sting

[oldprussians]

How does a man with such a bad technique, create such good bass lines?

[PunkerTrav]

Talent?

[DZIB]

Originally Posted by oldprussians

How does a man with such a bad technique, create such good bass lines?

What is "bad" technique?? Some would argue Picasso had "bad" technique".

[GlassJaw]

Because chops aren't the same as tasteful and interesting playing (not to say that Sting has "bad" chops, because he doesn't).

[oldprussians]

Originally Posted by DZIB

What is "bad" technique?? Some would argue Picasso had "bad" technique".

Don't get me wrong I'm his biggest fan, I play bass because of him. But lets face it thumb over the top? a right hand technique, that is pretty poor and he changes mid song 'cause it hurts. I'm also annoyed that he's stopped playing Double bass on tour, and I don't like his old p-bass sound, not enough meat!

[pmaraziti]

I saw him live several time, the last time I did was the first since I started playing bass and I noticed his technique...

I love the simplicity and effectiveness of his lines, I don't like "see" him playing, but I love to "listen" to him... the same for me is James Jamerson, I don't like visually playing with the "hook" but he knew for sure how to get the job done !
I think like somebody said here, find what works best for you to express what you want to say with music... and of course in your quest for your technique listen meanwhile to a good teacher !

Paolo

[droskobass]

I'm a guy who is known to have excellent right hand technique. And for I long time I didn't get what Sting was doing with his right hand either.

But, I recently saw his son (Joe Sumner) play very, very up-close and I finally get what Sting does. I payed more attention to Police videos (like Police at the rock n Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2003) and I see it's Classical guitar technique and it's actually very efficient, dynamic and effective. he doesn't change his right hand position because he's tired. It’s to get different tones and dynamics. He incorporates his index and middle fingers more often that you'd think, he was slapping hard at the end of Roxanne.

I have since started incorporating it into my playing and i can go lightning fast with absolute control using my thumb and fingers.

Don't assume that because a technique looks simple that it is "bad". Sting is actually a near flawless player and has great precision, time, tone, dynamics, endurance and has been injury free for 30 plus years of playing. What more do you want from technique?

The technique he's using now is closer to what guys like Garry Willis has been doing for years and that all the guys with the ramps are doing.

Over the years he's Played Fretless with excellent intonation, slammed with a pick and his fingers.

try using whatever technique you employ and play along with "No Time This Time" on Regatta de Blanc. You’ll see Sting can burn.

[pmaraziti]

Originally Posted by droskobass

But, I recently saw his son (Joe Sumner) play very, very up-close and I finally get what Sting does.

Hey, cool, what does his son do ? Never heard of him...

Tx, Paolo

[stedtale]

technique is subjective.....geddy has bad technique too...

[droskobass]

Originally Posted by pmaraziti

Hey, cool, what does his son do ? Never heard of him...

Tx, Paolo

check out my thread on "Joe Sumner fiction plane" under Bassists.

[NYCBass]

I would think that why Sting's bass lines are so good is because he is being himself and plying what he feels. Whatever his influences are he still has his owen thing going on. I also feel that his rhythmic approach to playing is a big part of what makes him so good.

[SC Bassboy]

Originally Posted by stedtale

technique is subjective.....geddy has bad technique too...

So true. Although technically wrong, his use of the middle finger, or his "noisy bastard" as he calls it, to strum is actually very efficient. I use the same finger prominently too.

[Calebmundy]

Originally Posted by oldprussians

But lets face it thumb over the top?

I think this obsession with "thumb over the top" is a well-intentioned error in TB philosophy. I know when I've had lessons, and when I've taught, I received/imparted the idea of the "U" shape and keeping the thumb mid-neck and so-forth, but I've always viewed that as more of a "don't-start-a-bad-habit-now-because-if-you-want-to-play-something-fast-later-it-will-be-harder" kind of thing. If you're playing slow enough (which could be plenty fast for most non-technical music, i.e. fusion and metal watch out), it shouldn't really be a problem, and depending on where you wear the instrument, thumb over the top can actually put your wrist in the right place.

It kind of strikes me like music-theory lessons-you have to learn the "right" way to do things, so you can do whatever you want once you know the basics.

Sorry for putting this here, I've just been thinking this for a while, and this was the most recent comment I've seen... also is there somewhere I could've put a paragraph break in up there, it seems wordy.

Also, Sting rules. I think of him more of a songwriter than a bass player-although he is fantastic, and I think his bass lines benefit from his seeing the song in it's whole view, whereas a more "pure" bass player might take a more... individual approach. I think this might contribute to the disparity between his technical appearance and his awesome lines.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by oldprussians

a right hand technique, that is pretty poor and he changes mid song 'cause it hurts.

From what I can tell -- based on film footage/video, I've never seen him live -- Sting used a completely different right hand technique with The Police in the 1980's, and only changed to this (admittedly awkward looking) thumb-plucking thing around the time of Ten Summoner's Tales. Back around 1983 he was using a pick and/or plucking with a much more conventional two-finger approach.

[marcray]

Originally Posted by Hoover

and only changed to this (admittedly awkward looking) thumb-plucking thing around the time of Ten Summoner's Tales.

'tis true... I remember a "making of" show about "Tales" and he was playing that way on "If I Ever Lose My Faith"... I tried to play along to the song with that approach and it makes the line (the endless octaves) flow just right, so I understand why he does that.

Over the years, I've played that way myself a lot more, mainly due to laziness and boredom. It's very relaxed, and very flexible and I do it unconsciously now. I like it a lot, especially with fretless.

[TheDarkReaver]

some people can have flawless technique and technical skill, but can't write lines or music for ****.

[fretlessrock]

Originally Posted by oldprussians

How does a man with such a bad technique, create such good bass lines?

He's just one more in a long line of musicians who illustrate that technique is not a means to an end. Everyone is limited by their technique, eventually.

I have red posts slagging Charlie Haden and Dave Holland for their technique too. I guess Ornette and Miles had other priorities. The list of great musicians with flawed technique is huge... but hey, they don't keep lists of crap musicians with beautiful technique, do they?

[T-steve]

Bottom line is how it sounds.....which is why sting should stick to bass and never so much as LOOK at a lute again.....!!!!!

[Jazz Ad]

Sting and bad technique in the same sentence. It doesn't compile.
He's a true master of rhythm and timing. It's like a game for him.

[Eublet]

Whatever he's doing, it works for him, his fans and his accountants.