TrevorR

It would be impolite not to be there...

Nothing directly bass related but my lovely wife did give me this fab early 80s NWOBHM/AOR CD by a band called Grand Prix (it has a nice photo of an alu-necked Kramer on the cover) and the Classic Albums Blu-Ray of the making of 2112 and Moving Pictures... And, Hey, Daphne plays a mean bull fiddle on Some Like It Hot!

In the diary. We need to make your idea of Paul coming along with a stall a reality!

But this Steeleye tune IS a Christmas song and so must also be played...

http://youtu.be/lN9AJj9rtlk

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1451056625' post='2938064']
I am reading this, but I'm on the toilet. A well deserved 5 minute break between starter and main course, and a quick check of BC just to make sure no-one has listed an Xmas bargain pre-cbs fender as an unwanted gift.

Merry Christmas!
[/quote]

TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS So am I!
PPS Merry Christmas everyone!

Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas to all. And to all a good night!

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1450965895' post='2937456']

Salvation is here?
[/quote]

That's the fella! Much prefer leaving the bass line more room to breathe when I play it!

Actually, for me 20s/30s swing and 50s/60s cool...

Flick it, twist it, pull it, bop it...

Also, for us, I think it really helps that both our worship leader and senior pastor understand how a band works. So they understand what the rhythm section is there for and the role it plays, the strengths and limitations of different instruments and the inter band (musical) dynamics that make for a successful ensemble piece.

It is a complex and varied thing. And it may vary in its nature from context to context. The overarching philosophy that you're not there just to play notes you are there (individually and as a team) to lead the congregation in and into worship should, I think be universal. But still there will be an authority structure in the team (and the church) which must be respected within that.

However, depending on who is on each week I find my role as bass player subtly changing. One of our electric players is amazing but lacking in confidence so I find myself mentoring and encouraging him as part of the role. If we've not got drums for some reason and the acoustic guitar player is not able to do it I find myself playing more rhythmically and signalling the beat and the drive of the song from the bass. Other times the whole team may be looking to me for musical cues (esp when we don't have an experienced or confident keyboard player). And those things can take a multitude of forms - the way I play, choose notes and strike the strings, looks and nods and bass neck gestures, mouthing timings (1 2 3...). These days I often don't realise that I'm needing to do it.

I guess that the dynamic in every team is different. Our main worship leader is a singer so sometimes the team needs, in effect, an MD to rally and corral the troops. I guess that it helps that I'm one of the more longstanding team members and on the older end to the teams age spread too...

[quote name='tobiewharton' timestamp='1450885242' post='2936720']
It’s great to read about your experiences guys. I have had similar experiences in my own worship team and alongside occasional frustrations, have certainly developed as a player in this ministry context.

Davo – thank you for an excellent list of tips, with which I agree whole-heartedly. It’s amazing how 10 is so often overlooked…

What I’m particularly interested in though, which I didn’t make terribly clear in my original post, was how members of worship teams have experienced the act of worship whilst playing bass.

Surely, creative expression should be encouraged, but not at the cost of distracting others. I would be really interested to hear your thoughts…

Tobie
[/quote]

Funny, the No11 I was going to add to Davi's excellent 10 commandments was always give 100% to your performance (it's an offering to God and he deserves no less) but never let it become a performance. Be a worshipper on the stage leading the rest of the congregation into worship and modelling your worship to them. Now that can be a hard thing to get on top of but for me it's vital in a worship context. I often remind our team that when they are playing they are ALL worship leaders, not just backing musicians or backing vocalists and while they need to follow Xana, our worship leader, they should also be listening to the Spirit and aware of their position leading the congregation into worship.

It can be such a temptation just to play and perform and most of the people I've played with have needed to work through that t one extent or other.

I think that they overplaying comment really valid. That's not to say you shouldn't be creative but it's knowing how and when to step out. It is a principle that applies equally to all playing situations though, not just worship music. Play with a purpose and if the best thing for the song is straight 8 notes on the root at some point then play those with 100% commitment. Sometimes that is what is needed. Sometimes it is wigging out. But wig out for a reason and in the right places. When we play Let Praise Awaken the instrumental bridge section bass line is slathered with funk wah and manic octaves but that is what is called for at that point. For the verse and chorus it is solidly holding down the riff, maybe with some conventional wah added here and there that is needed... The way we play it, anyway. The right playing in the right place at the right time. On Jesus Lover Of My Soul it's largely roots with the appropriate walking passing notes that works for me. Dead basic but, hopefully, in the pocket with the drums.

There's a particular Hillsong track which we do that annoys me every time I listen to it (name escapes me right now). The bassist seems to think he's a budget Rocco Prestia. It's a constant 16 note groove (in the ungrooviest way possible) all over the scale the whole way through - and to my ear it really doesn't fit and really ruins the recording. When we do it my line is still trying to be groovy but with more dynamics and fewer notes. For me it fits the song much better. All too often you hear players trying to fill every space with a note. Sometimes that is just what is needed (sounds awesome in What Is Hip?) but not everywhere. One is creative, the other indulgent - and it can be a very fine line. Then there is the style where ever fourth bar has to be punctuated by a fill... By the end of a song that can just sound annoying.

As you say, creativity but in context and respecting the Spirit, the song, the moment and the worship leader.

On music, I'm using OnSong on the iPad. Really versatile and love being able to transpose on the fly when using ChordPro format songs files...

Great list!

But, does Graham Parker make basses? I thought that was a Rumour.

I'll get me coat... ( and leave that Goodfellow basses punchline hanging there for the next person...)

If you want a sampler of all sorts of jazz classics to see what forms you find you gravitate towards you can't beat this compilation album...

#1 Jazz Album Ever! by Various Artists
https://itun.es/gb/XR-sA

150 tracks by all the greats and many all time classic tunes for £5.99. That's about 4p a tune so even if you only like 10% it is still a bargain. Plus you'll know better the areas and artists who float your boat and those who do nothing for you...

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1450796619' post='2935958']

In other words get yourself to somewhere like Bass Direct / Bass Gallery and try all sorts of high end guitars. It will either convince you to wait for the Wal you want or perhaps you may discover a preferred alternative.

Good luck. Apologies if this comes across as a lecture, it is not meant to be, just a tip based on my very recent experience.
[/quote]

Lecture? No. Wise words? Absolutely. If you're investing that level of cash in an instrument (new or second hand) it can't be on a whim or a hunch. You do need to check them out to be sure that the idiosyncrasies of the Wal really do fit your bill. Wals are amazing basses but they aren't for everyone. If weight is an issue than second hand ones an be an issue as they have a reputation for weightiness - though personally mine don't bother me at 10 1/2 lbs each. New ones you can specify to be lighter. Then there are the other general ergonomics etc and wether the sound really works for you.

Deffo try before you buy on any top end instrument...

Ha ha! Just remember, Rob, that just because we are biased doesn't mean that we aren't 100% right! ;-) And who better to comment than those who love their Wals?

I am, naturally, totally biased but they are fantastic basses. Loads of info about them on my website... http://walbasshistory.blogspot.co.uk

Great sounding and great playing. Plus, my MK 1 and Pro IIE did pretty much every gig I ever did so I never get the "I could never gig it, it's so expensive" comments you hear about a lot of top end basses, Wals included. You just make sure it's not left lying around, unattended. And like any other instrument look after them and, if they do get the odd ding then no sweat, they are working tools not sculptures.

Here is a this chat I did on the brand at the last SE Bass Bash. Parts 1-3.are the history and the different models, 4 covers how they work/sound...
http://youtu.be/Cot2EN0JrS0
http://youtu.be/HpBzB-6IEnY
http://youtu.be/wZelMUtYF4A
http://youtu.be/qq4yNlIk6co

Most, if not all, of my bass playing currently is in the worship team at our church. Lots of Worship Central, Hillsong, Planetshakers, Jesus Culture type stuff. I must say, I do love playing bass in worship and it's such a different think to playing in a band. Over the years I've experienced most of the things that Tommy describes, including playing at a church where you never knew what key the worship leader was going to launch off on - and without the help of a "This one's in Bb" either. It certainly is good for ear training and the ability to play on the fly. Similarly having to play an acceptable/interesting bass line to a song which has just been thrown at you with only a chord sheet to go on.

Plus the format of the band can vary so much from one week to the next depending on who is available. You can imagine drums, bass, keys, two guitars one week and then bass, keys and a flute the next... Arranging songs for those sorts of variances and shifting your role within the band to cope is an interesting challenge.

You're right though, there is a bit of a dirth of good online forums for worship bass players. I've tried a few general worship forums over the years but many seem to fizzle and there's the danger of folks holding rather to closely to their opinions/preferences and dressing them up in spiritual clothing. That never ends nicely. So sad.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1450428181' post='2932608']
So the majority of us took up bass because it was the only instrument left in our first bands?

... doesn't say much about our instruments appeal does it
[/quote]

Some yin to balance out the yang. I took up bass coz I really wanted to play bass. As a kid I did a lot of singing in a church and gospel youth choirs. When my voice broke in early teens it was "Hello Mr Bassman", which I really, really enjoyed. So I started to listen to the bass in ther Rock music I had. When I was about 15 I convinced my brother to take me along to the rehearsal of his cover band (he played drums). The bassist played a Black and white Ricky with (irrc) chequerboard binding (although I could be making that last bit up). I was mesmerised by that bass and a just watched and listened to him playing all evening. From that moment on it had to be bass.

After a couple more years of constant parent pestering I got a bass for my 18th birthday and have been playing bass since.

It wasn't til 10 years later that I bought myself an acoustic guitar and started to learn 6 string.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1450476239' post='2933290']


... and pull your lightweight cab over (or pull the handle off..!). Go wireless..?
[/quote]

...and stick a tuner pedal between your bass and your amp head (and thread it through the cab handle)...

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1432140089' post='2778562']
Mark Kermode plays stand up. Quite well actually.
[/quote]

And he played a mean P Bass as leader of the house band for Danny Baker's BBC chat show many moons ago...

I did a YouTube playlist of my fave not the usual suspects Christmas tunes for our office Friday mixtape last week. Here it is if you want to take a listen. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGIYNBxcSZ3ulEh_6hUrfomkvT5AUqdWt

Topped and tailed by the best new Crimble song in the last 10 years imho...

http://youtu.be/7qQAE794uvo

Other faves...

The Greedies - A merry jingle
http://youtu.be/ZN2bcS9shuY

Run with the fox - Chris Squire and Alan White
http://youtu.be/TZqRDCif7Ig

Bert Jansch - In the bleak midwinter
http://youtu.be/yRQ_FoeFO3Q

And the worst ever ever ever... Jewel's version of Rudolph. Truly dire! Could only find a live version of her doing it with her mum. The album version is even more grating on the ear...

http://youtu.be/vsqeEyzW9NE

[quote name='kodiakblair' timestamp='1450240036' post='2930847']

Funny I looked up Neil Murray yesterday just to see what he was up to,he's doing alright it seems.
[/quote]

Still gigs a lot with various superannuated blues rockers from the 80s (not meant in a derogatory manner - I'd love to catch A Company Of Snakes, Snakecharmer or similar some time...). Spent many moons being John Deacon at the Dominion Theatre in London too, so I understand.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1450223475' post='2930796']
I'm am so glad I have sn appreciation for all genres after playing for close to 50 years.

It's disappointing to see so many BC members with this "I don't like this and I don't Like that" perspective.

I have played Johnny B Good hundreds of times and still would have fun with it st an open Mic. It's always different.

I've been doing this long enough to where my attitude is "How can I make this fun" as opposed to "I don't like it" attitude.

My band had 2 songs that were really a drag for me. I changed up my approach, position, my bass line and employed my MXR Bass Octave pedal. Now,those songs are my favorites to play.

My point "I don't like it", what's it really worth?
Blue
[/quote]

Well said that man. The whole point about a jam night should be that everyone has fun playing together and listening to others playing together. The names and order of the chords used to do that shouldn't be what counts. Same reason I never had a problem playing Mustang Sally, JBG, Sweet Caroline, Sweet Home Alabama, Hi Ho Silver Lining,Hey Jude, Angels all the other tunes some musos get all sniffy about. Have they become hackneyed cliches? Sure. Do the audience love them, crowd onto the dance floor, sing along and wave their beer glasses in the air? Absolutely and that's more than enough for me to enjoy the heck out of playing them!

He was one of the guys that made me live bass. A much funkier player than any blues rock based group ever deserved to have. Love his playing on Fool For Your Loving