Originally Posted by Mike Caro Substudio
...screw anything else right now but being solid, locked in in time.


Word.

That's the most important thing to focus on right now (and forever, if you stay on bass). All the other stuff will follow.

But yeah, plucking an open G string sure does sound different than the same note played up the neck on the A or D string. It's thicker and ballsier on those heavier strings. On my Rickenbacker, it makes all the difference between sounding wimpy or booming.

Thing is, once you get more familiar with basic patterns of your songs, you might find that playing further up the neck is just as easy as the lower stuff (sometimes even easier). But DON'T WORRY about it yet--since you're already performing, keep it as easy as possible while you're learning, and get to it when you feel ready. What's most important at your gigs is FEELING THE GROOVE. Just pluck those strings like you're getting off on 'em, till the crowd goes wild.

http://www.soundclick.com/MarkKaufman