Author Topic: Skill vs. quality instruments...? (Read 339 times)

mike13 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 08, 2008, 08:35:10 PM »

I started with Alembic pick ups in a Fender Jazz about 1990,then got my Essence in 93 WOW!!! whole differant sound.Have the pick ups in my Nanyo Fretless now untill I find an Essence fretless

white_cloud · « **Reply #31 on:** February 09, 2008, 03:04:04 AM »

Thats a nice Essence!

Mike, yes Alembics are unforgiving of sloppy technique and they do indeed help you evolve as a player!

Rami, you have just mastered the ten J.S.Bach pieces? You must have incredible chops! I just listen to that stuff and think forget it

John.

rami · « **Reply #32 on:** February 09, 2008, 06:50:09 AM »

You can do it too John - If I can learn that stuff, believe me ANYONE can. It just takes alot of determination and time. If anyone lived with me, they'd lose their minds from the constant repetitive practicing. But the great reward is picking up my Series II and playing that stuff. It's almost a religious experience. The Series II is a regal instrument that deserves a high degree of respect.
You don't learn to drive in a Rolls Royce!

glocke · « **Reply #33 on:** February 09, 2008, 07:01:08 AM »

Playing and memorizing that Bach material is pretty impressive. I can play some of it, as long as the music is in front of me, but I dont think Id ever be able to memorize it.....

BTW, that fretless essence is a nice looking bass....

rami · « **Reply #34 on:** February 10, 2008, 08:57:46 AM »

You can definitely do it Greg. When I'd watch Classical soloists play, I would always wonder what it took to play like that. The secret is hours and hours and hours and hours and hours of practicing, over and over and over and over and over again. You practice until you hate it, lose sleep over it and become totally obsessed with it. You develop a love/hate relationship with the piece. It truly is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. And like eating an elephant, you take it one small bite at a time.

georgie_boy · « **Reply #35 on:** February 10, 2008, 09:10:45 AM »

The words of a true player!
Rami, where can I get hold of thes pieces??
I NEED to learn them

G

white_cloud · « **Reply #36 on:** February 10, 2008, 11:48:49 AM »

I dony know if its just me but I just dont have that kind of dedication - I just enjoy doodling!

I really appreciate great playing though, I remember the Jeff berlin piece Bach from his taking notes lp.....phenominal chops!

Jaco was a big Bach fan as well, chromatic fantasy from his word of mouth lp being a good example!
John.

rami · « **Reply #37 on:** February 10, 2008, 12:54:08 PM »

Hi George,

It's a Mel Bay publication entitled J.S. Bach For Bass by Josquin des Pres. It's easily available through your local music shop. It comes with a CD performed by Josquin des Pres. But don't get intimidated by the performances. Take up the challenge to make them your own.
I personally don't care much for his thin nasal tone. I prefer a bigger, harder tone. A Bass should still sound like a Bass. Always shake the ground!

Best of luck and enjoy!

Peace,

Rami

P.S. I don't recommend learning them on an Alembic. Save the Alembic until you've perfected the piece. When learning those pieces, sometimes the urge to toss your Bass out the window is a little overpowering. YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE AN ALEMBIC IN YOUR HANDS WHEN THAT FEELING COMES OVER YOU!!!

(Message edited by rami on February 10, 2008)

georgie_boy · « **Reply #38 on:** February 11, 2008, 11:04:21 AM »

Thanks Rami
I'll tr to play them on my Curbow and THEN on the SEries if I ever get the hang of them.
Got to go with the shake the ground idea!!
That's why I love 18

Thanks again

George

glocke · « **Reply #39 on:** February 11, 2008, 12:38:29 PM »

You can definitely do it Greg. When I'd watch Classical soloists play, I would always wonder what it took to play like that. The secret is hours and hours and hours and hours and hours of practicing, over and over and over and over and over again. You practice until you hate it, lose sleep over it and become totally obsessed with it. You develop a love/hate relationship with the piece. It truly is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. And like eating an elephant, you take it one small bite at a time.

I guess thats what it takes, lol...Ive gone through that book just to work on my reading and strengthen my fingers. These days its hard to find more than an hour a day to practice, probably watching too much tv...Guess I'll just pick a piece and try to memorize it...

Hope I have enough brain cells left for that...

rockbassist · « **Reply #40 on:** February 29, 2008, 02:22:23 PM »

Adriann is right on with his assessment. When I first played my Alembic I was horrified at how much I noticed the imperfections in my technique. I have several 70's era Fenders which I love but when I played them I never heard anything unusual. My playing and technique have improved substantially since getting my Alembic.

As far as whether or not you rate having such a great bass. It's your decision to play what you want to play regardless of what other people think. To borrow a line from Eddie and The Cruisers II Don't worry about being good enough, just go out there and play the best that you can play it. Congrats on the Alembic

rami · « **Reply #41 on:** February 29, 2008, 06:57:40 PM »

It's really about the music and your passion for it. I don't feel the instrument plays any role in my skill as a musician. I do all my practicing on my non-Alembics. The Alembics are the treat for when I've mastered each piece. If picking up an Alembic highlighted a flaw in my playing, I'd put it back down and practice some more...

jazzyvee · « **Reply #42 on:** March 01, 2008, 12:23:55 AM »

You are right Rami, the instrument doesn't play a part in your skill, but there is be an element of sheer satisfaction in play when you play an instrument that you really love which does not impede your performance and I believe that feeling can bring out another aspect of your playing.

I've become a better player since having my alembic basses but that's more to do with the fact that I want to play them, and do so far more than I did my previous basses.

I didn't get to where I am now by playing alembics, but the last few years since owning them has been a much better ride lol.

Jazzyvee

u14steelgtr · « **Reply #43 on:** March 01, 2008, 06:55:26 PM »

I have to disagree with Rami in part. Different instruments bring out in me a desire to try different types of music. The setup of one instrument may bring out my desire to play some slide while another instrument may inspire me to play some Swing, et cetera. So having a variety of instruments keeps me more motivated to practice and it gives me options which allow me to shift focus when I feel frustrated and need to try something else for a bit. All of this encourages practice; which improves skill. JazzyVee said something similar albeit with a different spin. The phrase which does not impede your performance is a critical point.

My Alembic is my least played guitar because it does not inspire me as much as my other instruments. But when I am in an Alembic mood it too is a source of inspiration.

Getting back the Neurotictim's question about too much bass; I think that extremely versatile but correspondingly complex active electronics can be an impediment to some players. The old joke which basically states beware of the man that owns only one hunting rifle... he probably knows how to make it work in every situation comes to mind. However I do not think that one can have too good a setup or too good a teacher.

But some people are better suited to having 1 volume control, 1 tone knob, and 1 pickup switch. Give them a parametric EQ and multiple Q-control presets, and it distracts them from focusing on their basic playing technique. A warehouse full of auto-shop tools you are not comfortable using will not help you if you really just want to learn to drive a car. However: comfortable seats, an ergonomic cabin, and user-friendly controls will make you a lot more willing to practice your driving.

I would rather learn to drive in an obsessively maintained Rolls Royce than a jalopy with no synchronizers in the transmission and really bad brakes.

-E

(Message edited by u14steelgtr on March 01, 2008)

freefuzz · « **Reply #44 on:** March 03, 2008, 03:21:22 AM »

expensive sportscars aren't built for race drivers. fancy suv's aren't built for offroad freaks. expensive watches aren't worn by people who have to be on time. mansions are not built for people who live at home.
..really the audience couldn't care less what instrument we're playing if the band is grooving. go to any 3rd world country to see what kind of equipment they need to give you the joy of music. and don't forget to explain your alembic fetish to them. =)
having a work of art to play on is great, but it is a luxury, and not a necessity. and i think that should be kept in mind.

Author Topic: Skill vs. quality instruments...? (Read 339 times)

white_cloud

white_cloud