Technique!

[Sean S]

Hi Janek!

I saw your clinic at BPLive and thought you guys absolutely KILLED!

You were questioned about your right hand technique/position, but I don't really remember what you said But I do remember you picked from the side/end of the bass.

Could you discuss the pros/cons about this, and how you came to this method?

Thanks,

Sean

P.S. If you're ever in Canada (Southern Ontario) let me know! I would LOVE to see you play again

[fretless Bob]

i saw Tony Grey at Ronnie Scott's last night and i was real impressed with his technique, and his playing was a lot better than on any footage/album i have seen or heard, anybody else who was there will know what im talking about.

how similar are your right hand techniques?


Dave

[janekbass]

hey guys,

well tony's and mine differ quite a bit as far as I remember. I'm not actually sure exactly how they differ, but I know they do. Just out posture, and placement of the hands on the instrument are different. I'm sure tony has developed methods with his right hand to be able to play a great number of notes and fast passages with Hiromi and not get tired too quickly. That gig is super demanding on the chops, and his are in shape every time he plays. Just to get through her compositions you need to be in primo shape.

My chops are also in great shape, just a little bit of a different approach for whatever reason. Nothing good or bad about either of our techniques I don't think. At the end of the day it's the performance of an idea and a connection with an audience that is the most important part. And if that gets accomplished then there's nothing to worry about normally.

Going back to Sean's question about the picking in the right hand....

I was asked about that and I think I was talking about palm muting when that question was being asked. It's just a way of keeping the over tones of the strings under control with your right hand and making some funky muted bass lines.

I would encourage you to get inspired by a bass player, drummer, piano player, singer or anything. Garbage truck driving down the street.... anything. And then spend enough time with your instrument that things start to come out of it naturally for you. That's how you come up with a unique voice. It's being inspired and searching for new things from you bass.

Easy,

Janek

[Sean S]

Originally Posted by janekbass

I would encourage you to get inspired by a bass player, drummer, piano player, singer or anything...

Well, you and Tal Wilkenfeld did just that this weekend...not to sound too idolizing, you two (so far) have been the biggest inspiration in my playing

I've decided to practice A WHOLE LOT more than I used to just to get by in school....

You'd better watch out, i might have to steal some gigs from you in the next year haha

Sean

[fretless Bob]

Originally Posted by janekbass

hey guys,

well tony's and mine differ quite a bit as far as I remember. I'm not actually sure exactly how they differ, but I know they do. Just out posture, and placement of the hands on the instrument are different. I'm sure tony has developed methods with his right hand to be able to play a great number of notes and fast passages with Hiromi and not get tired too quickly. That gig is super demanding on the chops, and his are in shape every time he plays. Just to get through her compositions you need to be in primo shape.

My chops are also in great shape, just a little bit of a different approach for whatever reason. Nothing good or bad about either of our techniques I don't think. At the end of the day it's the performance of an idea and a connection with an audience that is the most important part. And if that gets accomplished then there's nothing to worry about normally.

...

Easy,

Janek

Tony's chops really are in top shape, just watching him warm up was like "WOW!" his consistency is amazing, is that all just something that happens with the "garrison" technique when it is done properly?

i know that you and Matt have real good consistency between notes as well, but seeing it in person was pretty amazing.

talking about how he plays to relieve fatigue with her music, i noticed that his left hand moved in "right angles" if that makes any sense.

Dave

[tbone0813]

Originally Posted by Bobb

Well, you and Tal Wilkenfeld did just that this weekend...not to sound too idolizing, you two (so far) have been the biggest inspiration in my playing

I've decided to practice A WHOLE LOT more than I used to just to get by in school....

You'd better watch out, i might have to steal some gigs from you in the next year haha

Sean

+1000000.

Tal & Janek did it for me as well. Literally changed my life as a bass player this weekens at BPL. I have never seen so much enthusiasm, and love for an instrument in all my life. IMHO watching Janek express himself on the bass was like watching a master perform. Thanks Janek.

Just about everything Tal said was inspirational & life changing. Seriously....The wisdom she spoke was exactly what I needed to hear to get the motivational juices flowing. Her playing was awesome as well.