Inventing a signature technique and sound...

[lefty007]

As the electric bass progresses, new techniques and players have come alone setting new benchmarks.

I've been playing bass for 10 years (guitar for 20) so I'm still trying to develop my own sound, which may come with a new technique.

My problem is, with so many Greats already that have contributed so many established techniques, how do you come up with your own sound?

If I do simple funk slap, then I sound like Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, or even Flea. If I double-thumb, I'm trying to sound like Victor. Fretless? Automatically Jaco. Rootsy melodic R&B/soul/motown? Jamerson. . . Lightining-fast tapping and hammering: Stu Hamm. Same with distortion: Billy Sheehan. . . Chorusy, be-boppy fingerstyle? Jeff Berlin. Palm-muted, multi-finger, ultra-fast plucking? Matthew Garrison, or Janek. Not to mention the super techniques that guys like Garry Willis have developed.

You get the idea. . .

It seems that every technique or sound I try to adopt has already been "invented" and popularized. And, well, duh! I saw somebody doing it first, didn't I?

Obviously, I realize I still sound like me no matter what I play and how I play it, and I do, want it or not, have my signature sound already. . . a combination of my brain hand my hands. . . . I do a lot of palm-muting with a pick (Bobby Vega style), which at least is somewhat less common. . .

But I want to have signature sound so original it will put me in the cover of Bass Player Magazine. LOL. . .

I can see it: "Lefty007 plays the 13-string fretless bass with his knuckles! Breathtaking New Technique!"

Oh, wait, somebody's done that already.

[AlphaMale]

Maybe you should consider finding a new way to mix them. or experimenting with tone and effects with technique

[lemur821]

You could vibrate the strings with your mind if you want, or do exciting things with the knobs on your bass.

[meev991]

Well you've been playing for ten years....

I mean personally, as a novice, it's daunting to get into bass, since it's been around since before I was born.

I guess, my perspective is that, if everything has already been invented, then learn them all and appreciate them.

Sure, I won't invent something bizarre like "That One Guy's" contraption of an instrument. But if I play a mean bass and people enjoy my playing, then I'm happy

[XansNiceSweater]

my only 'signature' technique has probably been done - it's running the flat end of the pick across a string so it sounds like a distorted violin.

Hey yeah don't steal that if it hasn't been done.

[meev991]

Originally Posted by XansNiceSweater

my only 'signature' technique has probably been done - it's running the flat end of the pick across a string so it sounds like a distorted violin.

Hey yeah don't steal that if it hasn't been done.

LOLZ

run down to the patent office before it's too late.

[acleex38]

I like the idea of taking someone else's signature sound...from a completely different instrument. Jaco talked about taking phrasing cues from Sinatra's vocal inflection.

[Disc]

You probably have your on sound, but dont even notice it. I do this weird muting technique with my fingers that makes a thump, kinda like an inverse slap with the thump at the end of the note. I didnt even notice it was "different" until a friend pointed it out .Making a new technique is going to be pretty damn hard by this time though. I donno, maybe try puting fingerpicks on each finger and play with all four?

[Blavelle]

whats wrong with sounding like someone else? especially when you're playing original tunes. if you have a sound like victor wooten (consider yourself extremely lucky and talented!) people wont assume you're ripping him off they'll just admire your tone. besides 90% of the people you'll play for wont know who victor wooten is anyway!

[lowerclef]

Lefty,

You need to steal more. All of the above players you mentioned "borrowed" from their influences, too.

Don't limit yourself to needing to come up with a new technique. There are other ways to be original - your choice of notes and rhythms, your tone, listening and emulating people who play instruments OTHER than bass, or a combination of any or all of the above.

Have a really weird music collection. From John Coltrane to the Sex Pistols to Enya to Pantera to Taraf de Haidouks to Buckwheat Zydeco to Mr. Bungle to Kiss to Tito Puente to Pat Metheny to Bela Bartok to Bob Marley to Frank Zappa to Hank Williams Sr. to Yo-Yo Ma to 2 Live Crew to Bach to Britney Spears. You don't have to love it all, but get exposed. Soak it in. Steal the stuff you like, then mix and match.

And besides, being a GOOD bass player is better than being an ORIGINAL one in many cases!

[middy]

People who aren't musicians have never heard of any of those "famous" bass players anyway... if you want to be noticed, be a sexy lead singer.

We're not gold stars, we're just the glue that sticks them to the paper.

[meev991]

Originally Posted by middy

People who aren't musicians have never heard of any of those "famous" bass players anyway... if you want to be noticed, be a sexy lead singer.

We're not gold stars, we're just the glue that sticks them to the paper.

But I like gold stars, i wanna be a gold star sticker

hahhaha, I'm totally saving that quote for when my lead guitarist starts getting full of himself.

[lowerclef]

Originally Posted by middy

We're not gold stars, we're just the glue that sticks them to the paper.

That is a FANTASTIC quote!!! I'm stealing it!!

[Delberthot]

My fantastic idea is to just not give a rat's ass.

I play what I play unaware of who I may sound like. i set out to sound just like ME and I do so very well.

If I play a million miles an hour I sound nothing like Sheehan; nothing like Jaco on a fretless and so on.

Just be yourself. Take onboard everything or nothing and have a great time.

Just because I play a modulus Flea bass and a Stingray doesn't automatically mean I will sound like Flea or Bernard Edwards

[deaf pea]

Originally Posted by lowerclef

...Have a really weird music collection. From John Coltrane to the Sex Pistols to Enya to Pantera to Taraf de Haidouks to Buckwheat Zydeco to Mr. Bungle to Kiss to Tito Puente to Pat Metheny to Bela Bartok to Bob Marley to Frank Zappa to Hank Williams Sr. to Yo-Yo Ma to 2 Live Crew to Bach to Britney Spears.

How'd you know what's in MY CD collection?

Originally Posted by lowerclef

...You don't have to love it all, but get exposed. Soak it in. Steal the stuff you like, then mix and match.

Originally Posted by Delberthot

Just be yourself. Take onboard everything or nothing and have a great time.

That's DEFINATELY how to grow as a bassist . . .

Originally Posted by Delberthot

If I play a million miles an hour I sound nothing like Sheehan; nothing like Jaco on a fretless and so on.

+1000000

[knarleybass]

Just go play the bass.

[funkalicious101]

Originally Posted by XansNiceSweater

my only 'signature' technique has probably been done - it's running the flat end of the pick across a string so it sounds like a distorted violin.

Hey yeah don't steal that if it hasn't been done.

STOLEN!!!!


i dont really care about "my technique" or "my sound" i just play the notes that sound right.

[KayCee]

Let your sound find you.

[Xoryn]

You are thinking about this far too much. Just go out and play, you will eventually build up a unique sound. If that sound is a mash up of all your favourite players then so be it. Just get out there and play, soon you will find your "voice" so to speak.

[middy]

Hey lefty007, after listening to a few Suenalo tracks, I have to say you're doing a great job as a good bass player. You're laying down the groove and making everyone else sound better. To me that's worth more than the cover of (B)assplayer magazine.

I'm a fan. Send me a poster.