Less is More...

[cire113]

I've been playing bass for 3 1/2 years.. the more i play the more i realize playing less really is more.. and usually its all about the notes i dont play than the ones i do...

This has been my experience in grooving and even soloing... its my personal style i guess... My goal is to always make things interesting and create space... Its like im constantly holding back but tastefully grooving... its a cool feeling...

Of course sometimes more is more(rarely for me) but i think you guys understand what i mean....

Also why do all the people i know that are supposedly "advanced or pro muscians" always look down on simple playing and especially the pentatonic scale... its like they have this Im too good attitude to play simple, i have to play a million notes a second at 220bpm... i like playing melodic and IMO 98% of the melodic stuff i hear and listen to is pentaonic...(solo's)


anyways besides the point...

what do you guys think about this less is more concept?

[tangentmusic]

Many times "less is more" IS more. But there are times where a song calls for something a little busier. It's all about serving the song.

[chuck norriss]

I don't look at it in terms of quantity or complexity just what's appropriate. Sometimes inappropriate is right
but for the most part I agree.
See/hear: Colin Greenwood-Radiohead. Pretty much appropriate.

[Groove Master]

Originally Posted by cire113

I've been playing bass for 3 1/2 years.. the more i play the more i realize playing less really is more.. and usually its all about the notes i dont play than the ones i do...

This has been my experience in grooving and even soloing... its my personal style i guess... My goal is to always make things interesting and create space... Its like im constantly holding back but tastefully grooving... its a cool feeling...

Of course sometimes more is more(rarely for me) but i think you guys understand what i mean....

Also why do all the people i know that are supposedly "advanced or pro muscians" always look down on simple playing and especially the pentatonic scale... its like they have this Im too good attitude to play simple, i have to play a million notes a second at 220bpm... i like playing melodic and IMO 98% of the melodic stuff i hear and listen to is pentaonic...(solo's)


anyways besides the point...

what do you guys think about this less is more concept?

+1 on it and I have a good book dedicated to that stuff actually.

But one thing: Pro players know about that stuff and this is why they are pro players and hired guns. The actual wannabe will look down at the "less is more" approach ;-)

[MalcolmAmos]

I think most fail to recognize the solo instrument plays more the accompaniment instrument plays less - so they can stay out of the solo instrument's way.

When it's your time to solo, then it is OK to do more.

Chord tones during accompaniment scale notes during solos. When the solo instrument (vocalist, whatever) is performing every one else augments the soloist's efforts.

My thoughts on the subject.

[mambo4]

another aspect that " less is more " reveals:
Bass playing as a supportive role is at least 50% (probably more ) about supporting the rhythm.
by choosing less notes, you can focus on Rhythmic choices: when and where to place notes, and the crucially yet oft neglected how long to hold them.

A Scondary benefit of "less is more" is that it frees your ears and attention to listen...

[Groove Master]

Originally Posted by mambo4

another aspect that " less is more " reveals:
Bass playing as a supportive role is at least 50% (probably more ) about supporting the rhythm.
by choosing less notes, you can focus on Rhythmic choices: when and where to place notes, and the crucially yet oft neglected how long to hold them.

A Scondary benefit of "less is more" is that it frees your ears and attention to listen...

+1 Well said ;-)

[Jerry Callo]

Being advanced doen't so much have to do with playing more or playing less but playing better.

[Groove Master]

Originally Posted by Jerry Callo

Being advanced doen't so much have to do with playing more or playing less but playing better.

Well said too +1

[Striver]

Originally Posted by mambo4

snipped...A Scondary benefit of "less is more" is that it frees your ears and attention to listen...

+1. I love hearing bassists who listen and respond by having a "conversation" with the others using his/her instrument.

[Frankjohnson]

The train can't roll if there aint no rails Brother-Man! Between you and the drummer (the ties if you will), you try to make it as smooth a ride as you can for the train to get where its going in style and grace!

[rosanne]

Originally Posted by mambo4

another aspect that " less is more " reveals:
Bass playing as a supportive role is at least 50% (probably more ) about supporting the rhythm.
by choosing less notes, you can focus on Rhythmic choices: when and where to place notes, and the crucially yet oft neglected how long to hold them.

A Scondary benefit of "less is more" is that it frees your ears and attention to listen...

+++1

When I started out I payed much more attention to note choices than to rhythmic choices, and somewhere in the back of my mind was the concept of note length and tone. Now it's the opposite.

Now I pay much more attention to rhythm, and am careful with my tone. AND as I experiment with note length I find it to be, yes, crucial to the feel and groove of a tune. Without the right note length everything seems to fall flat - the line looses it's life.

[Bassamatic]

When I am listening to a good bassist, I often find that the best bass lines are much simple than I would have played them. Hmmm

I started playing bass in the days of power trios where I had to fill in rhythm and melody line while the guitarist was soloing. This is a hard habit to break, but I really need to do this, and it will make things a lot easier for me as well!

[hinkus]

Originally Posted by chuck norriss

I don't look at it in terms of quantity or complexity just what's appropriate. Sometimes inappropriate is right
but for the most part I agree.
See/hear: Colin Greenwood-Radiohead. Pretty much appropriate.

I agree 100%. Also, check out Mogwai and how their bass player uses a simple, melodic approach. In terms of atmosphere, Mogwai are the kings in my opinion. Then counter that to something like Dysrythmia...100% more technical. It's all about MUSIC, and how it evokes a feeling, whether frantic or tranquil or in-between.

One thing to remember is that no matter how badass of a bassist you are, to the general listener, you'll be 3rd place to the guitarist and drummer in terms of respect garnered.

[RBrownBass]

Originally Posted by Frankjohnson

The train can't roll if there aint no rails Brother-Man! Between you and the drummer (the ties if you will), you try to make it as smooth a ride as you can for the train to get where its going in style and grace!

+1

I recall hearing a guitarist making this point to a bassist at a jam I attended a few years ago (I wasn't playing). He said, "You are not the musician (you are the rails, not the train or even a passenger). You are the foundation on which the musicians stand so they can be heard and appreciated".

I never forgot watching that exchange.

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Jerry Callo

Being advanced doen't so much have to do with playing more or playing less but playing better.

^^^ This. There's no inherent virtue in playing more, and there's no inherent virtue in playing less either.

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Auriaprottu

+1

I recall hearing a guitarist making this point to a bassist at a jam I attended a few years ago (I wasn't playing). He said, "You are not the musician (you are the rails, not the train or even a passenger). You are the foundation on which the musicians stand so they can be heard and appreciated".

I never forgot watching that exchange.

No offense to you personally, but that guitar player's comment strikes me as ignorant nonsense. No good musician I know thinks like that.

[JimK]

Agree.
I guess that goes for drummers, too?
What the _____?

[Frankjohnson]

I don't think it is a slur -
Be the foundation - you get to show your stuff all night long by doing so.

It works in the style of stuff I play anyway.

I don't like to solo - I can do a little bit, and thats all I will do if put on the spot. I will usually do a very pronounced walk, or a little dabble out of my realm, and then back in to holding it down, followed by a half bow at the waist .

you kids go out and play.....I have some work to get done here.....kind of attitude (All in a good way)

[Richard Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Frankjohnson

I don't think it is a slur -

Of course it is, even if only a minor one. Telling a musician he's not a musician? Naturally we can all choose how we'd react to that--my own preference would be not anger or upset but simple laughter at the foolishness on display--but it's certainly a slur, intentional or not. Fortunately, slurs coming from a place of ignorance needn't be taken seriously.