A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
August 2006 · Bimonthly
     If you liked this article, you might be interested in: |
In this issue: Interview with Hiromi's Bassist, Tony Grey |
Walkin' Through the Jazz 'hood (part duex II) | Different Ways of Playing the Scales | Life on the Road: The Urban Cowboy Band - Part 1 | Bass Sessions to Go! Print this Article (PDF) Email Article to a Friend  Bass Sessions to Go!by S. K. Wallace It's the middle of summer, one of the busiest or most laid-back times of year (maybe some of both) for a lot of folks. Whether you're working hard, vacationing, recreating, moving, getting ready to start a new school year or a new job, lying on the beach, going to the movies, or just hanging out, I figured some light (yet substantial) reading for this month's Bass Sessions would be in order. The following is a compilation of stories, anecdotes, and quotes by bassists (and one guitar student and one drummer), and I heard them all first-hand. It's by no means comprehensive and not to be considered the definitive "last word" on any topic. Some items are loosely grouped in categories, and others are free-standing, but all are conveniently and quickly readable as a section or two at a time or as an entirety in one sitting. Enjoy! Travel Light!"Bobby Thomas, Jr. [musician and world traveler] got tired of having his luggage lost all the time while on the road. So, in one briefcase, he started carrying one pair of khaki pants, two white shirts, and toiletries... (and underwear... I hope there was underwear...) He'd wash out and iron things at night and be ready to go the next day. In life, like travel, one thing requires another thing: all those things you need that you think you need. Travel light...You don't need to carry around other people's stuff! Stop trying to get the stuff you don't need, and travel light!"Write Your Own Movie! "The greatest movie of all time, you're living in it, but who wrote the script? Who's the director? People have ways of defining you, and you accept it...You can go your whole life with those definitions and always accept that first definition of your life. If your life were a movie, what would it be called? Are you even in a movie? Change your script! Write your own movie!"Creativity and Expression "If you can wake up in the morning and take a breath, you have creativity. It's part of the package deal of being alive. If you think you don't have it, it's usually a deficiency in dexterity or music theory." "Stop thinking and start playing. Start thinking about ideas rather than notes. Tell stories; use stories...even when playing a bass line." "Sound soulful...like you mean what you play." "Apply ear-training with a purpose: getting your ideas out of the instrument." "Spend a lot of practice time hanging out with your imagination and your instrument."How Did He Get Started Playing Bass? "Growing up, I said wanted to play an instrument that was featured in the theme music on a TV show. My mom thought it was an organ... so I ended up taking two years of piano. Eventually, I figured out it was a bass making that sound."Opinions on Theory, Technique, and Limits "You don't have to play with my technique, but you have to devise something!" "Bass is 'tuned percussion,' not necessarily soloing." "The only reason [music] theory exists is so we can talk about it with each other in English." "It's a long process. You have to incorporate some theory and learn theory, but you apply other influences. You learn by doing: Just as you don't need to know all the parts of speech to begin talking and you don't force labels of speech on the communication process." "Playing bass is not a strength issue; it's a finesse instrument." "There's an opportunity cost involved: Whatever you do in music, there's something you can't do."Motivation and Practice! "We have a gift. Think of all the people who wished they played an instrument!" "Discipline in practice equals discipline in life." "When I'm practicing and get stuck, I just get out a book and read a song." "It's not worth playing if you're not going to practice." "Is playing worth getting up fifteen minutes early? You'll get up early to go to work at a job with people you don't like, but you won't spend a half-hour with the bass you adore!"Playing Well (and Otherwise) with Others "I never heard [saxophonist] Grover Washington, Jr. criticize a single soul. (The closest thing to criticism was one time someone mentioned Kenny G. ...and an eyebrow went up.)" "Complaining is misdirected energy. If you're dissatisfied with something, CHANGE IT!" "When altering chords, let someone in the band know. Experiment in friendly situations on friendly turf." "Well, there's a shotgun...Johnny Walker Red...bleach...rat poison..." "When chords change, approach by a half-step in either direction. It may be dissonant for a split-second, but it's way better than getting handcuffed to a piano player!" "The quest to be excellent is valid. Unwholesome competing is a misuse of your talents and your focus." -Gerald Veasley About the author S. K. Wallace is a freelance writer, musician, artist, and educator who plays bass and teaches violin/fiddle and guitar. Her previous articles have appeared in the August 2004, June, August, October, December 2005, and February, April, June 2006 editions of Bass Sessions®. She may be contacted at SKWBassist@aol.com. [ top ]
| |
