Auditions

[atomic_punk]

Sometimes a note says more than words can ever say. Let your music speak for you and you will never be misunderstood.



And Ronn is the best Ronn Roberts-style player I know, too.

[los_sentidos]

So when's the audition?

I have played with loads of different musicains - some pros, some that have been in bands like The Black Crows and some big bands in the UK but I can't beat playing with my band who I started playing with when we were 14 - it's down to the chemistry.

The style of music you play Jacob can always evolve, look for chemistry.

When is the audition?

[sabbath_of_bass]

Its tomorrow at 6. I cant wait.

[henny]

Damned thread.

Ronn: Compelling points.

Robert (Bobcat): However incontrovertible your outlooks may be regarding humility and humbleness, I'm afraid they'll probably remain unobtrusively unheeded... I.e, this thread stems from one person, not liking another. And I feel Ronn's pain.

[throw_this_away]

slightly off topic... but this talk of who is good and who is not got me thinking.

What musicians are good is purely opinion but...

My view is that a good musician can cover a difficult song written by another person... a GREAT musician will write that song. Copying is easy, the ability to create is what divides the talented from the amazing.

If you can copy jaco (Clapton, Hendrix, etc.) note for note than great (anyone can if they want to take the time to practice)… but until you can produce something original that I like… you are no better than anyone else.

On the topic of creation, good musicianship goes far beyond technical tricks. Fancy and fast is often very tiring to the ear... annoying almost (there is a reason why jaco and victor never had a #1 hit). Sometimes the best musicians produce very simple music (Sting, Beatles). Sometimes less is more.

Finally, the best musicians go beyond playing and writing. A huge part is being able to work with other people, to get along, to be able to play “with” a band and not try to overpower it. Some of the best players in my mind are the ones who can really listen and work with a band in an appropriate musical context.

[sabbath_of_bass]

I kind of agree John. Normal people dont understand whats going on really i guess. Or dont really apperciate it. Simple just gets boring to me tho. Simple is okay... but its better if its got alot of feeling in it. Pulling it back behind the beat and playing the up beat and all that. It seems simple it its awesome. Cause it dont mean a thing if it aint got that swing right?

[nattiep]

I feel the same way. I think I'm an 'ok' player, but my writing skill is complete ****. That's one of the reasons I think I suck. Sure, I can copy Geddy, but I could never write a "YYZ" or "La Villa Strangiato".

[sabbath_of_bass]

Dude.... Youv been playing for a couple years. Theres not many out there writing La Villa Strangiato level songs. I wouldnt worry about it. The best thing you can do for writing... from what Iv done and noticed is. Learn a couple scales and what not... Learn how a song is made up... And just play within it all. Youll also probly pick up things from things you play.

I learned alot from just working with Chip. Writing isnt as hard as you think once you get it down. But I dont know.

[throw_this_away]

One final last cliche point... who cares if you are good or not... music is about enjoying yourself.

I like to play and that is all I care about. People get too held up on "am I a good player or not?" or the old "who is the better musician."

[nattiep]

Simple is good.. but boring. I like actually doing something. Following the root note of a chord is just silly. I like it when the bass player bothers getting involved and makings something up. Why is it that guitar players get all the spotlight. Sure, they do some pretty impressive stuff, but when a bass player does it it's overplaying.

[nattiep]

I see what you mean. My real worry is "Do I impress these people?" I really like to impress and get attention for it. Sure, that's not the entire point.

I do have fun, and I do enjoy what I play. I think it's even more fun when I learn a Rush song that pretty much all keyboards. Like "Afterimage". that's all keys.. and I play it on my bass in chords. It's great.

[sabbath_of_bass]

Nate I agree haha.

Dude... If you ask me its human nature. The competitive stuff. But yeah... that and... the good stuff is funner. I care about being good cause theres alot 1 its alot of fun playing that stuff 2 cause I plan on trying to make this my future. Id really like to. And no one likes to play with someone who sucks. Like it or not its kind of a part of it. All we can do it try our best not to get wraped up in it and such.

[throw_this_away]

hahah... I think if you look up "overplay" in a dictionary than you will see a picture of a guitarist.

root notes are simple yes, but to me boring is bad music (independent of how many or how few notes are played). Most people attending a show will tend to agree.

[kcole4001]

Chords are THE key. Learn the chords in a song inside & out, then you can play lots of interesting stuff that fits with whatever notes being accentuated in the chords, whenever it's appropriate of course.

[sabbath_of_bass]

Yeah... but I hate music without any talent. If its simple then throw in some different grooves in there. Just different timing or something. Make it more interesting. Make it more emotional... Ya know? Theres nothing good about playing the root note without any groove or anything. Its just boring.

The thing about the timing and upbeat and all that. Some of the craziest musicians cant do that. And its funny. they think they are so great but It doesnt mean a thing if you cant get into that groove. Its all about timing and feel.