New user full of questions.

[nnnnnn]

Please explain how this is bad advice. Of course it always depends on the genre but for the basics the advice is spot

The Billy quote said the bassist should play a note every time the drummer plays a note on the kick drum, every time, no matter what. I imagine it's the no exceptions aspect of this that people are objecting to. Following his suggestion can sound great, but I don't do that in every song, or even necessarily for an entire song. None of my favourite bassists in any genre do that in every song. I doubt that Billy does that himself with no exceptions.

 

[Stumbo]

1) Bass is a guitar. They operate in a different range, that's all.
2) The groove is good in Blues and R&B, but not all music is based on African rhythms.
3) Less is just less. Sometimes more is better.

The OP is learning the bassics of bass. Blues and R&B are perfect to start with, regardless of the source.

Btw, which music isn't based on African rhythms? BTW, no bass guitars in Africa according to Wikipedia.

 

[bolophonic]

OP: only you can decide what type of bassist you want to be. There is an infinite possibility open to each of us. Find the bassists that you wish to emulate and use them as your teachers. As you build your skills and your repertoire, your voice will come into its own. There is a world of difference between Cliff Williams and Bootsie Collins, but there are infinite possibilities in there. Nothing is mutually exclusive.

If you plan to play with other musicians, I would suggest that you focus your attention on how to use space and syncopation to build the pocket within a rhythm section. Study the rhythm section of every song you hear to help discover sounds and techniques that you like. Figure out how the great sections create space for themselves and each other.

If you plan to compose your own music using a bass, don’t be afraid to experiment with movement. Be fearless when you experiment, but also remember to ask yourself periodically if you are serving the song.

 

[Vinny_G]

The OP is learning the bassics of bass. Blues and R&B are perfect to start with, regardless of the source.

Btw, which music isn't based on African rhythms? BTW, no bass guitars in Africa according to Wikipedia.

There are many styles of music that are not of African origin, and there are plenty of bass players in Africa, so I absolutely don't see what you're talking about.

 

[Stumbo]

... remember to ask yourself periodically if you are serving the song.

...and serving food at your rehearsal...

 

[Vinny_G]

OP: only you can decide what type of bassist you want to be. There is an infinite possibility open to each of us. Find the bassists that you wish to emulate and use them as your teachers. As you build your skills and your repertoire, your voice will come into its own. There is a world of difference between Cliff Williams and Bootsie Collins, but there are infinite possibilities in there. Nothing is mutually exclusive.

If you plan to play with other musicians, I would suggest that you focus your attention on how to use space and syncopation to build the pocket within a rhythm section. Study the rhythm section of every song you hear to help discover sounds and techniques that you like. Figure out how the great sections create space for themselves and each other.

If you plan to compose your own music using a bass, don’t be afraid to experiment with movement. Be fearless when you experiment, but also remember to ask yourself periodically if you are serving the song.

In short: try to be a good musician, and not just an instrumentalist.

 

[bolophonic]

????? Please explain how this is bad advice. Of course it always depends on the genre but for the basics the advice is spot on... Bassists who do not listen to the drummer are usually playing some sort of free form jazz, or whatever, but if you want the feet to hit the dance floor you had better lock in with the kick!

Brother, I think that the quote provides lousy advice because it is crude, reductive and simple-minded. Advising new players to mandatorily place notes according to one part of a complex instrument that is working within a larger rhythm section within a larger band — without any regard for genre, feel, instrumentation, dynamics.... it’s just not impressive advice to me. There are thousands of better pieces of advice all over TB, including most of this thread.

 

[bolophonic]

In short: try to be a good musician, and not just an instrumentalist.

Yes, should I also mention schlepping the gear like a boss?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Howdy y'all! I'm new to the group and wanted to introduce myself. I'm new to playing bass, but I've played guitar for 6 years now. I'm having a tough time with phrasing though. I seem to like "riffy" base-lines but I stick out like a sore thumb when I record my own bass tracks. Any advice?

First of all, congrats on recording. This is the absolute best way to monitor your progress. Secondly,
more than likely you are hearing your bass out of context. Thirdly, if you didn’t care for your part, how would you rather it sound, then work it out and change it. That will take some study, but as you hear that part over and over again, you will stop doing it. Out of ideas? Steal some. Listen to somebody you like that has a similar style, note how it’s applied to the song, then copy it.

Finally, don’t beat yourself up listening to you play. Give yourself more credit for what you did well than what wasn’t so hot.

Anyway, welcome to the board, and best wishes.

 

[Stumbo]

First of all, congrats on recording. This is the absolute best way to monitor your progress. Secondly,
more than likely you are hearing your bass out of context. Thirdly, if you didn’t care for your part, how would you rather it sound, then work it out and change it. That will take some study, but as you hear that part over and over again, you will stop doing it. Out of ideas? Steal some. Listen to somebody you like that has a similar style, note how it’s applied to the song, then copy it.

Finally, don’t beat yourself up listening to you play. Give yourself more credit for what you did well than what wasn’t so hot.

Anyway, welcome to the board, and best wishes.

Acknowledgement of your need to improve is the beginning of your bass playing journey.
Love the process, enjoy the journey!

 

[jmon]

Somebody mentioned the right hand. Assuming you are right handed, the right hand technique is as or even more important than left. And both require some work and focus. But the right is the rhythm. It’s the pulse. Forget left hand note playing and play the roots to any song. When you do focus on that right hand. That’s where you’ll find your inner bassist. That’s most definitely where I found mine 23 years ago.

 

[210superair]

Just listen to songs you like and learn the bass lines. It'll take time bj it it'll come. I'm a guitarist that switched to bass too. Been at it for a while, don't worry you'll get it. Lots of fantastic bassists started as guitar players. Sheeeeeet, I learned by following Mike Dirnt and John Paul Jones. Others too of course, but just sayin....

Just do your thing man, it'll come....

And welcome! I'm basically a newb here still too. Lots of great stuff and amazing people on here....

 

[Stranger Danger]

I’m sorry, but that is terrible advice from Billy Sheehan.

NTM wildly ironic

 

[DavC]

find a nice wide variety of different styles of bass parts ( tunes ) ... learn them , get how/why they feel different ...

bits and pieces of stuff you like will stick in your head ... use it

listen to stuff you don't even like ... find the Good in those bass parts ..!!

 

[rollie 55]

Howdy y'all! I'm new to the group and wanted to introduce myself. I'm new to playing bass, but I've played guitar for 6 years now. I'm having a tough time with phrasing though. I seem to like "riffy" base-lines but I stick out like a sore thumb when I record my own bass tracks. Any advice?

hiya and wellcome to TB

 

[La Faro]

The Billy sheehan comment made em think of Scott's lesson on interacting with the bass.

 

[La Faro]

Some African Bass

 

[JimmyM]

Howdy y'all! I'm new to the group and wanted to introduce myself. I'm new to playing bass, but I've played guitar for 6 years now. I'm having a tough time with phrasing though. I seem to like "riffy" base-lines but I stick out like a sore thumb when I record my own bass tracks. Any advice?

Think like a bass player. Listen to bassists in songs you like, even ones who are riffy. Nothing wrong with riffy at the right time and place. But notice that even the riffiest bass players know when to hold back and cop a feel. Of the music, that is And those who can't always end up having to become bandleaders to play as riffy as they want, and even the best of them will know to get out of someone else's way when it's their time to shine. But at least you realize you're going overboard and that's half the battle. Bass is all about keeping the beat, and whereas guitar can be a little more forgiving with monster riffs, bass really can't.

Takes experience and a lot of trial and error, even though you're coming from guitar and there are similarities, but knowing when you're running afoul is something you have that many don't. For now, take it easy on the riffing and just develop a good sense of time at any speed, especially slow tempos. And don't be afraid to cut the amount of notes you do in half. Experiment. You'll get it. And THEN start working your badass guitar-based riffs and it will be all the more effective!

 

[Michedelic]

Yes, should I also mention schlepping the gear like a boss?

Bosses don’t schlepp gear, they hire minions for that.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

Brother, I think that the quote provides lousy advice because it is crude, reductive and simple-minded. Advising new players to mandatorily place notes according to one part of a complex instrument that is working within a larger rhythm section within a larger band — without any regard for genre, feel, instrumentation, dynamics.... it’s just not impressive advice to me. There are thousands of better pieces of advice all over TB, including most of this thread.

I don’t know, it strikes me as good advice for a beginner. Sure, it’s the kind of advice an intermediate bassist should be moving past, but we’re not talking about an intermediate player here.