BASS
WIRED | Gary Lunn
Everyone is different . Every musician is different . Every bassist is different . As we listen to music , its subtle nuances permeate our tastes - our likes and dislikes . It influences us without even realizing it . The deeper stylings of the melodic structure . The way it moves in and out of various moods . The way it causes us to feel ( or not feel ) the various themes within the music , like a sound track of our very lives . But why does the person standing next to us hear it differently ? Why don ’ t certain musical stylings move everyone the same way ? I ’ d like to revisit some sound and style concepts and expound on them with a fresh attitude , considering the experiences we have all had in recent times .
Coming out of this awful time of isolation and solitude , I hope that everyone has had a chance to flex their deeper-listening muscles and absorb some bonus info about better defining the tone of your bass ( es ). I have often mentioned that the key to dialing up a good bass tone depends on what your ears want to hear . The only way to change this is to listen to more bass players who have really great tone . Then , when you find it , you must find a way to imitate it . It really doesn ’ t matter what amp or speaker you ’ re playing through . Just find a way to make your bass sound like the one on the recording . It ’ s not so much about remembering the settings that you use . It ’ s more about being able to compare your sound with the sound on the recording . This will change what your ears need to hear . This is very important ! You must acquire this skill . I have seen too many bass players with very expensive gear who are unable to get a good bass tone . Just remember that if you are hearing a bad bass tone in your head , you will recreate it with your own ears .
Ask other musicians about how they get their tone . Ask them who their favorite bass players are , or what groups they like . Then go home , listen , practice , and try your hardest to imitate their tone with your own gear . In the long run , it does help to listen with decent ear monitors , headphones , or speakers . That way you are always starting from a good point of reference . Listen and practice with them as much as you can so you will be familiar with the way they sound . Consistency in repetition is the key .
When considering bass line composition , I have picked this apart “ every which way to Sunday ,” and I have reached this conclusion : In comparing the different ways that each of us approach supplying the foundation to a particular song , it is all based on how the song makes us feel . That ’ s it . Furthermore , even though our varying approaches to the bass line
for the same song might not sound so different to the average listener , it can and will mean something totally different to each one of us .
When you think about it , as musicians - spiritual musicians - we see into the music with our ears . We let the spirit in the music lead us and guide us through each different part of every song . As the song builds , we might transition from a simple / soft bass line to a controlledmovement-with-authority approach . In this way , we learn ( as we play ) what each part of the song requires from a fundamental standpoint . So why don ’ t certain music stylings move everyone the same way ? Because we are using our ears to spiritually see the music , and that is what makes our interpretation unique and wonderful .
I realize that this only scratches the surface to approaching bass line composition , but it ’ s an area I have not mentioned very often . I think it ’ s essential to our most-important job .
Gary Lunn Gary is a session player / producer / writer in Nashville , TN . He plays for many recording session accounts , does home recording and producing , and attends Grace Church ( gracechurchnashville . com ) in Franklin , TN . Email him for questions , comments or scheduling ... garylunn @ me . com