This man made me fall in love with slap.

[BuffaloBass]

What's happening with this world? Why he's playing on the street?!

Brittany Spears. We're doomed.

Great player. THis guy might be able to help some folks understand more of how its done.

 

[MikeBass]

To all the other TB'ers out there, please forgive me for hijacking this thread for a moment. I have now been labeled as having posted "closed minded nonsense" by the right honorable Mr. DavidRavenMoon and feel it necessary to respond. I assure you I will not contribute any additional responses to this gentleman at the expense of your time.

Mr. Moon,

Perhaps my post would not have been dismissed as "closed minded nonsense" had I filled it with numerous statements of the incredibly obvious, banal condescension and the occasional self-congratulatory platitude?

My statement stands as written. I'm sorry to inform you, but in this forum and context, it is every bit as valid as yours. I do not find it necessary to validate it by listing my experience, self-perceived level of proficiency, number of instruments I play, etc.

I will further suggest to you that you might find a more receptive audience for your comments when you learn that phrases like "closed minded nonsense" are indeed the province of the closed-minded and not the most effective way to initiate public discourse.

If I am fortunate, perhaps you will grace my city with your innumerable skills at some point. Maybe I'll come out to see you. While many of the venues in this area have entry doors that are potentially of insufficient width to accommodate your level of expertise, we'll make every effort to allow you opportunity to dispense your musical manna to us. I'm sure it will be worth it. Please, just don't offer any bass solos. There are several very interesting ones being played at the local Guitar Center right now. I can listen to them for free.

Anytime you feel the need to tell us how wonderfully talented and skilled you are, please don't hesitate to start a new thread. It will afford us a welcome opportunity to take a break from discussing mundane topics like gear and technique to talk about you. After all, that's why we're here.

Thank you for taking your time to educate me. I'm afraid I've already paid my tuition to far better than you. Good day, sir.

Ouch!!!

 

[MikeBass]

this is almost the tastiest slap bass i have ever heard or seen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xj0jPKtWgU

Yeah, Alain Caron.
Takes the whole "double thumping" slap technique to a whole different level.
Just his slapping in general is under the radar when it's discussed here on TB.

When he blows out "Donna Lee" like that, it's flat out amazing.

And guys think Victor Wooten is the master of that. They haven't heard Alain!!!
Kills Victor Wooten in that regard IMO.

Sorry, went a little left there!!!

 

[alexmoore10]

If you are looking at slap techniques you gotta check out Slap It by Tony Oppenheim...it is a basically a slappers bible!!!!!

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

To all the other TB'ers out there, please forgive me for hijacking this thread for a moment. I have now been labeled as having posted "closed minded nonsense" by the right honorable Mr. DavidRavenMoon and feel it necessary to respond. I assure you I will not contribute any additional responses to this gentleman at the expense of your time.

Mr. Moon...

Thats Mister Schwab to you, Mister Toonz...

Well that was intelligent....

But that response did come from someone who said bass players who solo should give up bass and play guitar... So who's feeling judgmental and self important here? Not I.

Don't worry about me, but why don't you let people like Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Jeff Berlin, Alain Caron, Marcus Miller... I could go on.. tell them they need to stop playing bass because they don't play like bass players. Maybe YOU could teach them the proper way to play bass. Look here's a root and a fifth!

Oh yeah, and tell the guy in the video too.

Just because you don't like a style of playing doesn't give you any reason to disparage those players by telling them to give up an instrument. I could easily say because you can't solo on bass you should instead play... oh I don't know... drums?

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Ouch!!!

Oh please... I bet he worked all day on that too!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I want to reiterate what a said back near the beginning of this thread: the man is blowing people away with a $400 bass.
By no means am I knocking highend gear, but I think it is so important to remember that a high dollar bass is no substitute for skill, technique, and imagination.

 

[Bassman7PM]

Yeah, Alain Caron.
Takes the whole "double thumping" slap technique to a whole different level.
Just his slapping in general is under the radar when it's discussed here on TB.

When he blows out "Donna Lee" like that, it's flat out amazing.

And guys think Victor Wooten is the master of that. They haven't heard Alain!!!
Kills Victor Wooten in that regard IMO.

Sorry, went a little left there!!!

+1 Alain Caron is a MONSTER.

 

[MikeBass]

Oh please... I bet he worked all day on that too!

Hey, relax Sparky........
If he worked all day on it, good for him. But maybe he should spend that time practicing blowing over chord changes or something.
If it took 10 min, good for him here too, then he has time to play another bass line in 4/4 with a pick bangin' out root notes.

Either way, that was a good one!!!

 

[Jimtoonz]

Hey, relax Sparky........
If he worked all day on it, good for him. But maybe he should spend that time practicing blowing over chord changes or something.
If it took 10 min, good for him here too, then he has time to play another bass line in 4/4 with a pick bangin' out root notes.

Either way, that was a good one!!!

In between sitting here "bangin' out" some root notes on my Kurzweil (along with some 7#9 and 13th and my very favorite, 5 over 1 <Maj9 no 3 to some> chords), (but NEVER with a pick), I listened to some of your music. Very tasty! Good to hear a solid player who "gets it". I also love the Rhodes sound your keyboard player is getting. What does she/he use?



-J

 

[Blueszilla]

Subscribed.
Been reading this thread from the beginning, nice video, great technique, I love the way he incorporates the right hand chording in time, so fast it's hard to pick up right away. He is very relaxed, having fun.

I'll also agree that I am not a fan of solo bass as an institution. I don't dislike it, but, for me, bass, like drums provide a supporting role to an ensemble. I can appreciate those who are into it, and I certainly admire and respect those who are soloists (how can you not?) as they have carved out a niche for themselves and many are quite successful, so my opinion is worthless. I am not discouraging anyone going down that road, and feel no need to disparage anybody. Bass solos, IMHO, are opportunities to contribute a unique musical voice within a greater context, with an instrument not traditionally used for soloing. I also think that if they go on too long (subjective, I know), the enjoyment wears thin, like a drum solo (not dissing drum solos). For me it's what is conveyed to the listener as music, the total net effect that is the song that's important, not a particular component. I want to play my part so well that I go unnoticed as an individual. I enjoy, and stress, my own solos, but it's part of playing and I neither relish nor dread them, but do the best I can to be musical and interesting. Not always successful, but I hope to learn something every time. As I get older, simpler is better, knowing the right moment to strike the note is almost more important than which one to play.

Bass soloists play for what seems to me a vertical market; bassists, musicians in general, enthusiasts, etc... whereas, the public at large isn't interested in it except as a novelty or specialty, and that's OK too. I look at those videos, and there are a lot of them, and I am astonished, amazed, and humbled like many others are, but in the end, it's technically dramatic, but mostly emotionally empty, not always, but a lot. It's like pornography; it's fun/interesting to watch at first, but it gets repetitive quickly and my interest fades. I get more out of the substance of the music as a whole than I do from the flash of a solo. As Maki would say, my $0.02.

 

[Jimtoonz]

I would like to clarify - If you read my original post, I was complimentary to the musician in the video. He was technically interesting, and very musical. In short, I thought it was very much an above average solo performance by a bassist.

It seems that this may have gotten lost in my comments about how I do not embrace the bass solo in general terms. There are numerous exceptions to this - as an example, Jimmy Haslip on Gino Vannelli's Brother To Brother. I can name others, but the bass solos that really speak to me are a very small minority.

For any player that feels differently, I hold no disrespect. One thing that troubles me is when I hear other bands who ask me if I know of another bassist who can join their band because they are tired of encountering bassists who believe that the band exists to support them and that they should have numerous solos in every set. Many of these players are unable to hold a functional bass line in a song for fear that it isn't "flashy" enough to get them noticed.

Blueszilla has eloquently stated a lot of the same things that I feel when watching some soloists. It becomes like a kind of musical "junk food" - tastes good, lots of fat and carbs, but no fiber.

If asked to advise a new player on developing an approach to the instrument, what would be better introductory listening material - Wooten or Sklar....Jamerson or Jaco. It is valuable to know and embrace all of those players, but I submit that I would teach Jamerson and Sklar in an introductory class and save Wooten and Jaco for the advanced class.

I know some guys who have made a good living from three chords for a long time. Is what they do any less valid because of its simplicity or lack of advanced technique? - I don't think so. Do I choose to listen to that music? No, but many people do.

Excellent technique that produces a lot of notes is always impressive. I will sit and watch a video of Mark King doing Mr. Pink and be amazed like anyone else, but I have to insert that I wouldn't listen to King at all if I didn't like the music of Level 42 in general. There are just not that many acts that I would pay to see just because of that act's having a great bassist.

Take another of the people who posted to this thread, MikeBass and listen to his music. Here is a bassist who "gets it". His playing is both solid and interesting at the same time, and I'm sure that he has "chops" far beyond what he shows in the clips I was able to hear on his myspace page. This is the kind of player that I think a developing bassist should choose as a foundation for developing a style of their own. I would not point that player to a video of the guy in Spain(as brilliant as he is) and say "You should strive to be able to do this". Truth is, it wouldn't get him that many calls in L.A., New York, or Nashville.

If the individual likes listening to or playing lots of solo bass material, more power to you. It doesn't make anybody right, wrong, or more valid.

While I am not a country music fan, I seem to remember a Johnny Cash song in which he speaks of asking a shoe-shine man why he doesn't pop his shine rag as he works. The man answers - "'trouble with the world today...there's too much poppin' and not enough shinin' ". I think the shine man might have made a great bassist.

 

[Shoehorn]

Sorry if I'm being heavy handed, but could you folks PLEASE stop arguing in this thread? A little bit of debate is all good but this discussion is not really heading in the right direction.

Has anyone else been able to find any other recordings/videos other then the 2 links we have? Any one living in Barcelona know anything?

 

[MikeBass]

I would like to clarify - If you read my original post, I was complimentary to the musician in the video. He was technically interesting, and very musical. In short, I thought it was very much an above average solo performance by a bassist.

It seems that this may have gotten lost in my comments about how I do not embrace the bass solo in general terms. There are numerous exceptions to this - as an example, Jimmy Haslip on Gino Vannelli's Brother To Brother. I can name others, but the bass solos that really speak to me are a very small minority.

For any player that feels differently, I hold no disrespect. One thing that troubles me is when I hear other bands who ask me if I know of another bassist who can join their band because they are tired of encountering bassists who believe that the band exists to support them and that they should have numerous solos in every set. Many of these players are unable to hold a functional bass line in a song for fear that it isn't "flashy" enough to get them noticed.

Blueszilla has eloquently stated a lot of the same things that I feel when watching some soloists. It becomes like a kind of musical "junk food" - tastes good, lots of fat and carbs, but no fiber.

If asked to advise a new player on developing an approach to the instrument, what would be better introductory listening material - Wooten or Sklar....Jamerson or Jaco. It is valuable to know and embrace all of those players, but I submit that I would teach Jamerson and Sklar in an introductory class and save Wooten and Jaco for the advanced class.

I know some guys who have made a good living from three chords for a long time. Is what they do any less valid because of its simplicity or lack of advanced technique? - I don't think so. Do I choose to listen to that music? No, but many people do.

Excellent technique that produces a lot of notes is always impressive. I will sit and watch a video of Mark King doing Mr. Pink and be amazed like anyone else, but I have to insert that I wouldn't listen to King at all if I didn't like the music of Level 42 in general. There are just not that many acts that I would pay to see just because of that act's having a great bassist.

Take another of the people who posted to this thread, MikeBass and listen to his music. Here is a bassist who "gets it". His playing is both solid and interesting at the same time, and I'm sure that he has "chops" far beyond what he shows in the clips I was able to hear on his myspace page. This is the kind of player that I think a developing bassist should choose as a foundation for developing a style of their own. I would not point that player to a video of the guy in Spain(as brilliant as he is) and say "You should strive to be able to do this". Truth is, it wouldn't get him that many calls in L.A., New York, or Nashville.

If the individual likes listening to or playing lots of solo bass material, more power to you. It doesn't make anybody right, wrong, or more valid.

While I am not a country music fan, I seem to remember a Johnny Cash song in which he speaks of asking a shoe-shine man why he doesn't pop his shine rag as he works. The man answers - "'trouble with the world today...there's too much poppin' and not enough shinin' ". I think the shine man might have made a great bassist.

Wow Jim, I really don't know what to say.
That has to be flat out, maybe the best compliment I ever received, outside of my daughter telling me I'm the "bestist" bass player ever!!!
(sorry, she has you beat there)

I don't know if I "get it", but I try like hell sometimes. But I also screw around and try to solo from time to time.
Sometimes I succeed, sometimes not.

I "think" I get it because I've done more gigs than I can remember, and if you're a country fan, you may have even seen me play in your city on tour.

There have been a lot of guys who have with no punches pulled, said what they heard on my page wasn't impressive at all.
Cool.
Find a post by TomBowlus (or look at his profile) and there are a number of videos on YouTube of me screwing around blowing (or type in Mike Fredericks on there).
Not braggin' at all, just a reference. I screw around like anyone else and guys have passed judgment on my playing by those videos without hearring the clips on my myspace.

The cat in the video, well if thats his "style" then more power to him.
But yeah, in Nashville & here in Detroit (because I have been to/worked in both- live in Detroit) if he played like that, he either would be
A) in an original band that showcased that style.
B) a "solo" bassist who did the solo bass thing in coffee shops, on street corners as shown and bass "events" (also big at NAMM shows) or
C) wondering why no one calls him for "working" gigs.

But a straight evaluation of his overall style and thought behind his playing based on the few clips osted here, would be selling the guy (and his talents- because I think the dude is nice sounding) very short.
But the thing is, thats all we have to go on.

So, if thats how he plays, refer to A,B or C above. But I think C would be the most relevent.

The running joke at Low Down Sound (our all bass store here in Detroit) is when a cat like that walks in and blows like crazy, we usually are the cheerleaders for it, but at the same time, can you play "My Girl"???

You would be SURPRISED at how many times a guy will be blowing some killer lines and can't play them slow or play something that makes you bob your head.

I for one would like to see more of this cat. He seems to have great command of his bass.
I'm sure he can bring it when he needs to....

Time to go bang out some root notes. With a pick!!! (Yes, sometimes the gig calls for one, and I'll be happy to use it!!

Sorry for the rant fellas!!

 

[synaesthesia]

Electric bass is a guitar,

Yes, Leo Fender designed an electric bass GUITAR and the consequent variants are also Bass ranged GUITARS. I marvel daily at how many arguments and misconceptions in this forum miss this point.

 

[MikeBass]

Yes, Leo Fender designed an electric bass GUITAR and the consequent variants are also Bass ranged GUITARS. I marvel daily at how many arguments and misconceptions in this forum miss this point.

I agree!!
The bass is barely more than 50 years old.
In the grand scheme of musical instruments, "that ain't $hit!!!"

I marvel too how guys want to approach the bass ike it was for the most part 30-40 years ago.

Now, don't get me wrong here, I'm not breaking any new ground with my playing, but I can respect those that are trying.
I don't get, I mear REALLY don't get 11 string basses. But hey, there is the trickle down of what those guys are trying to do.
Sooner or later, something as radical like that will filter into a hit tune and it's become a part of what we do.

The guy in the video is really just pushing the bass as a up front solo, I don't need anybody else instrument.

There is another guy named Gonzolo Silva. Great player and singer. Does a singer/songwriter thing.
Just him and his bass. Nothing flashy like the man of the hour in this thread, but some seriously sweet playing (I wish I could do what he does!).
I'l post a clip if I can find some.

 

[Jimtoonz]

Yes, Leo Fender designed an electric bass GUITAR and the consequent variants are also Bass ranged GUITARS. I marvel daily at how many arguments and misconceptions in this forum miss this point.

I'm not sure that anyone was ever placing this point in contention. Yes, a Fender Bass(or descendant) is a guitar. By definition of construction, you can also make a case that a mandola, tenor guitar, resonator guitar, ukulele, charango, rubab(or numerous other members of the lute family), or a 31-tone micro-tonal guitar are all GUITARS. Does this mean that they all lend themselves equally to similar styles of playing? I think not, no more than I believe a Stratocaster and a BN5 should be approached in the same manner.

I see the different fretted instruments as different tools. A sledgehammer and a tilesetter's hammer, for example, are both HAMMERS, but one excels at demolition, the other at setting tile and brick. Try using each of the two for the other's intended purpose. While the results will be interesting, they will not necessarily be musical. YAMMV.

 

[Altitude]

Ya know, if he does have a good corner, he could make more just jamming along and not have to worry about flaky guitar players, psychotic drummers, lead singers with massive egos, a$$hole bar owners, drunkin' patrons that go to the a$$hole bar owners bars, won't smell like an ashtray after the gig.

Totally. For my typical bar-grind gig, I make $50 to $80, and spend $12 on parking, $20 on beer, and $30 on dinner I would have otherwise eaten at home. Then I come home, log on to this damned forum, and learn about the next piece of gear I have to buy! This guy might have figured it out.

'Grouse', as an intransitive verb, means to complain pettily or grumble; ex:
"Bass players are always grousing about guitarists playing too loud."

Well, they do...

 

[envika]

I hate slap too, for the most part. maybe i'm just bitter because i can't do it at all but probably it's because when you slap, you tend to play ahead of the beat, and this guy is right on it. also the chord use was nice.

 

[DavidRavenMoon]

Yes, Leo Fender designed an electric bass GUITAR and the consequent variants are also Bass ranged GUITARS. I marvel daily at how many arguments and misconceptions in this forum miss this point.

Thank you... some people get down right hostile if you call their bass a guitar!

It's as closely related to a viola da gamba (upright bass) as a violin (viola da braccio) is to a mandolin... i.e. they are tuned the same.

I have an 86 year old upright too. Not the same instrument at all.