This is true for acoustic and electric bass.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Truth
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
This is true for acoustic and electric bass.
Motion to sticky the thread. Might as well link the video in the TB banner.
Les Claypool and Victor Wooten didn't get this memo.
Both have good tone and good time, plus they are band leaders, but I get the joke.
Awww, listen to that intonation. Right on, every note. Delivered with authority. That's what you want, right there.
You're right: playing in tune with good tone and good time; those are the big three. There's a video of an interview with Ginger Baker where the interviewer asked him what he thought about Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce as musicians, clearly expecting him to say something about their virtuosity; instead, Baker said "They both have time."
The interviewer clearly didn't get what Baker meant or that he was giving Clapton and Bruce his highest compliment.
Amen, Ray Brown.
I've been saying this for years. I'm delighted that Ray Brown said it way before me.
I've been saying this for years. I'm delighted that Ray Brown said it way before me.
I phrased it as a joke, but I was alluding to another truth.
Anyone who tells you "This is what you have to do to succeed" in the realm of art or many other things as well should be taken with a grain of salt. If everyone does what everyone else did before them the world becomes a very bland and monotonous place over time. So, yes. What he says is true. Tone trumps flashy licks 99% of the time in today's music.
However, the music of tomorrow will be different than the music of today. And it will be forged by musicians who are in that 1% who dared to do something different.
Also, not everyone defines success the same way. Not all bassists are looking to make a paycheck or keep a gig. For those who are, this guy gives great advice. Follow the herd. Follow conventional wisdom and do what great sidemen have done for years.
Artists and progressives are better off to take the road less traveled though. Be original. Find your thing and make it work.
I don't know as much about Les Claypool, but Victor Wooten always makes a point of saying he learned how to play traditionally and that he has played conventional bass parts many times on stage and the studio. He paid the bills playing conventionally before he got famous doing Wooten stuff. Claypool is a huge Geddy fan, and Geddy is very upfront, but more conventional than Claypool. Claypool learned how to hold it down first too.
Not to distract from this thread but to ad to it. Simple is best with the bass. "Walk don't run." Get the the basics correct first before shifting to a higher gear.
Victor Wooten gives similar and excellent advice for playing the bass. (Only 2 1/2 minutes long.)
____________________________________________________________
This Ray Brown video EXCELS!
Victor Wooten gives similar and excellent advice for playing the bass. (Only 2 1/2 minutes long.)
____________________________________________________________
This Ray Brown video EXCELS!
I bet that 1% still includes playing in tune with good sound, and good time.
Yeah...as I attempt to play in tune on my new guitarrón I listen to that video and think "oh, ouch." He just nails it, and he's talking!
Michael League always kills me being Mr. Humble when he is around players like Wooten or Marcus, but you don't get to share the stage with those legends unless you're are bringing real talent to the table yourself.
Last edited:
Love love love love love Ray. He's speaking the stone cold facts about what the cat footing the bill looks for in a bassist. Take it to heart, and to the bank.
Last edited:
I was anticipating a Paul Pierce highlight reel. This is nice, too.
As soon as he mentioned "Carmen Mcrae" I have to wonder if I saw this man play and didn't know it….
I was fortunate enough to see Carmen live here in Arizona back in the day. I can't tell you the names of anyone in the band, but McRae is forever in my memories….
I was fortunate enough to see Carmen live here in Arizona back in the day. I can't tell you the names of anyone in the band, but McRae is forever in my memories….
Les cut his teeth playing three sets a night, five nights a week with a band that did Isley Brothers and Booker T. covers, and he always had guys tapping him on the shoulder asking him to play less. He may do things unconventionally, but he's never struck me as a "bass hero" type. He's a really fundamentally sound player who just likes to do things his own way, which is more apparent in his singing and songwriting than it is in his bass playing.
IMHO, YMMV, etc etc.
