Is this busy/over-playing? [video]

[tb-player]

I don't typically post things like this but I'm genuinely curious...

Yesterday, I played bass at my church. I'm thankful for playing at church because it's been the only consistent gig most of us have had during the shutdowns (even if what we mostly play is some variation of I IV vi V... lol).

Due to a fun little bout with COVID-19, I haven't played in about a month. This Sunday was my first week back.

I noticed, after we were done playing, I got a lot of compliments on my playing... things like "Man! You were going for it!" of "Those runs were tasty!" While I am appreciative, comments like that immediately make me paranoid... like I was overplaying.

I've always had a tendency to lock in at the beginning of a song and save the 'flairs' for the end of the tunes, especially in church songs where the builds/emotions are pretty significant. Granted, I cut my teeth playing gospel, where there's almost no such thing as overplaying. But I still want to be in the pocket.

So here's a song from yesterday. I'm curious to hear from other bass players if you think I'm doing too much??? (Also, you get to hear how good my Fano JM-4 sounds. I love that bass!)

fyi- this is probably a 'headphones-in' mix to hear the bass.

 

[Winslow]

Sounds solid to me, man. Nice job!

 

[JRA]

I'm curious to hear from other bass players if you think I'm doing too much???

perfect! very nice playing!

 

[FrenchBassQC]

Not at all, it sounds great... Keep it up.

 

[DaDo625]

"Serves the Song"....(IMHO) good job... the Bass is "well represented" in the mix to my unskilled ears...(that may be from using headphones) You got the comments because you were doing your job...foundation, groove and driving the feeling. Just listen to when you are not playing...(also part of your job) in case you still have doubts..

 

[tb-player]

Just listen to when you are not playing...(also part of your job) in case you still have doubts.

That's interesting perspective. Thanks.

 

[kevindahl]

Nope not at all. Very tasteful licks at the right time and in the right places IMHO.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[HolmeBass]

I think you could have stepped out more- a little bit more. But I wasn’t going to select the “there’s no such thing as overplaying” option on the poll.

 

[mattj1stc]

For P&W, the it was a little busier overall than what I would typically expect. Still, the bass was on target, the drums seemed a little busy/pushed. Still, very nice overall. Most P&W devolves into the leader being way to loud on the mix compared to everyone else. This was more balanced.

 

[cableguy]

I always fall back on WWNSD.....(What would Norm Stockton do.....)

Seriously though, great job. I though you played great and left a lot of room. Not even close to overplaying.

 

[tb-player]

I always fall back on WWNSD.....(What would Norm Stockton do.....)

Seriously though, great job. I though you played great and left a lot of room. Not even close to overplaying.

Norm Stockton's a guy I am aware of but have never paid much attention to from a playing standpoint. I should probably check him out more.

 

[Carl Hillman]

People were probably just responding to the fact that, for once, they could hear the bass in a praise & worship song. It's usually mixed just below the threshold of conscious awareness.

(But, yeah. Nice playing.)

 

[Wherestheone]

To my ears....very well interpreted, and executed. As others have said - served the song, felt appropriate and balanced to what the others were doing. You helped build groove, mood, and emotion. Nicely done. I chose Option 3.

 

[Pings Bass]

Hey, yer good!

Not overplayed, IMO. Tasty, well-placed fills, otherwise right in the groove.

 

[Mechanical]

I think people like familiarity in a song and I don't think your were playing a familiar bass line.

Familiar? When doing a part, bringing it back to the original motif so that the listener has that "familiar" feeling.

YMMV, etc.

 

[cableguy]

Norm Stockton's a guy I am aware of but have never paid much attention to from a playing standpoint. I should probably check him out more.

Norm can groove with the best of them, but has amazing chops he can bring out at any point. Superb player.

 

[cableguy]

People were probably just responding to the fact that, for once, they could hear the bass in a praise & worship song. It's usually mixed just below the threshold of conscious awareness.

(But, yeah. Nice playing.)

This is so funny (but true) it hurts.

 

[Low2go]

People were probably just responding to the fact that, for once, they could hear the bass in a praise & worship song. It's usually mixed just below the threshold of conscious awareness.

Not at Free Chapel lol. Nice job on the song. You gave it the right energy!!

 

[tb-player]

I think people like familiarity in a song and I don't think your were playing a familiar bass line.

Familiar? When doing a part, bringing it back to the original motif so that the listener has that "familiar" feeling.

YMMV, etc.

I think this is an important point. If it's a song that's really familiar (not sure this one is), there's a comfort level for listeners when it sounds like the original. I once heard Andrew Gouche talk about when he toured with Prince. When they got to the song '1999', Gouche could have played all over it. But he knew better. He said people (and Prince) wanted those familiar quarter notes that start the song. Any more, and he'd lose the gig.

 

[mrcbass]

Sounds good to me - but I suppose you should be asking your band mates that question.

Not that I can even approach some of the lines you tossed out there, but I wouldn't be in a bad that didn't let me do that kind of stuff - when it supports the song.

Nice work.