Gospel Bass Help Needed ...

[IotaNet]

I have a question for the group.

I am working a Gospel song that has a fast "Shout" section. It moves from Ab ---> C and chromatically back up to the Ab. I have been playing that Ab on the E string and the C on the B string (Low register)

I have found however that to my ears, it has more clarity if I play it an octave higher -- especially since during this shout passage there is a LOT going on in the song. (Very similar to the "special" on More Abundantly but the choir is singing "Pray" instead of "Joy") It's also much more comfortable to play since it's higher up the neck.

Any problem (i.e. am I breaking any "rules") playing it this way?

[scottmabe]

I would have to say that if it sounds good to you then ... it must be Good to Him.

Your tone will have much to do with this. In ATC we use a rather punchy tone and I play a bit higher on the neck because I like the way it sounds.

I would ask you MD ....

[bradjonesbass]

There's no problem at all. What bass are you using? Some cheaper 5-strings lose a lot of clarity on the B string, so that may explain what you're hearing and feeling. And definitely move your plucking hand down closer to the bridge and try plucking over the bridge pickup. That will improve your clarity down low quite a bit.

[wazzel]

The song was probably written to go up to the C not down to it. So playing the Ab on the E string then walking it up to C and back down will probably fit better into what every body else is doing. If it was me I woul probably just do the walk up and down on the E string.

Edit

I reread the orginal post. Playing low register does not always fit the song and the octive up may be better. I play a 5er and love to play down low, but I often find myself playing up an octive to fit the song better. A few songs we do I will play over the same chord in three different octives at different points in the song depending on what is going on.

[bradjonesbass]

I do the same thing. I also agree with you about not playing down low too much - however in modern gospel, there is a lot of low B and Bflat (tuned down a half step) playing.