The Praise and Worship Band Bassists Club part 23

[MissingHighs]

Originally Posted by english4bw

So getting back to the question of "generational" gaps in choices regarding contemporary vs. traditional hymn worship music; God gave us ALL of it, so the challenge we feel is in our HUMAN inability to accept each other's different subjective ideas about what is worthy.

I did find myself smiling at this, because we tend to forget the furores created when Wesley was the then 'contemporary' composer! What added to the giggle is how anything 'old' is so often labeled 'traditional'. I do so like starting a day with a smile. Thank you.

My very humble opinion is the breadth of worship genres is the P&W bassist's real challenge. We are called to play skilfully (and, by the way, I recall reading recently this is only said once no way! There are loads of Biblical references to musicians being required to play at their best). Knowing how powerful bass is at conveying emotion, each song is worthy of the same concentration to timing, timbre, and touch. This means bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to a semi-monotonous oldie (longer, more sustained, duller low-end) as to e.g. the rock version of "Lord be my vision" (1/8th note pick snapping attack).

The result? Well, hearing grandma and grandson debating whether it was "Praise my soul, the King if Heaven" (which she thinks was 'absolutely rousing') or "To God Be The Glory" (Lou Fellingham style, which has him thinking this 51 year old bassist is a cool dude for pulling a rock groove like that). Each leaves humming 'their' song, and feeling closer to God for it. I've done what I've been called to do, and skilfully.

And I echo; Steve, your posts are stunning. We are blessed to have you on this forum.

Marc. <><

[SoVeryTired]

+1 on bringing the same level of skill, preparation and enthusiasm to every style and song.

I'm on rhythm electric this week and most of it is just playing a chord and letting it ring for a bar. I'm still practicing and going to throw myself into it.

[5StringFool]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

+1 on bringing the same level of skill, preparation and enthusiasm to every style and song.

I'm on rhythm electric this week and most of it is just playing a chord and letting it ring for a bar. I'm still practicing and going to throw myself into it.

Don't forget you're powerstance... it's essential to proper playing and throwing oneself into big chords:

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by 5StringFool

Don't forget you're powerstance... it's essential to proper playing and throwing oneself into big chords:

Got it covered. Much easier to throw shapes when you're not singing or playing complex parts. I am MD though so I'll have to get back to the mic occasionally...

[mkandolf]

Originally Posted by MissingHighs

My very humble opinion is the breadth of worship genres is the P&W bassist's real challenge. We are called to play skilfully (and, by the way, I recall reading recently this is only said once no way! There are loads of Biblical references to musicians being required to play at their best). Knowing how powerful bass is at conveying emotion, each song is worthy of the same concentration to timing, timbre, and touch. This means bringing the same energy and enthusiasm to a semi-monotonous oldie (longer, more sustained, duller low-end) as to e.g. the rock version of "Lord be my vision" (1/8th note pick snapping attack).

Funny<, Marc, how you mention the words skillfully and conveying emotion in this paragraph...

This past Saturday I came down with a sore throat (think I had something caught in there, not a virus or anything). Been that way all week. Last night's practice I simply resigned myself to playing and pushed the mic aside. I concentrated more on my playing. I found by the time we got around to playing "You Are My King" that my playing had changed and my focus was more upward than it had been in quite a while. Really got in to doing all the fine little stuff for Him and was really surprised with the result. One of those times I wish a recorder was running.

And today the sore throat is almost completely gone (after we all prayed about it last night)!

[JebDude]

Originally Posted by TodB

Not to worry, you're still a kid. One of my basses turns 37 this year, and I bought it new! (I'm 56).

THAT is almost sig worthy. 'You're not old, I have basses older than you are.

As a soon-to-be 55 year old I can say I grew up singing hymns, so I don't have a big problem with them. But, I also grew up listening to rock-and-roll and when it really comes down to it that is where my heart is. I think the local christian 'youth' station is a little bit lightweight!

Trying to keep both ends of the age spectrum is the reason we play the mix we do. It's just we are in a bit of a rut with most Sundays being 3 hymns then 3 contemporary.

My 2 cents worth

JB

[JebDude]

I have come to the conclusion after reading thru the last few pages, and in considering my own church's situation(split about 3 years ago), that music is picked on because it is 'up front', but the real reasons for most discontent is probably a discomfort about a spiritual or doctrinal direction the church, especially the pastor, is taking.

Just another 2 cents worth.

JB

[english4bw]

Originally Posted by JebDude

I have come to the conclusion after reading thru the last few pages, and in considering my own church's situation(split about 3 years ago), that music is picked on because it is 'up front', but the real reasons for most discontent is probably a discomfort about a spiritual or doctrinal direction the church, especially the pastor, is taking.

Just another 2 cents worth.

JB

+1

I agree. That and the individual musician having too much pride attached to the specific genre or type of music that they relate to being effective praise and worship. If people don't like playing hymns, too bad. And if it's such a big problem that a person can't come to grips with then they should honestly seek some pastoral guidance regarding their motivation for being in a church band to begin with.

Seriously... it's not about us. It's about HIM. Suck it up, challenge the preconceived notions we have about worship, and realize that we're there to SUPPORT and FACILITATE the fellowship of the Body of Christ and the reading of the Word. Submit to that and then you've got the start of something REAL.

Then it doesn't matter what style of music or song is on the songlist each Sunday. Take opinion and pride out of the equation and all that's left over is the music. Let it be.

[ExaltBass]

Originally Posted by JebDude

THAT is almost sig worthy. 'You're not old, I have basses older than you are.

As a soon-to-be 55 year old I can say I grew up singing hymns, so I don't have a big problem with them. But, I also grew up listening to rock-and-roll and when it really comes down to it that is where my heart is. I think the local christian 'youth' station is a little bit lightweight!

Trying to keep both ends of the age spectrum is the reason we play the mix we do. It's just we are in a bit of a rut with most Sundays being 3 hymns then 3 contemporary.

My 2 cents worth

JB

+1 We've got high school kids up to 2 of us in our sixties... and I was only 8 when my '59 P-Bass was born.

[mtb777]

Originally Posted by dDaddybass

Any of you worship bassists that would be interested in purchasing a worship bassists t-shirt let me know.
A couple of us TB'ers have come up with a design and are going to have them made. We won't know the final cost until we know how many we can order. Just let me know your size and I'll get back with cost shipping details.

Here's a pic:
Attachment 311543

I likes dat!! Let us know how much. XL. Might get a few more for buddies depending on the $$$!

Just read the above........got it. Nice though.

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by TodB

Not to worry, you're still a kid. One of my basses turns 37 this year, and I bought it new! (I'm 56).

Thinking about it, my bass is younger than anyone at church (unless any babies were born in the last week).

I slapped some new strings on before I went out to rehearsal (on guitar), then came back and set the bass up properly. Wow, it's really singing. And I've never had a B that I could play like a normal string before - I've set the string height above the fretboard at an equal distance for each string and I can pound away on each one with the same force and get the same results. Looking forward to unleashing the thunder on the youth tomorrow night.

[TodB]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

Thinking about it, my bass is younger than anyone at church (unless any babies were born in the last week).

I slapped some new strings on before I went out to rehearsal (on guitar), then came back and set the bass up properly. Wow, it's really singing. And I've never had a B that I could play like a normal string before - I've set the string height above the fretboard at an equal distance for each string and I can pound away on each one with the same force and get the same results. Looking forward to unleashing the thunder on the youth tomorrow night.

Congrats on the new arrival!

[BlueLine1]

SVT, what kind of strings did you put on, flat, round, brand?????
Thanks,
Alan

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by BlueLine1

SVT, what kind of strings did you put on, flat, round, brand?????
Thanks,
Alan

Circle K, roundwound hybrid nickel/steel. If you aren't familiar with them, the main attraction is the balanced tension of their sets. Mine is 41-57-76-102-136, which seems odd compared to traditional sets. But when you look at their tension charts and compare them to the tension charts published by Daddario, it soon becomes clear why the B and E strings tend to feel looser on a traditional set.

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by dDaddybass

Hey guys, so here is an update with the T-shirts

sizes:

small – xlarge - $ 18

XXL – $20

XXXL – $21

Shipped USPS CONUS

Right now we’re only doing black shirts w/ white lettering. I will check to see if there’s a price increase with other colors. If there is, then we will stick w/ just the black. We’re going to let this run on TB for a week or two to see how many requests we get. I can get a better price with more shirts, which will be passed to you of course. Just in case anyone is wondering, this is not a “for profit” deal. Joe and I were just throwing some ideas around a few months ago and we thought it would be cool to have some T-shirts made. Well, we shortly found out that it was kind of pricey just to do a few shirts. So, why not see if anybody on TB or our other bass playing brethren would be interested. All “profits” will be given as an offering at my church. We’ll keep you updated as things progress.

God Bless,
Dave (dDaddybass) & Joe (JOME77)

I'm at work right now, just browsing and I stumbled upon your shirt design.....I WANT ONE!!!!!! I'm going to get back to you about this!

[SoVeryTired]

Youth service cancelled tonight due to snow. It snowed on Monday, thawed a little, then stayed sub-zero since then. And now we have snow forecast for the next few days - it started an hour ago and isn't due to let up. Think I may work from home this afternoon...

[SoVeryTired]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

Circle K, roundwound hybrid nickel/steel. If you aren't familiar with them, the main attraction is the balanced tension of their sets. Mine is 41-57-76-102-136, which seems odd compared to traditional sets. But when you look at their tension charts and compare them to the tension charts published by Daddario, it soon becomes clear why the B and E strings tend to feel looser on a traditional set.

For reference, a 45-65-85-105-135 set of Prosteels has an average tension of 41.1lbs per string, but that varies between 47.3 on the D and 34.3 on the B - a massive 13lbs difference (it's bigger on the 45-130 set). The Circle Ks I've got average to 39.8lbs per string but only vary between 38.5 on the G and 40.4 on the D and E.

[Dave the Bass]

Set list for Sunday....

Furious
All Because of Jesus
Come To Save Us
You Won't Relent

.....and I've decided to use the fretless Jazz, it hasn't been getting much playing time lately. Should be awesome!

[steve_rolfeca]

Originally Posted by Dave the Bass

...I've decided to use the fretless Jazz, it hasn't been getting much playing time lately. Should be awesome!

Sigh. I just decided to face up to the fact that I'm just not a fretless guy, and traded the neck off my Squier VM fretless for a fretted CV P-bass neck.

Seemed better to have it as a lightweight backup to my active fivers, than to have it spend another year gathering dust.

I think this was my fourth failed attempt. For me, fretless is like a 12-string guitar- an interesting sideline, but not worth the hassle and expense of keeping it maintained, or the extra practice time required to master it.

I guess we all have our blind spots...

[dDaddybass]

Originally Posted by Mike M.

I'm at work right now, just browsing and I stumbled upon your shirt design.....I WANT ONE!!!!!! I'm going to get back to you about this!

Just send me a PM when you're ready.