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Any bassist that you model yourself after?

#2
Well, lately I noticed that as I write bass lines for my songs and other people's songs, that my use of intervals really spawned from the first bassline I ever learned to play (I don't make it a habit to learn the actual basslines to songs unless they're icon songs like "Come Together", "Money", etc.). The song was the "I will survive" cover by Cake.

The line is for the most part a root, then jump to octave, then fifth and then a minor 7th. There's a little more to it, but for the most part the line is that which follows a circle of fifths till it repeats. Some of my lines reflect this basic little line, though not always.

I didn't intentionally do it and never went out of my way to really model myself after any well known player. I try not to limit myself to what I can and cannot do, including my writing and styles.
 
#8
I hold my bass into the air, and a lightning bolt comes down, transforming me into a ripped-looking bass god who's about 17 feet tall and really cool looking. Somehow, I'm back to looking like my usual self in the next scene though, so I just try to remember what I did when I was in ultra-invinca-mode. If you ever catch me in ultra-invinca-mode, be sure and get me to show you how to play Portrait of Tracy backwards, with your toes. Just don't ask me how to get that clicky fiElDy sound, because remember, I'm 17 feet tall and ripped!!!

:p ;) :D
 
#9
secretdonkey said:
I hold my bass into the air, and a lightning bolt comes down, transforming me into a ripped-looking bass god who's about 17 feet tall and really cool looking. Somehow, I'm back to looking like my usual self in the next scene though, so I just try to remember what I did when I was in ultra-invinca-mode. If you ever catch me in ultra-invinca-mode, be sure and get me to show you how to play Portrait of Tracy backwards, with your toes. Just don't ask me how to get that clicky fiElDy sound, because remember, I'm 17 feet tall and ripped!!!

:p ;) :D
Click to expand...

If you're 17 feet tall, wouldn't playing the bass be like trying to play a reallllly tiny Mandolin or something? Or is part of ultra-invinca-mode also having a proportionately sized bass?
 
#11
Brendan said:
If you're 17 feet tall, wouldn't playing the bass be like trying to play a reallllly tiny Mandolin or something? Or is part of ultra-invinca-mode also having a proportionately sized bass?
Click to expand...

I keep a can of Suspension of Disbelief spray handy. It leaves only a slight residue on the bass which is easily wiped off.
 
#12
secretdonkey said:
I keep a can of Suspension of Disbelief spray handy. It leaves only a slight residue on the bass which is easily wiped off.
Click to expand...

With what? I use steel wool to wipe down my SoD spray. I do wonder why it keeps getting scratched up though: I mean, I don't play it that hard, and I baby it pretty well. Wonder where I'm going wrong?

Is your SoD spray non-abrasive?
 
#14
Brendan said:
With what? I use steel wool to wipe down my SoD spray. I do wonder why it keeps getting scratched up though: I mean, I don't play it that hard, and I baby it pretty well. Wonder where I'm going wrong?

Is your SoD spray non-abrasive?
Click to expand...

It works best if you huff it.* The small amount that inevitably gets on the bass can be safely removed with a soft cotton cloth or chamois.


*Don't try this at home. Don't anyone try spiking their Sunny D with irony, either! I'm not advocating the misuse of literary devices in any way, shape, or form!
 
#15
Jay said:
No one can make said clickity sound, save FiElDy. Hush before the Silent Wind of Doom *whoosh* comes over you.

Good day.








I said good day!
Click to expand...

Ah, the Silent Wind of Doom. Aye, I know and fear it well. It's the main reason I avoid riding in the same car as my guitar player. I shall hold my tongue as surely as would I hold my nose, sire!
 
#16
Even though I don't achieve it always, I'm always going for a sort of contrapuntal/melodic approach a la Phil Lesh (specifically the style and sound on "Live/Dead"), James Jamerson ("Bernadette" et al) and Bruce Thomas. Carol Kaye's books and videos have really helped me crack the code going in this direction.

The funny thing is, to get that sound, I almost always end up sitting down; who I want to emulate on stage are people like Watt, Flea, and Robert Sledge. I'm gonna have to learn pretty soon, since I'm going from sitting on a chair by the drummer to being the main singer/songwriter in a band! ;)
 

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