BASS
LET ’ S TALK TECHNIQUE | Adam Nitti
Periodically I like to ask my students a couple of questions :
“ Is there a song that you have always wanted to be able to learn or play , but continues to feel physically out of reach ? What limitation is keeping you from being able to pull it off ?”
Now keep in mind that most of the players I work with are typically not absolute beginners . They already have developed some facility on the bass and most are playing in bands or recording on a regular basis . They already have a good sense of time and might even know a bunch of great tunes and some music theory . In other words , they can already play , but they are just trying to get to the next level or maybe even find their own voice on the instrument . However , whenever I ask these specific questions I almost always get similar responses : “ The tune is way too fast .” “ I can ’ t play it clean .” “ I don ’ t have enough facility .” “ My hands get worn out and can ’ t keep up .”
Again , recall that my initial questions specifically related to the physical challenges and limitations preventing the successful execution of a tune , as opposed to challenges encountered related to musical concepts , such as improvisation or harmony and theory . Stated another way , what I am focused on here are the technical challenges players experience that require technical solutions , and it is rare to find a player that doesn ’ t wish he or she had better technique or facility .
Whether or not a practicing bassist makes technique a priority often has a lot to do with their musical influences and personal aspirations . Some bassists are hypnotized by the flashy pyrotechnics of their bass superheroes and subsequently invest most of their practice time trying to emulate their signature sound and technique . Other players are more or less intimidated ( or bored ) by technical challenges and decide that they will be happier and more productive working on mostly grooves , instead . Some players don ' t even practice at all , having adopted the notion that they will simply “ wing it " or simply grow in a more reactive sense when they encounter each new musical challenge . Regardless of which of these camps you might relate to , if you want to become well rounded , highly skilled , and versatile , you have to be more comprehensive in the way you practice .