How do I learn to play "in the pocket"?

[Crazykiwi]

Originally Posted by The Dave

Having said all of that, I'm nowhere near achieving it. It just takes time and practice.

You'll get there, relaxation helps a LOT. I tend to play my funkiest when I'm very hungover. I'm too old to support that kind of lifestyle now, so I have to combat job stress at source using the power of the mindset.

Cue Yoda voice:
"Overlooked and undervalued the mindset is."

[terrelli721]

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

I hear about playing "in the pocket", but I'm not really sure what it is or how to do it. I know it would make me a better bass player. Any ideas?

My brother, I would strongly suggest you get the Donny Hathaway live cd, and check out Mr. Willie Weeks. He hold's it down incredibly and add's in some of the nastiest fill's you will ever here.

[terrelli721]

Check out some of the Meter's music because the bass lines are somewhat simple, but they carry the whole song.

[wingnut.supreme]

You'll know your in the pocket when the "sum" of the groove you're feeling with the other musicians is "greater than" its parts.

Eventually, once you've spent enough time in that greazy bowl, you'll truly understand the difference between a group of guys all playing the same song and a group of guys playing MUSIC. There IS a difference.
In the end this is really what all the studying and practicing is all about.

Be proud that you've learned enough so far to know you need an answer to this question. Some guys never do. They think they know, but the never get it.

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by wingnut.supreme

You'll know your in the pocket when the "sum" of the groove you're feeling with the other musicians is "greater than" its parts.

Eventually, once you've spent enough time in that greazy bowl, you'll truly understand the difference between a group of guys all playing the same song and a group of guys playing MUSIC. There IS a difference.
In the end this is really what all the studying and practicing is all about.

Be proud that you've learned enough so far to know you need an answer to this question. Some guys never do. They think they know, but the never get it.

Thanks. I'm definitely at a point where I know I don't know what I should know. I'm definitely going to keep at it and try to make things simple.

[Joe Nerve]

I agree with most of what's been said already. Playing with a metronome has helped my pocket playing immensely, but as already stated - working with a live drummer is the only way you're going to really develop some skills.

LISTENING and FEELING are the 2 most important things. I never paid any extra attention to kicks, snares or hihats as i think that came naturally to me, but if you're struggling, doing so doesn't sound like a bad idea.

I've obsessed on certain basslines and listened to them closely over and over. I practiced trying to nail the feel the guys put behind what they were playing. One of my alltime favorites is Sublime's Santeria. I'd suggest throwing a set of headphones on, really listening to what that guy is doing, and try to immitate it - just for fun and practice.

Some other random in the pocket songs that have gotten me going are Le Freak (chic), Soul to Squeeze (rhcp) which I just learned the other day, and a song I don't think anyone on talkbass has ever heard called If There's Love, by Citizen Cope. I believe Meshell D..whatever is playing bass on it. Then if ya wanna take it to whole nuther level there's Jaco. I could go on and on...

and everyone - FIND THE SONG "IF THERE'S LOVE" AND LISTEN TO THE SUPER SIMPLE YET GROOVIN BASSLINE! TRUST ME, IT KICKS BUTT!

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

I agree with most of what's been said already. Playing with a metronome has helped my pocket playing immensely, but as already stated - working with a live drummer is the only way you're going to really develop some skills.

LISTENING and FEELING are the 2 most important things. I never paid any extra attention to kicks, snares or hihats as i think that came naturally to me, but if you're struggling, doing so doesn't sound like a bad idea.

I've obsessed on certain basslines and listened to them closely over and over. I practiced trying to nail the feel the guys put behind what they were playing. One of my alltime favorites is Sublime's Santeria. I'd suggest throwing a set of headphones on, really listening to what that guy is doing, and try to immitate it - just for fun and practice.

Some other random in the pocket songs that have gotten me going are Le Freak (chic), Soul to Squeeze (rhcp) which I just learned the other day, and a song I don't think anyone on talkbass has ever heard called If There's Love, by Citizen Cope. I believe Meshell D..whatever is playing bass on it. Then if ya wanna take it to whole nuther level there's Jaco. I could go on and on...

and everyone - FIND THE SONG "IF THERE'S LOVE" AND LISTEN TO THE SUPER SIMPLE YET GROOVIN BASSLINE! TRUST ME, IT KICKS BUTT!

I've been listening to James Brown and Fleetwood Mac lately for examples of groove. I can't hear the kick drum in the JB stuff, but that bass player sure knows how to use space! He plays really simple stuff and what he doesn't play speaks almost as loudly as what he does. I never noticed this, but the songs where John McVie syncs with the kick drum are some of my favorites from Fleetwood Mac. Listen to "Dreams" and "You Make Loving Fun".

[terrelli721]

Another one for a basic beginning to finding the pocket is Dreamers or Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Very basic, but if I was teaching a guy to just stay in the pocket and learn how to hold a steady groove. Check it out. Simple,but what is that song without that steady pulse.

[fourstringbliss]

Originally Posted by terrelli721

Another one for a basic beginning to finding the pocket is Dreamers or Dreams by Fleetwood Mac. Very basic, but if I was teaching a guy to just stay in the pocket and learn how to hold a steady groove. Check it out. Simple,but what is that song without that steady pulse.

It's called "Dreams" and that's one I've been listening to the past few days. Someone suggested listening to Fleetwood Mac for groove and locking with the drummer, and he locks the whole time through - it sounds so good!

I need to simplify my playing. I started out trying to get fancy, and I'm finding that it isn't what benefits the songs - especially since it's praise and worship. I can't be the star and help facilitate worship at the same time...

[terrelli721]

Originally Posted by fourstringbliss

It's called "Dreams" and that's one I've been listening to the past few days. Someone suggested listening to Fleetwood Mac for groove and locking with the drummer, and he locks the whole time through - it sounds so good!

I need to simplify my playing. I started out trying to get fancy, and I'm finding that it isn't what benefits the songs - especially since it's praise and worship. I can't be the star and help facilitate worship at the same time...

Sounds like you're on the right road. I also play praise and worship, and started slapping as my first technique years ago. I've since learned that the pockets in a beautiful place to be when you're rolling with the drummer. Once you master that, then you can start to venture out for little tastful fills, and then on the 10 second solo's, etc. Check out that Donnie Hathaway live and check out song's like Little Ghetto boy, Everything is everything, from the cd. Awesome Listening.

[Charling]

yeah, I think you're on the right road, allot of good advice has been given as well.

Playing in the pocket is also called grooving (as im sure you know ) and that pharse can help alot with the definition. Ie, when the music sounds like its a ball bearing (or something) locked in a groove, it can ONLY go one way, and its going in that direction solidly and steadily. I knew that I could play in the pocket when I started to feel as though I couldn't stop playing, and more importantly, I couldnt play a wrong note unless I tried. You just get taken by the rhythm, and it starts to play YOU!

as for learning it, same thing, I started off noticing that SOMETHING was wrong but I wasnt sure what, I was playing all the right notes at the right time but it just didnt sound like the meter, or james brown or whatever. a long while of listening intently whenver I was playing with drummers and I slowly started to get the jist, then I expanded my listening to the rest of the band and started to learn to link the two properly.

Our job is that of linking the melody with the rhythm, because were the only instrument that consistantly plays in both areas! we have toi be the best listeners, and its our job to keep everything glued together so listening to the band is as important as listening to the drummer.

I could talk about all the techniques and ideas used in depth but it would take all night, so i'll finish by saying you've taken the hardest step to understanding this by RECOGNIZING it, and im sure over time it will become easier and easier!