The BOOOOSH

**stubborne** · #1 07-27-2012, 10:16 AM

Ah, the BOOOOSH - a bass player’s most versatile and effective tool. What is the BOOOOSH you ask? No, it’s not that ex-Flyer goalie who couldn’t quite get us to the ultimate prize. The BOOOOSH is the big slide starting (close) to the upper octave of the key you are playing in; usually on the E/B string if you’re lucky. Employed correctly and it’s the gig saver. Guitards don’t have the luxury of the BOOOOSH. They have the “scratch” but it sounds like dog **** typically, while the BOOOSH can sound GIANT. Don’t confuse the BOOOOSH with the WOOOM-WOOOM. The WOOOM-WOOOM is a well thought out, quick “double” slide up to the high octave and back down again. Very effective and cool but not deployed as a gig-saver. How often should you rely on the BOOOOSH? Well, that is directly proportional to the level of Cranial Flatulence; or, how far into the 3rd set you are; or, how much beer has been consumed. But typically, it’s a combination of all 3 of those.
So, how do you employ the BOOOOSH? What kinds of scenarios does the BOOOOSH become a gig-saver? Let’s look at a few examples:

1) That song you’ve only rehearsed twice and up comes the tricky bridge after the long guitard solo while you’re thinking about how much drywall it’s going to take to fix the walls around the bathtub – BOOOOSH!!! Saved.

2) In the middle of the super chorus at the end of the song right before the outro and in walks a smoking hot blonde in a tight, white dress silhouetted by the bar’s neon lights outside. Double chorus, ****!!! BOOOOSH!!! Saved. (Bass face should be deployed in conjunction with the BOOOOSH in this situation. I mean, she’s probably, uh, checking you out…)

3) The Drummer. Dipshit never can get the turnaround coming out of the intro of Whipping Post. C’mon dude, it’s only 11/4 timing!! BOOOOSH!!! Saved, the drummer. Again.

These are just a few of the common examples of proper BOOOOSH technique. I’m typically good for a couple a night, just try not to wear it out or anything. Any other examples of the BOOOOSH gig-saver could be posted in this thread too, you know, to help the new guys or something. Peace!

Stu-

alecduncan · #2 07-27-2012, 10:24 AM

The BOOOOOSH has saved my rear more times than I'd like to admit. I combine it with a volume pedal for extra BOO.

plankspanker13 · #3 07-27-2012, 10:39 AM

An envelope filter set to an auto-wah sound really gives the extra BOO.

Oneirogenic · #4 07-27-2012, 10:47 AM

The BOOOSHWAHWAHWAH is my favorite butt saver on fretless. Quickly slide botched note into correct note and vibrato the crap out of it and add bass face for extra flavor.

**stubborne** · #5 07-27-2012, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oneirogenic

The BOOOSHWAHWAHWAH is my favorite butt saver on fretless. Quickly slide botched note into correct note and vibrato the crap out of it and add bass face for extra flavor.

Kids take note of this advanced method. This is an obvious pro talking here and care should be taken - Fretless/Vibrato/Bass Face, very impressive.

Stu-

bassteban · #6 07-27-2012, 10:53 AM

I like the low-end/sub-octave wolf whistle to puncuate a well-placed bit of suggestive humor or nice-looking woman workin it on the dance floor.

millsbass5 · #7 07-27-2012, 10:54 AM

Gene $immons is "THE KING" of the woosh-woosh. I'm gonna have to count how many times he used it on ALIVE 1 & 2. At least 20 times, I'd have to say.
I'll admit, IT IS one of the techniques I use in rock music. And, I was influenced by Gene $immons. It comes pretty natural to me. Have you ever heard someone use it when it's outta time? Wow. I'd rather play the wrong friggin' note.

bassteban · #8 07-27-2012, 10:58 AM

I gotta say all of these maneuvers are best used sparingly- not quite as instantly-annoying as slap but don't ruin it.

**stubborne** · #9 07-27-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by millsbass5

I'll admit, IT IS one of the techniques I use in rock music.

I would say this is mostly true - that it is a tool to be used for a Rock gig. I mean, i'm pretty sure the BOOOOSH wouldn't go over on a Jazz crowd. Besides, if you're playing Jazz and EFF up, just do it again - that's Jazz.

Stu-

bound'n'blocked · #10 07-27-2012, 11:12 AM

And then don't forget the BOOOOOSH-BUCKETAFISH....

That's when you and the drummer are in the groove at the big vamp-it-out ending, and he puts the exclamation point on your BOOOOSH with the floor tom BUCKETAFISH roll. Guaranteed crowd-goes-nuts moment there.

BnB

BelleNoireBass · #11 07-27-2012, 11:16 AM

I employ the use of the BOOOOSH in one of my bands originals. Fits perfect.

**stubborne** · #12 07-27-2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelleNoireBass

I employ the use of the BOOOOSH in one of my bands originals. Fits perfect.

Planning a BOOOOSH is awesome, pretty much guaranteed to get you above the mix. Plus, you get to use the Bass Face. Only drawback I can see is the limiting affect on the gig-saver version of the BOOOOSH. Can't wear it out!

Stu-

BelleNoireBass · #13 07-27-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubborne

Planning a BOOOOSH is awesome, pretty much guaranteed to get you above the mix. Plus, you get to use the Bass Face. Only drawback I can see is the limiting affect on the gig-saver version of the BOOOOSH. Can't wear it out!

Stu-

Hah, yeah, definitely don't want to wear it out. I do it twice though in that one song and not at all in any of the others. At least not for the way they were written so that might limit my effectiveness of using the BOOOOSH as a gig saver. Crowd would say "didn't he do that twice in that one song already?" haha, I guess we'll see.

**stubborne** · #14 07-27-2012, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelleNoireBass

Hah, yeah, definitely don't want to wear it out. I do it twice though in that one song and not at all in any of the others. At least not for the way they were written so that might limit my effectiveness of using the BOOOOSH as a gig saver. Crowd would say "didn't he do that twice in that one song already?" haha, I guess we'll see.

Hmm, interesting. I'm thinking in this case, where a gig-saver BOOOOSH must be used after already BOOOOSH'ing twice on purpose, that immediately after the Bass Face, turn to the drummer, flash a big sh!t-eating grin, turn back to the crowd, flash the devil horns, and mouth "F*CK YEAH". That would add a bit of awesomeness to it.

Stu-

BayStateBass · #15 07-27-2012, 11:41 AM

Chorus pedal assisted BOOSH........mine.

My go-to Boosh.....

Playing "Tush" (hate it).....guitar intro....then

BOOSH

Down to G.

Always a crowd pleaser. Not sure why that song never gets old....

Every good bassist needs a go-to BOOSH in one song.

**stubborne** · #16 07-27-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayStateBass

Chorus pedal assisted BOOSH........mine.

My go-to Boosh.....

Playing "Tush" (hate it).....guitar intro....then

BOOSH

Down to G.

Always a crowd pleaser. Not sure why that song never gets old....

Every good bassist needs a go-to BOOSH in one song.

ZZ Top? Oh yeah, that goes without sayin'. It's BOOOOSHapalooza playing some ZZ...

Stu-

Oneirogenic · #17 07-27-2012, 12:52 PM

Just remember kids, too much BOOSHin' and you be DOOSHin'.

Snarf · #18 07-27-2012, 01:36 PM

The BOOOSH. Almost as good as . . . . . . BOBROVSKY!!! You're a loose cannon Bobrovsky!

whitedk57 · #19 07-27-2012, 02:02 PM

I only have used the Boooosh on Fly Me Courageous. I was quite thrilled with myself over the affect. Next - to imploy my bass face with it!

**stubborne** · #20 07-27-2012, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarf

The BOOOSH. Almost as good as . . . . . . BOBROVSKY!!! You're a loose cannon Bobrovsky!

My reply to you, sir, is ... Bob.