| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 1890.1 | Nothing really fancy, here.... | LUDWIG::PHILLIPS | Music of the spheres. | Mon Jul 02 1990 10:41 | 40 |
| ....just another 4-stringer at work....
PICK PLAYING
Sometimes I'll use a flatpick if I want that "picky" sound (real
sharp attack) in a slow- to mid-tempo song. I usually pick halfway
between the two pickups, and with mostly downstrokes. My pick is
just your basic garden variety medium flatpick.
FINGERSTYLE PLAYING
Used for about 95% of my playing. Early on, I developed a finger
blocking style of playing; the fingers not sounding a note would
be muting the strings not playing. I still don't know how it came
about, but I find it makes my playing very clean and uncluttered
- nicely suited for ensemble work. I try to keep my nails a bit
long, so I can get an "edge" to my notes.
LEFT HAND
I use the classical grip almost exclusively; I'm used to playing
full scales on the fat Fender Precision neck, so I need to access
the frets comfortably. I use all four fingers, though my ring finger
is somewhat "weaker" than the rest.
PRACTICE
Who has time - I'm playing four nights a week! ;^) Actually, I
began by practicing incessantly, playing along with records. I
put together a cassette tape of tunes with nice bass work (pop,
rock, R&B) and play along with that on occasion. Really, I'm playing
so much now I don't have a chance to get rusty......
MISCELLANEOUS
I'm mostly self-taught on the bass, having gone over from guitar.
(Our high school stage band had a bassist who was always late for
rehearsals; in his stead, I would tune my bottom four strings an
octave low (*shudder!*) and play his part. Eventually, I bought
my first bass - and the rest is history! I've been extremely fortunate
to hear a lot of good stuff on record and be able to pick it out.
And except for six months in 1975, I've almost never been out of
work as a bassist.....
--Eric--
|
| 1890.2 | 1 of the bums in the back | 32FAR::BGROCHOWSKI | | Mon Jul 02 1990 13:12 | 36 |
|
Pick playing:
Never use a pick anymore. Used to use an old bingo chip for some
work doing 'Godspell' for a play group.
Finger Style Playing:
I use three fingers plus my thumb when playing chords. 'Pluck' the
strings over the neck pickup (that's where my thumb rests) or on the
bridge for more trebly sound.
II Left hand technique
I hold the neck with thumb behind neck unless I'm using my thumb on
the 'E' string. I use all 4 fingers but my index and ring fingers
have the biggest calluses.
III Practice
I do a lot of work with composition and recording and spend most
of my allotted bass practice time on mechanical skills. (especially
speed of my right hand). Also spend lots of time learning new tunes
for the band (they play really obscure stuff). I love tinkering
with Randy Covens column in 'Guitar' magazine.
IV. Misc
Self-taught bassist who eventually learned guitar. (Bass is my first
love). I also like the job security of being a bassist.
Bg
|
| 1890.3 | | DCSVAX::COTE | You make the knife feel good... | Mon Jul 02 1990 14:08 | 105 |
| It's been a few years since I'd call myself a 'serious' bassist,
but here's where I am today....
1. Do you use a pick? Always or when called for?
Rarely, bordering on never.
2. How do you hold your hand when picking?
3. Where do you pick? (Bridge? Neck?)
4. Where do you rest you hand when picking?
5. What kind of pick do you use? (Gauge)
On the rare occasion I want a picked sound, I use my fingernail.
6. Do you use alternate picking?
Not since I lifted my fingernail up off it's bed... OUCHOUCHOUCH!!!
Finger Style Playing:
1. How many fingers do you use?
4.
2. Where do you 'pluck'?
Usually just behind the pickup, about 2.5 or 3 inches from
the bridge.
3. Do you use your thumb? (not slapping!)
Nah... At least not with any regularity.
4. Do you use slap and pop?
Nope, my nylon tape wounds generate a sound like an ill-formed
fart if I try that.
II Left hand technique
1. How do you 'hold' the neck?
a. Classic thumb behind the neck?
Kinda, my thumb tends to run close to parralel to the
strings, behind the neck. Most of the weight of the neck
rests on the 'heel' of my thumb, the exact spot defined
by the callous I've developed from doing this so long...
2. Do you use all 4 fingers?
yes
3. Do you favor any finger(s)?
No.
III Practice
1. How often do you practice? (scales, etc, not band practice!)
Whenever the mood strikes. Bass is only my "second" instrument,
behind MIDI.
2. What kinds of things do you practice?
Whatever song I want to learn. Scales.
3. What kinds of exercies do you use to improve you mechanical
skills? (stretch, speed etc.)
Run scales all over the neck at increasing speeds.
4. Same as question 3, but for musical skills.
5. Do you have any favorite learning material? (books etc.)
A CD, sheet music and my ear...
6. Do you have any special practice 'tools'? (Metonome, etc?)
A MIDI studio. I pull the fader on the sequenced bass and
try to play that part in real time...
7. How long is a practice session?
Sometimes 15 minutes, sometimes 3 or 4 hours. To call it all
"practice" is a little deceptive. Some of it's just jamming...
8. What kind of warmup exercises do you use?
Tune-ups!
IV. Misc
1. How did you learn the bass? Lessons? Self taught? Were/are a
guitarist?
Played guitar a wee bit in high school. BS'd my way into a
band in '73 as a bass player. Got the gig. Learned real
quick!!!
No lessons. I probably do more things wrong than right.
Edd
|
| 1890.4 | Ambivalent.... | SMURF::BENNETT | Dinsdale! | Mon Jul 02 1990 15:06 | 143 |
|
I'm even confused about how to have fun 8~}....
I consider myself a guitarist these days but I keep working on
my bass chops. I hope to make a living at this stuff soon so I'm
interested at being as flex-able as possible.
Good Idea, Tom.
Let the Answers begin!
Pick playing:
1. Do you use a pick? Always or when called for?
I use a pick when needed - either when my fingers can't cut it
playing that fast or when the attack of a pick is what the tune
calls for.
2. How do you hold your hand when picking?
I curl my fingers under hand hold the pick between the flat side
of my index finger and the knuckle of my thumb - as if I'd captured
it while thumb wrestling.
3. Where do you pick? (Bridge? Neck?)
Depends on the sound I want. Generally between pickups.
4. Where do you rest you hand when picking?
I don't.
5. What kind of pick do you use? (Gauge)
Medium, "regular" size.
6. Do you use alternate picking?
Yes.
Finger Style Playing:
1. How many fingers do you use?
4
2. Where do you 'pluck'?
Usually just to the bridge side of the bridge pickup, with
thumb resting on the chrome flange surrounding the pickup well
(using a 4001)
3. Do you use your thumb? (not slapping!)
Sometimes
4. Do you use slap and pop?
Not on a Rickenbacker. I'm saving my pennies for a Precision+
so that I can play the funky stuff.
II Left hand technique
1. How do you 'hold' the neck?
a. Classic thumb behind the neck?
Yes
b. Thumb over the top, like guitarists?
Yes. Like some guitarists. I find that putting
my thumb over the top is good for bends but doing
too much of it gives me mild tendonitis symptoms.
2. Do you use all 4 fingers?
Yup. Playing out of a 4 fret position up to about the 5th
fret where I often catch myself playing in the 6 fret positions
I use on the guitar.
3. Do you favor any finger(s)?
No.
III Practice
1. How often do you practice? (scales, etc, not band practice!)
Not Enough. About once a week. I'm switching soon to a 3 day
rotation for bass, guitar and keys.
2. What kinds of things do you practice?
Playing for chord changes. Fretboard memorization studies. Mode
studies. There's a mode for every day of the week. Also trying
to get into different types of groove to help the mechanicals...
3. What kinds of exercies do you use to improve you mechanical
skills? (stretch, speed etc.)
Stay in position, stay clean, go as fast as I can in scale, interval
and string skip exercises. Stretching is done away from the fretboard
before picking up.
4. Same as question 3, but for musical skills.
Musical skills are in the head. I do stuff on paper.
5. Do you have any favorite learning material? (books etc.)
Currently there's a volume I'm slowly grinding my way thru from
1963 called "Improvising Jazz". I also like to by random sheet
music at garage sales, church rummage sales, etc. I subscribe to
GP and GFTPM.
6. Do you have any special practice 'tools'? (Metonome, etc?)
Casio with sampling and melody memory. Headphone amp with
built in tape recorder.
7. How long is a practice session?
Usually I get 60-90 mins in the morning before work and another
60-90 mins in the evening.
8. What kind of warmup exercises do you use?
Rotate fists slowly at the wrists, arm circles, that waving tentacle
finger thang.... Playing with power putty(tm) is fun, too.
IV. Misc
1. How did you learn the bass? Lessons? Self taught? Were/are a
guitarist?
I learned bass from a guitarist I met in Jr High. He was trying to
get a band together and I was willing to play whatever he said.
It started with "Ziggy Stardust". I've never done lessons. My NYS
regents high school concentration was in music theory. I try to
make sure whatever I learn on guitar gets trasferred to bass and
keys.
|
| 1890.5 | "I did it miiiiiy waaaaaay...." | SMURF::LAMBERT | Just say NO to 'Dead Heads' | Mon Jul 02 1990 16:07 | 151 |
| Preface: I've been playing guitar and bass for about 17 years.
Started out on bass, and have flip-flopped back and forth over
that time. Recently picked up (my first) fretless and am having
a gas with it (thanks, Dave!).
1. Do you use a pick?
Yes, but consider it a "bad habit" and am trying to
re-teach myself using fingers only. Since I can play
pretty good fingerstyle guitar I'm really confused as
to why I find it difficult to use my fingers on the bass.
Ah well, this is why we practice.
2. How do you hold your hand when picking?
Either anchored on the bridge or free floating over the
strings, over the front pickups (PJ style bass).
3. Where do you pick? (Bridge? Neck?)
See above.
4. Where do you rest you hand when picking?
See above. Though I'm finding on the P-bass size body
trying to keep my hand anchored on the bridge causes a
kink in my wrist and slows me down considerably.
5. What kind of pick do you use? (Gauge)
Either: Same as guitar - heavy to extra heavy standard
flatpick
Or: A pressed-felt bass pick (for a unique sound)
6. Do you use alternate picking?
Maybe. If I knew what the term meant I could probably
answer more directly. :-) If you mean "both up and down
strokes" then yes, definitely.
Finger Style Playing:
1. How many fingers do you use?
I'm still working on my technique, but am leaning toward
thumb, index, middle, and sometimes ring finger.
2. Where do you 'pluck'?
Middle of the guitar, over the front p/u.
3. Do you use your thumb? (not slapping!)
I try.
4. Do you use slap and pop?
When playing funk, or otherwise where appropriate.
II Left hand technique
1. How do you 'hold' the neck?
a. Classic thumb behind the neck?
b. Thumb over the top, like guitarists?
Well, SOME guitarists I know would take exception to 'b'...
I have very large hands, so even though I pretty much keep it
in the "classic" position my thumb tends to wander around a
bit.
2. Do you use all 4 fingers?
Yes.
3. Do you favor any finger(s)?
Not really.
III Practice
1. How often do you practice? (scales, etc, not band practice!)
Daily, even if I can only get a couple of scale runs in
in between errands.
2. What kinds of things do you practice?
Scales, scales, scales. (YOU try playing scales in tune on
a fretless! :-))
Also working on songs, tonality, "sound", and anything I can
do to keep my fingers loose and my interest up.
I've been spending a lot of time on excersises to build up
accuracy on the fretless since I don't have those little
metal things across the fingerboard that make the intervals
all even.
3. What kinds of exercies do you use to improve you mechanical
skills? (stretch, speed etc.)
Try playing "Lopsy Lu" precisely and in tempo.
Also, I'll take a scale pattern and play it as fast as I
can to get speed up. Play it low on the neck to get the
stretching up. Play it high on the neck for accuracy.
4. Same as question 3, but for musical skills.
Songs. If I can play something and have it sound melodious,
especially when the rest of the band isn't playing, I feel
I'm honing my musical skills.
5. Do you have any favorite learning material? (books etc.)
I find copying records to be a good learning experience.
I seem to be pretty good at it, and can cop most songs in
short order (I'm talking normal music/songs here - not these
"guitar god" albums, of course...). Subscribe to GftPM and
use that sometimes.
6. Do you have any special practice 'tools'? (Metonome, etc?)
I have a Yamaha keyboard with a programmable rythym section
I sometimes use as backup.
7. How long is a practice session?
Between "Oh crap, I've got to be somewhere in 15 minutes but
I *really* have to pick that thing up today", and "OUCH! I
can't play another note or I'll be cleaning the blood off
the neck". (Kids: Don't try this at home - I actually
did bleed all over my guitar once at a party when I hadn't
played for about 6 months. Not a pretty sight.)
8. What kind of warmup exercises do you use?
I have a rubber tennis-sized ball that I squeeze in alternate
hands to increase finger and forearm strength. I also do
finger stretches to make sure the blood is flowing well before
I start playing.
IV. Misc
1. How did you learn the bass? Lessons? Self taught? Were/are a
guitarist?
Self taught on the bass, but have taken guitar lessons over
the years as a beginner, later in Classical, Jazz, and Rock,
wherein I got some understanding of music theory. Have also
used (too many to mention/remember) books, etc.
|
| 1890.6 | How'd he do that? | SMURF::LAMBERT | Just say NO to 'Dead Heads' | Mon Jul 02 1990 16:13 | 12 |
| A question, re: "playing": I recently read a piece in GftPM regarding
slap bass (issue with Hendrix on the cover) where the writer presented
some tabbed sheet music with notation indicating that some of the notes
were played with the left THUMB. Is this a standard slap technique,
and if so, how does one use it? I guess most of the slap-and-pop I've
been doing all these years was just pop, as I can't figure out how to
slap with my left thumb... Or is this particular writer/player (Coven,
I think) just hanging a thumb over the top and confusing me with prose?
This is presented from a right-handers perspecitive. Thanks in advance.
-- Sam
|
| 1890.7 | Bass? Sure, but do I have to tell you everything?? | SALEM::ABATELLI | Labs_R_Us | Tue Jul 03 1990 17:43 | 136 |
| WOW! Lots of questions here... here's my input for the record.
Pick playing:
1. Do you use a pick? Always or when called for?
Never! Never have and probably never will. Playing with a pick slows
my right hand down, plus I lose my tone.
Finger Style Playing:
1. How many fingers do you use?
I use all five fingers on my right hand. It's more for flexibility
than anything else actually.
2. Where do you 'pluck'?
On a Fender P-bass I'll usually play slightly behind the pickups,
although for a thinner tone I'll play more by the bridge, or for
that old world Fender thump tone, I'll play by or on the neck. It
actually depends on the tune. I'll normally rest my thumb on the
side of the top pickup.
3. Do you use your thumb? (not slapping!)
Not usually, except when doing harmonics, chords, or slapping.
4. Do you use slap and pop?
Oooooo yea, although only where it's needed. Slapping and popping
strings can get old real fast, so I don't do it alot. If the need
arises... I'm there!
II Left hand technique
1. How do you 'hold' the neck?
a. Classic thumb behind the neck?
Sometimes, it depends on what I'm doing.
b. Thumb over the top, like guitarists?
Sometimes, it depends on what I'm doing.
2. Do you use all 4 fingers?
Yep... sometimes 5 when I need to pluck then mute certain strings
to get harmonics.
3. Do you favor any finger(s)?
Index, middle and ring fingers.
III Practice
1. How often do you practice? (scales, etc, not band practice!)
Never enough. Band practice is when you play the chops you learned
while you were still at home.
2. What kinds of things do you practice?
Scales, fret stretches, finding wierd harmonic variations
(thanks Jaco ;^) ) and just plain jammin' with some tunes
that get the old blood pumping.
3. What kinds of exercies do you use to improve you mechanical
skills? (stretch, speed etc.)
I use a spring type hand exerciser... the 5 spring type. Every
day. I leave it under the seat in my car, so if I'm in traffic
I have something constructive to do beside cuss out the jerk in
the car next to me. ;^)
4. Same as question 3, but for musical skills.
I listen to EVERYTHING I can. I pride myself in listening to everything
or almost anything... (rap doesn't do it for me ya know?). Even
disco had something new in it for bassists. <--<< I can't believe
I said that!
5. Do you have any favorite learning material? (books etc.)
Not really... just a good ear that tends to pick up alot of stuff
on it's own.
6. Do you have any special practice 'tools'? (Metonome, etc?)
Not really, just a good sence of time. Remember that the bassist
job (well one of them anyway) is to be the "timepiece" for the band.
The drummer "can't do it alone", nor should he be expected to do
it alone. Drummers are GREAT people to have around, you can have
your machine! (How'd I do Willy? Ya like that?)
7. How long is a practice session?
It ranges from 1 hr to 6 hrs. depending on who's in the house besides
myself. Kids, frantic wife... etc.
8. What kind of warmup exercises do you use?
Basic scales, note stretching. I always start off slow and then
build up to a faster pace.
IV. Misc
1. How did you learn the bass? Lessons? Self taught? Were/are a
guitarist?
No.
Yes.
Yes.
I took a few lessons in the beginning on guitar, after I put down
the sax when I was 12 or 13 yrs old, but have been mostly a self
taught bassist and guitarist. What it came down to was the fact
that there were too many guitar players and not enough bassists.
I wanted to work, so I picked up the bass and started playing it.
I pride myself in NOT playing bass like a guitar player though.
Bass is a totally different animal and should NEVER be treated as
a four, or five string guitar. Wrong, wrong, wrong!
So, the bottom line is that I'm a bassist 1st and a guitarist 2nd.
I love bass, especially these days were bass isn't as much in the
background as it used to be. We can make that bass talk just as
much as that guitar player blasting away. It just has a lower
voice. ;^)
Rock on,
Fred
|
| 1890.8 | I Do It All Wrong | AQUA::ROST | Get up and get hip to the trip | Thu Jul 05 1990 10:24 | 137 |
| Right hand technique. (Lefties, left hand technique)
Pick playing:
1. Do you use a pick? Always or when called for?
When called for (last time was 1985, though).
2. How do you hold your hand when picking?
?????
3. Where do you pick? (Bridge? Neck?)
Bridge.
4. Where do you rest you hand when picking?
On the bridge.
5. What kind of pick do you use? (Gauge)
Heavies. Favorites were some GHS that were more "rubbery" than
Fenders.
6. Do you use alternate picking?
Nope. Downstrokes only.
Finger Style Playing:
1. How many fingers do you use?
Two plus my thumb, except for chords.
2. Where do you 'pluck'?
Everywhere from over the neck to the bridge, depending on the tone
I need.
3. Do you use your thumb? (not slapping!)
Yes, mostly for old blues tunes where it provides the right sound.
I anchor my other fingers to the bottom of the pickup or to the G
string.
4. Do you use slap and pop?
Only messing around at home. I really don't like it, it's way
overused.
II Left hand technique
1. How do you 'hold' the neck?
a. Classic thumb behind the neck?
Almost always.
b. Thumb over the top, like guitarists?
Sometimes, when playing root-fifth stuff.
2. Do you use all 4 fingers?
Yes.
3. Do you favor any finger(s)?
The only one which is "weak" is the ring finger. In the lower
positions I will use the string bass "three finger" method, where ring
and pinky are used as a unit.
III Practice
1. How often do you practice? (scales, etc, not band practice!)
I try to practice every weekday morning, although sometimes I don't.
2. What kinds of things do you practice?
Scales, fingering exercises, jazz changes.
3. What kinds of exercies do you use to improve you mechanical
skills? (stretch, speed etc.)
Outside of scales, I play rock and roll (1-4-5) patterns in
straight time and shuffles in various keys to work on sheer speed.
I also do fingering exercises of various types to promote finger
independence.
4. Same as question 3, but for musical skills.
I play through jazz standards although I'm pitiful at this.
Sometimes I will work on specific songs in my band's songlist that
I am uncomfortable with.
5. Do you have any favorite learning material? (books etc.)
Carol Kaye books, Tom Wolk's "Rock Riffs for Bass", Chuck Rainey
method (vol. 2), Real Book. Just got and am starting to work on
the Dr. Licks James Jamerson book/tape set.
6. Do you have any special practice 'tools'? (Metonome, etc?)
I used to use only a metronome. Now I use my MIDI setup as a
canned "practice partner"; either drum machine as metronome (programmed
with rimshots only) or piano/drum sequences of jazz tunes.
7. How long is a practice session?
An hour, with a break in the middle.
8. What kind of warmup exercises do you use?
None, I go into my scale or fingering exercises at low tempos.
IV. Misc
1. How did you learn the bass? Lessons? Self taught? Were/are a
guitarist?
Started out with the Mel Bay and Carol Kaye books, took lessons for
a while (futile), started garage jamming, got my first gigs, took
lessons again for two years (fruitful), some string bass lessons
(enlightening!), continuing on my own since then, although I keep
thinking of lessons again.
I took up guitar after I started on bass, but am pitiful on it. OK
for three-chord folk strumming and Neil Young-style leads.
|
| 1890.9 | | NWD002::TUTAK_PE | Networking the Northwest | Thu Jul 05 1990 16:20 | 102 |
|
I. Right-hand technique...
Picking:
1-Haven't used a pick in several years, and even then it was just
for 'when called for' (i.e. mimicking Chris Squire or Mike Rutherford
on early 70s Yes/Genesis copy tunes).
2-When picking at the bridge, I used to place the palm of my hand
kind of at 4:00 (looking down) to the bridge, and pick off within
an inch of the bridge itself. Over the pickups, the hand kind of
rested on that meaty part of the thumb under the wrist, situated
just below the E string, and thumb/forefinger holding the pick would
reach down.
3-Depended on the tone (and speed) of the lines to be played. Faster,
more punch up at the bridge. More sustain, bottom, over the pickup.
4-See #2.
5-Mostly anything I could scrounge off the guitarist, but liked
Fender thins and mediums.
6-Yes, but used my thumb and first three fingers only for this.
No pick.
Finger Style:
1-For eating, two. For playing, I primarily use index, middle and
ring fingers for plucking.
2-Mostly by the bridge, although for the legato stuff I'll migrate
as far toward the neck as I feel required to suit the tune/tone.
3-See #6 above.
4-Yes, but I wish I were a hell of a lot better at it.
II. Left-Hand Technique:
1. I place the thumb behind the middle finger.
2. I use all four fingers.
3. Not really.
III. Practice...
1. I practice about twice a week (more if I can get the time), anywhere
from a half-hour to as much as five hours.
2. The things I practice these days, are tunes...nothing but tunes.
3. There are no exercises that I really favor for facilitating speed,
stretch, attack, etc.
4. Any time I hear a tune, without having the instrument nearby,
I determine the key, and chord sequences (as best as I can). I feel
that keeping the ear-training skills intact is one of the most
neglected and important aspects of playing any instrument.
Occasionally, I'll re-read some of my college texts on theory,
counterpoint, orchestration, etc., and become re-acquainted with
such old nemeses as echappes. appogiaturas, secondary subdominants,
etc. only to forget them again 20 minutes later.
5. There are some books left over from college that I still use
for reference....unfortunately, it helps to have a piano, too.
Theory: "Harmony" by Walter Piston
"Harmonic Practice" by Roger Sessions
The Elementary Theory and Ear-Training books by Paul
Hindemith.
"Twentieth Century Harmony" by Luigi Dallapicola
Orchestration: the Don Sebesky, Kent Keenan, and Piston books.
6. No practice tools, other than my tape deck.
7. See #1.
8. Two-octave scales, then the same in thirds (following the particular
scale pattern) and fourths. Other than that, I like warming up to
things like 'A Remark You Made' by Weather Report, 'One Family'
by the Yellowjackets, 'Ohanna' by Scott Cossu, among lots of others.
Miscellaneous:
Began learning when my brother (a drummer) told me "if you wanna
learn an instrument, learn the bass. You'll always have work." Some
22 years later, I could both thank him and shoot myself for listening.
Taught myself and hung around guitarists for the first couple of
formative years, then began taking double bass lessons on the advice
of a friend. Wound up majoring in music performance (double bass)
over a 5-year college 'career', while playing the electric in
rock/jazz groups all the while. Great discipline for finger-positioning,
ear-training, and sight-reading. Not as great for groupie action.
Haven't played the upright in several years, though I still have it
(disassembled).
Peter
|
| 1890.10 | "bass? you mean you play a fish?" | RICKS::CALCAGNI | | Thu Jul 05 1990 18:53 | 70 |
| Do you use a pick?
Almost always. Very early on, I had an instructional book by Carol
Kaye where she recommended always using a pick (for tone and
definition); I took the advice to heart. Eventually I got the urge
to experiment with fingerstyle, but by that time I was spoiled;
fingerstyle seems too muddy to me (although I sometimes use it for
just that effect). I've played with a pick for so long now, it's
unconscious for me (well, people have told me I play like I'm
unconscious :-). Fingerstyle I have to think about.
How do you hold your hand, etc.
Pick held between thumb and forefinger, hand free-floating or anchored
by ring-pinky; no absolutes, whatever works. Picks are straight, no
frills Fender heavies (tortoise shell). I usually use alternate
picking. Sometimes I work that thumb/pick harmonic thang (a la
Billy Gibbons) in the higher registers.
Finger style playing:
Simple two finger, no thumb. Since I usually use fingerstyle for
a "heavy" bass effect, I tend to play towards the neck. I slap and
pop occasionally; as other have mentioned, it's fun and sounds
good when not overused. I've gotten some very nice effects recently
slapping right on the fingerboard.
Left hand technique:
Again, I do both classic thumb behind the neck and over the top;
whatever feels right. I use all four fingers, although the pinky
is a little weaker than the others.
Practice:
I try to pick up the instrument every day, but the amount of time
I can devote to it varies; typically 1/2 - 3 hours. Practice usually
consists of playing over changes, either from a record or in my
head. I rarely, if ever, do scales, arpeggios, etc. My goal in
practicing is to develop my own voice on the instrument, and get
better at translating the basslines I hear in my head to my fingers.
One tool that I've found pretty useful is the Jamey Abersold jazz
learning aids; these are kind of music-minus-one recordings with
related instructional material on theory.
How did you learn the bass?
I was attracted to the bass at an early age (about 10) but I have no
idea why; it just grabbed me. In fact, that might be an interesting
question to ask other bassists in this notesfile. Why did you pick
up the bass? (for the glamour, right :-).
I couldn't afford a real bass at first, so I borrowed a friend's
Silvertone and ripped the high E and B strings off. I started by
stealing licks off records and eventually figured out scales,
patterns, and chords on my own (admittedly, there are still gaps
in my knowledge). I took formal lessons on upright for a few years,
but that mostly helped my theory, not my electric playing. I consider
the electric and acoustic bass to be very different animals and
approach them that way.
Bass is the biggest, baddest, most beautiful instrument on the planet,
especially in the right hands. I've messed around with a lot
of other instruments, but I always come back. It's great to see so
many bass players in this notesfile. As another DEC bassist once
remarked to me, there's something about that magical feeling of
playing in the pocket with a drummer that only another bassist can
understand.
/rick
|
| 1890.11 | Rainey/Jamerson Method Books | AQUA::ROST | Get up and get hip to the trip | Thu Jul 05 1990 22:10 | 20 |
| Someone asked me about the Chuck Rainey and James Jamerson books I
mentioned in .8.
Chuck Rainey "The Complete Electric Bass Player" (5 volumes)
1. The Method
2. Playing Concepts and Dexterity
3. Electric Bass Improvisation
4. Slapping Techniques
5. Bass Chording
Amsco Publications/Music Sales Corp., 24 East 22nd St., NYC 10010
Dr. Licks "Standing In The Shadows of Motown: The Life and Music of
Legendary Bassist James Jamerson"
book with two cassette tapes
Hal Leonard Publications 800-637-2852
|
| 1890.12 | Playin bass...makes sense | ELESYS::JASNIEWSKI | This time forever! | Fri Jul 06 1990 09:56 | 44 |
|
Do you use a pick?
I use a pick exclusively. Saw this one fella play with one,
and I was hooked. I've pretty much accepted that finger style is
something I'll likely never do, a sound I'll never have. I even
play using my index finger like a plectrum when I dont have one!
How do you hold your hand?
Pick held between thumb and index finger, nothin' special...I
use heavy guage picks and alternate picking; loose wrist.
Left hand technique?
Mostly thumb behind the neck. I use all four fingers, although the
index finger and the ring tend to get more string time than the
others. Of course, my pinky is the weakest.
Practice?
I essentially no longer play - Waaaaa! When I was in a band
with a gig to play, I'd try to pick up the instrument every day
for an hour minimum. I'd simply play the songs of the set list against
a tape, developing the stuff I was going to do as I played along.
How did you learn the bass?
I bought my first bass because it was the best deal of used
things in this one particular music store in Schnectady N.Y. - I
think I really wanted a guitar. It turned out that having a bass
was pretty decent, because there were all these guitarists around
that I could play with, instead of against. I'd jam away with college
roomates, people in the neighborhood, whomever - learning their
tunes. Seemed I could always get in on something, because I had
a bass. Seemed we could have a band and play songs, when I'd take
the bass position. It made so much sense, made things happen!
I've never taken lessons, only suggestions from other players.
There is something about that "groove" between the drummer and the
bass player - I've always like it when the drummer gets excited
by my playing -
Joe
|
| 1890.13 | Fingering Preferences? | AQUA::ROST | Get up and get hip to the trip | Fri Jul 06 1990 11:05 | 43 |
| OK, here's a playing question for you...
I probably spend the majority of my time using scale/arpeggio patterns like the
one shown below, with "boxes" bounded by the 3, 5, 6 and octave (root) of the
major scale. This, of course, is a movable pattern in most positions on the
neck. I would typically use my index finger on the 3 and 6, pinky on 5 and
octave, and middle finger on the root (shifting to pinky as I move around).
For chords where the root falls on the A string, I can cover almost two-octaves
in six frets.
I noticed most of you mentioned you had weak pinkies and was wondering how you
normally lay out patterns like this.
------------------------------------------------------------
G | | | 6 | | R |
------------------------------------------------------------
D | | | 3 | | 5 |
------------------------------------------------------------
A | 6 | | R | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
E | 3 | | 5 | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
In particular, I've been experimenting with patterns like:
------------------------------------------------------------
G | R | | | | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
D | 5 | 6 b7 | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
A | | | 3 | | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
E | | | | R | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
This I find more uncomfortable; I use the pinky for the root, ring finger on
the 3, index on the 5, rink on 6, pinky on b7, index on octave. The advantage
of this pattern is you can play an entire 1-4-5 in one position by combining
this pattern with the one above. I've been working on this one to try to
strengthen my ring finger.
Brian
|
| 1890.14 | SOME BOTTOM.. | WMOIS::RAY | | Fri Jul 06 1990 11:07 | 69 |
|
DO YOU USE A PICK? AlWAYS OR WHEN CALLED FOR?
(right handed)
I don't use a pick and never really thought about doing so,
don't know why but I don't like the sound you get using a pick.
FINGER STYLE PLAYING:
HOW MANY FINGERS DO YOU USE?
I use three fingers on my right hand and my thumb occasionally
when doing harmonics or some of the little tricks.
DO YOU USE SLAP POP?
Since funk is my heart, 50% of my time is devoted to learning new
percussive techniques that work well with a drummer with a busy
foot. I've only played with a few drummers that seem to really
understand how the slap and foot go together. Over the years
I've developed 4 or 5 different percussive techniques and plan on
using them in my own originals. In the funk band I'm currently
playing in I get a chance to use 2 of them from time to time.
LEFT HAND TECHNIQUE
HOW DO YOU HOLD THE NECK?
Classic thumb behind the neck with my fingers, occasional thumb over the top
on the E string ( only while doing some slapping patterns )
DO YOU USE ALL 4 FINGERS?
I only use (3) fingers and don't really favor any of the 3, its almost
like my right hand has a mind of its own, if I could just get the left
to make up its mind where its going.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU PRACTICE?
I try to pick it up everday, but don't, when I practice I like to
practice along with a record, or put on the headphones and do scales
while I'm watching a ball game.
DO YOU HAVE ANY FAVORITE LEARNING MATERIAL?
I have several albums and tapes that I like to put on and try to play
along with. A couple of them its taken me months to figure out all
the different parts and some others its fun to just lock into the
groove.
When I'm doing scales through the headphones I put the bass in one
ear and a rhythm machine in the other so I can practice going in and
out of the beat.
HOW DID YOU LEARN THE BASS?
Unlike most I started as a drummer, but one night watching Ted Macks
Amateur hour I caught a new group called Sly and The Family Stone
I was totally blown away that the bass-player (Larry Graham) was
playing singing and dancing all at the same time, and what a weird
technique slapping the string with his thumb. From that point on I
put the sticks down and picked up the bass. Unfortunately I gave it up
for about 8 years, and am just really getting back into it again.
Howard
|
| 1890.15 | Bass Effects=Part of Your Style | FDCV07::DADDIECO | That's Just The Way It Is ..... | Mon Jul 09 1990 15:30 | 18 |
| Maybe this isn't the correct note to ask about bass effects, but I am
surely curious about what you all use for effects (if any) while you
perform.
Personally, I don't use anything except a dbx160 compressor, and the
primary reason I bought it was to protect my speakers from exploding.
I don't really consider a compressor an effects device. But I'd be
curious to know how many of you compress/limit your sound too.
I hear that other bassists use chorusing and flanging to augment their
sound, but never quite understood why those effects are actually
needed except maybe in a few songs that have bass signature lines that
call for a special sound.
Any interest in getting into this discussion? If not, I'll move it to
another note.
d.
|
| 1890.16 | I use one for a couple of reasons | ELESYS::JASNIEWSKI | This time forever! | Tue Jul 10 1990 09:26 | 13 |
|
I like using a compressor when playin bass for a couple of reasons.
First, it helps keep the speaker's cone on the _cabinet_ side of the
grill cloth. There's no sense in hammering my speaker's voice coil
aganst the stops to the point where it's bent and starts "rubbing".
Second, the compressor works like a "decay" control on an analog
synth - I can dial in longer decay times on my notes, even to the
point where I could get a "bowed" sound using a foot pedal volume
control. I like the longer decays, because it keeps my sound up
in the mix longer, without having to play another note - I can just
"sustain it" through if I want.
Joe
|
| 1890.18 | decent Idea | HAMER::KRON | I'm the Amoral Minority! | Tue Jul 10 1990 09:44 | 3 |
| Hey why not start a new topic on this....I won't steal the idea but I
sure will reply to it!!!
-Bill
|
| 1890.19 | None For Me, Thanks | AQUA::ROST | Get up and get hip to the trip | Tue Jul 10 1990 10:09 | 36 |
|
Except for the case where you are working at very high volumes and want
to protect your amp and speakers from smoking, I really can't see where
compression is a good thing.
I used to use one live, in tandem with a chorus, to get synth-ish bass
textures. I grew to dislike it as it squashed all the dynamics I had
worked so hard to develop, and eventually threw the box into a drawer.
The typical problem that compression eliminates is severe transients
on notes; techniques like slapping accentuate this. The less
percussively you play, the less need you have for compression. If you
have to use something to tame dynamics, I think limiters are the ticket
(yeah, I know limiters are a type of compressor) since what you really
want to do is pull the peaks down. I do, in fact, use a limiter that is
built into one of my amps. I set this up by setting the preamp gain so
that when slapping four-string chords with the bass' volume on 10, the
preamp clip LED just flickers. I roll back the gain one tick, then
crank up the limiter so the threshold LED flickers when playing the same
way. Then I turn the bass' volume down to about 6. Now I can bring
volume up and down at the bass without worrying about clipping out the
amp. Enhancement of sustain can be a nice effect, but I have never
found a lack of sustain to be a problem for me (except for dead spots on
the neck, which can be corrected with a good EQ).
I try to use dynamics as coloring when I play. I like to have the
option of snapping the string a bit when plucking to make the note come
out stronger as an accent. I also like to be able to go "way down" as
they say; my current band actually does quite a few "fades" and I have
even come up with some parts where I fake a delay sound by playing a
siongle note repeatedly through a measure, strongly on the downbeat,
then progressively weaker , only to come in strong on the next
downbeat. I found when using the compressor in the past, that these
types of "tricks" didn't work right.
Brian
|
| 1890.20 | Response to survey | MILKWY::JACQUES | If you don't stop, you'll go deaf | Thu Jul 12 1990 10:49 | 195 |
| Response to Survey :
I've been playing electric and acoustic guitar since I was 7.
I've always wanted to buy a bass, just to hack around on it. Since I
bought a multi-track recorder, my desire to get into bass grew, because
I wanted to add bass lines to my recordings. I finally bought a Jazz
Bass about a month ago. Now I break my practice sessions in half. I
generally start with the bass, and work with it until my fingers start
to get fatigued, then I switch to guitar. I've been experimenting with
laying bass and guitar tracks on my multi-tracker, mostly just jamming
on bass then laying guitar tracks over it, or vice-a-versa. I find the
results are vastly differant depending on which instrument I record
first. My experience with the bass is very limited. The last band I
was in had an excellant bass player, and I generally aim for his style
of playing and copy the techniques I recall him using.
Right hand technique. (Lefties, left hand technique)
Pick playing:
1. Do you use a pick? Always or when called for?
I have tried both methods, but I usually use a pick. I carry this
over from my guitar playing. I hold the pick between my thumb and
index finger, leaving my other three fingers available for doing
additional pulls. On guitar I do things like harmonies where I
pick a note on the A string and play harmonies on the B string.
I am trying to carry this over to bass as well, but it's generally
used to play octaves.
2. How do you hold your hand when picking?
I generally allow my three fingers to dangle over the strings
leaving them free to do finger-pulls, or latch onto a pickup
for support.
3. Where do you pick? (Bridge? Neck?)
I generally pick over the neck pickup or between the neck pickup
and fingerboard on my Jazz Bass.
4. Where do you rest your hand when picking?
I generally rest my wrist against the top of the bass just above
the bridge. Sometimes I place my middle finger against the neck
pickup to anchor it.
5. What kind of pick do you use? (Gauge)
I always use heavy picks for both guitar and bass. I have plastic
picks as well as nylon picks. I find the only differance is that
plastic picks break, and nylon picks don't. Some nylon picks have
have a knurled area which makes them a little easier to hold onto
(ie. Hurco's).
6. Do you use alternate picking?
Yes, but I play more notes on the down-stroke than the up-stroke,
unless I'm after speed. I don't give it much thought, I just do
it instinctively.
Finger Style Playing:
1. How many fingers do you use?
When I "attempt" finger-style playing, I use my thumb for the E and
A strings, and my index/middle fingers for the A, D, G. I always
thought that I would never make a good finger-style bass player, but
the more I experiment with it, the easier it seems.
2. Where do you 'pluck'?
I work in the exact same area whether I'm using a pick or not.
3. Do you use your thumb? (not slapping!)
Yes, but I favor my index and middle finger.
4. Do you use slap and pop?
Very little. I agree that is one of the most over-used techniques
in the bass playing world, and can cause all kinds of tonality
problems like buzzing, and undesirable tones coming through the
amp. I believe it also shreds frets.
II Left hand technique
1. How do you 'hold' the neck?
a. Classic thumb behind the neck? No, I find this too
uncomfortable.
b. Thumb over the top, like guitarists? Yes, but not so
much for grabbing the E with my thumb. Mainly because I
find it more comfortable.
2. Do you use all 4 fingers?
Yes. I am trying to carry over my guitar licks to bass playing.
One of the biggest problems is the differance in scale length.
between guitar and bass. I really have to stretch to play the same
scales on bass that I use on guitar. Simple three note licks are a
much bigger challenge on bass.
3. Do you favor any finger(s)?
Not really. The pinky doesn't get used as much as the other 3
fingers, but I do use it for a lot of my scales.
III Practice
1. How often do you practice? (scales, etc, not band practice!)
I'm not in a band. I don't really think of my time with the
instrument as "Practice" per-se. I think of it simply as the
time I spend playing the instrument. I am more interested in
learning new tunes and tightening up my existing tunes, than
learning new techniques. Right now I am trying to carry over
my experience with the guitar to the bass, without falling
into the same old trap of sounding like a guitar playing
faking bass lines. I am also trying to find bass lines that
work with the tunes I like. I am also trying to perfect the
techniques I need to get good sound on tape. It is important
to maintain a good steady attack when recording to keep your
dynamics under control. It is also important to minimize
things like fret buzz, and other undesirable noises, so I
am working to try to minimize these imperfections in my
playing technique. Another thing I find tough to do is to
play through an entire tune without dropping the rhythm.
I have been playing with a metronome lately and this helps,
but it takes some getting used to. Another thing that is
hard to perfect is to stick to a solid line, without jammin'
all over the neck.
2. What kinds of things do you practice?
See my comments above.
3. What kinds of exercies do you use to improve your mechanical
skills? (stretch, speed etc.)
Mainly try adding new lines and scales to tunes I already know
to make the tunes more interesting, and to perfect some new
techniques.
4. Same as question 3, but for musical skills.
I have always tried to keep things interesting by learning
new chord progressions/changes, by learning tunes as apposed
to just doing chord comping. Usually when I tackle a new tune
it'll have at least one new chord or inversion that I am not
familiar with.
5. Do you have any favorite learning material? (books etc.)
Not books, but definately various tunes off of albums that I
try to replicate.
6. Do you have any special practice 'tools'? (Metonome, etc?)
Multi-track tape recorder, metronome.
7. How long is a practice session?
Since I am very new to playing bass, my practice is generally
under an hour. By that time my left hand starts to feel fatigued
from the heavy gauge strings and the long stretches. When I put
down the bass and pick up a guitar, it almost seems like I am
playing a toy, and the strings are non-existant.
8. What kind of warmup exercises do you use?
For me, warm up is the time it takes for the tube amps to heat
up ;^).
IV. Misc
1. How did you learn the bass? Lessons? Self taught? Were/are a
guitarist?
Learning to play the bass comes easy since I am a guitarist,
however I have to concentrate on treating the bass like a separate
instrument, and not defaulting to my guitar licks.
Comments :
I find that recording one's self while practicing and then playing
it back later is an excellant way of improving. It helps you to
realize what's good about your playing, and what isn't. It allows
you to concentrate your efforts on improving in the areas that need
it most. Even if you just record yourself with a cheap cassette
recorder, or boom box, it is still a great learning technique.
Mark Jacques
|
| 1890.21 | Choosing Positions and Registers | AQUA::ROST | Mahavishnu versus Motormouth | Tue Aug 21 1990 16:28 | 33 |
| Since .13 got such a rousing response....
I'm curious as to where people play on the neck. I find myself
spending 75% of the time below the 7th fret, maybe 20% of the time
between 7th and 9th, and only about 5% above the 9th fret.
I saw a rerun recently of the Paul Simon concert which was taped in
Africa a few years ago and noticed his bassist spent almost the entire
time up above the 9th fret!!!
I find myself preferring to work across the strings instead of running
up the neck. So any key where the root note can be found on the E or
A string from the nut to the 7th fret, I'll play in the lower
positions. In fact, I often look for fingerings that allow me to avoid
use of the D and G strings as much as possible...
------------------------------------------------------------
G | | | 6 | | R |
------------------------------------------------------------
D | | | 3 | | 5 |
------------------------------------------------------------
A | 6 | | R | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
E | 3 | | 5 | | |
------------------------------------------------------------
My choice to play the major 6 arpeggio would be to drop to the 3 on the
E string most of the time, to get a fatter tone, using the notes on the
D and G here and there for some spice.
Anyone want to mention how they would approach it?
Brian
|
| 1890.22 | | FSTVAX::GALLO | Courtesy of Linda & Yoko Productions | Tue Aug 21 1990 17:25 | 10 |
|
re: .-1
Given the choice, I'll play frets 1-5 on the E, but 5 and up on
the others. Given the fact that I can get all of the notes from fret
5 and up, I find it easier to play in those positions.
-T
|
| 1890.23 | | YODEL::MCABEE | Learning the First Noble Truth | Tue Aug 21 1990 21:31 | 10 |
|
> I saw a rerun recently of the Paul Simon concert which was taped in
> Africa a few years ago and noticed his bassist spent almost the entire
> time up above the 9th fret!!!
Was that the fretless bass player? He played a nice lead break. There was
also a fretted bass player. Maybe he was holding down the bottom end while
the other guy played higher.
Bob
|
| 1890.24 | | BTOVT::BAGDY_M | Stop destruction of the rain forest | Wed Aug 22 1990 09:24 | 20 |
|
Usually, I stay below the seventh fret, percentage wise, but
will find myself venturing up and above when I'm playing a
tune that demands a funky/jazzy type of bass line or when
`walking' is required.
Personally, I like a meatier sounding bass line. Lower
frequencies have a tendancy to sound better (to me anyway)
when played in the right context. (Usually anywhere between
E and G#) However, if the guitar is playing something that's
just an octave above me, I'll look for anything that could be
a fifth or third down or above to fill. (*IF* it sounds
right !)
Most of the time, I'll `BS' my way through a song when first
learning it, find what `feels' and sounds good to the group
and myself and compromise somewhere in between. (But I
usually get my way. :^) hee hee hee)
Matt
|