Knowing when you are "grooving"

[iceshaft07]

I was reading a few topics the other day, and I am afraid I am in doubt about my bass playing.

The other day, I read a few articles about how some bassists here are upset when other bassist get bored when playing simple repetetive lines (which happens to be me). I tend not to "chug" on root notes (but I will if asked), but at the same time I refuse to add anything I don't think fits. I also don't play faster than the guitar, and I have been complimented on one of my lines, but I read another post about how being over confident about a line.

So, how do I know when I have written something with a groove? What is it? Are there genres that don't have groove?

I need to add that I have only really ever played with a rhythm guitarist, and that when given a choice when playing drums and rhythm guitar, the drums win out and I will change according to what the drummer is doing.

[ThatGermanDude]

you're grooving when the others look at you and smile.

[Fuzzbass]

Once you get more confidence and experience, you'll recognize that happy feeling you get when you and your bandmates get the groove going together.

Which brings up a point: unless you're playing alone, groove is a team effort. We bass players tend to understand this better than other musicians.

[Mark Wilson]

Don't think about it!
Then you'll lose the groove.
If you think "Damn! And I grooving?" Then you better think "damn right I'm grooving!

[sully]

Groove is total immersion into what you are playing. Using your entire body and everything that you got into playing that song. You definitely play your best when you are in this state of mind.

If you feel that what you are playing is boring...just imagine what the people listening to you are thinking.

What music grooves? Absolutely anything. Even simple scales can groove. Its up to you as the bass player to make it sound great.

[RiddimKing]

I've noticed that sometimes when I think I've got a good groove going, and later listen to a tape or CD of what I was playing, I'll realize I wasn't as in the pocket as I thought. But...the other day, my drummer handed me a cassette of a recent practice, and in the middle of listening to it, I realized that the guy singing and playing steady, grooving straight eighths--was me! I was shocked..

[Fishbrain]

when you've got your bop on

[ryco]

When the drummer has his eyes closed and has a big broad smile going on.

Your ears and ass will tell ya when yer groovin'. So will the dance floor!

[Jazz Ad]

Booties must be shaking or you don't do a good job.

[lowerclef]

A couple things:

1. Record yourself playing with others whenever possible (rehearsals, gigs, etc.) When you go back and listen to yourself, it's very revealing in terms of what you're doing right and what you're not.

2. For practicing, set up a simple metronome to click on 2 and 4 (like a drummer's snare) and play. Pick a tempo that's comfortable. When it's just you and click, there's no hiding behind anything else. When you can make that feel good, you're on the right track!

[steve66]

You know your grooving when the bartender gives you a free drink on the house. You know your bands grooving when they pay you for the gig !

[scottbass]

When you hear the bass line in your head and it is exactly what you are playing. Kinda like the old days (for this old hippie) when it all kicked in, the tensions and conflicts all melted away and all that was left was perfect harmony with your bandmates and a perfect oneness with the sould of the song.

OK, now I'm creeping myself out.

[scottbass]

"sould" sb "soul"

[PatTheAnchor]

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Don't think about it!
Then you'll lose the groove.
If you think "Damn! And I grooving?" Then you better think "damn right I'm grooving!

Haha, that made my day. Thankyou so much.

For me, I just try to improvise around (not in a band atm), and if I find something out that sounds cool, I'll jam with that tune for about 10-20 minutes. Just fiddle around on the bass, listen to a couple of funky bass lines, or listen to a couple of your favorite bass players and get into it. Just make yourself have fun, you'll have fun, and wont regret anything.

[jayp883]

for me it's when I'm able to hear every piece in the band collectively and I find myself somewhat detached......oh, and goosebumps!!

[jazzcrime]

you are grooving when you and the drummer sound like you are one and the same.

[JimmyM]

OMIGOD NO! Grooving has nothing to do with sounding like you and the drummer are one and the same. That's a myth spread by insecure guitarists who don't want the bass player interfering with their scary bad riffs. Some of the greatest grooves in history havw been because the bassist plowed right over the drummer.

Here's how you tell...when the drummer looks at you like he wants to rape you, the guitarist looks at you like he smells something stinky, the keyboard player doesn't overplay for the first time in his life, and the singer gets a boner even if there are no girls in the audience, that's when you know you're grooving!

[ryco]

Wow. Bowzer with a hard on. Not a pretty pic

(no pun intended)

[owensea777]

Doesn't exactly answer your question, and I may be talking out of my ass, but...
When you feel the music you're playing, really feel that ****, you are grooving. Some players play for years and never develop that feeling. They can play great technical stuff and make others feel it, but still don't feel it. When you get the feeling, you will know it and above all, you will be having fun.
Also, if you are stuck with a simple line, you can groove with your body. That's always fun for the audience too, to see a cool visual display.

[JimmyM]

Originally Posted by ryco

Wow. Bowzer with a hard on. Not a pretty pic

(no pun intended)

There is no grooving in a Bowzer show, thankfully.