Auditions

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:09 pm

Thanks Nate. Im not gonna say to much on the ego side of the thread. Let them think what they think. Its stupid to fight over it any more.

Im auditioning this wensday. So Ill let you guys know how it goes. Oh and as soon as I get something for recording Ill put up some tracks of me just jamming.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:22 pm

Np, bro. I sick up fer my friends.

Good luck!

jwlussow · Post by **jwlussow** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:23 pm

I used to mainly be a trombone player and have played with many very famous and infamous people. I consider some of them my friends. After a gig many years ago Bobby Shew (jazz trumpet - inventor of the Shew Horn) came up to me and said (jokingly, I hope?????) that a solo I played sucked. We both laughed and then he said "John, now you can tell anyone that says you suck that better musicians than them have already told you that". It made me laugh and I learned not to take things too seriously. Music is an art, and in that, can never be mastered. The art of music changes and is in the eyes of the beholders. One can always be better in what they do. It is more important to realize that you don't know it all and that you are extremely lucky to be able to play, or do anything you love to do, at all. Musicians are interesting people. Good musicians are very interesting people.

Nate, just do it and believe in yourself. Confidence is important but being the best bassist isn't. There are many famous mediocre musicians out there and even more incredible ones that no one has heard of. Be confident in your abilities and KEEP LEARNING. You are doing things that many people wish they could do. When you realize just how many people wish they can play anything at all, you realize you have a gift.

Sorry this got winded but it reminded me of when I was the best trombone player at my school. Considering that there were only 6 trombone players and I was older then them all, it doesn't sound so impressive.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:29 pm

I know what you mean. My uncle is an INCREDIBLE guitar player. He's a lot better than most famous guitar players. He can play anything.. but he's in an 80's cover band.. sad huh?
http://www.that80shairband.com/
I wanted to plug for him.. sure he's in Buffalo.. but some others on the forum are too.
(My uncle is the guy with the Ibanez Jem.)

I'll try and start believing in myself. But it's rough because I've been putting myself down for too long.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 12:56 pm

Im the opposite. Ill try anything infront of anyone. I havent really been shy about playing yet. I think instead of nervous... its more of I cant wait. I get all butterflys in my stomach type feeling.

The greatest compliment I have ever got was from Chip. Theres been a couple of times when it really really made me feel great. But one time we were talking and he told me he thought I have enough talent and drive to be better then him one day. This coming from my hero. I mean I look up to Chip more then any other bassist. The fact that hes had major label deals (3) and tons of smaller ones and what not. And the fact that Iv watched this guy jam so many times and every time I just almost got all teary eyed. It kind of just means alot to you.

Nate dude. Your playing Rush... How many 16 year old bassist do you know that can play Rush... Really? How long have you been playing? I hit 2 years this months. I know guys in there 20 playing as a professional and all that stuff that Im almost on there level. And it seems like your about where I am. Dude you got no reason not to hold your head high.

Oh and I dont want this to come out the wrong way. But Im gonna try to say it the best I can. I really truely respect all you guys. The ones playing for a living or the ones just doing small projects for fun or the ones building the guitars. You know the fact that you guys are still play is just great. I almost even have more respect for the ones who dont really make it. The guys who have been playing for 30+ years... and have never had a label or anything but still plays. Just the fact that you love it that much is just great. You cant not respect that. Anyone who plays just out of love either if they have the talent to be Geddy or just another average joe deserves respect. I can only hope to be like you guys ya know?

I heard some storys about great great musicians. Guys who just have the talent and skill to be truely amazing. And They get wraped up in things and put everything into this and It falls short ya know. They dont make it and they put to much importance on it and lose track of the good things. And end up commeting suicide or something. Its just crazy. But yeah I guess it just shows that... you shouldnt get to worried about all that stuff. It was a good story for me to learn from i guess. Just figured Id tell it.

Sorry for the super long messages.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:25 pm

I like super long messages.. hehe.

I've been playing about 4 years. The bass player that replaced the other kid in my friends band knew half of "Red Barchetta". I was a smartass and said "Play YYZ!" He couldn't. I knew a couple guys that could play Rush. It was simple Rush though. 2112, Limelight, Tom Sawyer, Working Man. Not like I could. La Villa, YYZ, Hemispheres, Three different versions of the Freewill bass solo. So I have something to hold my head up about. I could probably be farther than I am, but I've been stuck with Rush for 2 years.

That music school I got into.. they said I'd be one of the youngest people there. I guess it's hard to get into at my age. Plus it's probably the best school for music in New Zealand.

My problem is I've never really played with people. When I do it seems kinda.. off. I think I need more practice.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 1:51 pm

Haha okay so Nate is a little better then me. I only know Tom Sawyer, Circumstances and Freewill. But i still never learned the whole freewill solo. Like... 1/3 of it. Im sure i could go backa nd learn it. I probly should. But then again I work on my timing tons to. Playing upbeats and pushing it back behind the beat. That sort of thing. It dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing right? I dont play them often tho. Just every now and then when I get bord. I learn it all to test myself more then anything else. I try to learn songs that are gonna help me as well as I enjoy them. So Chip picks alot of my stuff I learn. I can play more things by bands I never heard of b4 i was learning them then bands i actually know.

About schooling... Im hoping for a scholar ship. Im gonna check into it. Talk to some musicians thats been to them and check a local college. Supposidly we have a good one not to far from here. So i can still kind of bum a home from my parents haha.

I havent played with many. I like playing alone infront of people better then with a band in front of people. If the band screws up it looks bad on you all. I realize its not all on my shoulders then but Maybe i like it that way i dont know. It confuses me when they mess up. Makes me think I did.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:30 pm

I know what you mean. When I did YYZ with my uncle I was paying attention to him to see if he learned it. Well he messed up and messed me up. I almost stopped and gave him the finger, but just stopped for about a second. He got me lost. It all turned out well in the end.

Rush for crazy bass.. hmm try and learn "Turn the Page". Off rhythm. Or "The Big Money". Very fun songs.

First time I played in front of people.. We did Pink Floyd's "Astronomy Domine" We started up.. and I realized my D string was out of tune. And I got lost later in the song.. but again, it worked out.

First time I learned "Freewill" it was totally wrong. But it helped me learn. I made it up for the longest time. What I made up was modelled after the solo on "Different Stages". Then I learned the "studio" version. I don't like the studio version. I went back and learned the real "Different Stages" solo. That's my favorite. I learned the "Exit... Stage Left" solo about 4 days ago. I though Ged went crazy, but it's all pretty much the same thing.

No, I think you're better than I am. I'm stuck with Geddy.. you know all sorts of playing. Slap, finger, started with a pick. I'm Ok with a pick and great with my fingers, and I rarely slap. I try to slap and pop, but I stick with the pops for certain spots more than a slap. Plus you own a fretless. I've never even held a fretless. Only real plus I have for me is I can sing and play complex stuff at the same time. I can sing and play "Circumstances". Very fun to do. I sing and play very off songs. "Turn the Page" comes to mind.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:48 pm

I dont play much Slap. Im getting into it now tho. I mainly play slap things I made up and then practice slap lines to help me out. The Finger thing im great at. I get complements on my form with both hands all the time. I need to work on my tripletts tho haha. Fretless isnt so hard. Apperantly you got a good ear. And if you have a nice wide stretch and good form youll pick it up easy. Its all about pitch control and then you have to get the fretless style thing down but its not to hard. You would like it. I love writing on it. Im thinking of getting into singing. Im extremely shy about singing. But im starting to sing around people just for reaction sake and getting use to it. Only songs Iv tryed to sing and play are Money and NIB. Those are extremely easy. I can play 5 string too. And a little upright. Chip keeps me spread out. And Im interested in tons of things. Im the one who decided on picking up 5 and fretless. He doesnt do much 5. He does alot of fretless tho.

Dude... the 1st time I played in a band setting I was with a bunch of 30-40 year old guys. They were rocking out. And Told me what to play so I just started following one of the guitarist while playing this song. About mid way I had it down in my head. These guys were actually really good. Apperantly they thought the same of me. It was funny. They were like... I wish he was a little bit older and he could gig with us. But other then that Iv played in punk bands or just me and a guitarist writing. Anything is good tho.

If I find a bassist I really like. I try to learn a variety of their stuff. So I can get a sence of their style. Make it your own... Ya know? Its funny tho my biggest influence is still Chip. Ill try to get some of his stuff that was released. He was in a band called Edenstreet. They were AMAZING! I love it. But I only have the album that wasnt released... It was like ditched when the company got bought out. Sucks.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 3:49 pm

We should just rename this the Nate and Jacob thread... lol. Of long long messages. Seems like we scared everyone else away.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:01 pm

Amen to that, brother! Let em stay away.. this is fun! Lol.

My second bass was a Dean edge 5'er, but I got rid of it after I got my 4001. It wasn't 'growly' enough.

Aye my first time playing was with a bunch of 30 year olds.

Money is fun to sing and play. I'll e mail you the two songs I mentioned. They're pretty cool. Lotta keyboards though. I'm not comfortable singing in front of people. I am if I can't hear myself that well. If I can I get all shy and stop.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:18 pm

Yes yes. I agree it is fun. I guess its just nice to talk to a bassist your own age thats on your level ya know? Iv never met anyone my age that I can talk to about any of this stuff without losing there interest extremely fast.

I got a Dean Edge q5. I like the neck spacing on it. I agree it doesnt have that grow. But I keep mine around. My fretless is an edge as well and so is my main bass. Dean edge 4. I know they dont seem that great. But put some light gage strings on there and if you get the settings right it can get a nice sound. It has some variety in there to. I love active basses. Im starting to love that grow and sometimes even trebly sound. Just something to punch thru the song and really stand out some. Im getting sick of that I guess typical bass sound. Other then those I just got a Fender Accoustic, Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass, and the Dean Pace bass. I wanted to experiment with stand up. ITs a nice learning instrument for stand up and cost alot less then the other options. Theres so much I want tho. I gotta get a Ric. Thats for sure. I can never put chips down. And I love that sound. So thats my next bass. But I wana get a music man stringray or sabre and a Spector Prekramer NS2. Oh those things are so bad.

No offence against rics at all. But Active basses make better all around basses if you ask me. Something like a Spector or I dont know. Lakland Musicman. Something along those lines. I love all their sounds ya know. But There are alot of different ric sounds... but when you get down to it. A ric is a ric. Theres always that sound to it. The others you can change a little more. But lord knows if i get a ric that thing well hardly ever see time out of my hands. Haha.

Ill check my mail soon then. I dont know if it says it on there or not. I think it does but its [email protected] I went thru a serious Black Sabbath thing awhile back haha. Thats when I started using Sabbath of Bass for everything. Still works. A religous holiday for bass how great would that be! I do that everynow and then. Become obsessed with one band. Rush being one... and Yes I have a strong feeling well be one as soon as I get some cds haha.

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:32 pm

You should see my E mail addy.. lol.

The custom bass I ordered has passive pickups in it, but active EQ. I'll see what I can do with it. Three pickups though... that'll be cool.

I'm looking for a 4003 now, to make my 4001 a backup.

I played my Rick and my Dean back to back once.. I was disgusted with the low boomy sound coming out of the dean. I won't play a bass can't get close to the Ric sound. Although it was kinda cool switching basses.

I try and talk to people about stuff like this, but they get bored and loose interest fairly quickly.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:38 pm

Same here with the interest thing.

Have you played the new 4003s? I commented on them in the other forum. You can switch our talk on to this one tho. I dont like them. The neck bucked me really bad. But I like thin necks. I mean... from what i recall this thing had a neck like my stand up almost haha.

Deans arent bad over all. Price and quility wise they arent at all. I love all mine. Plus I got them cheap. I do want alot of new basses tho. Like I said. Plus I need a new fretless haha. But all with time I suppose. That Ric is the next thing on my list. 1970s-80s 4001

. Did you see the link of the one Im gonna go look at if its kool with my parents? http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDetails.aspx?Item=838614
Thats the link. I want me and Chip to go check it out sometime. Maybe see if we can get the price down a little too. But yeah hopefully It well be awesome and in my hands soon!

nattiep · Post by **nattiep** » Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:41 pm

yeah that's a sweet bass.. I have a jetglo 4001.. I love the neck on it.. hopefully the neck won't be a baseball bat on the 4003.

I liked my dean.. played it fer a year.. then it was replaced.. lol.

Only Rick I've played was mine.