Phrasing

[gracebass777]

Hi Anthony, I'm a big fan of your music and bassology approach. You have all the chops and yet I feel like you stand out as one of the most melodic players from what I've seen and heard. I highly admire this melodic nature of your phrasing. It's also interesting to see how you are singing your phrases.

Do you have any tips for how the rest of us can become more melodic? Even if the ear training is there, how do we become more creative at singing up the melodies that we turn into phrases on our instruments? I tend to more or less play scalar-sounding phrases and I'm only beginning to think of more open (chord tone centric) phrases.

Thanks in advance for any tips!

Grace n' bass!
Dan

PS
Would you ever consider doing a bass clinic in the Pacific NW (Seattle) if you're already around the area?

 

[Ant Wellington]

Hey Dan,

Thank you for your very kind words.

Melodicism is something that I focus on. I've always been a sucker for a pretty face and a pretty melody. In addition to learning bass parts during my formative years, I also larded the melodies to the songs.


I'm not sure how much what I write in a post can help you because there are specific exercises that I've created and practice to improve my soloing.

I'm not a fan of 'out' playing. Some guys do it very well.But a lot of guys are just playing wrongs notes and calling out playing or Jazz. There's not a need for it in the music that I play and those kinds of melodies don't emanate from me. I like playing solos that someone could sing.

Most of what I play during solos are melodies that I'm singing to myself in realtime while I play.

Try learning some melodies and melodic solos. If you're interested in taking a lesson to get some of the exercises just contact from from my Bassology page.

peace,
anthony