You know…there ARE people out there that don’t advise you experiment. Even worse, there are teachers out there that don’t advise you experiment…

Just as an example. I’ve just had a chat with a fellow that doesn’t believe that I should be playing my bass the way I do. “It isn’t right” or isn’t “traditional”. There is a “certain” way to play and “certain” techniques are used…

Now, while I agree with him on the fact that there are techniques we should all be using (just to make our lives easier), I don’t agree that we should be constricting ourselves with rules and restrictions. People seem to think that the bass guitar is what it is, and nothing will change that. Everything is already created, and you MUST adhere to certain traits.

The bass is young. It’s evolving ALL the time. Even quicker now we have the net. What would have happened if people had told Larry Graham to stop that slapping and popping business. It isn’t “the way you play bass”. Or Les Claypool, Jaco, Flea, Stanley Clarke? How is an instrument going to evolve if we don’t open our minds and experiment? How will we grow?

It’s only human to experiment. To play. That’s how we invent new things. So my advise to you is try anything. Learn the basics, and then make noise. If you are happy and comfortable with that noise, then who is to tell you any different?

Maintain the low-end. Support the drums. Anything after that is fair game!

Most importantly…have fun…

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