What's your philosophy of bass?

[Mike Flynn]

Two weeks ago my band of four years (with two different line ups) split up. Now, had I been a younger less-experienced bassist/musician, I might have curled in a ball in the corner and felt a little shell-shocked that all my effort and commitment had been for nothing.

Recently I have also moved to London where the general standard of playing is pretty high and where for every gig there are potentially a bunch of bassists who could do the job - thus forcing the question into my mind of "Am I good enough?" This weekend I tried out and joined two different bands and having been coming here, to TB, for a few weeks now, and loved all the various topics on technique, gear and music genreally I suddenly feel like I have finally reached a new stage in my playing - but not one that has anything to do with 'G.A.S.' or Wooten thumb stuff!

This dramatic change occurred during these last two regearsal/recording sessions with these new bands. I have been focussing on my technique a lot and I have also been combining this with improving my phrasing and tone - plus the music these bands are playing is very different from the rock based stuff I have been doing - one is a hip-hop funky-house collective - the other is a classical influenced piano and voice duo (plus me and a drummer).

My philosophical shift is this; that by ensuring that every note I played sound and felt great, and fitted, I created a completely new vibe on each song, literally bringing the music to life - because as bass players we play such a vital role in the band that developing ALL aspects of our musicianship impacts on all the other musicians and elements in a song. I now feel the happiest I have for a long time with my playing and my whole approach to music - because I know I can make whatever music I make - sound better.

Apologies for the ramble but after 19 years of hard work I now feel I have finally matured into becomig a really decent musician - at last! I just wanted to post something like this because it's often the 'indefinable' stuff that gets overlooked here and it's actually the most important stuff of all when making music with other musicians - not just playing solo bass...love to hear your thoughts.

[ironmaidenisgod]

Absolutely.

Agree 100%.

Best of luck man.

[JMX]

Hear, hear!

[Robert B]

I hear you and I think I understand what you mean. Sounds like you've mastered your technique to the point that you can focus on playing from the heart (rather than the head) and you're also imposing your own creative flair to the music that is presented to you. Participating in the synergy of musical collaboration, so to speak. Leaving the piece better than you found it. Feels great, doesn't it?

[Benjamin Strange]

Amen. It's taken me a long time to realize that sometimes the band sounds best when I don't play.

Fortunately, I am the etire band at this point, so I am always playing something.

[Mudfuzz]

Can't think of a thing to add, other than agreeing.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by A M N

Can't think of a thing to add, other than agreeing.

+1

[Mike Flynn]

Originally Posted by Robert B

I hear you and I think I understand what you mean. Sounds like you've mastered your technique to the point that you can focus on playing from the heart (rather than the head) and you're also imposing your own creative flair to the music that is presented to you. Participating in the synergy of musical collaboration, so to speak. Leaving the piece better than you found it. Feels great, doesn't it?

I think that's kind of what I was getting at there - and yes it feels bloody brilliant...it's also kind of weird now that I am at this sort of level that for some reason my bass is sounding really sweet too - like my fingers have suddenly found a new sound - it's also very cool - I'll post any new recordings I make for sure.

My overall feeling though is that i desperately needed a new band to show more sides to my playing than just 'rock' - I love (good) music fullstop.