Bass Messages by Richard Thomas

1. Re: Overrated
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Theory Forum · 40 Hits · 9/29/2003 2:46 AM
   By understanding theory you can learn from others experience and take the music further along rather than try to figure it all from the begining. It also helps to allow for more efficent communication between musicians. On the other hand theory ...(more)
2. Re: How would you define smooth Jazz?
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Open Forum · 33 Hits · 9/26/2003 8:04 PM
   It seems to me Smooth Jazz comes from musicians with a R&B background. To borrow from Louis Armstong, "Hot can be cool and cool can be hot and smooth can be cool and each can be both. But hot cool or smooth man. Jazz is Jazz." ;) Something l...(more)
3. Re: Question on 'handedness'
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Double Bass Forum · 98 Hits · 2/13/2001 1:37 AM
   Yep it would never work to restring the bass left handed. The board is gonna be shaped wrong also. Better to have a bass made for you then to rebuild a bass to be southpaw friendly. Richard Thomas
4. Re: Music Theory in Print?
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Theory Forum · 63 Hits · 2/7/2001 11:25 PM
   If you check out used book stores around colleges you can find cheap used theory books or no longer used ones for next to nothing. I enjoy working thru them just to see the different ways the same info is presented. The books aren't bass specifi...(more)
5. Re: school
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Double Bass Forum · 41 Hits · 1/24/2001 1:58 AM
   I don't think Ed is talking down to you, only passing on some hard earned info. I have had a very similar route to the double bass and can tell you a good teacher that can prevent any poor habits is the way to go. I can promise you that you'll h...(more)
6. Re: I CANT RELAX, can you?
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Open Forum · 47 Hits · 12/6/2000 1:11 AM
   I can relate to your problem. I had the same thing happen every time I had jurys in college. Playing in front of just a couple of people I knew and respected made my performance suffer. After a few times though I got better at keeping my focus. ...(more)
7. Re: Does knowing theory means better bass player or musician ?
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Miscellaneous Forum · 36 Hits · 12/3/2000 11:50 PM
   I know a few guys that seem to be masters of theory and have a terrible feel for playing also. But there is a difference between a musician and a bassist. A bassist can play songs he has learned on a bass. A musician has a deeper understanding o...(more)
8. Re: Giving Lessons
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   Open Forum · 86 Hits · 11/30/2000 2:31 PM
   It sounds like this must be your first crack at giving lessons. I've kept all my material from first teacher to college work. If you don't have material like that to fall back on try a book that will help you find a curriculum to follow. I've fo...(more)
9. Re: Lesson Ratings
   
   Richard Thomas (331)
   ActiveBass Forum · 44 Hits · 11/23/2000 1:49 AM
   For the most part when I give a 1 it's because it's a poorly concieved lesson and it doesn't add anything. It's nice to see beginners add their 2 cents but face it some of the lessons are counter productive and one I saw today looked like it was...(more)
10. Re: College
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Open Forum · 79 Hits · 11/22/2000 1:22 PM
    It sounds like you might be talking about University of North Texas. If that's the case I wouldn't be offended by the Double Bass requirement. If your son wishes to really get everything out of a Jazz performance degree as a bassist he should be...(more)
11. Re: Which bass player has the best tone you have ever heard?
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Artists Forum · 16 Hits · 11/20/2000 3:04 AM
    I'd take Marcus Miller's tone any day both slap and fretless tones are awesome!
12. Re: New to the Bass
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Double Bass Forum · 21 Hits · 11/20/2000 3:00 AM
    Hi Jimbo, It's great to hear you're in a high school jazz program. Some of the best bassists get a great start in those classes. About starting the Double Bass, this is the perfect time to start and get some good instruction from both a bass ins...(more)
13. Re: how you go about learning a song...
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Open Forum · 58 Hits · 11/19/2000 7:23 PM
    I've found that it's easy to figure out songs if you follow an outline, after awhile you will be able to recognize patterns in different songs and the whole process will move faster. Another benefit is when you're faking your way thru a song it...(more)
14. Re: Slap URB
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Double Bass Forum · 11 Hits · 11/19/2000 7:07 PM
    I know several top bassists in my area who have struggled with playing related injury. I have no idea about the hillbilly bassist's situation but I do know that it pays to be careful with your technique and to be warmed up properly. I have strai...(more)
15. Great Bassists all from one band
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Artists Forum · 75 Hits · 11/16/2000 3:44 AM
    I was just thinking how many of the great bassists of jazz came from one bandleaders band, Miles Davis. Do you think Miles had a thing for bass. Following the history of his bands is almost a mirror of the the development of the bass in jazz and...(more)
16. Re: 10 Influential Bassists for Your Style of Music
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Artists Forum · 117 Hits · 11/16/2000 3:05 AM
    Paul Chambers Scott Lafaro Ray Brown Ron Carter Chuck Rainey George Porter Jr. Jaco Marcus Miller John Entwistle N.H.O.P.
17. Re: Timing & Rhythm - Suggestions
    
    Richard Thomas (331)
    Instructional Forum · 23 Hits · 11/16/2000 1:02 AM
    Alot of the time when I notice bassists having trouble with the their time or playing rhythmns with conviction it's due to not really being sure of what they should be playing. If it's trouble with reading rhythmns break it down to each measure ...(more)