My Revelation

[Dee Dubya]

Okay, I'm new here, and I didn't quite know where to put this, so I just put it here and if it doesn't apply, someone else can fix it.

So, I wanna just talk about a revelation I had the other night. I've been playing bass for a bit over a year now. I love it. I don't know what I'd do with my time if I didn't play. I spend most of my time teaching myself theory and practicing.

I'm a crazed U2 fan, and, as such, I started off on some Adam Clayton lines. Beautiful Day. Desire. With or Without You. Vertigo. Simple stuff, I know, but they were fun to start off with.

Anyway, I became aware that he has a very simple style, and I feared I would limit myself if I didn't aim higher. So, after gaining a lot from his style, I looked around for other bassists to learn - Claypool, Wooten, Flea, etc. - and began playing there lines.

My playing evolved obviously, and I felt proud.

But then the other night I saw U2 live. I was right in the front row, and there was the guy who basically inspired me to play bass, standing right in front of me, smiling at me and my girlfriend as he played my favourite bassline of all time, New Year's Day.

And then I realised something I sort of new all along.

Music is only going to drain you if it isn't your music. Flea, Bootsy, Wooten, they aren't me. I do love to play some funk every now and then, and I certainly enjoy listening to it, but even of these more advanced players, my favourite line any of them have ever done is "This Is The Place" by Flea, a simple eighth note line.

I like to keep it simple. I like playing eighth notes when the song needs it. I love complimenting my guitarists bits with riffs built around there roots. I love making a nice solid foundation for them to compliment.

So yeah, this is just a bassist who has just gone through the realisation that every musician should go through - play for yourself first.

[Neb Maro]

That's what it's about. Understand that you're not cookie-cutter and find out how to express who you are. Gotta love when people are brave enough to do that. Sadly, I'm not there yet.

[BrandonBass]

i would show him the finger if he smiled a my gf

[tr68gt]

Originally Posted by Wanderer81

That's what it's about. Understand that you're not cookie-cutter and find out how to express who you are. Gotta love when people are brave enough to do that. Sadly, I'm not there yet.

I have to agree with this. I've only been playing a couple years, but I quickly tired of playing other bassists music all the time. I still play along with a lot of my favorite music, but I also started making up my own (based on my limited knowledge). I had a problem though, I kept forgetting what I made up, so I hooked a mic up to my PC and I either record or write it down for future reference.

[buzzbass]

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

i would show him the finger if he smiled a my gf

relax, he's probably old enough to be her father

[gkbass13]

when i first started, i learned other players' lines \, but now my playign is pretty much all improved grooves and stuff ive written over time. it is a great feeling when you come to that point in your playing when you know what makes you you, and can form there further develope whatever that is.

[bassbully43]

I am the same way the best basslines are most offen easy 8th notes or just easy moving lines like great blues groves. I doesnt matter what others think as long as you feel the music and let it be from your heart and soul..thats where its from and what it is all about. Do you think Adam is up there saying to himself.."you know if i would of added another few notes to this line or that the crowd would of really thought i am a great bass player. U2 wrote the song and put out the melody and lines to what they felt got the song to the people and got the message out. Look at a song like 7 nation army by the white stripes...not rocket science by music standards but the sucker sold and got massive radio play.

Good old feildy of Korn is the bass boy punching bag on this and a few other sites...but i say why? He fits Korns music and image and does his job well and the masses who buy his bands albums agree...he is a team player. If you are not then you practice your chops and go out and do a solo album like Wooten etc cuz you are to good to play in a band and share...as a true bassist. The only prople who care are other players who want to copy heros chops...me.... i would rather play my simple parts to the masses.

[tycobb73]

I'll once again say what my Berklee educated teacher told me when I asked to learn Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits.

Simple line, he's locked in perfectly with the drummer, and it sounds good. He's a godd bassist.

It's always not about playing a million miles an hour

[VanillaO]

Originally Posted by buzzbass

relax, he's probably old enough to be her father

In that case I'd call the police as well as giving him the finger.

[Matthew Bryson]

Originally Posted by VanillaO

In that case I'd call the police as well as giving him the finger.

Wow. You do know, smiling at somebody is not a crime, right.


Back on topic. I'm kind of the same way. I'm somewhat of a simple bass player. I'm not flashy, kind of a "meat and potatos" rock bass player. I play a lot of roots and a lot of 1/8 notes and just try to groove and support the song. The most important thing is - I'm happy. I have fun and feel that I contribute.

You know what else? I have found more than one band that I've played with that really appreciated this style. I have been told that I'm "better" than certain previous bass players because I play the support role where as the previous bass player had "wanted to solo all the time and play really flashy Flea styled lines that just didn't fit the music". The guy was probably more technically skilled than me, but that's not what the bands I play with want.

I'm happy, my band's happy, why would would I want to screw all that up by playing fast slap lines that go wickity-wickity-wickity when I can play appropriately for my bands music?

[VanillaO]

Smiling at someone is fully a crime. Frowning and cringing are the only acceptable facial expressions. But you're not Canadian, so I can't expect you to know of our law.

[Matthew Bryson]

Originally Posted by VanillaO

Frowning and cringing are the only acceptable facial expressions. But you're not Canadian, so I can't expect you to know of our law.

I'm not buying it. I play in a band with two Canadians, and I know a couple more Canadians from work. You know what the difference is between Canadians and Americans? Canadians all seem to be exceedingly nice people. The Canadians I know are super friendly and kind. They seem to go out of their way to be polite, kind, and compassionate people. Your image of Canadians frowning and scowling at people is the opposite of what I've experienced with the Canadian people I know. Sorry. Why are Canadian people so dog-gone nice anyway?

[Lazylion]

Originally Posted by bassbully43

...he is a team player. If you are not then you practice your chops and go out and do a solo album like Wooten etc cuz you are to good to play in a band and share...as a true bassist.

I understand your point and agree with your post, but this is NOT true of Wooten. He is both a great soloist AND a team player.

YMMV, of course.

[bassbully43]

Originally Posted by Lazylion

I understand your point and agree with your post, but this is NOT true of Wooten. He is both a great soloist AND a team player.

YMMV, of course.

I honestly thru that in there to get a responce or two...ive been kinda bored on here lately. Yea Bela fleck etc...i guess they all do Sheehan etc but its their solo work they are know for. In the band setting they are more of you know.... just a bassist guy.I know of quite a few people who know Weather Report but have never heard of Jaco...but all bassists know him.

All my favorite Bassists are team players.

George

[B-NoteCowboy]

I'll agree and take it a step further. My favorite bass solos are not jaw dropping jazz oddessies, but are more tribal and nasty sounding grooves.

I play two of these kind of solos in our show and without fail, they elicit cheers and attention even though they are actually more simple than most of the basslines I play with the other instruments.

I like basslines that fit the music I like. And that's what I like to play. Someone wants to worship Jaco and become a jedi knight of bass playing, great! I'm just not interested.

And that's OK!

[VanillaO]

Originally Posted by Matthew Bryson

I'm not buying it. I play in a band with two Canadians, and I know a couple more Canadians from work. You know what the difference is between Canadians and Americans? Canadians all seem to be exceedingly nice people. The Canadians I know are super friendly and kind. They seem to go out of their way to be polite, kind, and compassionate people. Your image of Canadians frowning and scowling at people is the opposite of what I've experienced with the Canadian people I know. Sorry. Why are Canadian people so dog-gone nice anyway?

Hahahaha. I was kidding dude. I'm Canadian, born and raised And yes, we are exceptionally nice people. Sarcastic at times too

[Tony F]

Just thought I'd jump in on this one...

When I first started playing I was in awe of Mark King, of Level 42... and although I'm still a fan, I've no desire to try to be an MK clone. These days the one bassist who I truly admire is Tony Levin. He's got to be the ultimate professional, a true team player with outstanding talent, but who knows when to shut up and leave some space. I think the gaps are as important as the notes!

Just my thought anyway...

Cheers,

Tony

[vindy500]

Originally Posted by Matthew Bryson

Sorry. Why are Canadian people so dog-gone nice anyway?

no no its just cause you have to live with Americans all the time

[JackANSI]

Its easy to play over people. Its much harder to play WITH people.

I've been having the same revelation hit me lately.