Improvising over changes

[beatnut]

Hi Leland,

My jaw dropped when I stumbled over this part of the Talkbass site. Then again when I realized, after listening to your discography, that it was your approach to accompanying songs that I was trying to emulate. Thanks so much for answering our humble questions!

So, to my question. If you're ever in the position of playing a new song live, without a rehearsal beforehand, what resources do you draw on to create interest in the bass line, and putting in the right fill at the right time? Practising diatonic harmony, raw experience, a library of licks, ear training, immense good taste, mass hypnosis (just joking!)?

Do you have any tips on how to practise this other than listening and playing as much as possible?

 

[Leland Sklar]

Hi Leland,

My jaw dropped when I stumbled over this part of the Talkbass site. Then again when I realized, after listening to your discography, that it was your approach to accompanying songs that I was trying to emulate. Thanks so much for answering our humble questions!

So, to my question. If you're ever in the position of playing a new song live, without a rehearsal beforehand, what resources do you draw on to create interest in the bass line, and putting in the right fill at the right time? Practising diatonic harmony, raw experience, a library of licks, ear training, immense good taste, mass hypnosis (just joking!)?

Do you have any tips on how to practise this other than listening and playing as much as possible?

Really all of the above come into play but the most important to me is listening and responding. If you think too much, the song has gone bye. Live in the moment and "Let the force be with you" . When I use to practice at home I would play along with lot's of different songs and styles just to get a feel for whatever might be thrown at me. That is the world of studio. Be ready for anything.