Ahead, on or behind the beat?

[MichelD]

Do you play ahead of the beat?

Right on it?

Or behind the beat?

Do you even know?

I don't. I can't tell. I should ask the drummer.

 

[Wasnex]

Do you play ahead of the beat?

Right on it?

Or behind the beat?

Do you even know?

Yes to all .

 

[JohnNash]

I typically play about on or just behind...never forward. That's what I've found, studying the waveforms later.

 

[Rich Fiscus]

Yes to all .

Wherever it belongs.

 

[Groove Doctor]

It depends. Mostly on the beat (centre of the beat),…. or slightly behind the beat (in the pocket) for rock/pop gigs.

Jazz gigs - mostly slightly ahead of the beat for uptempo tunes, or waaaay behind the beat for that greasy blues feel.

 

[fu22ba55]

 

[Zooberwerx]

Do you play ahead of the beat?

Right on it?

Or behind the beat?

Do you even know?

I don't. I can't tell. I should ask the drummer.

I'm all over the map. Not sure if it's because I'm that good or that bad...probably the latter.

Riis

 

[J_Bass]

I play rubato.

 

[JimmyM]

Why is it always one or the other? You should be able to manipulate the beat in whatever way you need.

 

[BassFalcon]

Do you play ahead of the beat?

Right on it?

Or behind the beat?

Do you even know?

I don't. I can't tell. I should ask the drummer.

if this is something you want to master Rufus Reid has the method. Grab a metronome, and turn it on. 60BPM is fine. Clap to it. Now clap to make the click disappear. It’s possible. If you land right on the beat the click will disappear. Once you master that and can do it at will, then you work on pushing and pulling on the beat by clapping fractions of a second before or after the click. Work on that until you can do it at will.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

It depends on the music and the feel I'm after. Usually genres like rock, punk, drum&bass etc. have a rushing feel where reggae, some blues etc. have more relaxed feel.

 

[coy garcia]

Yes. Depends on style and song.

 

[Killing Floor]

Depends on the song.

 

[lokikallas]

Depends on if I’m trying to push or pull the tempo a bit usually.

 

[pete rallis]

And NEVER ask a drummer anything…lol

 

[S-Bigbottom]

As many have said, all the above, depends on the song.

 

[Bass-ball]

Depends on the song. Rock I'm usually right on, if not a wee bit in front of it (according to Presonus), but I deliberately play a little behind the beat when doing songs that need some "swagger" like reggae or hip-hop.

 

[bass12]

Depends on the song/style. I do have a tendency to want to push sometimes (where I shouldn't), but I know it and can temper the inclination. If you don't know what your tendencies are I would suggest recording yourself and listening back.

 

[Grinderman]

What does the song need?

 

[RattleSnack]

In front of the beat if you lead, most funk song are played that way. On the beat for almost everything rest. Behind for some neosoul or reggae.
Sometimes you play the song on the beat, but for a midsection where you lead - you play in front.
So in the end, it depends on the song.

P.S. Most bass players err on the forward side, playing in front when on the beat is needed. Any time you go in front, rethink, you could be wrong.