I learned 3 things from Alex Sampson's....

ericmknight1906 · #1 09-19-2010, 12:32 PM

Bass Secrets CD that really caused my bass playing to drastically improve...I haven't learned any new chords or new slap techniques. I just applied these following concepts to the little that I already knew. Its amazing how good your bass playing can sound just by simply staying in sinc with basic grooves.

1. Treat the Bass guitar like a glorified Drum Kit. Its all about mirroring the kickdrum and snare.(a decent drummer is essential)

2. less is more. Stay in the pocket and do fill ins every now and then to add flavor but don't over do it.You can't go wrong with pocket play. Have you ever seen a player ripping the fretboard to shreds but really not sounding all that good because the shred ripping is well...out of place and totally uncalled for?

Then you have a guy that just hits two or 3 notes in the same arrangement and sounds a ton better then the shredder?

3. Its all about the total sound and not just you and your instrument.

After all these years of bass playing, I never thought about these few simple concepts. Now I'm understanding that no matter how complex an arrangement sounds, just take away all that crap and listen to the basic groove and even the seemingly difficult arrangements will be easy as pie.

Thanks Alex Sampson and all who made that CD possible.

J-B'ass · #2 09-19-2010, 08:28 PM

Apart from number 1, which is not always helpful/true, I'd say that's a pretty solid list.

Basshoofd · #3 09-20-2010, 02:13 AM

Indeed, number 1 shouldn't always be applied. But it's a good strategy for when you don't really know what or how to play - just pretend to be the drummer with your bass.

Every bassist knows about number 2 and 3, yet TONS of players don't apply it. It can be difficult to see the big picture instead of just trying to sound like a good bass player.

fearceol · #4 09-20-2010, 02:14 AM

That is all excellent advice/tips, but they can all be got right here on Talk Bass..... for free.

ericmknight1906 · #5 09-20-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-B'ass

Apart from number 1, which is not always helpful/true, I'd say that's a pretty solid list.

Well, there were exceptions..he talked about playing behind, in front ,and right on top of the kick drum depending on what type of music was being played.

ericmknight1906 · #6 09-20-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

That is all excellent advice/tips, but they can all be got right here on Talk Bass..... for free.

True..but sometimes you need someone or something to put everything all in perspective. And that is not always free.
I'm sure everything I mentioned is right here on Talkbass Many times over. But If I have no idea what my problem is or what I'm looking for then what good is this info to me

I think that Talkbass or any website is a good supplement but not a substitute for good instruction. Just my opinion..

stratovani · #7 09-20-2010, 12:13 PM

As far as no.1 goes, I disagree with the above posters. I think it applies for the vast majority of bass players in the world today. Don't forget, for every Jaco there's a thousand "in the groove" players, myself included, and no.1 is very good advice indeed. Of course it should go without saying that nos. 2 & 3 are also excellent pieces of advice, that bear repeating over and over again.

J-B'ass · #8 09-20-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericmknight1906

Well, there were exceptions..he talked about playing behind, in front ,and right on top of the kick drum depending on what type of music was being played.

Those sound like examples of where on the beat to place your note, which are good to bear in mind whether or not you mirror the drums.
It is almost always a good idea to play in reference to the drums, and often this can mean playing the same accents, but not always.
To say that "Its all about mirroring the kickdrum and snare" is a big oversimplification, and you'll often sound crap if you take it literally.

It's not a glorified drum kit, it's a bass. Don't mirror the drum pattern, compliment it. This might mean playing the same accents, it might mean playing contrasting accents. Whatever sounds good.

ericmknight1906 · #9 09-20-2010, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-B'ass

Those sound like examples of where on the beat to place your note, which are good to bear in mind whether or not you mirror the drums.
It is almost always a good idea to play in reference to the drums, and often this can mean playing the same accents, but not always.
To say that "Its all about mirroring the kickdrum and snare" is a big oversimplification, and you'll often sound crap if you take it literally.

It's not a glorified drum kit, it's a bass. Don't mirror the drum pattern, compliment it. This might mean playing the same accents, it might mean playing contrasting accents. Whatever sounds good.

Well, Perhaps my paraphrase of Mr. Sampson's instruction may have sent the wrong interpretation. I didn't mean play the bass guitar kick for kick and snare for snare. I meant As long as I can stomp my foot to the steady flow of the rhythm, then i would be right in sinc with the drum/snare and whatever else the drummer uses in between. That's my understanding of it.

J-B'ass · #10 09-20-2010, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericmknight1906

Well, Perhaps my paraphrase of Mr. Sampson's instruction may have sent the wrong interpretation. I didn't mean play the bass guitar kick for kick and snare for snare. I meant As long as I can stomp my foot to the steady flow of the rhythm, then i would be right in sinc with the drum/snare and whatever else the drummer uses in between. That's my understanding of it.

Yes, that's a much better approach.