Developing your own style on
A
Developing Your Own Style
ADVICE FROM THE MASTERS IN OUR 2017 BASS SPECIAL
By Jason Raso any instrument is no easy task .
Players often begin by emulating their heroes but have a hard time moving beyond that – and it ’ s easy to understand how that can happen . When a player has such a strong original style – musicians like Miles Davis , Jimi Hendrix , John Coltrane , and Jaco Pastorius come to mind – it ’ s hard not to want to copy it .
Some bass players may have a very distinct tone that is instantly recognizable ; others may have a unique sense of phrasing . For other players , it may be their technical prowess , rhythmic concepts , or compositions that set them apart from the crowd and give them their “ voice .”
The comparison to the human voice is a good one . Many bassists can identify their favourite players after hearing only a few bars of music , as if they are recognizing a loved one ’ s speaking voice or a distinct singing voice . In fact , many bass players learn vocal lines to add melodic and perhaps human elements to their lines . Jaco Pastorius often cited Frank Sinatra as an influence and Stevie Wonder left his mark on Marcus Miller .
Frank Sinatra had a very distinct vocal style . One might describe him as having a singular voice ; he didn ’ t use a falsetto or make his voice growl . You always know when it ’ s Frank . A bass equivalent would be Jaco ’ s beautiful fretless tone . It is instantly recognizable . The material might change , but he imposed his voice onto it . In many cases , Jaco was also the composer , so it ’ s interesting to hear how he placed his bass in different musical settings .
Stevie Wonder has multiple voices . He can sing it smooth and straight , or raspy and funky . He also has a beautiful vibrato . You still know it ’ s Stevie but he has many ways of delivering the performance . Bassists like Stanley Clarke , John Patitucci , and Victor Wooten seem to match that description .
In most cases , these unique musicians have a clear sense of tradition . They have studied what came before them and used their studies as fuel to pursue their own voices .
“ I have an understanding of tradition , which comes from playing with the old jazz greats . I played with Art Blakey , Horace Silver , Stan Getz , Dexter Gordon , and the time I spent with Miles Davis . I didn ’ t play or make records with him but myself and Lenny White used to spend time at his house . I learned at a very young age that tradition is not something pinned down to a time . Tradition is always gonna be something that ’ s considered by someone in the future . Me and you could be doing something now that , 50 years from now , someone will consider tradition . Knowing that , I don ’ t really get pinned down on anything . There ’ s a song on [ The Stanley Clarke Band ’ s Up called ] “ Tradition ,” a bass solo piece . The changes are jazz changes but played on electric bass alone . That ’ s a tradition for me . Tradition moves forward .” - Stanley Clarke
However , moving forward is a challenge . Finding your own style can be a long road , but you have to start somewhere . Try writing your own bass lines . Try writing variations on one of your favourite player ’ s lines . Try learning a piece of music that was never intended for bass . Transcribe a vocal melody for bass . Most importantly , play music you love . Your voice may never be totally original but it should at least be authentic .
Developing your own sound is an admirable journey . There are many pathways but one thing seems clear : to have your own voice , you have to have something to say – a story to tell . You may be telling your own story or interpreting someone else ’ s , but you need to deliver that story with conviction .
We sat down with five of the world ’ s most respected bassists to find out how they developed their individual sounds .
B 44 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN