COLUMNS What I Learned from Billy Sheehan
By Jason Raso
Before I ever picked up a bass , Billy Sheehan was my hero . In 1988 , after a short , lackluster stint on drums , I was looking for a new instrument . My older brother , Adrian , suggested bass . I knew Gene Simmons played bass but did not know much beyond that . Adrian let me hear the album Eat ‘ Em and Smile by David Lee Roth with Sheehan on bass . He pointed out some of his phrases . “ Oh , that ’ s the bass !” I thought to myself . I was hooked and Sheehan was my favourite .
His video , Billy Sheehan on Bass , became my teacher . I learned about scales , chords , technique , and rhythm . He made me realize that the bass did not have to be a “ background ” instrument . In the video , he also talked about his influences , which I started to track down and listen to . The more players I began to study , the less I sounded like Billy . With each new influence I sounded more like myself . In retrospect , Billy set the groundwork for my whole career . He inspired me to push forward and work towards finding my own sound . I cannot thank him enough .
Lately , I have been thinking a great deal about my early years as a player . Rediscovering many of my early influences has been a joyful experience in recent months . It also inspired to me to write some new rock music for the first time in over 20 years . I took a chance and reached out to Billy about recording some new music with me , and much to my surprise and delight , he said yes !“ Rocket Launch ” and “ Jaybird Boogie ” are available now at Jasonrasomusic . com . These two new tracks also feature the brilliant Paul DeLong on drums .
Here is the tapping chorus from “ Jaybird Boogie .” Notice how the notes in each bar “ spell ” the chord that is being played . For example , the first bar only uses notes from the A7 chord - A , C #, E , and G . Trading unison tapping lines with Billy Sheehan was a dream come true !
I have heard it said that you should never meet your heroes unless your hero is a bass player ! Thank you , Billy !
Jason Raso is a professional bass player and instructor from Guelph , ON . His latest book , Soloing on Electric Bass : A Chord Tone Approach , is available from MusicBooksPlus . com . Jason proudly endorses Aguilar amplification and D ’ Addario strings . www . jasonrasomusic . com .
58 CANADIAN MUSICIAN