This guy really knows how to accompany a ballad (or The Tom Hamilton Appr. Thread)

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Hi everybody.

Well, it's just that a cover band hired me for a gig next week since their bassist quit without previous notice. The set list includes two Aerosmith songs: "Crazy" and "Cryin'". Both are great tunes, but after listening closely I was extremely impressed with Tom Hamilton's superb playing taste on "Cryin'". IMO, he devised the perfect bassline for that song: Great note choices, cool fills, no overplaying but not a simplistic approach either... not that I'm bringing big news here, but I want to say that Mr. Hamilton is definitely a true professional. I'd love to have such an equilibrated playing and be able to make such great decisions when accompanying an apparently simple genre like the rock ballad. As some of you already know, I love to transcribe anything that I consider interesting and edifying (and within my limited skills and time, of course). So I'd like you to check this great bassline:







Of course, the tablature staff shows the way I'd play it, so YMMV. I particularly like how he apparently "gets lost" when he plays the fill starting in the second half of measure 84, but gets back on track on the second half of measure 85 (Last page's second and third measures - from 4:46 to 4:48 on the recording). Tom Hamilton is a bassist that deserves to be listened really close. Enjoy!

[Kink Rimson]

I love his little bit of fretless fun in Hole in My Soul, just after the first chorus.

[HogieWan]

I would have called this 6/8 instead of 12/8 (definite 2/2 feel underneath)

[low-endz]

Yes, Tom Hamilton is one of rocks most underappraciated bassists!

I loved playing "Mama Kin" In the last cover band I was In.

[NickBass81]

One of the best rock players around...cool tone too...

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

Originally Posted by HogieWan

I would have called this 6/8 instead of 12/8 (definite 2/2 feel underneath)

No problem! Very easy to change.

[KJung]

Cool. I dig his playing also.

He's an interesting case. There was an interview with him in Bass Player a few years (or even longer ago), and he pretty much fessed up that he barely knows the name of the strings, much less even basic theory, etc. He made a point, if I remember it correctly, that he was taking lessons from someone and enjoying learning that other aspect of the instrument. I thought that was very cool. He obviously can play, and even after 20, 30 or whatever years, was trying to get better.

He came off as a very nice, very humble guy, and whether he can describe what he's doing or not, some of his bass lines and performances are IMO classics!

[Bassmingo]

cryin' is a hamilton favourite of mine. very understated use of the B string. I like it when players dont ram down your throat that they're on a 5, then when you hear it its like "whoa!"

thanks for the tab, if i had a 5ver i'd be jamming it.

[bassteban]

He was quite funny in that SNL Wayne's World skit years ago. Dude.
Seriously, the man's entire recorded work is a great example of groovin' support w/tasty embellishment. seems a class act as a person, too.