Bluegrass bass

[One_Dude]

I play mandolin in a bluegrass band, and am filling in for our bass player while he snowbirds over the winter. Another band member also plays some mandolin so I am available for the bass. We have a "house band" gig twice a month, so we won't have the traditional slow season.

I have a lot of experience playing bass, but it is mostly in jazz, rock, and praise & worship music.

In the bluegrass band I am playing a fretless 4 string in order to sound more like an upright. No problem with the fretless, just a question about technique.

I am aware of my role in the band since there is no drummer, but I often find myself on the backside of the beat and wonder if this serves the music in the best way. With mandolin I am used to chopping on beats 2 & 4 and doing so on top of the beat. It seems like my default style on the bass is to be on the backside of the beat, and no one is complaining. I try not to be on the front-side of the beat very much because that pushes the band, and at times I have been asked to slow it down when playing mandolin. We get compliments on our sound, so my question to those experienced in bluegrass bass is this; do you have a standard approach to your playing? Now if someone asked me the question about timing and technique, my answer would be; "go where the song takes you".

So what do you think; what are the factors that help you decide on your timing and technique in bluegrass bass playing?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

One_Dude

 

[MalcolmAmos]

....... I have a lot of experience playing bass, but it is mostly in jazz, rock, and praise & worship music. In the bluegrass band I am playing a fretless 4 string in order to sound more like an upright. No problem with the fretless, just a question about technique.

I have not play bluegrass bass, however, I have played claw hammer banjo in a bluegrass band. I think you are overthinking it. If you are happy with your mandolin "chuck" you understand bluegrass. The bluegrass I've been around no one is that exact. If no one is complaining and you are happy do what you are comfortable with.

When I am the beat master I get my beat, first from the lead vocalist, once the BPM is settled, I fall into a rhythm the song dictates. Same as you said about; "going where the song takes you".

If you are not getting fish eyes from the guys and they send you the gig schedule for up coming gigs, relax and enjoy the ride, i.e. I see no reason to change what you are doing. Your style is your style.

 

[Watchootognbout]

 

[sean_on_bass]

I can only give one man's opinion, but i feel bluegrass benefits from playing slightly ahead if not right on top of the beat. But if it sounds good it sounds good. Rather than even think too much about it, listen to some good bluegrass and focus on the bass to internalize the feel.

 

[dc-upright]

Ray Deaton the bass player on Third Tyme Outs early CDs is a good one to listen to. I think bluegrass sounds best played slightly ahead of the beat but it is a feel that just comes after awhile.

 

[One_Dude]

Thanks for the input. I suspect you are right in saying I may be overthinking the situation. I will listen to the folks you recommend and go from there. Since no one is complaining, what I am playing must be ok.

Thanks, One_Dude

 

[Diamond_Dave]

Ask the band what they think...you might get a "I'm glad you brought this up..." Or you might get shrugs, blank stares and "Sounds fine to me."

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

I play bluegrass and my experience is to keep it as simple as possible, root/fifth with a few diatonic walkings over the turn around. Every time I tried to add "a little something that would be cool" I regret it almost instantly. It is all about the pocket and definitely on the top or slightly ahead of the beat is good.

 

[Jeff Elkins]

Rambling (fever) thoughts: I've been playing bluegrass bass for about 8 years. In my experience, you find your place after a long period playing the same genre material with the same guys. I play where the song dictates--something slow like Rock Salt & Nails, I pull just behind the beat. Hello, City Limits = front edge.

My banjo player is excellent, and likes to play just behind the beat--sometimes stretching that really hard when we're driving, to great effect.

(Fwiw, I always felt that the mando player being on the front edge of the beat was exactly right and reminiscent of the masters. Though I don't listen to the mando player--he listens to me and the banjo.)

I actually take MY cues from the banjo player, and work the groove foundation off/with him. But--I think a big part of that is our years together, and frankly, how he trained me to hear where I needed to be so he could do his thing.

I am not as rigid as the guitarist when he's playing rhythm. In our group, he's the center of the beat. I go where the song (and the banjo player) wants me.

I think the key is listening, but to be the best for the band, I think the most you can do is be consistent and dependable so they know where they can go.

Hope that ramble helps!

 

[jaco944]

This probably doesn’t help.....but any excuse to post a Husky Jr video.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Agreed to be on or a touch ahead of the beat. You listen to the genre, you know the feel.