BASS
POCKET SIGNIFICANCE | Gary Lunn
Photo by Jan Kopřiva on Unsplash
As I continue to pick apart what and how I play, I first have to decide which parts are good and which are bad. Next, I figure out a way to explain it all to myself. Then, I write about it. It still amazes me that the simplest parts are usually the hardest to explain. Difficult lines can be written down or shown in a video, but pocket / feel is impossible to describe!
I consider myself more of a“ groove” player than a“ chops” player, so my focus has always been more on explaining how to groove with the band. Whenever I scroll videos on social media, I see so many blazing bass-chops examples of speed in soloing, slapping, tapping, etc. But I rarely see videos about simply“ layin’ it down”, playing in the pocket, or someone explaining how to do it!
The influence that bass players have in doing this adequately is endless. It can also make you a lot more money! It begs the question by a producer interested in hiring you:“ Can they play a 1-4-5 country song without‘ showing off’ all of their chops?”
Many times at sessions or live events, I have received a very unusual but kind compliment:“ Man, I really love your choice of note durations in different sections.” Those are the kinds of people who understand what it takes to make the groove happen. It’ s one of those skills that takes a while to work out and become second nature as a bass player. It’ s a very rare and kind“ inside” compliment to receive.
I am reminded of a conversation I had with a good friend who is an excellent guitar player. He also engineers incredibly, plays bass and drums, and sings great( I secretly hate him … I’ m kidding!). He was reminiscing about the first time he ever tried to play bass on one of his songs, and he wondered,“ Why does this sound so blah? I’ m playing all the right notes, and I’ m right with the click. What’ s the deal?” I said,“ No groove, right?”
He said,“ Nope. I only heard notes with no feel.”
So I asked him,“ Did you pay any attention to note duration variation? Consistency and dynamics?”
His response was,“ Bass playing is hard!”
84 December 2025 Subscribe for Free...