im a guitarist and...

[wammy_bar]

my bassist says he will learn to play anesthesia (pulling teeth) by metallica, is tis a very challenging song for bass or not or is it kinda medium, i cant really tell cause i don really play on a bass so is it hard?

[Machines]

It's pretty average in the grand scheme of things. Challenging to a beginner but not someone relatively experienced.

[Left Shoe]

hes right^

[Phalanx]

Anesthesia is a incredibly easy song to play.

And it sucks

[wammy_bar]

okay, hes kinda a beginner but we started the band and i just needed to see if hes ready ide say he is if he can play that.

[BassVirtuoso]

Being able to play a bass solo has nothing to do with how good you will be in a band.

[wammy_bar]

what r the major factor then?

[Phalanx]

keeping time, connecting well with the drums, being your average cool dude

if he can do that, then he will do fine. Being able to do lots of fancy stuff on bass doesn't really get you anywhere in a band. I almost think of it as if there are two sides to bass. Rhythm and flashy stuff. Being good at rhythm and playing as the bass in bands is a skill only experience gives you, the flashy stuff is gained through practicing. Connecting the two together can only be done once you have a firm grasp on both concepts

[wammy_bar]

oh

well hes got that established, he knows about playing with people cause he played other instruments as well, and he plays with a jazz group occasionally so im sure hes fine with that, but skillwise if he can play that im sure hell be fine for now.

[BassVirtuoso]

If he's good enough to play with a jazz group I don't think it will be neccesary.

[sixner]

^(to phalanx) mmmhm

though i like to get a bit flashy some times ;) thats just me. gotta pick your moments though. dont step on any toes.

but generally, keep the rythem going.. add alot of overall power to the song's..

-sixner

[Phalanx]

^(to phalanx) mmmhm

though i like to get a bit flashy some times ;) thats just me. gotta pick your moments though. dont step on any toes.

but generally, keep the rythem going.. add alot of overall power to the song's..

-sixner

Hey, I couldn't think of a better word for flashy (unless I just used some neologism) but yeah, it's always good to add a bass fill here and there.

My favourite part of band playing is the use of rhythm changes. I absolutely hate playing straight 8ths or 16ths because it's boring so I always play different rhythm to make it more interesting. Shame because my guitarist usually tells me off for doing it when playing metal

[Killer Fridge]

Hey, I couldn't think of a better word for flashy (unless I just used some neologism) but yeah, it's always good to add a bass fill here and there.

My favourite part of band playing is the use of rhythm changes. I absolutely hate playing straight 8ths or 16ths because it's boring so I always play different rhythm to make it more interesting. Shame because my guitarist usually tells me off for doing it when playing metal

Straight hemidemisemi-quavers ftw :thumb:

[BassRevelation1029]

my bassist says he will learn to play anesthesia (pulling teeth) by metallica, is tis a very challenging song for bass or not or is it kinda medium, i cant really tell cause i don really play on a bass so is it hard?
one of the first songs i learned. Not challenging whatsoever. Remembering all of it is probably the biggest problem, but just get him to practice hard.

[mastrrbasser]

goal of a bassist(imo):
support the band
connect with the drums
support the soloist
connect the rhythm to the melody
shake some asses
shake some more asses
Shake even more ssses

then worry about flasyness.



did i mention that his lines should get some asses shaking?


anesthesia is a pretty simple song, it's mainly just arpeggios played with distortion and wah. I'm sure if he's just a beginner on bass it will get his fingers moving nicely, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor of his readyness to play in a band setting though because there isn't a band in that song. I would say your average run of the mill rock bassline would be more of a deciding factor. You guys should just jam and have fun, because when he gets serious he'll improve rather quickly.

[peeted]

its the beginers bass solo

[MyFriendOfMisery]

I think its a little harder than these people give it credit. Keep in mind they are pretty experienced bass players that have a good amount of time playing. If he is new at playing bass it will be tough for him to learn. I'm not saying its the hardest song ever, but it is about average harder to play songs category.

The second part of the song maybe a little fast for a begginning bass player.

[Chris K]

it's very irritating. I need anaesthetic just to sit through the whole thing.

[peeted]

i found that the hardest bit was having the patience to actualy sit down and learn the whole thing, gets very boring very fast.

[[ Absolut Terror ]]

Anesthesia : Bass :: Eruption : Guitar.
not skillwise, but just that anyone would pick those songs [depending on instrument] blindly.
in other words, it's too generic. he should find something original yet skillful to cover.

[wammy_bar]

considering this is easy, i want to see him do it, then i will maybe request the band to learn maybe a dt song, i know overture so i can help him with the weird time sigs, and i wont expect himt o do the intro run wsithout a pick. maybe not at all.

[katana_manatee]

If the guy is trying to show his worth in bass playing he should be more bothered about playing relatively simple lines well with good feel and in time rather than trying to learn a flashy type piece.

Compared to a lot of bass pieces out there, anesthesia is fairly tame. It is an ok piece later on but for the most part it is not much special.

[moghes69]

i can never listen to the song past the point where the drums come in. thus i have only learned up to that part and found it rediculously easy to play. i don't know if it gets harder, nor do i have the desire to listen and find out.

[sr800bkBassist]

Being able to play a bass solo has nothing to do with how good you will be in a band.
100000% agreed.

[sr800bkBassist]

what r the major factor then?
being able to write intelligent music and pull his own weight.

[cmogawa]

pulling teeth was my first bass solo thing that i learned
i thought it was pretty cool at the time

not really my thing now

slap , tapping , DT , harmonics
but i suck at keeping rythem lol

[bassistuvdoom731]

not really my thing now

slap , tapping , DT , harmonics
but i suck at keeping rythem lol

Don't play with fire if you can't light a match.

After all, if you cant light the match, there wont be any fire to play with.

Thats no fun at all.

[mastrrbasser]

considering this is easy, i want to see him do it


you don't get it do you. It's a dumb bass solo, it's not going to effect his abilities to support a band at all, which is the fundimental role of the bass. Have him learn something useful if you want to hear him play something.

[Duncster]

considering this is easy, i want to see him do it, then i will maybe request the band to learn maybe a dt song, i know overture so i can help him with the weird time sigs, and i wont expect himt o do the intro run wsithout a pick. maybe not at all.
Most Dream Theater songs will definitely be harder then Anesthesia.

[museic]

man if a guitarist wanted me to learn anesthesia just so i could be in a band with him i would tell him to find another bassist... its really not about playing some lame solo. even if he does learn it, its not going to help you guage how good he is.. just jam with the guy

[Aukai]

Actually if he's been in Jazz band and stuff like that, he should be trying you out to play with him, just my thoughts.

[Phalanx]

if he plays in a jazz band, i wouldn't expect him to want to play anesthesia

[Duncster]

if he plays in a jazz band, i wouldn't expect him to want to play anesthesia
Why? I've never met a bassist who didn't think it was an awesome solo. (in real life) The chances of him not liking it are pretty slim. And its hella fun to play.

[Phalanx]

Why? I've never met a bassist who didn't think it was an awesome solo. (in real life) The chances of him not liking it are pretty slim. And its hella fun to play.

really? gosh :amaze:

[sr800bkBassist]

Why? I've never met a bassist who didn't think it was an awesome solo. (in real life)
that's probably because you hang out with a bunch of kids with acne that wear Metallica and Megadeth shirts and like to headbang while their moms drop them off at school.

anyway, after hearing much more in-depth instrumental music, you realize Pulling Teeth is very shallow and almost pointless. it sounds more like a 15 year old who just bought a new distortion pedal so he goes in his room and records himself playing some stuff he thinks is really rockin' so he can post it on an internet forum.


EDIT: i'd also like to note that the ability to play another musician's challenging work is the best way to hide that you have no creative blood in your body.

[Phalanx]

that's probably because you hang out with a bunch of kids with acne that wear Metallica and Megadeth shirts and like to headbang while their moms drop them off at school.

anyway, after hearing much more in-depth instrumental music, you realize Pulling Teeth is very shallow and almost pointless. it sounds more like a 15 year old who just bought a new distortion pedal so he goes in his room and records himself playing some stuff he thinks is really rockin' so he can post it on an internet forum.


EDIT: i'd also like to note that the ability to play another musician's challenging work is the best way to hide that you have no creative blood in your body.

That's exactly how I couldn't put it. Thanks man :thumb:

[Dare2Poke]

that's probably because you hang out with a bunch of kids with acne that wear Metallica and Megadeth shirts and like to headbang while their moms drop them off at school.

anyway, after hearing much more in-depth instrumental music, you realize Pulling Teeth is very shallow and almost pointless. it sounds more like a 15 year old who just bought a new distortion pedal so he goes in his room and records himself playing some stuff he thinks is really rockin' so he can post it on an internet forum.


EDIT: i'd also like to note that the ability to play another musician's challenging work is the best way to hide that you have no creative blood in your body.
I don't believe that applies if you're only using that music for challenge, practice, or education. However, I think playing another musician's work for show is pointless.

[sr800bkBassist]

I don't believe that applies if you're only using that music for challenge, practice, or education. However, I think playing another musician's work for show is pointless.
that's what i meant.
i meant that you could do it if you want to, but if you had no creativity of your own, THEN it'd be simple to fake everyone out.

[EADG]

Straight hemidemisemi-quavers ftw :thumb:


Isn't it hemisemidemi... not hemidemisemi?

[Munky_Jam]

I don't believe that applies if you're only using that music for challenge, practice, or education. However, I think playing another musician's work for show is pointless.
STFU N00B :smash:
actually just kidding man and welcome to the forums.
however i do disagree, covers are fun (for both the audience and the band, and the audience is the one you'll be being paid to entertain) and can show great creativity, taking someone elses song and transforming it is harder than it sounds if you do it well (particualarly look at Joe Cocker and Jose Feliciano even richard cheese for popular examples).
to thread starter hows this sound for a way to test him out. Play a chord progression at him and get him to jam along. Play the style you're going to play, and just jam. if it sounds good and if he can groove then you're set. that my friend is the only way to do it.

[MyFriendOfMisery]

Covering other people's stuff can help you build techniques and help your ear if your trying to learn it be ear. It can also help you learn a different way of writing a bassline. Some people try to hide behind that by playing songs that look or song hard to cover up their creativity like some people above me have said. I'm not that good at jamming with people because I've haven't had enough experence playing with a guitarist or drummer. When I was playing with a few guitarists I felt that creativity starting to come out, but then we stopped playing together because some things came up.

Being able to jam isn't completely natural ability. Play with him for a while and if you think he will fit with the band then let him in. But don't expect him to play like a veteran if he has no prior experence.

[Munky_Jam]

thats also a very true aspect of just jamming with him. If you're willing to put the time into gettign him up to a level you're happy with thats great but you might not be too so remember to possibly keep an eye out for someone else.
Also send him along here alot of encouragement and sharing of knowledge goes on here

[Duncster]

that's probably because you hang out with a bunch of kids with acne that wear Metallica and Megadeth shirts and like to headbang while their moms drop them off at school.

anyway, after hearing much more in-depth instrumental music, you realize Pulling Teeth is very shallow and almost pointless. it sounds more like a 15 year old who just bought a new distortion pedal so he goes in his room and records himself playing some stuff he thinks is really rockin' so he can post it on an internet forum.


EDIT: i'd also like to note that the ability to play another musician's challenging work is the best way to hide that you have no creative blood in your body.
**** You
I probably know more about music then you do. If anyone badmouthed Anesthesia 6 months ago they be flamed like mad :rolleyes: This whole place is a trend.
I'm sorry the music I listen to doesn't put me on that high pedastal I only wish I could be on to enjoy the real proper music you do.:rolleyes:

[HaVIC5]

Whoa, tempers are flaring here. Calm down. Debating ad hominem isn't the greatest way to get your point across.

EDIT: i'd also like to note that the ability to play another musician's challenging work is the best way to hide that you have no creative blood in your body.

Disagree in the fullest. Are you actually to say that we should not learn from others' work? Are you actually saying that dissecting another person's creative work and playing it has no creative value for yourself? If we don't analyze and examine the great solos, tunes, charts, standards and performances, what will we have to build on to create our own voice within the greater scheme of things? Nothing.

[low-G]

that's probably because you hang out with a bunch of kids with acne that wear Metallica and Megadeth shirts and like to headbang while their moms drop them off at school.

anyway, after hearing much more in-depth instrumental music, you realize Pulling Teeth is very shallow and almost pointless. it sounds more like a 15 year old who just bought a new distortion pedal so he goes in his room and records himself playing some stuff he thinks is really rockin' so he can post it on an internet forum.


.

not true
i've heard alot of "in-depth" music and still think Anesthesia rocks

its easy to play, and not very intricately arranged, but you find me a bass solo that rocks harder
ESPECIALLY when the drums come in

[sr800bkBassist]

Whoa, tempers are flaring here. Calm down. Debating ad hominem isn't the greatest way to get your point across.



Disagree in the fullest. Are you actually to say that we should not learn from others' work? Are you actually saying that dissecting another person's creative work and playing it has no creative value for yourself? If we don't analyze and examine the great solos, tunes, charts, standards and performances, what will we have to build on to create our own voice within the greater scheme of things? Nothing.
read my post after that, elaborating on it.

i said it's cool to play if you want, but when you do know how to play it, many many people use it as a wall to block people from realizing they've never composed anything of their own (successfully).

[sr800bkBassist]

**** You
I probably know more about music then you do. If anyone badmouthed Anesthesia 6 months ago they be flamed like mad :rolleyes: This whole place is a trend.
I'm sorry the music I listen to doesn't put me on that high pedastal I only wish I could be on to enjoy the real proper music you do.:rolleyes:
1.) no, you don't know more about music than me. i probably don't know more than you either. i know a hell of a lot about the avant-garde, experimental style of musicians over the past 70 years, i don't know hardly anything about styles of music such as street-punk, thrash, etc. you have your own area. i was pointing out that Cliff just wanked like an idiot trying to be exprimental.

2.) i've been bashing "Anesthesia" and Cliff, in general, for years. older members may be able to confirm this.

STFU N00B :smash:
actually just kidding man and welcome to the forums.
however i do disagree, covers are fun (for both the audience and the band, and the audience is the one you'll be being paid to entertain) and can show great creativity, taking someone elses song and transforming it is harder than it sounds if you do it well (particualarly look at Joe Cocker and Jose Feliciano even richard cheese for popular examples).
to thread starter hows this sound for a way to test him out. Play a chord progression at him and get him to jam along. Play the style you're going to play, and just jam. if it sounds good and if he can groove then you're set. that my friend is the only way to do it.
regarding covers, when i go see a band, i expect them to play their originals that i love. i don't want to hear The Beatles play a Stones song, i want a freaking Beatles song from the Beatles. same goes for my favorite local bands (not crappy going-nowhere garage bands, but real local bands who are active in touring and recording albums). if i go see one of my friends' bands, i want to hear THEM. same goes for my own bands. i write my own music.

[HaVIC5]

i said it's cool to play if you want, but when you do know how to play it, many many people use it as a wall to block people from realizing they've never composed anything of their own (successfully).

Just think of the many more that have composed something of their own, being inspired by a certain work. I certainly have. I can see your point, but I think you're looking at it a little too narrowly.

[mastrrbasser]

i have a friend (not really a friend actually, i hate the kid) who is in an incubus tribute band"until they write their own songs". The only original song they have is from the guitarists old band, so that's technically a cover too. He's been playing the same incubus songs since 8th grade. I was in aband with him, and while we were jamming, he'd play incubus riffs. He relyd on learning other peoples music as a crutch and can't write to save his life (i wrote most of his guitar parts when he was in my band). They don't even play the good incubus songs that are technically hard to play, it's "nice to know you" and songs like that.

[Malicious Faith]

Being a bassist myself, I feel that bass is a very important part of the music. Where as drums will hold the beat, and guitar may have the main sound for a riff, it's the bass that adds that extra something. It almost adds a third dimension to thicken the music and give it a 3D image in someones head.

Therefore it isnt vital to have someone who can play bass riffs and solos like a les claypool as such, but that doesn't mean that he cant be experimental, playing around with scales and octaves.

[killfile]

**** You
I probably know more about music then you do. If anyone badmouthed Anesthesia 6 months ago they be flamed like mad This whole place is a trend.
I'm sorry the music I listen to doesn't put me on that high pedastal I only wish I could be on to enjoy the real proper music you do.

You're an idiot.

[mastrrbasser]

You're an idiot.


I agree.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Why? I've never met a bassist who didn't think it was an awesome solo. (in real life)

You can come and meet me, and I'll tell you that it's boring to listen to. I know other people that would tell you that it's boring to listen to as well.

[British Beef]

it's very irritating. I need anaesthetic just to sit through the whole thing.

123, for all my love of metallica... just eughhh :amaze:

[RideTheTiger]

I think its a little harder than these people give it credit. Keep in mind they are pretty experienced bass players that have a good amount of time playing. If he is new at playing bass it will be tough for him to learn. I'm not saying its the hardest song ever, but it is about average harder to play songs category.

The second part of the song maybe a little fast for a begginning bass player.

123. Many ppl claim they know how to play it, but I've yet to come across a recording of anyone playing it even close to good. When most ppl think of pulling teeth they think of the arpeggio-part in the beginning but that's like 10% of the song and it get's alot harder from there.

So to those who say it's a really bad and ridiculusly easy song(Phalanx, mastrrbasser or maybe even sr800bkBassist) , give me a video or recording of you playing it. Untill then, shut the **** up._.


To Threadstarter: I think you should give the guy a chance, maybe let him in for a trial period. I mean, a band is a place to learn and improve. You don't have to be great from start and then stay at the same level.

[HaVIC5]

It doesn't matter if it's easy or not. It's bad. It's wankery. Theres some "wankery" songs that I learn for study purposes, like Classical Thump (Vic Wooten said that it was originally written as a DT etude rather than an actual piece), but I don't find much of any redeeming technical or musical value in Anesthesia.

That said, I guess it's a decent enough piece for beginning-intermediates to get their feet wet in the realm of "lead bass", so long as they realize that it isn't even close to the be-all end-all bass solo.

[Roo_bass]

Whoa, tempers are flaring here. Calm down. Debating ad hominem isn't the greatest way to get your point across.



Disagree in the fullest. Are you actually to say that we should not learn from others' work? Are you actually saying that dissecting another person's creative work and playing it has no creative value for yourself? If we don't analyze and examine the great solos, tunes, charts, standards and performances, what will we have to build on to create our own voice within the greater scheme of things? Nothing.
Someone has done critical thinking.

[d-mart]

123. Many ppl claim they know how to play it, but I've yet to come across a recording of anyone playing it even close to good. When most ppl think of pulling teeth they think of the arpeggio-part in the beginning but that's like 10% of the song and it get's alot harder from there.

So to those who say it's a really bad and ridiculusly easy song(Phalanx, mastrrbasser or maybe even sr800bkBassist) , give me a video or recording of you playing it. Untill then, shut the **** up._.


To Threadstarter: I think you should give the guy a chance, maybe let him in for a trial period. I mean, a band is a place to learn and improve. You don't have to be great from start and then stay at the same level.

It IS a really bad song and it IS relatively easy, im pretty sure alot of people on these boards could play it.

The reason you haven't seen a video of someone playing it is beasuse of the above reasons. I know full well i could play it but its the fact that i really could'nt be bothered and would much rather spend my time making my own music.

[Akira]

Debating ad hominem isn't the greatest way to get your point across.
That was intentional irony, right?

[sr800bkBassist]

123. Many ppl claim they know how to play it, but I've yet to come across a recording of anyone playing it even close to good. When most ppl think of pulling teeth they think of the arpeggio-part in the beginning but that's like 10% of the song and it get's alot harder from there.

So to those who say it's a really bad and ridiculusly easy song(Phalanx, mastrrbasser or maybe even sr800bkBassist) , give me a video or recording of you playing it. Untill then, shut the **** up._.


To Threadstarter: I think you should give the guy a chance, maybe let him in for a trial period. I mean, a band is a place to learn and improve. You don't have to be great from start and then stay at the same level.
i never said it was ridiculously easy. i said it was a simple-minded song, and was written with the musical creativity of a goldfish.

so if my point was that it was pathetic songwriting, why would i post a recording of myself playing his song to prove myself? it wouldn't prove that it was good songwriting.
i write my own stuff. sometimes to practice my singing i cover Beatles songs, but that's to practice my voice until i start applying it to my own songs. but in band situations, i NEVER cover anything. do you think the Beatles became famous from playing Elvis songs? no, they wrote their own songs and became a one-of-a-kind band.

[HaVIC5]

That was intentional irony, right?
I don't see any irony in it. If there was, the debating ad hominem would not be fallacious. If accusing someone of arguing ad hominem, and therefore arguing a false point, were to be considered a personal attack itself, then the very act of pointing out the flaw in the argument (a sort of Heisenburg principle of logic) would be flawed and so there would be a contradiction, and all ad hominem arguments would be tautological. Which actually would be cool...

Person A: Please chain your dog, it always is running around my yard and digging up my garden!
Person B: Yo' Momma!

Person B wins.

[Malicious Faith]

I dont really like that song at all personally. As good as cliff was and I DO respect him, it just sounds really like hes wanking on with his bass. And I am a big fan of metallica, so I'm not some guy who hates them having a shot. Jason Newsted was my original influence into playing bass.

[Akira]

I don't see any irony in it. If there was, the debating ad hominem would not be fallacious. If accusing someone of arguing ad hominem, and therefore arguing a false point, were to be considered a personal attack itself, then the very act of pointing out the flaw in the argument (a sort of Heisenburg principle of logic) would be flawed and so there would be a contradiction, and all ad hominem arguments would be tautological. Which actually would be cool...

Person A: Please chain your dog, it always is running around my yard and digging up my garden!
Person B: Yo' Momma!

Person B wins.
Well I don't mean it as an insult to you, I just just saying that you are commenting on effective debate technique. On an internet forum of musicians, how many people do you think know what "ad hominem" means?

[HaVIC5]

Well I don't mean it as an insult to you, I just just saying that you are commenting on effective debate technique. On an internet forum of musicians, how many people do you think know what "ad hominem" means?
Oh I see. Point taken. :p