Is this busy/over-playing? [video]

[OogieWaWa]

Tasteful and appropriate, I wouldn't change anything.

One of the key things I listen to bass players is for is when someone goes and does a lick; do they get back in time to hit The One? In every single case, except for maybe one just a tiny bit late, you nailed it.

Actually, I should say that I don't actively listen for it, but it really bugs me when someone misses it often, it starts to stand out. Learning to always get back to The One was the best piece of advice I ever got along the way. It just makes for tightness and keeping groove. You've got it.

 

[Hounddog409]

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.

Actually don't like the guitar....way too loud and weird tone for the song.

I think you nailed it.

 

[stretch80]

I thought it was nice -- pedalled on the root where that's what it needed, some nice octave slides up the neck, always in time when you came back down.

Being up in the Northeast, I just wish our churches had full on bands (sigh). Still organs and choirs (not to offend any organists or choir singers ;-))

 

[KansasCityBassDude]

Nah, it sounded good man. If anything, you could have done a little more. Not saying you didn't do enough though.

You did a very solid job. You played the groove which is critical. The danger in being too busy is that you lose the groove of the song. great job!

 

[Fatbasstones]

Nah man sounds real good!

 

[BassBrass]

No Problemo! You are participating in goosing it so it kicks more better.
although it looks like a Super Spreader Event and I wouldn't be there being of an age. But you already had it? Of course you did! so it's Fine!

 

[dave hope]

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.

I thought you played exactly what the song called for, solid.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

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.

Fantastic job. Your playing is great, melodic, compliments the vocal, never gets in the way. And that tone sits perfectly in the mix.

 

[gumbynotpokey]

3 services a week plus a weekly practice the last 12 years here.... we improvise over lead sheets, makes songs our own, and also explore beyond that

to answer your question, 2 things:
1) It depends on what you're going for. Not knowing the song, it's impossible to answer in a certain sense. If you're improvising there's no true right or wrong - you have to listen and feel. For me, I liked what you were doing.
2) From a purely mechanical standpoint, I would do less in the first verse. That is to say, I would define the theme of the song musically in the first verse, and do nothing or almost nothing more. Lots of players think about keeping the first chorus simple, and going for it later. For me, this song is asking for a simpler first verse. I love what you did in the first verse, but personally would do something simpler and reserve that feel for after the first verse.

On the whole, did this performance feel or sound like over-playing? Not one bit. Not at all.

YMMV. Carrots. And all that jazz.

Peace.

 

[pedroims]

If you compared it against the original version then yes, I don’t think there is a single fill on the song, most of it is 16th on the verse, 8ths on the chorus and the bassist use of passing notes to add flavor, but this your own version and if the WL approve it then is fine.

I like your version but in my case I am sure that the WL would ask me to restraint from couple of those runs.

 

[DWBass]

Right on point bro! And I hate overplaying. That was very good, solid playing.

 

[bass12]

I’m with the others - I don’t think you overplayed at all (and I’m someone who is easily irritated by “gospel chops”). Your playing added to, rather than detracted from, the music.

 

[MDBass]

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.

Your playing sounds great.

I'd love to hear a better mix of this performance.

 

[electracoyote]

Not overplaying at all. Your congregation members were right, it was tasty and tasteful. I've played about every genre known to man in the past 40 years including plenty of P&W, and your playing reminds me of...well, ME! You said it yourself, tasteful creative bass lines are almost expected in a good contemporary P&W band. And that bass does sound great. Keep up the good works!

 

[2112]

 

[Winton]

Tasteful and in the pocket. I hear absolutely nothing wrong with your playing. It was very well suited for that style and setting. I personally wouldn't have been offended if you threw in a couple more tasty licks

Usually if people compliment on your bass playing, there's a good chance that the mix out in the congregation was really good so the bass was present but balanced.

btw, what bass are you playing? It looks cool.

 

[tb-player]

it looks like a Super Spreader Event and I wouldn't be there being of an age. But you already had it? Of course you did! so it's Fine!

Actually, this church has done a nice job of not being a super-spreader location. You can't enter the building without a mask and temperature being taken. Rows are taped off and families are seated 6-feet apart. The band wears masks right up to the point when we start playing. The building seats 2000 and is not even at 1/2 capacity for either service. More than half are watching from home.

Yes, I did test positive. I contracted it from one of my employees. I shut my office down and isolated for 14-days. I then waited an additional 2 weeks before I returned to church. I have no desire to be 'patient zero' among the people I care about.

 

[tb-player]

what bass are you playing? It looks cool.

It's a recent purchase: a Fano JM-4. Here is the NBD.

 

[Sid Fang]

If you have to ask, it probably is.

 

[Nephilymbass]

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.

Good playing imo. Didn’t seem like overplaying at all to me. Very much what I expect from this style of music actually. If you want me to be super nit picky the only complaints I can come up with is you played what sounded like identical fills around 2:00-2:20 and you’re very stiff onstage. Smile more, sway with music a bit because you look like you’re bored. But overall I’d say you did a great job.