Do you think your influences come through in your playing?

[bitterminnows]

Just something I was thinking about. I can’t think of many times I consciously tried to mimic someone’s style other than learning their songs and it’s kind of tough to say as it seems like something someone else would have to tell you.

But, for the sake of discussion! I think it could be fun.

Would you say your influences are audible in your music?

 

[GretschWretch]

Since they are subconscious influences on both how I play and what I play, certainly they are audible. Whether any of those influences could be identified by others is another question entirely.

 

[Edwcdc]

Since they are subconscious influences on both how I play and what I play, certainly they are audible. Whether any of those influences could be identified by others is another question entirely.

This. I don’t play like Graham Maby or Colin Moulding but I’m sure the influence is there, and a lot of my style comes from learning a lot of songs they both played on when I was getting going.

 

[Michedelic]

Just something I was thinking about. I can’t think of many times I consciously tried to mimic someone’s style other than learning their songs and it’s kind of tough to say as it seems like something someone else would have to tell you.

But, for the sake of discussion! I think it could be fun.

Would you say your influences are audible in your music?

Perhaps, but it’s all very vague as I count as influences every bass player I’ve ever heard. Actually, I don’t call them “influences”, but rather, victims of theft.
Sure, early on I tried to emulate certain players, and I always took something away from that, but I soon realized how pointless it is. It always amuses me when I read the posts along the lines of “what gear do I need to sound like(so-and-so)”. Sorry, Sparky, strive to be yourself. That’s all you can be.

 

[J Wilson]

My playing is my spin on the many great players I grew up listening to.

How could it not be?

It's THEIR fault I picked up the damn thing to begin with !

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Yup!
I sound like Doyle Holly and Gary Thaine had a baby!
And it was raised by Dennis Dunnaway.

 

[ajkula66]

Once I'm done with putting a song together, I often play a little game with myself which goes something along the lines of "OK, so which bass player would've played this particular song in the same or very similar manner ?"

More often than not, I get my answer.

Most of the time other musicians - even bass players - don't hear it, though. I've had those conversations a number of times with a variety of people.

My $0.02 only...

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

Sure do. They live inside my cabs, just like the tiny actors who lived in my first TV.

 

[retslock]

I think it's inevitable.

 

[retslock]

My playing is my spin on the many great players I grew up listening to.

How could it not be?

It's THEIR fault I picked up the damn thing to begin with !

Yes. For me, a bit of James, Chuck, Anthony, Jerry, Duck, Paul - both Jackson Jr and McCartney. They're all in there somewhere. That's not to say I actually sound like them but my mashup is a result of listening to and learning from their wonderful playing.

 

[Dincrest]

No, I always sound like myself, but hints of several performers can be found in my charismatic stage presence (along with my own mojo/stank/Dincrest-isms).

 

[BassicJazzy]

From the beginning, back in '72, I've always had my own thing. My first and only teacher told me it was different. I think perhaps nobody else wanted it?

 

[wompwomp]

no influences only peers

 

[Wyvern]

Geddy lee, I pluck hard through the strings and my triplets are spanky.

He's also the worst role model for learning bass proper because he doesn't really follow the drums and hold the line, he's all over the place, more like a "lead" role.

18 years later I'm so broken I struggle with normal rock songs because it's not ADD enough, I also can't slap.

 

[Mastiff_5]

No. I have always assumed that I would, at some point, begin to hear the bassists I love come out in my playing. But I don’t.
I have always just assumed that’s because I don’t practice enough, or concentrate on particular artists enough. But as the years have passed and I find myself receiving compliments on occasion, a I’ve never heard “oh, you sound like Bill Gould went to a blues jam…” or, “hey brutha, you sound like Jack Bruce if he overplayed and hit lots of wrong notes…”
Hmmmmmm…

 

[jerry]

For better or worse, yup!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Just something I was thinking about. I can’t think of many times I consciously tried to mimic someone’s style other than learning their songs and it’s kind of tough to say as it seems like something someone else would have to tell you.

But, for the sake of discussion! I think it could be fun.

Would you say your influences are audible in your music?

Of course, I’ve stolen every note I’ve played from somebody or another. I’ve been fortunate that I not been it too many situations where I had to do note for note covers.

What I’ve found is if your follow the song form, stay true to the genre, and playing in “concert” with the rest of the ensemble, which in most cases are not playing note for note covers either, it works.

 

[winegamd]

If you are consistently playing covers of your influencers music, I would say their influence is probably readily audible.

I think for those playing other genres it takes a lot of work and then you probably still wont necessarily hear it.

My major influences have been Anthony Jackson, Jaco, John Myung, Gary Willis, and Mathew Garrison. However, my normal gig is for my church band playing CCM.

I could willingly quote those players, and on days where I feel extra mischievous I have, but normally if playing for the song, none of their styles match (except when palm muting, then Anthony and Gary may come out).

So, my answer would be, NO, I don't think bassists necissarily sound like our influences unless placed in the proper musical context.

 

[mambo4]

I wouldn't call them influences If they didn't influence my playing.

 

[Bass Motifs]

A bit of Jerry Jemmott and Duck Dunn, they both used that syncopated snap in some their lines. Love it!