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Happy being a "Pocket or Groove"player?

#81
I think this is a false dichotomy.
There is a lot of ground between being a pocket player that never explores beyond 8th notes on the root, and being a soloist. Find ways to accentuate drun fills, take empty space in the arrangements for a walk. Find a tone that allows you to be heard.
Regret is a terrible thing and life is too short for limitations based on fear.
 
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#82
I'm not a fan of solos. When I'm a concert and all the musicians in the band start taking their turn with solos, I go to the restroom or go get a drink. To me, solos are nothing more than self indulgent nonsense.
 
#83
socialleper said:
There is a lot of ground between being a pocket player that never explores beyond 8th notes on the root, and being a soloist.
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That would indeed be a false dichotomy but I didn't note anyone expressing the point of the thread to that extreme of a spread .
I think the ground you speak of is allowed for, but tempered with requirement and taste.
 
#86
pedulla-2007 said:
Being a pocket player myself and understanding my position in every band that I have played in, how many members feel the same way or strive to be "soloist's" requesting a solo in every song? Sometimes I feel my lack of theory has stifled my advancement, but my ear training has allowed me to play almost anything I can sing or hear. I am at the end of my career, and nothing worst than sitting back in your recliner with regrets of things you could or should have done. Any comments?
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I’ve found you can be very creative while in the pocket. One of the best is the guy in Aerosmith.
 
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#87
I was alive in the 80's - when, for some reason, it was normal for bands to have extended bass solos. Back then, when that happened, everyone in the bar went to the bathroom - might as well deal with that last beer while this is happening. Now I play in churches. The last thing we want is for everyone to leave the auditorium and go to the bathroom, So, groove yes, solos no.
 
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#88
mdogs said:
Not sure why you would ever feel regret about doing your job well. I never set out to be a flashy bass player...it’s a good thing too!!! My favorite players are the guys holding down the bottom end, playing incredible lines and no one knows they are really there. That is unless they were to stop playing, then the whole song would fall apart.
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I think maybe because I took all the shortcuts, and never learned any theory, which I believe all solo's are structured from?
 
#89
pedulla-2007 said:
Being a pocket player myself and understanding my position in every band that I have played in, how many members feel the same way or strive to be "soloist's" requesting a solo in every song? Sometimes I feel my lack of theory has stifled my advancement, but my ear training has allowed me to play almost anything I can sing or hear. I am at the end of my career, and nothing worst than sitting back in your recliner with regrets of things you could or should have done. Any comments?
Click to expand...

I can play "lead Style" bass good enough to fool the casual listener into thinking Im pretty good, but lately, anytime I listen to a recording of one of our gigs, I realize the entire bands sounds way better when im playing in the pocket and laying down a groove. As a result, I am more and more trying to play simpler, more "pcokety" bass lines.
 
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#90
socialleper said:
I think this is a false dichotomy.
There is a lot of ground between being a pocket player that never explores beyond 8th notes on the root, and being a soloist. Find ways to accentuate drun fills, take empty space in the arrangements for a walk. Find a tone that allows you to be heard.
Regret is a terrible thing and life is too short for limitations based on fear.
Click to expand...
100%. And most of the best pocket players I know are pretty badass with the riffs and advanced concepts.
 
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#91
glocke1 said:
I can play "lead Style" bass good enough to fool the casual listener into thinking Im pretty good, but lately, anytime I listen to a recording of one of our gigs, I realize the entire bands sounds way better when im playing in the pocket and laying down a groove. As a result, I am more and more trying to play simpler, more "pcokety" bass lines.
Click to expand...
Seems to be unanimous, and that makes me feel much better, a groove oriented player makes a bigger contribution by building a foundation for every other member to rely on. But the truth remains, we do have an abundance of members that are well versed in theory. I guess you can be schooled in theory, and still stay in the pocket?
 
#93
pedulla-2007 said:
Seems to be unanimous, and that makes me feel much better, a groove oriented player makes a bigger contribution by building a foundation for every other member to rely on. But the truth remains, we do have an abundance of members that are well versed in theory. I guess you can be schooled in theory, and still stay in the pocket?
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Absolutely. I think one of the dividers between being good and being great is knowing that being able to do something doesn't mean it must be done. If you listen to some of the really great session players you will be surprised at how often they lay back into the pocket to serve the song. That doesn't mean they aren't capable of playing rings around that groove, but they know that playing lots of notes isn't always the best way to be musical.

A drummer I knew once walked into the studio with a kick, a snare, a ride and a hat. My friend asked him how he was able to play so well with so little and he said, "I don't play the notes, I play the spaces."
 
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#94
socialleper said:
I think this is a false dichotomy.
There is a lot of ground between being a pocket player that never explores beyond 8th notes on the root, and being a soloist. Find ways to accentuate drun fills, take empty space in the arrangements for a walk. Find a tone that allows you to be heard.
Regret is a terrible thing and life is too short for limitations based on fear.
Click to expand...
I wish you had been my bass teacher, the only words of wisdom from him that I remember were: "Play what you have practiced, experimenting while you are on stage can lead to disaster".
 
#95
I consider myself a pocket player. I don't know anyone that wants to hear bass solos, and I will turn down the chance to do one. I think it's the quickest way to clear a dance floor. The only isolated bass line I ever play is in "Sin City" by ACDC... not exactly a solo.
 
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#96
I consider myself a pocket player, but I do have the skills to do more, in fact some musicians try to get me to do more, but I’m happy in the pocket. I play R&B/Funk Smooth and traditional Jazz. Imho there is nothing better than a tight pocket and groove. People don’t dance to slick lines they dance to tight grooves. Like I once told my drummer I don’t get hired because I can play Teen Town no one cares, I get paid to play Mustang Sally and What’s going on.
 
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#97
LBS-bass said:
Absolutely. I think one of the dividers between being good and being great is knowing that being able to do something doesn't mean it must be done. If you listen to some of the really great session players you will be surprised at how often they lay back into the pocket to serve the song. That doesn't mean they aren't capable of playing rings around that groove, but they know that playing lots of notes isn't always the best way to be musical.

A drummer I knew once walked into the studio with a kick, a snare, a ride and a hat. My friend asked him how he was able to play so well with so little and he said, "I don't play the notes, I play the spaces."
Click to expand...
Wow, sounds like you have done major studio work, as I have been told, time and time again in the studio: "The intervals are as important as the notes, you are being paid as much for what you don't play, then as much as you do play".
 
#98
pedulla-2007 said:
Wow, sounds like you have done major studio work, as I have been told, time and time again in the studio: "The intervals are as important as the notes, you are being paid as much for what you don't play, then as much as you do play".
Click to expand...

Not really, just a few sessions here and there. But I was lucky that I got to work with some really fine players through the years.
 

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