If you could take lessons from any bass player...

[bondibox]

If you could take lessons from any bass player who would you choose?

Leave your "I'm not worthy" behind. Would you pick a teacher based on their style, know-how, or material you'd like to learn?

I think I'd pick Tony Levin because of his wide variety of style / material and knowledge. I wouldn't expect to come away from it playing like him, but having some insight into how he creates his bass lines is what I'm after.

 

[comatosedragon]

John Deacon. (Queen)

I think our personalities would 'go well' together; and chemistry is really important.
Plus, he's a fairly decent bassist......

 

[equill]

Robbie Shakespeare - the master of groove.

 

[knumbskull]

Mike Watt!

 

[eJake]

I think Jamerson even tho he's dead and would probably have been a terrible teacher.

 

[Spidey2112]

If I had the time, I'd choose @fcleff... he surprises me, each and everyday.

Plus, he owes me money. In trade, he can fork over some lessons.

 

[BLDavis]

Bobby Vega only because Duck is no longer with us.
B.

 

[Lobster11]

I really wanted to learn from Julie Slick how to play with a pick, who IMO is one of the best out there.

So I did.

 

[Just go for it]

Pino Palladino!

 

[bondibox]

I think Jamerson even tho he's dead and would probably have been a terrible teacher.

I ought to have said "living or dead" in the post.

 

[bondibox]

Robbie Shakespeare - the master of groove.

Is groove something that can be taught? I mean, other than a natural sense of timing is there a formula to his style, like when to hit the upbeat or take a rest?

 

[bondibox]

Bobby Vega only because Duck is no longer with us.
B.

These two guys are exactly what I'm talking about. Both proficient at their craft and each with a particular style. If they could impart just 1% of their knowledge it would open up worlds. I once had a tape of Vega playing with Sounds of San Francisco, the version of Higher and Higher is burned into my memory.

 

[Dincrest]

Either Alphonso Johnson or Ryan Martinie.

 

[jellymax]

Paul Chambers and or James Jamerson

 

[Hover-Rich]

Carol Kaye.

 

[210superair]

Bill Black.

 

[equill]

Is groove something that can be taught? I mean, other than a natural sense of timing is there a formula to his style, like when to hit the upbeat or take a rest?

The feel itself, probably not.
What to feel for, might be a different question.

 

[OptimalOptimus]

Dominique Forest Lapointe
John Myung
John Patitucci

 

[2112]

 

[G On Bass]

Ray Brown
Brian Bromberg
Rob Derhak

The problem is that I don't read or know enough theory to really grasp and appreciate what I would lean from them.