Gospel Music??? I'm so confused by it......

zachbass02 · #1 09-11-2006, 08:17 AM

Over the years of playing one addage that has been drilled into my brain from producers, other players, band leaders, etc.... is that less is more, play less and be solid that's what counts. Don't overplay, more notes is not better, etc......use the KISS method, Keep It Simple Stupid. I've tried to adhere to most of these over the years as not to lose work and what have you. Especially in country and rock music, if you start throwing in your best chops and you get fired.

Why is it that in Gospel music, everything that I've mentioned above does not seem relevant? I'm listening to a song that my Worship Arts Pastor at my church is wanting to do for a choir special. It's a real over the top Israel Houghton song. Granted the guy playing bass on this is a monster and I don't think I can come anywhere close to touching his chops or timing. But I've noticed after listening to it a few times now, that this guy almost leaves no space between notes. It's a flury of 16ths and slapping that is over the top. Is there a formula to playing gospel bass? This is probably one of my weakest styles to play because I'm a laid back white guy that can't quite get my head around the complex hits that happen and the chops that are obviously required to sound relatively adept at it. Any help and advice in how to get into this mindset of music is appreciated as I am much perplexed right now.

I hope this doesn't come off as a gripe about my inabilities to play this style of music. It kind of is, but I'm always left in awe and admiration of the players like this that just completely tear it up.

jady · #2 09-11-2006, 08:30 AM

Whats the tune? I have played some of his charts at my church and the bass played has mad skills!!! I personally love to play this style of music because its a full bassist assault pretty much all the time. All I can recomend is to listen to as much as you can and try to pick out what is nessicary for the form of the tune (hits, unison lines, etc) and what is the bassist having fun.

My worship leader has given me a bunch of tunes with Abraham Laboriel playing on the recordings, no pressure right.

zachbass02 · #3 09-11-2006, 08:36 AM

LOL.......no kidding.....the song is Rejoice and Be Glad.....one thing that would be helpful for me is if they would actually get the full arrangement instead of just a lead sheet. I hate reading treble clef......also, the lead sheet leaves out important things that the full arrangement has on it.

Torch7 · #4 10-12-2006, 02:44 PM

Gospel is so diverse, you really can't pin point the style to being super busy, and Terrance Palmer is a monster on the bass, but he is not usually very busy...at all.

There is alot going on in that song, though.

Terrance quoted in BassPlayerMagazine:
“I try to get beneath everything and move it along,” says Terrance. “There’s a certain drive you have to provide at all times, but with so many people playing and singing you really have to pick your spots and keep it simple and tight. You don’t want it to sound like everyone is competing with each other; that’s the difference between a good gospel band and a not-so-good one.” He continues, “I always keep eye contact with the drummer, and I listen to everyone onstage. It’s all about communication. There’s a place you get to when everyone hits the pocket; at that point it’s all flowing, and it seems like whatever you play just fits right in.”