Do you write basslines that are of a similiar style to a bassist? Do you intentionally model yourself after a bassist?

Well, lately I noticed that as I write bass lines for my songs and other people's songs, that my use of intervals really spawned from the first bassline I ever learned to play (I don't make it a habit to learn the actual basslines to songs unless they're icon songs like "Come Together", "Money", etc.). The song was the "I will survive" cover by Cake.

The line is for the most part a root, then jump to octave, then fifth and then a minor 7th. There's a little more to it, but for the most part the line is that which follows a circle of fifths till it repeats. Some of my lines reflect this basic little line, though not always.

I didn't intentionally do it and never went out of my way to really model myself after any well known player. I try not to limit myself to what I can and cannot do, including my writing and styles.

I have often found that when I am at a loss for what to play, a simple burst of "What would McCartney do?" usually solves all.

...People say I look like Geddy :-p.. I have a Geddy/Vic/Jaco thing going.

...People say I look like Geddy :-p.. I have a Geddy/Vic/Jaco thing going.
Thats quite a mix of styles you got there

*kicks trash can*

*kicks trash can*

HEY! None of that, boy. We have rules here.

I hold my bass into the air, and a lightning bolt comes down, transforming me into a ripped-looking bass god who's about 17 feet tall and really cool looking. Somehow, I'm back to looking like my usual self in the next scene though, so I just try to remember what I did when I was in ultra-invinca-mode. If you ever catch me in ultra-invinca-mode, be sure and get me to show you how to play Portrait of Tracy backwards, with your toes. Just don't ask me how to get that clicky fiElDy sound, because remember, I'm 17 feet tall and ripped!!!

:p ;) :D

I hold my bass into the air, and a lightning bolt comes down, transforming me into a ripped-looking bass god who's about 17 feet tall and really cool looking. Somehow, I'm back to looking like my usual self in the next scene though, so I just try to remember what I did when I was in ultra-invinca-mode. If you ever catch me in ultra-invinca-mode, be sure and get me to show you how to play Portrait of Tracy backwards, with your toes. Just don't ask me how to get that clicky fiElDy sound, because remember, I'm 17 feet tall and ripped!!!

:p ;) :D

If you're 17 feet tall, wouldn't playing the bass be like trying to play a reallllly tiny Mandolin or something? Or is part of ultra-invinca-mode also having a proportionately sized bass?

I pave my own road :cool:

If you're 17 feet tall, wouldn't playing the bass be like trying to play a reallllly tiny Mandolin or something? Or is part of ultra-invinca-mode also having a proportionately sized bass?

I keep a can of Suspension of Disbelief spray handy. It leaves only a slight residue on the bass which is easily wiped off.

I keep a can of Suspension of Disbelief spray handy. It leaves only a slight residue on the bass which is easily wiped off.

With what? I use steel wool to wipe down my SoD spray. I do wonder why it keeps getting scratched up though: I mean, I don't play it that hard, and I baby it pretty well. Wonder where I'm going wrong?

Is your SoD spray non-abrasive?

Just don't ask me how to get that clicky fiElDy sound, because remember, I'm 17 feet tall and ripped!!!

No one can make said clickity sound, save FiElDy. Hush before the Silent Wind of Doom *whoosh* comes over you.

Good day.








I said good day!

With what? I use steel wool to wipe down my SoD spray. I do wonder why it keeps getting scratched up though: I mean, I don't play it that hard, and I baby it pretty well. Wonder where I'm going wrong?

Is your SoD spray non-abrasive?

It works best if you huff it.* The small amount that inevitably gets on the bass can be safely removed with a soft cotton cloth or chamois.


*Don't try this at home. Don't anyone try spiking their Sunny D with irony, either! I'm not advocating the misuse of literary devices in any way, shape, or form!

No one can make said clickity sound, save FiElDy. Hush before the Silent Wind of Doom *whoosh* comes over you.

Good day.








I said good day!

Ah, the Silent Wind of Doom. Aye, I know and fear it well. It's the main reason I avoid riding in the same car as my guitar player. I shall hold my tongue as surely as would I hold my nose, sire!

Even though I don't achieve it always, I'm always going for a sort of contrapuntal/melodic approach a la Phil Lesh (specifically the style and sound on "Live/Dead"), James Jamerson ("Bernadette" et al) and Bruce Thomas. Carol Kaye's books and videos have really helped me crack the code going in this direction.

The funny thing is, to get that sound, I almost always end up sitting down; who I want to emulate on stage are people like Watt, Flea, and Robert Sledge. I'm gonna have to learn pretty soon, since I'm going from sitting on a chair by the drummer to being the main singer/songwriter in a band! ;)

I'de hate to sound sterotypical but my styles like Fat mike,Matt Freeman, Ryan Sinn, and Flea. :hiding: :D

I model myself after... myself.

Typically I find a note that isn't really supposed to fit in whatever chord is playing, and then I make it fit. Seriously.

As far as on stage moves go, I try to model myself after this guy => :bassist:

I am thinking of that guy who played bass for Elvis Costello...Bruce Thomas. I'm just going for cool feel, achievable tone, not too over the top, and always trying to make good notes better.

I'm trying to do my own thing so that it doesn't sound like anyone else :hyper:

My biggest infuence (other than my weird brain...) when coming up with basslines is probably Tony Levin. But I´m not near as good as him, the stability and sound that guy has is truly incredible. I even discover myself doing Tony Levin-poses sometimes when playing live =)

Nikki Sixx!! :spit:

I'm basically trying to blend nikki's rock n roll superstarness and riffs with some of the scott hubbell/kyle honea technical stuff.

this brings up another interesting subject I've been thinking about lately; maybe this is more applicable to some of the older members of the forum, but are there any bassists that have influenced you not so much by their lines, but how they look, interviews in magazines, etc?

Two I think of are Anthony Jackson and Justin Meldal Johnson: I couldn't tell you any great bass parts that have really influenced me but AJ's interviews and columns were a big influence on me coming up, and JMJ's work with Beck is great and all, but I'm much more influenced by his articles about combining different effects and such...

L

Hulk Hogan: I eat my vitamins, say my prayers, and run wild on people with... bassamania.

Probably Tony Levin and Paul Jackson, masters of the tasty pocket groove.

The Ox, absolutly. I don't copy his style, but still....

Right now I'm trying to be a mix of Gary Willis and Tony Levin. They're both masters of what they do, (ultra technical fusion and killer lines/prog rock, respectively), and they both have some of my favorite tones. Now I just need a willis bass and a maple board MM!

Funny, I'm gradually learning to integrate Gary's ring-finger-grabs-higher-string technique into some of Levin's lines from the Crim!

I don't normally write lines based directly on influence from other players, but there are definitely moments when I'll think that a Geddy Lee idea would work in this situation, or JPJ, or probably most commonly (lately anyway) Steve Harris. Or any multitude of local guys who I've seen do interesting things.

..JMJ's work with Beck is great and all, but I'm much more influenced by his articles about combining different effects and such...

Yea, I really never even heard of him untill his latest article in BP mag, but he had a really interesting article. Since then I went back and listened to his work with Beck. It's really good. It's nothing really ground breaking or over the top, but he does his job musically in Beck's sound. I think it's something that you'll see more in a studio player. Not being full time in anyone band and being brought in for various artist's ablums, you don't want to be a very out in the front player like a Claypool or a Wooten.

Anyways, yea, I agree. Articles from people like them really get you thinking and learn more about parts of your tech you might be neglecting. Before the JMJ article I never really thought of using many effects on my bass. I had a distorter that I never use, now I've got a few different things in layaway :p

I don't model myself after any one person, or people. Kind of.

One, week, I'll be all "chromatic fantasy!!!!!" And I'll try to play that. Practicing it as much as possible and for that one week (or so) that is 'my life'. Then, my train will jump tracks and I'll be all "I feel good!!!! And I knew that I would now!!" for that one week. Then , i'll be all "money, is the root-of-all-evil toooooooday" ect ,ect ect.

I guess, my playing is the sum of whatever I know. ha. that sounds retarded.. yet, it makes sense to me.

the bassist that has encouraged my technique and tone the greatest is without a doubt john entwistle of The Who. stage wise i act less like john and more like gene simmons (another big influence) though as i am the singer of the band.

I would have to say John Entwistle and John Paul Jones. They were the two that influenced me the most and I appreciate their onstage "coolness". No need to get all crazy when their playing speaks for itself.

I do think that there are bass players that influence my stage presence (or lack of it :)), look and sound, as well as the type of playing style I have. Those two players are the most influencial to me out of everyone.

I have my own playing style...but it is really a combination of those two guys, and of course it is dependent on the type of music I am playing. I tend to like bass players that are more in the background and unassuming, yet give off this confident vibe. Kind of a "You don't have to notice me, to notice me." Like you just know that although they are not this major showman onstage, the band would be nowhere without them.

If I were to liken my style to anyone it would be Nathan East. I think he is the epitomy of what a bassist should be. He's always solid, in the groove, never flashy and provides solid vocal support in any situation. Over my 30 years of playing, I've taken bits and pieces of just about every decent bassist I've come across. :bassist:

I model myself after the best parts of everybody I hear. I'm not perfect, but neither is anybody else. So I pick the ripest fruit everybody else has and nibble it.
I listen more to other instruments. . .
I'm too eclectic.
Shoot me. :rolleyes: