Is adhering to the kick drum pattern admired?

[vvvmmm]

There's just so much wrong with that definition ...

 

[byacey]

playing stuff that repeats is really easy but really limiting.. i think its better to play with the intent of mutual listening. pocket comes from that, i think, more so than playing along to a predictable beat.

Music is all based upon a repeating rhythmic pattern. It's the rhythm that catches the ear of the listener, while the melody delivers the message. I prefer when the bass and drums play a predictable beat to lull the listeners into a sense of anticipated security, and then catch them off guard with some off-beat syncopation here and there. This creates dramatic effect in the music. Too much of one thing in music isn't good. This is where complacency and boredom comes from.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

A lot of us play music that people dance to. This is where a good steady beat with the kick drum comes into it's own.

 

[byacey]

A lot of us play music that people dance to. This is where a good steady beat with the kick drum comes into it's own.

Absolutely, for dancers this is of the highest importance, as well, dancers clue in and incorporate accents and momentary rhythmic embellishments into their dancing when they hear them.

 

[Russell L]

What gets when is when the drummer doesn't play an appropriate pattern for the song, and some don't sometimes. Quite annoying.

 

[Ian Lewis]

What gets when is when the drummer doesn't play an appropriate pattern for the song, and some don't sometimes. Quite annoying.

I don't know about "admired", but it's a good foundation for the bass pattern

 

[DWBass]

There's no strict rule but it depends on the song. Matching the kick is way more apparent in R&B and Funk music than it is in Rock or Metal music but it's there too. And there is no law that you have to match the kick exactly. Many folks get the idea wrong. I do say the drummer and bassist really need to listen to each other and work together in establishing groove. Many bands have musicians who are just playing but not really listening to each other. No groove. No balance and unnecessarily loud.

 

[vvvmmm]

In modern post-pop, give a listen to The National - that drummer is out there.
As well, pay attention to Radiohead - you'll dance like Thom Yorke.

 

[King Kolon]

Music is all based upon a repeating rhythmic pattern. It's the rhythm that catches the ear of the listener, while the melody delivers the message. I prefer when the bass and drums play a predictable beat to lull the listeners into a sense of anticipated security, and then catch them off guard with some off-beat syncopation here and there. This creates dramatic effect in the music. Too much of one thing in music isn't good. This is where complacency and boredom comes from.

Well, l've been Performing Music Professionally for Over Fifty Years. Set aside an Eight Year College Degree in Music and 11yrs.as a High School Music Instructor, l still think Bass and Drums should be in Sinc with eachother. Being a Melodic Bassist myself, I try and maintain a Groove with the Drummer and Rythemic and Melodic all at the Same time. So use your own Discretion.

 

[King Kolon]

So, I love all the standard bassists everyone admires here on talkbass. You know-John Paul Jones, James Jamerson, etc. However, whenever I hear their music, the one thing that catches me, (and really, any music) apart from their musicality, is the punch-even through headphones-of when the kick and bass match up. It really is something. I also like, when the bassist mimics the pattern of the drums, playing low notes for the kick and maybe a high note for the snare, whilst matching the cymbal sustain. However, quite a few people say that this rigid pocket is often a signature of a novice bassist, but I think it really confirms the purpose of the bass as a bridge between the drums and guitars (rhythm and harmony). It also keeps your playing simplistic. However, I don’t want to be recognised as boring. I just feel it lets the music breath a lot more. Do you think I’m okay having this aspiration or not?

If you don't learn to play Simple lines in the Pocket, how are you ever gonna Step outside the Pocket and Create. Learn your Fundementals First, and Your Scales, then Venture Off into the World of Improv, Ok?

 

[IamGroot]

What King Kolon said.

Learn the rules before you break them.

Listening to Michael McDonalds version of Signed, Sealed, Delivered" today and the bass and kick were matched lock step. Very studio professional but sort of dead.

 

[rtav]

Yes.

 

[Red Planet]

Rule#1
There are no rules.

Rule #2
Refer to rule #1


Expression is freedom without freedom there is no expression.

 

[Andrew_Tee]

Yes, it is admired if the song calls for it.
Also, when a bass note coincides with the kick it bounces out of the mix.
i.e. bass note plus kick drum is greater than the sum of the parts.

 

[LBS-bass]

I refer to this as “locking in with the drums” I think it’s best to get good at it but then use it often but still off and on. For example for the chorus of a song I’m always mindful of the drums and especially the kick. During the verse of a song though I might play some notes with the kick and other notes when the only thing the drummer is hitting that second is the hi hat. To me if you don’t lock in enough the music will just sound off, but if you lock in too much it starts to sound monotonous.

This. Kick and snare give you your fundamental pattern, which is your starting point. That's where the groove lives. You can lock in with that, but once you are there you have lots of additional options.