I would like to start this thread by asking that we keep this respectful. The intent is not to debate our Lord and Savior, but rather discuss the role of the bass in a worship group. I mean no ill intent an anything that may come up during this discussion, just a straight forward talk about others in the group and how to approach it from a musical, professional and biblical way.
I (one of three) bass players in our churches worship group. Obviously we are there for a purpose, we are not there for our own validation, glory or satisfaction. We are there to glorify, validate and worship Him! I am always "researching" gear, how certain groups get there tone not just worship groups but any bass tone really. I have to many effects pedals and more guitars than I need lol. I built myself a 4-string jazz bass recently made from an Allen Eden defect body (neck pocket was machined wrong, but I loved the color and the relic patina it had) that i had fixed, himass bridge, matching tuners, lefty neck with flipped for a reverse headstock, dimarzio relentless j pickups, all used parts bin stuff. I plan on making a 5 string jazz bass next. But I digress.
Our worship group usually consists of drums, keys, bass, usually one guitar or one electric and one acoustic rare occasion they have two electric guitars, and at least three vocalists. They used to have a pad playing or some of the track playing in the background to help fill some of the sound but for the last 6 months or so that hasnt really been the case. maybe a little ambient synth (depends on who is playing the keys that time i think). I have watched a handful of videos to come to find out that alot of the players are using a variety of pedals and going back to listen to the songs it becomes a big part of the sound.
The guitar player they usually have on in our services has surely improved his skills since I started playing in the group. But he uses no effects and plays mostly just bar chords unless there is an easy guitar line he can play but again without effects (reverb, drive, delay) it sounds very meh. If he tries to go "off script" and play a fill in a down moment hes guaranteed to play some wrong notes that are very obvious. Sitting with the congregation on the days Im not scheduled, musically I feel like it is missing the mark, almost empty sounding. Again i know that is not the point of it all, am i wrong in thinking that a powerful worship band filling the room just amplifies the worship that much more and hopefully bringing more people into actually participate in the worship rather than just stand and wait till its over for services to begin.? I believe this music is designed to trigger an emotional reaction, and use that as a conduit to praise our Lord.
This thread stems from a video I saw today. Here is a link:
He has some points that i agree with but the main ones that i dont are with is opinion on what the bass should be doing musically. His opinion is basically the bass should just play the hole notes or bottom of the chord and thats it, match with the drums dont play past the first five frets, let everyone else do the work, its not about the music its about the lyrics. While yes the lyrics are important for sure, having a strong powerful and moving musical background only amplifies the vocals.
What are you opinions on this?? How should we be asserting ourselves in the group?
I play a Ibanez SR506 most of the time for worship, use overdrive for a bit of grit where appropriate, and a Walrus audio ambient pedal for the down moments if I feel that just the keys sounds lacking in the room ill play chords in the higher register which adds a subtle something behind the keys if its not already there. During the songs I usually stick to the standard chords or how the track was recorded but I will add some fills her and there. By no means am i running wild. I mean listen to Mighty Name of Jesus by the Belonging Co or Fresh Fire and take out all the bass movement and tell me it still feels the same and that those fills dont uplift the song and lyrics!
I dont see the one guitar player adding any effects to the sound, so im feeling like i need to add extra to the big sound. I planned on getting a micro synth pedal to see how that may sound, I see alot of the players use them.
Sorry this was long winded but I appreciate your opinions and input. Thanks everyone!
I (one of three) bass players in our churches worship group. Obviously we are there for a purpose, we are not there for our own validation, glory or satisfaction. We are there to glorify, validate and worship Him! I am always "researching" gear, how certain groups get there tone not just worship groups but any bass tone really. I have to many effects pedals and more guitars than I need lol. I built myself a 4-string jazz bass recently made from an Allen Eden defect body (neck pocket was machined wrong, but I loved the color and the relic patina it had) that i had fixed, himass bridge, matching tuners, lefty neck with flipped for a reverse headstock, dimarzio relentless j pickups, all used parts bin stuff. I plan on making a 5 string jazz bass next. But I digress.
Our worship group usually consists of drums, keys, bass, usually one guitar or one electric and one acoustic rare occasion they have two electric guitars, and at least three vocalists. They used to have a pad playing or some of the track playing in the background to help fill some of the sound but for the last 6 months or so that hasnt really been the case. maybe a little ambient synth (depends on who is playing the keys that time i think). I have watched a handful of videos to come to find out that alot of the players are using a variety of pedals and going back to listen to the songs it becomes a big part of the sound.
The guitar player they usually have on in our services has surely improved his skills since I started playing in the group. But he uses no effects and plays mostly just bar chords unless there is an easy guitar line he can play but again without effects (reverb, drive, delay) it sounds very meh. If he tries to go "off script" and play a fill in a down moment hes guaranteed to play some wrong notes that are very obvious. Sitting with the congregation on the days Im not scheduled, musically I feel like it is missing the mark, almost empty sounding. Again i know that is not the point of it all, am i wrong in thinking that a powerful worship band filling the room just amplifies the worship that much more and hopefully bringing more people into actually participate in the worship rather than just stand and wait till its over for services to begin.? I believe this music is designed to trigger an emotional reaction, and use that as a conduit to praise our Lord.
This thread stems from a video I saw today. Here is a link:
He has some points that i agree with but the main ones that i dont are with is opinion on what the bass should be doing musically. His opinion is basically the bass should just play the hole notes or bottom of the chord and thats it, match with the drums dont play past the first five frets, let everyone else do the work, its not about the music its about the lyrics. While yes the lyrics are important for sure, having a strong powerful and moving musical background only amplifies the vocals.
What are you opinions on this?? How should we be asserting ourselves in the group?
I play a Ibanez SR506 most of the time for worship, use overdrive for a bit of grit where appropriate, and a Walrus audio ambient pedal for the down moments if I feel that just the keys sounds lacking in the room ill play chords in the higher register which adds a subtle something behind the keys if its not already there. During the songs I usually stick to the standard chords or how the track was recorded but I will add some fills her and there. By no means am i running wild. I mean listen to Mighty Name of Jesus by the Belonging Co or Fresh Fire and take out all the bass movement and tell me it still feels the same and that those fills dont uplift the song and lyrics!
I dont see the one guitar player adding any effects to the sound, so im feeling like i need to add extra to the big sound. I planned on getting a micro synth pedal to see how that may sound, I see alot of the players use them.
Sorry this was long winded but I appreciate your opinions and input. Thanks everyone!
