As I looked back on this, I think I missed a key
point. I went on a bit about the
philosophy of bass playing, but never really
stated the conclusion.

And, that, simply, is this: As a background
player, you choose certain notes, and you make
certain choices as to where to put them, and how
many to throw in.

As I have mentioned before on AB, I've encountered
"smokin'" bass players who didn't know when to
shut up. Despite their technical proficiency,
almost no one wanted to play with them, because
they wanted to be the stars of the show.

What most people want out of a bass player is a
good, steady foundation. They want real bass, not
lead bass.

If there is room for four notes, first learn how
one note fits. When it comes to bass, less is most
often more. But, this does not mean the bass line
needs to be simple. Barney Brazitis, for instance,
obviously understands this. A bass line can be
very simple, regarding the notes involved, but at
the same time rhythmically very complex.

If you want to learn how to be a "real" bass
player, listen to people like Barney, and count
while you do. You will discover that he sometimes
is way behind the beat, or just barely behind the
beat, or way ahead of the beat, or just barely
ahead of the beat, and so on.

This is not sloppiness. It is rather that he has a
good understanding of music, and it is just damned
good bass playing. He understands what is needed
for the music, and most importantly, how to drive
it.

For you bass players out there who have ever
wondered what "driving" the music means, listen to
Barney's stuff. Count it while you do, and notice
how often he is ahead or behind the beat, then
figure out why. If you think it is because he is
just bad at it, you will probably never be a very
good bass player. If, however, you learn to hear
it, and more importantly feel it, you will be on
your way.

Kelly

here here! (or hear hear? hehe)

Thanks Kelly,

I will listen to Barney as I cant recall hearing any of his stuff before. I have been looking at some of the bass lines in The Beatles songs. Some are four 1/4 beats per measure and some are just one or two 1/8 and then back into a driving beat, but never as the lead instrument during the verse/chorus.

Actually playing the bass (even if its bad at present) has given me a hugh respect for some of the bass players I have listened to and also played with in the past. I said before I have always played bass as a guitarist (until now I hope), with just the notes of the chords being played. I see now there can be so much more and so much less if that what the song or rhythm requires.

Warren

Warren,

Yes the driving, rhythmic thing is huge, when it
comes to bass playing. Land a tiny bit before the
beat to drive a rocker, and a bit behind on a slow
blues tune, and so on.

The thing is, here, that you need to be playing
with a drummer who can lay down a steady meter,
otherwise you're gonna be dragging them all over.

If you can find a rock-solid drummer, you can both
dance all around the beat, and this can be big-
time fun.

The thing is, often, in this situation, you will
need to tell the drummer that you don't want the
tune to go faster or slower. During my own career,
I've often worked with good drummers for six or
eight months, and been locked in solid with them
during that time. But, a couple of years later, I
end up working with them again, and wind up
dragging them all over the place, tempo-wise,
until I again tell them that just because I land
ahead of the beat, it doesn't mean I want the tune
to speed up.

Probably the best way to practice this is to play
with a drum machine. And this absolutely won't
work with a drummer who can't hold a steady meter.

You've probably already experienced this as a
guitar player. You get into a solo, start playing
with the meter, and drag the whole band around
behind you. Trust me, you can have much more
trouble with this when you are a bass player.

Kelly

Like for guitarists, another important aspect is
tone. A lot of guitarists turned bass players tend
to have their tone to bright and treble bound. A
well set up bass, getting solid deep notes from the
first five frets on each string, plus good use of
open strings at the right time, is a positive step.

Geoff :-)

Geoffrey,

I fully agree with you about the tone. I hate that treble/bright tone even in a guitar as it just does not sound right for music now a days. It was great in the 50's and does have its place, but the bass especially needs to be a bass tone, good clear and rich not shrill.

I too have recently been asked to move from rhythm guitar to bass. Try "The Versatile Bassist", has a CD to listen to and if you can read music or follow tab and can use a metronome, you will be able to advance quickly. Brought a 12/8 blues line into practice last night and we quickly put some lyrics to it and now have a new original. Good Luck

Theats cool Pete. I wil grab a copy of the book and yes I can read msuic and tab by sight.

Just play the root... 16th notes with a pick. Works on every tune. Or, do what Kelly and Barney said ;)

Hi Warren,

Your not alone when it comes to guitarists picking up the bass. One of the best bass players Carol Kaye started on the guitar. and when she was in the studio recording a score they gave her a bass because the bass player did not show. That was straight from Carol to me. She has excellent tudors available at her website. She plays with a pick also. Look her up and when you contact her tell her dan gable said hi. Have fun.