Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves

Subject: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 01:08 PM

I was touched by Kristi's tales of playing bass all by her lonesone, and can just imagine the shouts from adjoining rooms: "Hey, play the melody!" or "How 'bout "Stairway to Heaven"? or that sad refrain that every professional bassist has been hearing all their days: "Dont be so busy...One,Five, One,Five!" or of course, the inevitable: "Turn the bass down!"

Just curious if there are any other bassists, bassers, or bassinets among our Mudcat family.

Washtub, and Tea-chest bassers welcome. Bassoonests..start yer own thread!

Rick(who's plunked the odd low note in his day)

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 01:24 PM

All three of us in this house play upright bass, and I'm the newest convert to bassdom. It's really fun to play, because you get to dance while you play the instrument.

The only thing worse than a bass all by itself is a banjo all by itself. Long-suffering, I have endured both! The other two also excel in electric bass, but they should get their own thread.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: jeffp
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 01:50 PM

I have to confess myself as another bass player (electric). Picked it up a couple of years ago after playing guitar since 1970 or so. Right now I play in a R&R band (bass and guitar) and get together with some other people from time to time to play tradition Irish, but not on bass. Bass can be a lot of fun, as it gets you thinking about the fundamentals.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Mike Billo
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 03:07 PM

I'm one too. Started on harmonica in '65,was introduced to washtub bass by some Oakies transplanted to California shortly thereafter, picked up bass guitar in '66. Switched to upright in '70. In the mid '70's. I went back to electric because it provided a LOT more gigs, and there I've stayed. It wasn't until then (mid-70's)that I began playing guitar, bones, spoons, melodeon etc. To anyone who doubts that Bass and Percussion rule the bandstand, just remember, you can't build a pyramid from the top down to the bottom. It has to start with the foundation.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: MIK
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 04:40 PM

Can't deny it I;m also a Bass player,and not afraid to tell people about it. Started about 1972ish and still play in a band today. I still play my 1965 Burns Baldwin Shadows Bass guitar which is still in original condition. Plays and sounds beautifully Not much fun practicing on your own I tend to play along to cd;s and tapes when I get the chance As Mike Brillo say's Bass and Percusion rule the bandstand So keep practicing,Keep playing and keep it LIVE

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: sophocleese
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 05:15 PM

I keep looking longingly at basses, the instruments that is, not necessarily the vocalists. I like their sound and I like what they can add to song. Unfortuneately I've maxed out my instrument purchasing abilities with new recorders and a guitar for the kids. Maybe next year.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Terry Allan Hall
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 06:01 PM

Guilty...'63 Fender Precision w/ a '51 neck thru a Carvin PB-500 rig (1x15" and 2x10" boxes)...plan to buy an acoustic bass guitar someday.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: JedMarum
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 06:35 PM

I am a guitar player but I am working at becoming a bass player, too. I have a beautiful Martin Acoustic bass guitar that I bring to my favorite sessions. I warn the others at the session that I am learning to play bass at their expense (and I hope this is a joke). I have learned a lot, on the instrument, and have begun introducing it to some of the songs I do with others in performance. I have jokingly played a quick finger picked, full chords version of Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" and Townes Van Zandt's "Caroline" - the sound is something you call, acoustic folk punk!

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Helen
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 07:05 PM

Mike,

I have been listening more to the bass & percussion of songs on the radio lately (Oz, Triple-J radio, alternative modern pop/rock in all its variations, so not much mainstream *really* commercial music).

A few years ago I bought an Egyptian doumbek and had some lessons, and also spent 2 separate weeks at a Camp Creative summer arts camp playing an African djembe in a fantastic drumming class with an Oz man called Chinta. There were African dance classes run by his female partner Chese and so we worked with the dance class towards putting on an item in the final concert - great experience, but unfortunately they live about 10 hours drive up the coast form here otherwise I'd be still learning.

So, ever since I have been becoming more aware of the fundamental importance of the percussion in making or breaking a song. I'm also aware of the basic percussion nature of a lot of African or African-inspired melodies or bass riffs. Only this morning, while listening to a song called Donna on a 10CC Greatest Hits CD I found myself listening mostly to the bass riff which changed every few bars from from a sort of Fats Domino bass to a faster rhythm and then another rhythm - all within only a few lines of the song. It made a simple song into something interesting & more complex.

Helen

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Mike Billo
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 07:39 PM

Helen; On an old Little Feat album, in the liner notes on the back, the late, great Lowell George lists the members of the band by their name, followed by their instrument, (i.e. Paul Barre-guitar, Richie Heyward-drums, etc.)until he got to Kenny Gradney's name and then wrote the following, "one should never underestimate this bit of musicianship known simply as Bass."

What a wise man he was.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Susan A-R
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 07:51 PM

Thanks for starting this thread Rick. I have always been interested in harmony lines, and more recently in bass lines. The bassist in the Talking Heads, Victor ? in the Flecktones have both insppired me a great deal. Then, a couple of years ago, my husband bought me an electric bass for Christmas. I have found it very daunting to practice it alone, and haven't much, but recently we pulled out a Stevie Wodner recording and started messing around. This thread has given me some encouragement. I'l haul out the sucker and see what I can do.

Susan A-R

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Al
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 11:04 PM

The most wonderful thing about an ole doghouse bass is that two feet and a bass make a tripod, the most stable form of a structure. This means that you can keep drinking long after the guitar players have all fallen over, even on a hillside!

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From:
Date: 08 Jan 00 - 11:08 PM

Have been playing upright bass for approximately 12. Some country groups but mostly bluegrass. Nothing sounds as mellow to me as a well-tuned bass and fiddles, guitars, dobros,banjos, and mandolins.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Kristi H
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 12:48 AM

I was involved in Old Time music as an avid listener for years before I decided that I wanted to play, too. I chose bass. What a great decision. I am surrounded by musicians and they were very supportive and continue to be. I play an acoustic bass. Until a couple of months ago, I played an Epiphone El Capitan. I recently took a big bite and bought a Taylor bass. It is a bit of an odd choice for an old time band, but it works for me. One of the hardest things I had to come to terms with musically, was that the bass really does carry the tunes, and having the confidence to stick to the timing and making the lead instrument stay in time. I always think I should learn to play a stand up, but know the acoustic is the right instrument for me. Kristi

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Rosebrook
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 09:56 AM

Is an acoustic bass mentioned in this thread the same instrument as a bass fiddle, as played in classical orchestras?

Rose

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Mike Billo
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 10:02 AM

Generally speaking, yes. It is called acoustic, to differntiate from the electric bass guitar. Although, there is such a thing as an acoustic bass guitar.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Michael K.
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 10:10 AM

Does playing ''left hand, synth bass'' count? ...or is this ''blasphemy''? 8-)

(Did this for many years in various bands, so if nothing else, it taught me how to think like a bass player.)

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 10:28 AM

Victor Wooten of the Flecktones is an amazing electric bassist. He has a solo album out (my son has it, can't remember the name) of JUST HIM on bass, and it is truly unbelievable.

I use the following terms interchangeably to mean the same thing:
acoustic bass
upright bass
stand-up bass
bass fiddle
bass violin

These are different from the following:
electric bass
bass guitar
acoustic bass guitar

Electric bass usually means an electric bass guitar with 4 tuners instead of 6 and heavier strings, but there is also an electric upright bass, sort of a broomstick with strings, that's really interesting looking, and played like an acoustic upright bass.

We just had a wonderful session last night with 2 upright basses (not usually recommended), 2 banjos, 4 guitars, 1 mandolin and 1 fiddle. Of course, the banjos won!

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Kristi H
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 10:36 AM

From the previous postings, I should clarify and say I play an acoustic bass guitar.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: RichM
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 11:59 AM

around 1975 I traded a Les Paul Gold Top guitar for a 5 string banjo and a bass... I wanted a bass because the group of Torontonians I played with,already had a full complement of guitar players.

I didn't stick with banjo, but I did continue with bass.

Though my main instrument is still guitar---now in a traditional Irish band--- I occasionally play Upright Bass with a bluegrass band here in Ottawa, ON. My wife is kind enough on those occasions, to let me borrow her bass :) I love anchoring a group sound, with a solid bass beat. By the way, the lads in Toronto were Al Brady, Ron Sherwin, and Rick Speyer... Great musicians! I have shared many good times in the past with them- though not recently, to my regret.

Rick Speyer is a wonderful song writer--- I believe I was privileged to his first tunes when they were new...

Rich McCarthy

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: honestfrankie
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 12:20 PM

I love to hear a real good bass player from jazz to celtic. I am not one of those good players but playing the root and the fifth has paid my rent many times over the years. Yeah bass!

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 03:25 PM

Rick Speyer is INDEED a wonderful songwriter which is why I included one of his songs "There Comes a Time" on the new album.

Michael K. NO YOU MAY NOT CONSIDER "LEFT HAND SYNTH" a bass! Wash your mouth out with soap!

Just kidding folks, Mike's a friend.

Rick

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Banjoman_CO
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 05:06 PM

I've played bass in several different groups. I started in a jazz group playing stand up bass. Then in a couple of folk groups I played it. Then to make some money, I started playing electric bass in a C&W group. And I must protest at what Barbara Shaw said about banjo by itself was a drag. Barb, playing banjo by itself or with others is pure HEAVEN. How could you say such a thing,(big smile). Love you anyway.

Banjoman

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Kristi H
Date: 09 Jan 00 - 08:57 PM

I agree, banjo by itself is a wonderful sound, not to say we don't have tons of fun ridiculing it at the same time. Any time there are quiet moment on stage, the banjo jokes always come up first. Banjo jokes also always ensure that the darn thing will be tuned by the time we get to the end of the first joke.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Allan C.
Date: 10 Jan 00 - 03:02 PM

I played a stand-up bass last night for the first time in about 35 years. Does that count? Actually, I am about to purchase a 3/4 bass in a month or so. I would really like to give it a good try to see what I might be able to do with it.

As a sort of a side note here I wanted to mention that the bass I played is often strapped onto a modified golf cart (no, not the motorized thing - I'm talking about the one that the club bag rides in [and no, Spaw, I am not talking about the woman who hangs out at the 19th hole]) in order to transport it from car to stage. Looked like a great idea to me.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Llanfair
Date: 10 Jan 00 - 06:25 PM

My husband, Jim, plays bass electric guitar, a Rickenbacker, upside down because he's left handed. He enhances all the songs I do, and accompanies me singing some songs, Crazy Man Michael, for instance.Just voice and bass sound great together.
We have had some problems with the folk purists, who don't acknowledge the electric guitar as a "folk" instrument. I personally think that they don't know what they are talking about. What do others think? Hwyl, Bron.

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: JedMarum
Date: 10 Jan 00 - 06:33 PM

Llanfair - certainly bass (electric or other) is an appropriate folk instrument. Especially for bass, since few acoustic instruments are practical for bass. Few acoustic bass guitars have quality sound ... the acoustic (string) bass is a bit rare, and very large ... certainly electric bass guitar sounds great when mixed with acoustic intstruments. I wouldn't worry about the purists. Good music knows no (well, few) rules!

Subject: RE: Bass Players, Identify yoursel(f)ves
From: Kristi H
Date: 10 Jan 00 - 07:26 PM

At several of the festival venues here in Florida, no electric instruments are allowed, but the South Florida Folk Festival allows electric bass as the only electric instrument. My acoustic bass guitar, falls to the acoustic category. I just play it through a microphone at venues that are acoustic only. Both of the acoustic basses I play have a very nice sound through a microphone. The Taylor also has enough volume to play in jams with no amplifier support. I have actually beaten out upright basses in the Florida Old Time Music Championships, so think it's not necessarily the instrument that you play that is important, it is the sound, quality and style of how you play it. Kristi