Alabama Shakes on SNL

[m0ranwad]

Was anyone else watching the Alabama Shakes on SNL last night? I've been a fan of their album since it came out, and I think their bass player records some good lines. However, I was shocked to see (and maybe I'm wrong), that Zac Cockrell plays finger style with only his index finger. Anyone else notice this? He may have alternated on a couple of quick fills, but that's it.

Are there successful bass players in the biz that do not alternate fingers?

 

[Bassology]

James Jamerson was a one finger man, they call it "the Hook".

 

[brotherbassj]

I believe I read an interview once that was with Tim Commerford (Rage, Audioslave) that said there was a certain fundamental one got from the index finger and that he would use alternate plucking but would often use an index finger only when he could? Does anyone else remember this? I will have to dig it up.......

 

[jerry]

I have a Kala U bass that seems to get the Jamerson treatment.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I did not notice his technique, but I loved their sound! It was good to see pure talent onstage instead of the glitz and glamour in so much pop. Their lead singer/guitarist has some genuine passion which beats the heck out of just gyrating a centerfold body.

 

[StereoPlayer]

He used his thumb on the second song. And had a foam mute by the bridge for both songs.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

He used his thumb on the second song. And had a foam mute by the bridge for both songs.

After SNL, I checked out some of their videos and I saw the foam mute on the bridge.

 

[Bassology]

I watched the show last night as well. I think the bass player was very much trying to capture the old school Motown/Stax kind of vibe. Sounded like he was using flatwound strings and you can see he's got a piece of foam by his bass bridge for muting.

 

[basschick22]

Really enjoyed seeing them on SNL. As previously stated, that talent really trumped all the 'shiny glittery' stuff that generally gets the airplay.

 

[shoot-r]

I watched the show last night as well. I think the bass player was very much trying to capture the old school Motown/Stax kind of vibe. Sounded like he was using flatwound strings and you can see he's got a piece of foam by his bass bridge for muting.

Saw them on Austin City Limits the other night, Loved em'!

I also thought it sounded like he was using flats, with "a big ole chunk" of foam rubber next to the bridge, a Fender "P" bass, a Ampeg SVT tube head into one of Ampeg's very low tuned 410HLF cabinets.....
Very old school/Motown sound.....

 

[mcm]

Thank god a real band with no computers

 

[Dave W]

I'll have to check out the video. I stopped watching SNL some time last year. IMO that show needs to be put out to pasture.

To answer the poll, yes. I play with one finger sometimes. It depends on the song.

 

[m0ranwad]

Glad I opened this thread. I had never even heard of a Foam mute until you guys mentioned that he was using this one. Now I've got one on my bass, and I'm loving it

 

[MegaSwing]

Don't care for them at all, even though their heart is in the right place. Without the girl out front, that band would be nowhere. JMHO.

 

[MCS4]

I play primarily in hard rock/metal bands and sometimes I pluck with one finger. Sometimes it is easy to get a steady, driving tone with one finger instead of two -- similar to the difference in picking all downstrokes rather than up and down.

Also my middle finger has more "padding" than my index finger, so I'll sometimes even favor the middle finger to fatten the sound.

 

[hrodbert696]

Didn't see the SNL performance, but I did catch them on Austin City Limits the other night. I liked them, I thought they were fresh and raw.

 

[MixBass]

Very cool performance. It's good to see a band that all agree on a concept and commit to it. One finger has it's tonal advantages to be sure.

 

[DiabolicLow B]

Geddy Lee uses one finger most of the time.

 

[iplay5strings]

I often stick to 1 finger for constant 8th or slow 16th note driving passages. I will also sometimes do up and down strokes with one finger (the first stroke is a normal pluck and the down stroke is with the nail side of my finger) if I want the string to slap the fretboard a bit for a more aggressive sound.

 

[Rattman]

I did not notice his technique, but I loved their sound! It was good to see pure talent onstage instead of the glitz and glamour in so much pop. Their lead singer/guitarist has some genuine passion which beats the heck out of just gyrating a centerfold body.

I've quit going to live shows, as of several years ago... but after watching (and loving) "Alabama Shakes" on Austin City Limits, plus one repeat.. I'd have to honestly say that if A.S. came to Orange County, Ca. I'd be very tempted to attend their show. Outstanding playing, arrangements and very cool vocal delivery.

...