Playing RnB?

[Nic.]

Well, I was asked to play bass for a supporting band for an "R&B singer-songwriter artiste" next month for a gig. I'm still waiting for more news and updates about the gig, but for now I want to start preparing first.

The problem I have here is that while I'm rather interested to take up this gig, I've never played R&B before, and I haven't listened to it much either.

I did a search for RnB on talkbass and nothing much comes up. What does come up, though, is that there's old RnB and new RnB, the old stuff being more towards funk, and the new stuff nothing like it. I recall my drum instructor mentioning something like that before, that there were two kinds of "RnB". My guess is that this artiste is going to be playing the newer stuff.

I'm currently trying to listen to some of the new stuff online mainly along the lines of Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, etc., but between youtube and the crappy speakers in my office, I'm not hearing much bass around- most of the low end doesn't sound like it's coming from bass, more like either piano or keyboard. The little that I'm hearing so far seems to be locking in exactly with the bass drum. The impression I'm getting from reading around this forum is that the current RnB uses synthesized bass, is this right?

Do you guys have any tips for playing this style? Recommendations what I should listen to?

Also, I know this is a silly question, but I primarily play fretless. Are there any major issues with playing fretless on an RnB song? I use my fretless for everything from rock to jazz to metal, but on the other hand, I've never played RnB before so I don't want to get yelled at on the first meeting for having the "wrong tone".

[smeet]

You need to find out what style they really play. What's the artist's name? Google them or look on youtube or myspace to find out their sound.

You seem to know what new "R&B" is like. Not a lot of bass guitar, locking in with the kick, heavy groove-oriented feel but not very organic.

Old R&B is more in the Motown vein, with sometimes busy flatwound/precision sounding grooves a la James Jamerson. This stuff is challenging and fun to play. If you can, get your hands on Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which is a book/CD set, you can spend a lifetime learning from that. That will serve you well no matter what style you play.

Not sure how a fretless would fit into R&B. I don't think you want a lot of mwah. You don't want a Jaco or Michael Manring sound. If you play thick solid-sounding fretless with good attack and a strong fundamental, that might work well.

[Nic.]

Heh I don't know the artist yet. Some upcoming local songwriter I guess, judging from the venue and support. I hope to find out who soon.

I guess if it's the new RnB it shouldn't be much of an issue to follow... old RnB seems more fun. Shall look out for that and listen to more Motown stuff, did some funk before so I guess that should help a bit.

I'll probably dig in a bit more with my fretless to get more attack.

Thanks for the advice!

[Mark Wilson]

If it's modern R&B, but on a metronome and work on burying the beat, laying back, or lying on top of the beat. I play a bunch of Modern R&B and I find this helps the groove a LOT.

[Eminentbass]

I'm not too up to date on new R&B but I love the tone and styles of the bassists who've played with India Arie Corinne Bailey Rae(not sure if the spelling is correct). There might be a vast chasm between old and new but those guys sound like they'd fit perfectly in both. The bass on Alicia Keys stuff also grooves nicely. I can't offer any tips I guess but those guys are worth listening to for some inspiration.

[cnltb]

Originally Posted by Nic.

Well, I was asked to play bass for a supporting band for an "R&B singer-songwriter artiste" next month for a gig. I'm still waiting for more news and updates about the gig, but for now I want to start preparing first.

The problem I have here is that while I'm rather interested to take up this gig, I've never played R&B before, and I haven't listened to it much either.

I did a search for RnB on talkbass and nothing much comes up. What does come up, though, is that there's old RnB and new RnB, the old stuff being more towards funk, and the new stuff nothing like it. I recall my drum instructor mentioning something like that before, that there were two kinds of "RnB". My guess is that this artiste is going to be playing the newer stuff.

I'm currently trying to listen to some of the new stuff online mainly along the lines of Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, etc., but between youtube and the crappy speakers in my office, I'm not hearing much bass around- most of the low end doesn't sound like it's coming from bass, more like either piano or keyboard. The little that I'm hearing so far seems to be locking in exactly with the bass drum. The impression I'm getting from reading around this forum is that the current RnB uses synthesized bass, is this right?

Do you guys have any tips for playing this style? Recommendations what I should listen to?

Also, I know this is a silly question, but I primarily play fretless. Are there any major issues with playing fretless on an RnB song? I use my fretless for everything from rock to jazz to metal, but on the other hand, I've never played RnB before so I don't want to get yelled at on the first meeting for having the "wrong tone".

Don't worry too much.
Listen to the music and have it guide you.
Do you get songs to prepare?
If so, learn them well and have the others in the band guide you also.
I 'd say that's all.

[Nic.]

Originally Posted by cnltb

Don't worry too much.
Listen to the music and have it guide you.
Do you get songs to prepare?
If so, learn them well and have the others in the band guide you also.
I 'd say that's all.

Nope, no details yet. I guess I'll be able to prepare once I get any info, but I just want to be prepared ahead of time- it's safer.

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

If it's modern R&B, but on a metronome and work on burying the beat, laying back, or lying on top of the beat. I play a bunch of Modern R&B and I find this helps the groove a LOT.

Mmm the problem was I don't even know what was the groove. +1 on the metronome though, I recommend that to everyone I meet!

Originally Posted by Eminentbass

I'm not too up to date on new R&B but I love the tone and styles of the bassists who've played with India Arie Corinne Bailey Rae(not sure if the spelling is correct). There might be a vast chasm between old and new but those guys sound like they'd fit perfectly in both. The bass on Alicia Keys stuff also grooves nicely. I can't offer any tips I guess but those guys are worth listening to for some inspiration.

Ah, I've heard some Bailey before, I like the stuff the bassist was doing. Thanks!

[diglo]

Check out D'Angelo, Jill Scott, Maxwell, Neyo, Trey Songs even R. Kelly. This is a nice variety of the styles of today's R&B. Straight groove, to the point. Use your fingers or thumb. More boom than expression. LIke for a bass to sound like a bass. I wouldn't use the fretless.

[eq777]

I'm an r&b bass player and grew up listening to it all, old and new. The last person gave you some good artists to listen to and that was good advise. But, if you really want to understand this type of music, first understand that it is not about theory or technique but about sound/feeling and making someone want to tap their foot or bob their head. Its about the grove or as some cats say: the "pocket" . the music is very simple and to the point. You rely on the drummer to give you that back beat and you just lay their with him. Don't try to be to creative or else you will loose the pocket. For some examples: Listen to artist like: Maze featureing Frankie Beverly, Luther Vandross records, Prince, The Time, Earth Wind and Fire, Parliment, The Gap Band, this is mostly old school, but as far as new school, listen to keith sweat records and charlie wilson, etc...along with alicia keys, maxwell, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Ledisi...You just have to dive in and get the feeling of groving to come naturally, you can't really teach it, you just have to feel it. I agree with the last comment; fretless won't work for this. Listen to lots and lots of marcus miller and you will get the right tone. He uses a fender jazz and plays thump style or some folks call it slap style. Check it Out. Good Luck...