Deification!!!

Today on @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, we talk "Deification of players, bands and genres". Now, this was a subject I covered way back in the first few installments of these talks. However, based on some discussions recently, I feel it needs to be revisited. We all have someone or something that inspires us. People or things that give us a reason to practice and improve. This is great..except when, IMO, it goes too far. You may love (insert player or band here) and are in awe of their ability, but they are not Jesus..not Satan...not Merlin. They are human beings with advanced abilities that are all knowable and doable to some extent with practice. Your "heroes " should be looked upon, not as an endpoint, but a springboard of our own journey. We are to stand on shoulders of giants, not BE them. Inspiration...not impersonation. U dig? We already have one of them...we need one of YOU!  "But Joe Pepicoppola is the ultimate bass player...!" U know what? There was an ultimate bass player before him and there will be one after him. Using heroes as endpoints is so limiting, IMO. They should be points on the journey. Take from them what u want/need and go! Ok, as always... how? First, look at what/who inspires you...what do you like? What skills do u need? Where can I apply them?  The goal is to take what you learn and MOVE ON...make it your own. When u focus on the skills and not the worship, u will find the magic being replaced with methods...and you will progress. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons #remotelessons