Inspiration

[ChristophTBM]

Ok, simple question(s), but maybe a looooong answer. Maybe.

Question is, who/what inspires you to keep playing bass? Who do you look up to? Who makes you think "**** I'm never going to be that good" but you try anyway?

Answers on my desk when you finish

For me, my main influence and inspiration is Les Claypool, not only is he the funkiest guy alive, his personality reflects mine, bit quirky but a lot of people hate me.
Pink Floyd also helps me along. If I'm falling on hard times trying to be inspired to write something new I'll have a listen to Animals/DSotM or something.
Recently I've also been listening to Meshuggah, for a bit of timing inspiration. Good **** man.

Your turn(s)
GOGOGO

[EADG]

I keep playing because it's what I love to do

I'm not that concerned with what everyone else is doing, if I'll be as good as them, if I'm better than them, because I'm not them.

I am influenced by other people and I do learn from them.. but I don't flat out try to imitate anyone because that is pointless. Being a musician is part of a brotherhood, you all learn from each other and use what you've learned to create your own impression on others.

[One Groovin Clown]

I keep playing because it's what I love to do

I'm not that concerned with what everyone else is doing, if I'll be as good as them, if I'm better than them, because I'm not them.

I am influenced by other people and I do learn from them.. but I don't flat out try to imitate anyone because that is pointless. Being a musician is part of a brotherhood, you all learn from each other and use what you've learned to create your own impression on others.

+1.

[Jimbobntnr]

I like the way the bass shakes my innards while I'm on stage.

[:amaze:]

I keep playing because it's what I love to do

I'm not that concerned with what everyone else is doing, if I'll be as good as them, if I'm better than them, because I'm not them.

I am influenced by other people and I do learn from them.. but I don't flat out try to imitate anyone because that is pointless. Being a musician is part of a brotherhood, you all learn from each other and use what you've learned to create your own impression on others.


this, except i don't know about the brotherhood business ... sounds kinda fruity to me, haha.

also, because playing live might one of the top 3 most fun things i've ever done.




:amaze:

[peeted]

I dont really have to be inspired to play, i just love creating music i enjoy listening to with other people. To be quite honest (this is pretty sad) my only real motivation for improvement is the fact that its rare that my band plays a gig were I'm not the strongest bassist there, and when I'm not i just practice my *** of for months to make sure that it isn't the case if we play with whatever band it is who had a stronger bass player again. Its an ego thing really, i just like to be the best.

[Left Shoe]

I keep playing because it's what I love to do

I'm not that concerned with what everyone else is doing, if I'll be as good as them, if I'm better than them, because I'm not them.

I am influenced by other people and I do learn from them.. but I don't flat out try to imitate anyone because that is pointless. Being a musician is part of a brotherhood, you all learn from each other and use what you've learned to create your own impression on others.

matthew karas and i agree on this, but not taoism

[blacklungfever]

I'm gonna make a big sign for my wall the says 'PLAY BASS.' I don't play enough.

As for inspiration, none has come of late. I need to get my reggae band back together, so maybe I'll play more.

[EADG]

matthew karas and i agree on this, but not taoism


See but I like Taoism

you don't


Therefore we generate perfect harmonious balance



Phil you just give off excessive yang

[EADG]

this, except i don't know about the brotherhood business ... sounds kinda fruity to me, haha.



I don't know, what would you call it?

[Left Shoe]

See but I like Taoism

you don't


Therefore we generate perfect harmonious balance



Phil you just give off excessive yang

i bet you like my yang in your ya ya el oh el

[EADG]

i bet you like my yang in your ya ya el oh el


More liek like ur yang in mah yin

[Left Shoe]

yin doesnt sound slang enof for vag

[EADG]

yin doesnt sound slang enof for vag


I know but I don't have a vag tbh so it never made sense to begin with

[Left Shoe]

oh shi...good point.

[Thor_McDee]

My favortie influences would have to be flea from red hot chili peppers
im not shure his name but the guy from carps my best buddie slinco and just rock it self

[The_Red_Death]

I have a lot of influences, really, but most of them aren't strictly bass-related. My first main influence to start playing was my older brother. He played bass for years, and then he offered to teach me, so I got a bass, he came home from university for a week, and showed me the basics. He also got me started on acoustic guitar a year or so later.

Other really influential bassists for me are Ed Breckenridge from Thrice, Mic Todd from Coheed and Cambria, and Matt Rubano from Taking Back Sunday. Stu Hamm was also an inspiration for me to really start taking bass seriously. But as I said, I'm not limited to just bassists. Teppei Teranishi, also from Thrice, inspires me to be a better all-around musician, as well as Andrew McMahon, Jesse Lacey, etc.

[Weezer]

I don't really have inspirations anymore. I did when I first started, but I don't care anymore.

Can I ask you a question? What inspired you to make this thread?

[irishslappop]

life.

[Duncster]

I guess my real inspiration is that I want to be the best musician on the planet. And although I know that will never happen, and that I will never come remotely close, that if I don't try that there is no chance I can ever come close. sort of. That, and that I plan on supporting my life with music which will take a hell of a lot of work. I guess I look up to Justin Chancellor the most at the moment, but thats solely because I saw tool last week. But other dudes that inspire me and that I look up too are (well this really is just too hard to answer but) Wooten, Bill Bruford, Claypool, Steve DiGeorgio(sp), John Coltrane, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Vai, Tim Alexander, Dave Gilmour, Francis Rocco Prestia, The Ox and the song Maggot Brain :lol:
Edit: Oh and my drummer Jesse really inspires me a lot as well :p

[lemoley]

****...

i cant express what i want to say in words

[grieverOSOK]

the need to create keeps me going. i found bass to be the way in which i can most effectively and most enjoyable voice myself in an artistic way. its a way of bringing peace to myself knowing that i can pick it up and create something i find beautiful and express my emotions without sayign a word. i dont have a bass player that i strive to be liek though. when i started i originally looked up to justin chancellor. i still think hes a great player but i have my own style now and id much rather play liek me than try to play liek soemone else. i figure they ahve their way fo playign and i have mine. im a ddicted to the act of playing bass and playing it is enough to keep me playing

[Jaded]

Why would I continue playing bass because of someone else? The bassists that have inspired me to grow musically are Steve Swallow, Bootsy Collins and whoever plays bass in Groundation.

[ChristophTBM]

People seem to misunderstand.

I'm not asking who makes you play, I'm asking who inspires you to play. As in different musicians. I know you all play because you want to, you're not ****ing robots.
Try again!

[deemo]

song writers give me more inspiration to play and write songs as opposed to bass players. biggest inspiration at the moment would be kevin barnes from of montreal. that man can write a tune.

[crazyjake19]

I keep playing just because I love it. It's creative, interesting, and a hell of a lot of fun. I am inspired by others to play certain things, or certain styles, or use certain techniques. However, I'm never inspired by trying to be better than anyone else. I never see someone play something amazing and then say "I need to be better than them." Vic Wooten is definitely my favorite bassist and one of my main musical inspirations as well.

[tomtom]

constantly not feeling up to standard, even though people tell me i'm a solid player.

[badtaste]

Question is, who/what inspires you to keep playing bass? Who do you look up to? Who makes you think "**** I'm never going to be that good" but you try anyway?



Who inspires me? Well, right now, no one in particular. What inspires me? I just want to make music.

Right now, there are no bassists amazing me at the moment. However, musicians and groups in general: Dream Theater (old DT... new DT absolutely sucks balls); Aphex Twin; The Misfits; and Danzig (I'm not joking).

All have their +s.

[Claypool22]

My inspiration comes from bassists like Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorius, John Myung, Billy Sheehan, Rocco Prestia, and Michael Manring.

[Jaded]

thats gnar gnar