Hip Gospel Cats...Please help a brotha out.

[OnThaCouch]

I know it when I hear it and feel it. I want to know how to do it.

How do you "gospel-ize" a tune?

What are the fundamentals of a gospel bassline versus a typical pop/rock tune or other worship style tune?

Tips/hints for making a line sound/feel authentic and really groove would be appreciated.

Thanks.
Tom

 

[bottomzone]

You need to listen to as much gospel music as you can until you're sick of hearing it.........and then listen some more!!! I don't think that anyone can teach you how to play it. Before I started playing gospel, I played primarily jazz, jazz fusion, funk and R&B. I listened to loads of gospel-and still do-because that's all that we play in our church. Most of the songs are learned by ear and on rare occassions, with sheet music. Today's comtemporary gospel can be a blend of jazz, fusion, R&B, funk, rock, latin, etc. You must groove like crazy, with sick fills every now and then-but don't get in the way of the lyrics!!!. Listen, listen, listen and learn as much as you can by ear. Eventually, it will "click".

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

 

[capnsandwich]

You need to listen to as much gospel music as you can until you're sick of hearing it.........and then listen some more!!! I don't think that anyone can teach you how to play it. Before I started playing gospel, I played primarily jazz, jazz fusion, funk and R&B. I listened to loads of gospel-and still do-because that's all that we play in our church. Most of the songs are learned by ear and on rare occassions, with sheet music. Today's comtemporary gospel can be a blend of jazz, fusion, R&B, funk, rock, latin, etc. You must groove like crazy, with sick fills every now and then-but don't get in the way of the lyrics!!!. Listen, listen, listen and learn as much as you can by ear. Eventually, it will "click".

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

BIG PLUS 1!!!

An ear for the changes, chord progressions, 3rds, major and minor 7ths, etc. is a key part of it. Listen to as much gospel as you can, dissect it with your ears, and practice, practice, practice. You'll find that you'll develop an ear for it in no time.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

I would add. The keyboard is going to be your competition. The congregation want to hear the lyrics and what the piano is doing. Blend in.

 

[dafunky1]

Have you posted your question to the "Learn Gospel Music Bass" forum?

http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php/board,11.0.html

The guys in are pretty knowledgeable.

 

[OnThaCouch]

Thanks for all the replies.

dafunky1--I haven't posted on that forum (didn't know it existed). Thanks for the link. I will definitely check it out.

 

[hands5]

You need to listen to as much gospel music as you can until you're sick of hearing it.........and then listen some more!!! I don't think that anyone can teach you how to play it. Before I started playing gospel, I played primarily jazz, jazz fusion, funk and R&B. I listened to loads of gospel-and still do-because that's all that we play in our church. Most of the songs are learned by ear and on rare occassions, with sheet music. Today's comtemporary gospel can be a blend of jazz, fusion, R&B, funk, rock, latin, etc. You must groove like crazy, with sick fills every now and then-but don't get in the way of the lyrics!!!. Listen, listen, listen and learn as much as you can by ear. Eventually, it will "click".

A Groove is a Terrible Thing to Waste!

yeah it will,not to mention I thinks it makes you not only a better player but also a better musician,because the music is usually played in Eb/C# this alone will improve your theory,but be forwarned that alot of it is learned on the fly,which tends to strecth the ears a little bit,but that's just another beast in the jungle to deal with...you just gotta get on it.

 

[Da Musician]

look up a few of gospel's top bass players like maurice fitzgerald, sharay reed, dewayne wright, morgan turner, justin reins, andrew gouche, joel smith, tony russell, daryl fremond, and a lot more. then shift you focus some. in gospel we'll lock more with the keys than with the drums. gospel music is the only form i know that will put 6 diffrent kinds of music in one song. it's all about how you hear it. oh and the more you know the more you'll hear.

 

[elavate7]

i just play by ear. and if your church does alot of "old school gospel" then you will notice that the bass does alot of the same thing, which can be refered to as the "shout thump".