I saw a video by him a decade ago where he played a 180572085 notes in a minute and never cared about what he had to say but today I went to an Israeli bassists forum and discovered a new instructional video by him. I think it's great, enjoy!
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Words of wisdom from Billy Sheehan
- Thread starter BullHorn
- Start date
Thank you for that. I have played with my bass at the same position standing up as seated for a long time now, it is indeed due to an older version of Billy explaining this. He is able to explain everything he does in a simplistic manner that has always appealed to me; no secrets with Billy.
Can't abide by wearing the strap that high, but I like what he has to say about listening to other stuff and learning it. I think it makes you even more creative to have inspiration and influences from elsewhere creeping into your music.
Billy, like a lot of high profile or name bass players, seemed to get wrongly tarnished with a rep of " over playing" by those that are not qualified to judge. No offence on that comment, but maybe is should read " have not developed their own playing to a level that allows them to understand, not only what they do....but why the do it. The reason the do it is because the can, the reason many of those that don't is because they cannot. Human psyche has us knock what we don't understand, plain deny it, or make up a valid excuse not to.
Look at it this way, if you have abilities you use them to the full, and if you have like minded players around you, you can create some special moments. Billy, Jeff, Stanley, Marcus, etc even Jaco of he was still here are players I would expect to push bounderies of what I perceive and can do......after all if i pay good money to see any of them and they do not show off the full range of their abilities.....I would feel cheated.
For example, and I have said it before, if Jeff Berlin HAD joined Van Halen back in the 80s, what would have need the point. I love Van Halen ( well most of it from the early days ), but I want to see Jeff push bounderies in playing, not play lines, which after all any decent player that know his chops can do as a lot of the classic songs have straight forward defined roles, so why limit Jeffs talents. Again not knocking Eddie and the boys, great music, but what a player like Mike Anthony does is he is there night after night, time after time, making a foundation for others to rise on.... lots of great rock bassists do and that is the skill not to complicate what you do, and more over, what has been accepted by the fans, Cliff Williams is a testament to that.
But I do not judge Mike, Cliff, or any bassist really in doing there job, because that is what it is, doing the job of what's needed and that can be hard over time to keep the faith in.
So for me, always loved what he's done, seen him first hand jam, talk, play, and everytime I walk away impressed with his attitude to playing.....some stuff I agree is over the top sometimes, but that in normally live and a "throw away" situation, but like I said that's what I pay money for to see Billy Sheehan....to see stuff maybe only a hand full of players could do ten years ago, but because of players like him, are becoming more and more prevelant....so that means our instrument is still developing and that is a good thing. If you do not like players of this nature, listen to ther music and put your own bass line in, if you think a line is being over played then put a new one in to support it.....after all is you believe the "real" bass is missing you can always add one in to suit your tastes.
Look at it this way, if you have abilities you use them to the full, and if you have like minded players around you, you can create some special moments. Billy, Jeff, Stanley, Marcus, etc even Jaco of he was still here are players I would expect to push bounderies of what I perceive and can do......after all if i pay good money to see any of them and they do not show off the full range of their abilities.....I would feel cheated.
For example, and I have said it before, if Jeff Berlin HAD joined Van Halen back in the 80s, what would have need the point. I love Van Halen ( well most of it from the early days ), but I want to see Jeff push bounderies in playing, not play lines, which after all any decent player that know his chops can do as a lot of the classic songs have straight forward defined roles, so why limit Jeffs talents. Again not knocking Eddie and the boys, great music, but what a player like Mike Anthony does is he is there night after night, time after time, making a foundation for others to rise on.... lots of great rock bassists do and that is the skill not to complicate what you do, and more over, what has been accepted by the fans, Cliff Williams is a testament to that.
But I do not judge Mike, Cliff, or any bassist really in doing there job, because that is what it is, doing the job of what's needed and that can be hard over time to keep the faith in.
So for me, always loved what he's done, seen him first hand jam, talk, play, and everytime I walk away impressed with his attitude to playing.....some stuff I agree is over the top sometimes, but that in normally live and a "throw away" situation, but like I said that's what I pay money for to see Billy Sheehan....to see stuff maybe only a hand full of players could do ten years ago, but because of players like him, are becoming more and more prevelant....so that means our instrument is still developing and that is a good thing. If you do not like players of this nature, listen to ther music and put your own bass line in, if you think a line is being over played then put a new one in to support it.....after all is you believe the "real" bass is missing you can always add one in to suit your tastes.
Well, there are bass players that can do both and do it well. Like Daryl Jones, he can play the supporting role of the bass and then solo very well.
Im surprised that the Guitar Center manager didnt tackle Billy for his (100% correct) look to the gear remark. GC makes its living with people who hit the proverbial wall and buy instruments, change pick up, change strings, add strings, subtract frets, chain amps and boxes together etc, etc. WHAT??? Play ONE bass for 20-25 years??? 
His remarks on strap height is also 100% correct. A musicians playing position serves his playing, not his audience. Entertainers put their audience first...How do I look? I couldnt play like him if I tried; I would never want his sound; I wouldnt want his set up; every time I hear him my jaw drops!! Thats musics beauty.
His remarks on strap height is also 100% correct. A musicians playing position serves his playing, not his audience. Entertainers put their audience first...How do I look? I couldnt play like him if I tried; I would never want his sound; I wouldnt want his set up; every time I hear him my jaw drops!! Thats musics beauty.
Excuse me, but what makes you qualified to make that call? How do you know that someone doesn't wear their bass or guitar low because it's more comfortable and easier for them to play? Hurts my right arm to be forced up so high. If I played like Billy I'd be in more pain than wearing it low, which is pain-free for me.
Also, if you're not there to entertain, you might as well just stay home and put up a cardboard cutout of yourself on your gigs.
I dont know you, and if for some reason you feel that I have cursed the mother of your first born, I profusely apologize here and now.
Billy IS entertaining as a byproduct of his exceptional musicianship and personality. Im certain that others exude that same one two punch. This DOES happen. As for me the type of cardboard gigs I have played over the pat 45 years largely demanded that a musician should be heard and not seen.
Its not that I dislike clowns they ARE entertaining. Its just that they have so little to say. Sorry.
musicianship vs entertainment /stage presence is a false dichotomy.
Both matter, neither creates a deficiency in the other.
Both matter, neither creates a deficiency in the other.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
I LOVE THIS QUOTE
Billy Sheehan
Bass Guitar Mag: What is it with these sound men these days?
Billy Sheehan: I know, I know. And being a bass player is notoriously tough when you are playing live. Unfortunately the bass is called a bass- but so are all low frequencies. The sound guy goes out in front, and you ask him, "Can you hear bass?" "Yeah. I can hear bass." He doesn't hear your bass guitar, but he hears some low-end rumble. I wish guitars were called trebles, because then guitarists would know exactly what we are talking about. " you hear treble?" Yeah I hear treble."
Billy Sheehan
Bass Guitar Mag: What is it with these sound men these days?
Billy Sheehan: I know, I know. And being a bass player is notoriously tough when you are playing live. Unfortunately the bass is called a bass- but so are all low frequencies. The sound guy goes out in front, and you ask him, "Can you hear bass?" "Yeah. I can hear bass." He doesn't hear your bass guitar, but he hears some low-end rumble. I wish guitars were called trebles, because then guitarists would know exactly what we are talking about. " you hear treble?" Yeah I hear treble."
Nor I - looks about right for me, personally speaking. Now THIS is pretty high. Great stuff, though, I've loved Mark King's playing for over 30 years now.
Great stuff! No clowns here...there is NOTHING anyone on that stage is doing to compromise their music. They seem to be enjoying themselves and each other and, by the way, the audience is loving it. The audience went to THEM, not the other way around.
Sorry if I had an attitude, but I'm not crazy about the implication made that if someone doesn't wear their bass up high they're a hack. Yes, I know that isn't what you said, but I can't help thinking that's in the back of your mind when you say something like that.
Also, I am an entertainer and I'm proud of it. I go to the audience every time I have the chance. As do these guys. Mark King isn't playing a bass with LED's in the neck because they make him play bass better, plus he does dance music. What's more pandering to an audience than dance music? And as many times as I've seen Billy in Spandex pants holding a drill or running across a stage, looks like he does his share of entertaining as well. If you're not into it, that's fine, but let's face it...it's called "entertainment" for a reason.
Also, I am an entertainer and I'm proud of it. I go to the audience every time I have the chance. As do these guys. Mark King isn't playing a bass with LED's in the neck because they make him play bass better, plus he does dance music. What's more pandering to an audience than dance music? And as many times as I've seen Billy in Spandex pants holding a drill or running across a stage, looks like he does his share of entertaining as well. If you're not into it, that's fine, but let's face it...it's called "entertainment" for a reason.
I've heard Sheehan say that thing about strap length a number of times. I think he's addressing less accomplished/less practiced players that have not taken that into consideration. You might do well to remember that he's taken seriously by a wide range of admirers and young would be rock stars. They see some picture of Duff McKagan (Guns n Roses) from the 90's with is bass down around his knees and his arms locked nearly completely straight and think how "kewl" it looks. Then they wonder why they can't play what they're able to pull-off sitting down when they're at band practice and standing up. And they also can't figure out why they have carpel tunnel problems early on. But hot damn, they look ~kewl~ on stage!
So I am not convinced Sheehan is ~slamming~ low-slung players. I mean if ANYONE understands what putting on a show is all about and creating overall entertainment, it's Billy Sheehan. So he "gets" why some players do that, of that I have zero doubt. He is simply pointing out the drawbacks, and offering suggestions of how to improve your playing. If a sitting position strap length doesn't work for you, don't do it. Simple as that.
But I'm sure it cannot be denied that many players never took into consideration that adjusting their strap to place the instrument in a position that supports ~better~ playing is something they should employ. There is absolutely no doubt that "image" overshadows actual musicianship for many many players of any type of instrument used in a rock band. And sometimes other players equate overall band successes with what they see in pictures of their pedestal mounted stars. Monkey see, monkey do. "Duff hangs his bass on the floor, and GnR are mondo successful .. ergo low slung bass = success"
Some folks might also consider that Sheehan is displaying a LOT of self-mockery with some of his comments ... that is to say he's making fun of himself. Clearly he was someone who didn't understand strap length issues in his early days, you can tell by the way he tells the story. That understanding he has of the situation comes from first hand experience. So it might help if some folks understand that he is making fun of himself when he says certain things. I have that same pragmatic sense of humor so I can dig where he's comin' from.
Just sayin'
Good morning everyone.
Fluxtard
So I am not convinced Sheehan is ~slamming~ low-slung players. I mean if ANYONE understands what putting on a show is all about and creating overall entertainment, it's Billy Sheehan. So he "gets" why some players do that, of that I have zero doubt. He is simply pointing out the drawbacks, and offering suggestions of how to improve your playing. If a sitting position strap length doesn't work for you, don't do it. Simple as that.
But I'm sure it cannot be denied that many players never took into consideration that adjusting their strap to place the instrument in a position that supports ~better~ playing is something they should employ. There is absolutely no doubt that "image" overshadows actual musicianship for many many players of any type of instrument used in a rock band. And sometimes other players equate overall band successes with what they see in pictures of their pedestal mounted stars. Monkey see, monkey do. "Duff hangs his bass on the floor, and GnR are mondo successful .. ergo low slung bass = success"
Some folks might also consider that Sheehan is displaying a LOT of self-mockery with some of his comments ... that is to say he's making fun of himself. Clearly he was someone who didn't understand strap length issues in his early days, you can tell by the way he tells the story. That understanding he has of the situation comes from first hand experience. So it might help if some folks understand that he is making fun of himself when he says certain things. I have that same pragmatic sense of humor so I can dig where he's comin' from.
Just sayin'
Good morning everyone.
Fluxtard
Holy Cats ... I can't believe I actually found this. This thread had me thinking of this article and I just went to go find the mag and BANG it was only about a foot down in the pile of old bass mags I have!
Guitar World's Bass Guitar - June/July 2004.
I have an entire closet full of old music mags like this. Keyboard, bass, guitar, and recording centered stuff that go as far back as the mid 1970s. I'm sure others have more extensive collections, but mine is ~enough~ for me.
Anyhow ... check the hang! It looks like he would have to use his thumb to fret the fat strings.
And he's doin' "the Murderface" stance too! (legs spread nearly as wide as the player is tall). I have pics of "Sixx" doin' the Murderface stance as well. Haahaa! It used to be so cool looking, now it's been changed into a mockery of itself. These things happen ...
Guitar World's Bass Guitar - June/July 2004.
I have an entire closet full of old music mags like this. Keyboard, bass, guitar, and recording centered stuff that go as far back as the mid 1970s. I'm sure others have more extensive collections, but mine is ~enough~ for me.
Anyhow ... check the hang! It looks like he would have to use his thumb to fret the fat strings.
And he's doin' "the Murderface" stance too! (legs spread nearly as wide as the player is tall). I have pics of "Sixx" doin' the Murderface stance as well. Haahaa! It used to be so cool looking, now it's been changed into a mockery of itself. These things happen ...
