Adding slap to “power ballads”?

So I pitch in on my church’s worship team from time to time and play those cheesy, I/V/vi/IV (and all variations there of), power ballads about God and just how swell we all think He is. I consider it an “opportunity” to test my mental fortitude and give the other bass player a well-deserved week off.

I get to rehearsal tonight for Sunday, and we’re unexpectedly down a drummer and acoustic guitar player. I’m left with 2 singers and a pianist who objectively don’t have good steady beat. I felt helpless trying to keep one myself- the bass isn’t present enough (or no one listens) for them to lock in on it. The sad reality is that the people who play there are completely reliant on some kind of percussion… and that’s a little embarrassing.

On my way home I start thinking about Larry Graham and how he used slap to help fill a hole left by drums. I’m not sure what I can come up with by Sunday, or even if it’s a good idea, but I figured I’d ask you guys what you thought.

what do you think- can it be done without sounding like I’m over playing? I was testing some ideas out when I got home and nothing is jiving.

 

Ahhhh… I hear you… I just feel like that’s marginally better than a metronome. I take your point, however.

 

I suspect this is what I’m going to end up doing… just ride it out and not try to fix it.

 

Normally I thrive while playing with folks who aren’t super music savvy because I feel like playing in a band is a really helpful experience. It’s like my way of paying forward what the great players in my life did for me coming up. Unfortunately in this case I don’t think it’s just going to come together.

I’ll grin and bear it.

 

Is it just me, or does this feel like a confession?

say 12 Slam Stewarts and 24 James Jamersons.