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This video makes me think

SteveC

SteveC

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2004
31,664
46,798
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NE ND
#1
Been struggling with what to do about my playing lately. I only play at church and occasionally fill in with jazz groups in town. I endlessly debate with myself about what bass, how many strings, should I try effects, etc. I have been playing active 5 strings for a long time. I sometimes think that is what people expect me to play.

Recently, I have been listening to people who play a simple Precision (or Jazz) bass and sound amazing - both tone and their lines. My only real gig is church. We do a lot of Chris Tomlin and the like. I ran across this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31q8y1yJbzI

Kind of makes me wonder…

I haven't really worked on my playing for a while. Really worked the fingerboard. Worked on tone. Worked on playing good lines. Yes, one can do that on any bass, but I wonder if the additional options that I always thought were good (5 or 6 string, 24 frets, etc.) can maybe hold you back as well. Does that make sense?
 
#3
Well, he says it himself in the video (re: gear) - "Seriously, bass is so subjective. It depends on what kind of music you're playing."

Use whatever gear you feel comfortable with - if you think you'll play better with an old Fender four string, by all means try it. Personally I don't think that's where it's at though, I think it has mostly to do with feeling the music and liking what you play.
 
#4
FretNoMore said:
Well, he says it himself in the video (re: gear) - "Seriously, bass is so subjective. It depends on what kind of music you're playing."

Use whatever gear you feel comfortable with - if you think you'll play better with an old Fender four string, by all means try it. Personally I don't think that's where it's at though, I think it has mostly to do with feeling the music and liking what you play.
Click to expand...

Yeah, pretty much this.

I , however, do agree with Jesse and like the old standards, even though I seem to be always on the lookout for something new. This video definitely makes me pause about all the new fangled, wing ding, gadgets and boutique stuff I lust after.
 
#5
I’m kinda with Jesse. I play on the worship team at my church, as well as sit in at others if needed. Been doing it about 10 yrs or so. I love it! Its actually challenging, more so than rock or blues which was my mainstay for years. I’ve tried all kinds of basses over the years, but i’ve always been a 4 stringer. I tried active electronics once and hated it and didn’t see the need for it. I tried a bit of effects but didn’t find the need. I use a snark clip on tuner that works just fine for me. I play a squire cv precision bass and what has become everybody’s favorite it seems is my Kala fretless u-bass! This bass is a low end monster with a 20” scale and weighs maybe 2 lbs! I do run it through a high pass filter called an f-deck, and if I’m using both basses I have a splitter. Thats it. No amps onstage, just a direct line to pa. Simple and effective. But thats me. Others have different ideas and thank God for that! You have to do what works for you and makes you happy. Seems like we may be playing similar music to what your doing. I’m blessed to have a worship leader that allows the freedom to express myself and not have to play songs note for note. A lot of the Contemporary Christian music seems to have a lot of drive, but the lines themselves can get a bit boring just pedaling root notes.
 
#6
fuzzychaos said:
This video definitely makes me pause about all the new fangled, wing ding, gadgets and boutique stuff I lust after.
Click to expand...

I love new fangled and boutique. I just can't really afford it. I have one nice bass and love it. However, it might be nice to have 2 or 3 and I can't afford that. I can, however, afford 2 or maybe 3 if they are just simple but good basses.
 
#10
SteveC said:
Been struggling with what to do about my playing lately. I only play at church and occasionally fill in with jazz groups in town. I endlessly debate with myself about what bass, how many strings, should I try effects, etc. I have been playing active 5 strings for a long time. I sometimes think that is what people expect me to play.

Recently, I have been listening to people who play a simple Precision (or Jazz) bass and sound amazing - both tone and their lines. My only real gig is church. We do a lot of Chris Tomlin and the like. I ran across this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31q8y1yJbzI

Kind of makes me wonder…

I haven't really worked on my playing for a while. Really worked the fingerboard. Worked on tone. Worked on playing good lines. Yes, one can do that on any bass, but I wonder if the additional options that I always thought were good (5 or 6 string, 24 frets, etc.) can maybe hold you back as well. Does that make sense?
Click to expand...

I decided to try 5 string after years of playing a 4. I've acquired a 6 , a 5 fretless, and another 5 since that time. What I found that acquiring those different guitars had the opposite effect of "holding me back." They totally rejuvenated my playing and practice, gave me inspiration, and caused me to appreciate all of the instruments more for their different tonal qualities and playabilities.
 
#12
bachlover said:
I decided to try 5 string after years of playing a 4. I've acquired a 6 , a 5 fretless, and another 5 since that time. What I found that acquiring those different guitars had the opposite effect of "holding me back." They totally rejuvenated my playing and practice, gave me inspiration, and caused me to appreciate all of the instruments more for their different tonal qualities and playabilities.
Click to expand...


I get your point, but I'm kind of feeling the opposite. I'm thinking that maybe a four string would rejuvenate my playing. Get my focus on basics instead of how many notes I can cram in a measure.
 
#13
fwiw I forced myself back onto 4 a couple of years ago and it was great. Then I went to Bass Nature Camp, then I spent a year studying with Ant via Skype while having a deliberate practice routine (metronome ftw). That did more for my playing than any gear ever did, though the 4 kinda moved me in that direction. While more strings gives you more options in a given position, those options sometimes are too often taken. Playing more silence usually is magic...
 
#14
Got to agree with Jesse. I play at my church as well and the more simple the better. I use either my p bass or my Ric and that is it. Plug into my tuner and DI it. The tone is great and i have listened to it in the house and he is absolutely correct, it sounds like a bass.
 
#16
SteveC said:
I get your point, but I'm kind of feeling the opposite. I'm thinking that maybe a four string would rejuvenate my playing. Get my focus on basics instead of how many notes I can cram in a measure.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hear you - less is more. Just got back from church practice. With these new basses I feel like I'm not doing them justice unless I'm running up and down the neck. Doesn't seem to work well on say, "Silent Night."
 
#17
Hate to break it to Jesse, but that's a Black Line SVT, which puts it between 72 and 74, not 69. And trust me, when I kick on my fuzz, it may sound like bass, but it sounds like bass with fuzz on it ;)
 
#18
bachlover said:
Yeah, I hear you - less is more. Just got back from church practice. With these new basses I feel like I'm not doing them justice unless I'm running up and down the neck. Doesn't seem to work well on say, "Silent Night."
Click to expand...

You're not supposed to do the bass justice, you're supposed to do the music justice. Feel the music first, not the gear. ;)

And maybe the next song on the set list is a funk or gospel number where you have use for more of the instrument's range?
 
#20
FretNoMore said:
You're not supposed to do the bass justice, you're supposed to do the music justice. Feel the music first, not the gear. ;)

And maybe the next song on the set list is a funk or gospel number where you have use for more of the instrument's range?
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's not the extended range of the instrument that's an issue as much as the extended range of my ego! Further on in the set we play "Go Tell it on The Mountain" which should allow a little more stretching. Think I'll bring along the fretless for "Silent Night".....
 

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