Playing the bass/w band...please read

[vegaas]

What works for me is a state of mind. I have to mentally hype myself up and try and get into the groove. When I'm there it is nirvanna. I compare it to an athlete who is "in the zone". When I'm in the groove its because my mind locked into it. It sounds cliche, but I feel the music, I am the music.
Once I am there, then I go wild. I move around alot on stage, jump, thrash, kneel, whatever I am feeling at the moment. The groove lets me do this. It attracts attention, it gives you a stage presence.
How do you get there? Practice!

 

[slick519]

Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield


But then people will say :

"dam their keyboard player is good!

are you trying to say that it was done with a keyboard, and not a bass? hmm, confused


=w=slicks=w=

 

[Pacman]

Originally posted by slick519


are you trying to say that it was done with a keyboard, and not a bass? hmm, confused


=w=slicks=w=

That's what he's saying.

 

[Jason Carota]

Like Jazzbo said, practice a lot. It also helps to be open to all types of music.

 

[TheListPunk]

Originally posted by Pacman


That's what he's saying.

I always thought it was Les Claypool who was playing all those fills during the show.

 

[Pesticle]

i get tons and tons of comments on my playing... and i do little more than root note... but i also sing lead, that might have something to do with it. anyways most of the people dont know that you arent playing something hard if it sounds good and locks in with the song well. Half the people don't know what the diff between a bass and guitar is... so if you literally play same thing the guitar player is there is a chance you might get credited for it :/.. sad to say but in many styles of music talent doesnt mean anything these days. Sounding good and fitting everything together and in sync does though, so make sure you at least do that.


Example: Me: Hey, whats up? Random Skater Wannabe: listening to Blink 182, they rock!

P.S. Practice works too

 

[BrettAM]

Originally posted by TheListPunk


I always thought it was Les Claypool who was playing all those fills during the show.

Nope. It's played on a keyboard.

 

[hayngman]

Originally posted by Boplicity
I don't know what genre of music you play, but I would suggest that you listen with painstaking attention and focus to the bassists that you believe are "damn good" in your style of music.

I agree.

If a bassist reaaly stands out to you as a bassist, learn from their style... but don't copy them. Jumping around also worked for me. If your guitarist and vocalist jump, jump higher and farther.
your tone actually makes a difference too.

Be loud and be heard...