More notes, less notes, and serving the music.

[ZBirdV8]

I wanted to weigh in on the current discussions concerning amounts of notes played. However, I think that I have response that will create a discussion worthy of it's own thread. That is why I am posting it as a stand-alone topic rather than replying to those threads individually. Let's get down the meat and potatoes.

There are two very broad types of people who listen to music; musicians and non-musicians. These two diferent groups of people have very diferent ideas about what constitutes an enjoyable listening experience.

Musicians are more inclined to enjoy dissonance, unorthodox approaches, and virtuosity. Musicians particularly enjoy virtuosity displayed by other musicians who share their instrument (bassists enjoy watching other bassists, drummers like drummers, guitarists like guitarists, ect). Musicians are also able to understand counter-melody, odd time signatures, and other musical oddities and make sense of them.

However, for music to best reach the non-musician it needs to tap into something more primitive. This is why most popular music is written in 4/4 time, and has memorable and simple melodic ideas. What a non-musican looks for is something they can tap their foot to and sing along with. If this is coupled with a memorable on-stage experience that's even better. The non-musicians simply wants to be entertained.

It has also been my experience that musicians want to play their instruments and often consider the vocals and lyrics to be an after thought. Whereas message and sound of voice is something that non-musicians consider to be very very important. Your lead singer/songwriter is your secret weapon, don't neglict this position.

With every song that we play we should be asking ourselves "What does this call for?" Our ultimate job as musicians is to serve the songs. My vocalist and long time friend, Roger Dafremen explains it like this;

"Songs do not come from us, they come through us. Our job as a band is to channel the music and serve it to the best of our ability. When we try to make it about our own ego we ruin them. Listen to the songs, feel them, and give them what they need."

Lastly, my own personal note as a bassist. All a band really wants from us is to provide bottom end and be an enhancer. Most of the time pounding out roots and making crisp chord changes get's the job done. Do not underestimate the power of a simple, strong, and consistant bassline. At least start with that before you try to get fancy.

-Cheers Zero.

Obituary laying down serious groove, because why not?

 

[MalcolmAmos]

...........Lastly, my own personal note as a bassist. All a band really wants from us is to provide bottom end and be an enhancer. Most of the time pounding out roots and making crisp chord changes get's the job done. Do not underestimate the power of a simple, strong, and consistant bassline. At least start with that before you try to get fancy.

-Cheers Zero.

Agree. In my music, Country and Praise, the lyrics tell a story, so the vocalists role is not to be infringed upon. The message being sung is the reason for the song. My bass line should augment, not compete, with the vocal message.

Be that a Country, somebody done somebody wrong song or a Praise song that helps the congregation in their worshiping; the message is the reason the song was written. Again, my bass line should not interfere with the message being sung. For example; some songs it's lock with the kick drum then chord tones, 8 to the bar. Other songs a full root note and nothing more until the chord change. This is left up to you to figure out which is best...

Back to your question - most of the time I feel this is done with less instead of more. If the drummer brings out his brushes less is more.

IMO and FWIW