victor wooten&les claypool

[Bad Brains]

I don't see how Les and Vic fit into the "bass wankery" catigory just because they slap, tap, n' pop?

Is is not possible to play a differnt style and still be able to hold a rythem/groove?

I always thought wankery is when a guitarist or bassist goes off and does something completly unrealated with the music?

[corinpills]

Peter,

I think you misunderstand what I mean by bass being supportive. I don't disagree with anything you said a few posts back and I'm not so much of a frozen caveman bass player that I think that the bass should only play the root and the 5. I think the bass players you cited as examples moved the bass forward by establishing hooks in the bass line and that is at the heart of what I love. That is precisely what I meant about the bass line to "My Girl" (as I mentioned, I play music for a living, and we all know that that usually involves putting on a tuxedo sometimes and playing other people's music for $$$, so you know how much I look forward to playing "My Girl" for the one millionth time). It's a perfect example; two notes, ultra simple, but it's a huge hook for that song. It's perfect in it's minimalism.


When I was about 16, I used to play in a cover band with some older guys (really old I thought, some of them were in their 30's if you can believe it) and we used to play a lot of biker bars. The kind with meth labs in the back- a really good environment for a teenager, you can imagine. Anyway, whenever a fight would break out, the other guys would whirl around and point to me and I would start "My Girl" I've seen those two notes stop fights on several occasions. That's amazing when you think about it.

Also, Sundogue, thanks for expressing so clearly what I've been struggling to say here. It's not that I can't appreciate the physical act of chops-based playing, I just don't get any musical sensation from it. It's all just a lot of information that doesn't say anything to me. Where's the melody that I can remember for hours after hearing the track?

[FunkKing]

Originally Posted by corinpills

It's not that I can't appreciate the physical act of chops-based playing, I just don't get any musical sensation from it. It's all just a lot of information that doesn't say anything to me. Where's the melody that I can remember for hours after hearing the track?

But thats you. We're not all the same. Im not even very fussed on Claypool or Wooten, but I still acknowledge the fact that they can hold a groove down, as well as freaking out. And what they play isnt 'the wrong idea', in my individual opinion. Its just one idea of many in the eclectic world of music.

[peterjc]

corinpills, to be honest I don't think we are that far apart in how we think about bassplaying but I feel you should always stay openminded. I feel that the bass can't be put in a corner.
I can play very basic grooves for hours and really enjoy it, but sometimes I start slappin' like a madman and i enjoy it as well and , sometimes i play melodies,sometimes chords and when i play at home bach suites i am full of joy.It depends where and when and sometimes I make mistakes(like when i started playing a heavy distortion solo on a wedding gig)but who cares(the whole band exept the bandleader was in tears) and it is thanks to people that try to cross borders that music is like it is now.

[battousai]

The bassline to "Flight of the Cosmic Hippo" is simpler than "My Girl." Does that make Jamerson the wanker? (No, but I was making a point.)

I'm not as familiar with Les, but anyone who says Vic is just a wanker just hasn't listened to him play enough to make an educated critique. Let's just make some good music and screw looking at how fast someone plays.

[Sundogue]

The beauty of music is it's diversity.

Whatever floats your boat, trips your trigger, pops your cork or rocks your world is cool.

We all have different tastes and fortunately there is enough out there to satisfy us all.

[TheThumb]

I'm not as familiar with Les, but anyone who says Vic is just a wanker just hasn't listened to him play enough to make an educated critique. Let's just make some good music and screw looking at how fast someone plays.

By "wanker" he means he thinks Les and Vic 'masturbate' their basses by playing quickly. This is an odd comparison to make. When I play fast I do not get turned on, and when I express myself through my playing I am not one dimentional enough in my emotions to restrict myself to being strictly supportive or... I dunno, slow? Relaxed? Whatever... speed or technicality is not just done to show off. And what if it is sometimes? What's wrong with having fun in music? I love all types of playing styles so I don't get this selective negativity.