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Great Things In All Music

by Jamie Pruner

One of the questions that puzzle me is this: Why do a lot of my peers think that "their" genre is the only type of music that contains an sense of musical validity? I get the feeling sometimes that 'their' music is the only style that contains any sort of content that can better them as musicians, or a listener, for that matter. Why is it that some of my Rock and Roll buddies hate country music? I have also encountered similar biases with country musicians who detest Jazz. In my opinion, good musical ideas and cool licks can be found in every style, taste, and genre, no matter what type of music that you are partial to.

I had the good fortune of having a great bass teacher who turned me on to all sorts of stuff in the Rock, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Soul and fusion worlds. James Jamerson is a guy that I did not like at first, I think because he intimidated me with his playing ability and aggressive style. With some sight reading lessons and ear training I was picking up on his stuff in no time. To this day Jamerson is still one of my favorites on this planet to listen to. I freely admit I too have been guilty of being a little narrow minded in what I perceived as the "great" or "only" music genre. Had I not been exposed to other great music by my teacher, things that I probably never even considered spinning, I feel that I would have "Stunted my growth" as a bass player, or musician as a whole.

Listening to other genres of music has given me the opportunity to find other bass heroes in which to steal licks and ideas from and incorporate them into my own playing. Ray Brown the great Jazz bassist has plenty of licks to steal and put in blues shuffles. Listening to different music has made me look at the neck of the bass differently. You can move up and down the neck play the same thing in different positions and that will make for good ear training also. It has made me want to try new basses. Ever think of the perfect electric bass for the gig your in? You like that feeling? If you play different types of music you have the opportunity to look for that perfect sound again and again. It has made my C.D. collection grow, and my bank account shrink (haha).

Listening to music outside your comfort zone also can make you a bass player that gets more gigs, and thereby more MONEY, because you are familiar with different styles. (Can anyone say eclectic?) I would also say that if you have done your home work on your favorite bass player/musician; they are constantly listening to types of music other than what they are known for. Oteil Burbridge the bass player for the Allman Brothers, A.R.U. and Oteil and the Peacemakers, says that his favorite musician is Jazz drummer Elvin Jones. That is right kids, not even a bass player.

Let me finish with saying this: if you are serious about playing bass, open those C.D.'s and those minds. There is an entire world to learn from out there.

Jamie Pruner