's the one who has taught me the most about music ...without actually teaching me.
_________________________
Need help for your band? Take a gander at BandSuccess. You won't regret it!
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957874 - 06/14/08 09:09 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: Yourup]
|
mattulator
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 07/27/04
Posts: 2145
Loc: Fishbum, USA
|
|
Offline
|
|
There's always room for pie!
Your attitude is indeed correct. Learn what you can while you can and from whomever you can.
_________________________
Standing in a river, waving a stick. Quantum Soup
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1957947 - 06/15/08 06:40 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: mattulator]
|
Bottom End
Senior Member
Registered: 05/27/08
Posts: 194
Loc: VA
|
Online
|
|
Well, it looks like you learned plenty. Having a pro give you all some guidance can only help in the long run.
We're all going to get old whether we continue to learn or not, it's good that all of us demonstrate a desire to continue learning.
Since no one up on the Humble Pie theme, you are all sentenced to 30 Days In the Hole !
Edited by Bottom End (06/15/08 07:00 AM)
_________________________
Guitar solos only last about 30 seconds, the bass line goes on for the whole song.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1958247 - 06/15/08 11:04 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: Bottom End]
|
Murf
Member
Registered: 06/14/08
Posts: 15
Loc: Victoria, BC, Canada
|
|
Offline
|
|
Hey jar546,
I've been reading the forums for the past 3 months or so since I started playing bass. In that time, I've read a lot of your posts about learning bass and starting a band. Overall, they've been good motivation for me! I've had a lot of the same questions you did.
To my mind everyone, even though those that are not professionals or who don't have a lot of experience, can still bring something to the table.
Humble pie is good for inspiration, but I thought I'd point out what I've gotten from your posts. Thanks.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1958282 - 06/16/08 04:42 AM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: Murf]
|
jar546
Gold Member
Registered: 11/13/06
Posts: 591
Loc: West Pittston, PA
|
|
Offline
|
|
wow, thank you.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#1958507 - 06/16/08 01:31 PM
Re: Large piece or humble pie digested tonight.
[Re: b5pilot]
|
Tom Capasso
MP Hall of Fame Member
Registered: 04/30/01
Posts: 7622
Loc: east meadow,NY,UNITED STATES
|
|
Offline
|
|
You're lucky - you can see where to make changes. That's a big bit of the battle for me sometimes.
And learning while not being intimidated is a critical skill. Yeah - we all look at great players and sigh, but you can't let it get you down. Ultimately, no one can play a line the way you do (I think it was Jeremy who said that once).
We used to do 4 Day Creep in my 70's band.
Tom
_________________________
www.stoneflyrocks.com Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep your feet on the ground. - Theodore Roosevelt
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: Bob Gollihur (bob@gollihur.com), Tom Capasso, _Sweet Willie_
|
|
|
And I'll bet you didn't need no doctor as well...
