the coolest compliment i ever got was...

[JLsound]

I think this is a great board because most people here do not care what skill level posters have. Any one can contribute. It is always good to have a fresh opinion. I have read some great ideas from both professionals and beginners. I myself don't consider myself a beginner, but I know I have a lot to learn, and I know I have to keep practicing because I will never be good enough. Also, the great thing about beginners is they will ask questions that sometimes I would be afraid to ask.

 

BTW: The best compliment I got ".. Hey you didn't sound that bad tonight"

[The Bear Jew]

Personally. while individual compliments are nice, I really prefer hearing positive things about my whole band from folks who see us play. I've gotten the ol' "WOW... you're great" ect, etc, but the best compliments for my bands were:

 

When my band played an after-part for the Monster Magnet, Hed Pe and Kid Rock tour...

Nobody really expected the headliners to hang out, but all three bands were there. I spied Dave from Monster Magnet, Tilo from Hed Pe and Mr. Rock himself from Kid Rock near the front of the stage, so I signaled the boys in my band that we were gonna deviate from the set list for a second. I stepped to the mic and said, "Hey, we're gonna do a little party favor for you all right now, and I hope we can get some help from these boys right here (poiting at Kid Rock and Dave)." Everyone cheered, and I busted into "Cold Gin" by Kiss...

 

Yes... I traded verses with Dave Wyndorf and Kid Rock on a Kiss cover. I wish there was a picture of that somewhere.

 

Dave said, "You guys are fuckin' unreal. Why weren't you headlining?"

 

Tilo said something unintelligible. He was plastered, but he did the ol' "raise the roof" thing for me.

 

Kid Rock said, "You guys are so tight it hurts me. God bless you for playing real rock."

 

Another great compliment -- John Entwistle played a solo show at a small club where I used to work here in Philly. While his crew was setting up, our CD was playing through the PA (the soundman there is a good friend). Mr. Entwistle giggled a little and said, "What's this on the system? It's really fun." The soundman pointed at me and said,"His band." Entwistle looked at me, smiled and said,"This is great stuff. Keep it up." He signed my friend's bass.

 

The best compliments, however, come from non-famous people. The best one is this:

"I don't usually like that kind of music, but you guys made me a fan."

 

That is the best compliment ever.

[bassric]

from the little leagues...

My music teacher commenting on my band's timing issues: dont't worry man, I know you're not the problem here..."

Or this coul be the worst compliment I have ever got, anyway...

[Kooky Mogessi]

My best compliment came from a guy I normally dont like and he normally doesnt like me. One of our friends has a band and they were talking about it and how their bass player sucks (they wanted me but the crappy bass player is the drummers brother and they practice at their house so it would have been a bit uncomfortable). Then I hear them talking about the guy showing off his bass "skills" and the guy I dont normally like said after a good laugh "he doesnt have skills....but Johns pretty good"

 

That made my day.

[_Sweet Willie_]

It's been a while since I last gigged, but I guess there were two recent instances where I rec'd compliments I was proud of.

 

One time I attended a meeting of some science teachers when I had just started working as an administrator at their school. The meeting was hosted at one of their houses by a guy with whom I'd been jamming from time to time (he's quite a guitarist). I hardly participated in the meeting, because I believe that listening is really important, especially when I'm new to an issue. Also, as a new administrator, I definitely felt a little anxious about opening up my yap -- especially since I wasn't familiar with the intra-staff teacher-administrator politics at this school. At the end of the meeting, I told the host (my friend and ace guitarist) about my hesitation to speak and how it related to being in an administrator's role. He said, "Administrator? I just saw a bass player."

 

The other instance was when I was trying out a H&K BassBase 600 head thru a Tech 4x10 at a local shop for fun with a Mexi Jazz bass. Not being a player with monster chops, but with what I think is a fine sense of groove, I'm always a little low-key and self-conscious at music shops (as much as I love going to play gear!). Another brother rolls in to try some basses. From my eaves-dropping I determined that he was either a pro or semi-pro in town briefly who wanted to try a line of European basses that only this shop carries in the US. For about 20 minutes he rips thru a couple of basses and displays some mad bass skillz. On his way out, he goes out of his way to come over to where I'm enjoying my groovin' and tells me, "You sound good, man. Really good. Keep it up." Made my day.

 

Peace.

[OpaBobby]

Last year, we played a wedding reception in a near by town. My dad happened to be in town visiting at the time. And, went with us to the gig. He hadn't heard me play in 30 years. After it was over, and, we had gotten home, he said, it looked like he didn't waste all that money on equipment for me when I was a teen. That meant a lot.

BW@

[boosh]

I'm a vocalist,not a bassplayer but have had compliments too.My most worthy:

 

Late at night me and my friend went home by train after a day boozin in Amsterdam.We started singin in the train and after a while the car we sat in was packed with people listening.When we got out we received a huge applause. So cool,outside this gorgous red head comes up to me and invites me to go to a bar with her and her friends.My friend was tired and went home.I went to the bar and started singin with the red head.She had a beautiful voice.She said I was one of the best vocalists she ever sung with ,after a while her friends paid for my cab ride home.

A week after I went to the same bar and ordered a beer.The barkeeper smiled and thanked me for singing and entertaining him and the customers and asked me to say hello to Tori Amos again if I run into her,.......

[DanYmaL X]

I don't know that I've ever gotten a great 'compliment', but I guess this would count:

When I first met Matt, our guitar player, he was working with a bass player that was/is outstanding, and who not only has a Master's in music, but is a classical piano teacher among other things... this Matt worshipped the ground he walked on, so to speak... anyways, I hadn't played guitar or bass in about 10 years, and Matt and I just kind of hit it off, and started jamming one night, both on guitar, and we connected in that way that only musicians can do, I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about... when it just 'clicks.'

So anyways to make a long story short, Matt had me play at his church a few times with him, when he found out I could kinda play bass, because the other guy was out of town... and eventually, he asked me to join the band he had only just joined himself!

This weekend we had a show and Matt asked Luke, (the other bassist,) to come 'check out his new bass player.'

I guess the compliment out of all this is the fact that Matt, who was working with a professional musician at the time, and is an outstanding musician and songwriter himself, had enough confidence in me to not only have me play with him at his church, but to convince this new band, who has already done one CD together, to give me a shot for their upcoming CD as well as for shows... I only hope I can fit the bill, but as was said before, this is the best way to learn.

 

Wheeew... and that was the short version!

 

DX

[ClarkW]

Well, like someone mentioned, I am not a pro, nor have I hung much with the big-wigs. But a few things people have said have really stuck with me.

 

I was in a band with a phenomenal guitarist, a really creative singer/songwriter, and an awesome drummer who just happens to be Donny Osmond's oldest son, Don. Donny came down to the basement to listen to us play a few times, always saying "Keep up the good work." Then when we had our last big show (before losing Don to a summer traveling job, the guitarist to law school and fatherhood, and the singer/songwriter to dental school), Donny came, with his wife and one or two of the other kids. It was an awesome show, and we had a lot of energy, and the crowd was pretty young and excited. Afterward, Donny told us "You guys rock, and I'm not just saying that because my son is the drummer."

 

Another band with which I had become involved at the same time was a couple of guys who had been in a relatively successful A Capella group since high school, and now have about 5 or 6 albums to their credit ("259" for those in AZ or UT who might have heard of them). They wanted to try some pop music, and the guitarist/songwriter/singer had borrowed my bass to record the bass lines for their first 3 demo songs (my brother-in-law had been in 259 with them). The got the rest of the songs written and I was elated when the guitarist said "Hey, we'll be performing this stuff live, so we'll need a bass player, and I suck in the studio, so do you want a shot at doing bass lines for the other 6 or 7 songs?"

 

Whoa, my first studio gig. He didn't even have lead sheets or anything, but he and I just went over the songs for two or three hours, and they didn't get me into the studio for another two weeks. I was soooo nervous. So I played pretty simply, throwing in a lick or two here and there. I did all the 6 songs (I think) in about an hour and a half. Later, McKane (guitar/songwriting/singer) told me "We had been in the studio for 12 hours already that day getting the drum and guitar lines down, and we were all exhausted, and honestly, some of the other guys were dreading having to struggle through the bass parts, but you showed up and nailed your part, and we all went home at 10pm very happy. You saved us studio money, played exactly what I wanted. Consider yourself our bass player."

[Tom Capasso]

Like CMDN, I enjoy it when people like my band. As much as I like personal compliments, it feels good to be able to do something as a group and make it work. In my Christian theatre troup, we put on a crucifixion play (not exactly the most uplifting presentation). At the end, we've been getting standing ovations and lots of applause. It embarrasses us to some extent, because we think we're praying, sharing gifts, and telling Jesus' story. But the people are showing appreciation, and it's a blessing.

 

Like some, I have no famous people experiences.

 

I was playing Godspell, and before the intermission there is something of a jam. For three weeks, I'd been trying to get an improv solo line to be just right. When I finally nailed it I was happy, but the compliment was the keyboard player's jaw on the floor.

 

One form of compliment I continue to recieve is people's trust. Bands and groups I'm part of look to me to get the bass playing done, help organize, and keep the flow (in many senses of the word). I am usually "in the thick of it" and don't realize the honor they are giving me.

 

And there are the fine words from many of you. Whether I've helped here on the board or been to your gig, you've been very kind. [yeah - that's me grabbing your stuff or screaming in the back].

 

Thanks

 

Tom

[Ren.]

After I recorded the first demo with my band, some guy listened to it and said: "Man, that bas line sounds just like Sabo Romo!"

 

I'm aware you probably don't know who the heck that guy is. Well I'll tell you: His used to be the bass player of a rock band from Mexico called Jaguares. His bass lines kill!!!

[StoneKnife]

We were opening for Average White Band in Seattle one night.

 

After our set, I was taking a wiz in the public-access restroom, and a guy came in, stood next to me, and said, "You play good bass, Sounded great." I did the usual thanks for sayin so and went out.

 

Next time I saw him was when AWB came on- he was playing bass...

[Idnarb]

While Ive never been complimented on my bass playing ( give it time my young padawan) I get quite a few compliments on my eyelashes.

 

Yes thats right..apparently I have amazing eyelashes. Whenever I go for an eyebrow waxing, to get my hair cut or have any makeup done for me, I get one stylist who alerts everyone else in the place to come and look at my eyelashes.

 

:: and to think god COULD have given me six pack abs.

[davebrownbass]

Hey idnarB....

 

I too have those amazing eyelashes (quite unusual for a boy) but it really got me a lot of eye contact as a young man.

 

I too don't have six pack abs. I don't blame God.

 

God gifted us eyelashes...but we are responsible for the definition of those abs.

[cornbread_medhotmail.com]

God knew I would like beer so he gave the the keg abs.

 

I guess the best compliment I ever got was getting all the scholarships for playing bass.

[Tom Capasso]

Originally posted by Idnarb:

While Ive never been complimented on my bass playing ( give it time my young padawan) I get quite a few compliments on my eyelashes.

 

Yes thats right..apparently I have amazing eyelashes. Whenever I go for an eyebrow waxing, to get my hair cut or have any makeup done for me, I get one stylist who alerts everyone else in the place to come and look at my eyelashes.

 

:: and to think god COULD have given me six pack abs.

Having met the pirate in person, I can attest to the eyelashes.

 

DBBBBBB, When I was 17, my great aunt complimented me on my eyelashes, and then said "you would have been a very pretty girl". It as not the compliment I wanted. Fortunately, this aunt has always been loving and warm, so it didn't change how I felt about her. She still sends everyone in the family birthday and anniversary cards (she's 93 now).

 

Tom

[fantasticsound]

I almost forgot! When I worked at Mars Nashville, I often mixed local bands and clinics on our stage in pro audio.

 

One night, Walfredo Reyes was playing a Mapex clinic and I was mixing. The president of Mapex was on hand, and during the show he leaned over and said, "The drums sound wonderful. You did a fantastic job making the P.A. sound so natural and transparent." That was my favorite music related compliment.

 

The fact that he was so wrong takes nothing away from his opinion. (It did sound great, but I'd hardly call it natural. The room was a nightmare to mix in. )

[cruzbass]

I was playing a gig once and this guy was like religiously studying my playing the whole night.

The dude didnt move the whole night! just stood there examaning my finger movments.

 

that was a pretty big compliment to be studied by somone i dont even know.he had this look on his face as though i was some kind of bass legend. I was just a kid back then, although i was damn good too.

[Quarterwave]

Having average Joes' in the crowd bow in front of me after a set - or even just when they shake my hand for a great show.

 

Rs,

Quarterwave

[bitdump]

I got one in the press many many years ago, and it qualified as either a very nice complement or the worst.

 

"plays more like Jaco then anyone else in town"

 

Don't play much Bass these days but in general the one I hear the most is "what are you doing here?"

 

slacking I guess

[Fred W]

I have a few all-time faves: On a buseness trip to D.C. I took my client to a blues jam at this little black club at the seedy edge of downtown.They didn't have a house bassist, they had a house bass, a beat to hell precision. So I played a few songs on it, sang one, then played some keys.The MC, an older guy, comes up and whispers in my ear "do you know how good you are?" Up in Geneva NY I played a jazz gig on stickbass wiyh some local cats. The reed player, a public school music teacher,said "you play like a bassist who went to school here a while ago, what's his name, um o yes Scotti Lafaro". Iwas dumbstruck, and silently questioned his sanity.After working with these guys awhile we did a concert on the lakefront.When we finished a woman came up and gushed," you're the best bass player I ever heard in my life, but you already know you're

good don't you!" And Lastly: a couple weeks ago at a restaurant trio gig I was playing my Kay, lots of bowing. At the break a young woman asks how long I been playing, then stated I was the best string player she'd ever heard. Tuns out she plays bass clarinet in a high school all-state orchestra, so it really meant something to me. I'm glad this thread exists- All entertainers are bassically lookin for the love, when we get it it keeps us going.

[dcr]

I have some friends who are really smart & creative musicians, pros, teachers, who have been doing this a LOT longer than I have & are really excellent...they like it when I play with them, and that's definitely the best compliment ever, for me.