BASS
MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE | Gary Lunn
If you do carpentry or have ever been around So much worship music these days consists of that the simpler the pattern is, the quicker you
a wood worker you’ve probably heard this eighth notes played in different ways. Mastering have to set a consistent fingering style and
expression. It means to be thorough with your more difficult music will boost your confidence then stop thinking about it. Concentrate on the
measurements before you waste the material when playing simpler songs. Surprisingly, what other groove elements in the rhythm section.
that you are cutting. Mistakes cost time and may often seem like the easiest music to play Focus on the high hat, bass drum, click track (if
money. The same principle applies to a band you have one), rhythm guitar, etc. and let your
rehearsing for a gig. As a bassist, what can you fingers play.
do to be as efficient as possible? How do you
achieve that?
One thing that I have learned in the music
business is that if you are going to say, “I can do
that,” then you’d better be able to back it up.
To be a competent bassist you must be familiar
with all styles of music before you join the band.
Practice, practice, practice! We must never
stop learning. Playing with a click, and/or loops
can help bring you to a level of excellence that
will help you hear differences between different
players in the band. It will raise your awareness
of different band members’ timing as well as
their own individual feel(s). You’ll be able to
listen better and learn their musical concepts
and their “styles” of subdividing (a definition
of “pocket”), which will really help the whole
band to “lock in.” You will find that the more
you practice these listening skills, the more
competent “time authority” you will become.
Another method of practicing is to learn a piece
of music that has a bass line you think is way
over your head. Begin to methodically dissect
it and practice sections of the song until you
We must never
stop learning.
Playing with
Remember that the bass has to be correct on
the downbeat. There is a certain solidity that is
present in the music when the bass is where
it is supposed to be. It adds comfort to the
music, the song and to the moment. It is sorely
a click, and/
missed when it is absent, leaving the music with
no “pedestal” for the spelling of chords to rest
or loops can
upon. It also can supply a thunderous effect
help bring you
to a level of
in the music when an approaching dynamic
calls for it. The bass is meant to be played with
fortitude, and to supply a proper foundation.
This requires skill, courage, and restraint. Its
excellence that
will help you
hear differences
between
staying power and consistency carries the
entire band. Essentially, the bass sets the stage
for the ensemble.
Something we jokingly say to each other in
Nashville at sessions is, ”A poor craftsman
blames his tools”. Try not to be too concerned
with having the latest, greatest effects pedal,
different players
in the band.
the newest amp, or the best-looking bass.
Work your hardest at being at the top of your
game as a responsible musician. Spend plenty
of time in the practice woodshed. Great will
your reward be in heaven!
can play them. Then put the pieces together
section by section until you can play the whole can turn out to be the most difficult to play with
song. Once you master that, you’ll feel better consistency. This is kind of a “mind trick” that
about everything else you can already play. occurs as we repeat certain patterns over and
You will have raised the bar up a notch. These over and our brains begin to second guess the
are the kind of goals we should all set in our previous times we’ve played the same section.
playing. A sense of accomplishment can really That mind process can actually make things
give you a boost in your ability. more difficult. Watch out for this! Just remember
138
September 2019
Gary Lunn
Gary is a session player/producer/writer in Nashville,
TN. Contact him at [email protected] for scheduling
or any of your questions.
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