The Audience Really Doesn't Care...

P. Aaron

P. Aaron

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Sep 16, 2002
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#1
As we have progressed musically, and we're groovin' along on the gig, where there's space and where it does no harm, we all play a lick, or a passage, or some flurry of notes 'cause we hear it and/or think its cool.

I have moved away from much extraneous playing because of a few reasons:

1) It doesn't matter to the audience
2) The PA/rig/venue isn't always good at projecting those subtleties
3) Most great songs with awesome grooves leave 'all that' on the cutting room floor.

I haven't lost any love for learning new stuff. I have found that the empty spaces are as, if not more powerful at times than any note.

Anyone else moved in this direction? By all means, comment.
 
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#2
I'm not a busy player and resist doing these extra's unless it's absolutely necessary not just because there is a space to add more notes.

1) No it probably doesn't matter consciously to most of the audience because they may not focus on the intricacies of the basslines but that does not mean it won't benefit the song if done well. Quite a few of the pro bass players I know are really good at doing this in a way that does not detract from the song being played. Some just ruin the groove or power at a key moment.
2) Agreed most times the I see these notes happening on stage but can't hear them clearly.
3) Depends what music you listen to. :-)

I'm about to do a stand in gig with an acoustic/vocal band where the music has lots of space and sustained bass notes leading up to changes so the temptation is there on some to run up a scale or arpeggio to the next part but the current bass player doesn't do that and I can hear the songs being better for it. It's a good discipline and i will honour their music by using restraint.
 
#4
Probably not the right forum for this (this one is supposed to be about PA topics) - but yeah - space is important. I play in a cover band that is basically a power trio - guitar/bass/drums. Lead vocalist plays some keyboard, but only occasionally. Sometimes this frees (almost requires) me to play "more" to fill in - but often I need to play less - because I may be the only one holding down the structure of the song. Also - we just got a new drummer who is fantastic. There are places that I might have done a fill or something with our old drummer, but now I sometimes just hold down the beat and let the new guy do his thing a bit.
 
#7
I've played in trio plus one settings a long time. When I'm with a drummer I trust, a guy who brings style and flair ... I think early Led Zeppelin and ... The Eagles... Bonham was making LZ interesting and JPJ was very musically giving him the space and support to do so... Timothy B. Schmidt is a study in the understated school of pop bass playing. I mean really, why play quarter notes when a half note will do as well ? Not to mention the guy sings his butt off... I came to The Eagles late. I sure do appreciate his playing now... But the key is while I'm busy being glue and providing a mattress... Somebody else better be freakin busy being on it ! If not, I'm happy to step up...
 
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#8
Doing a Creedence tribute - need lots of space at times (Green River), other times there's crazy runs (Hey Tonight verse, Suzie Q). There's a time and a place for everything.


Played fretless in an acoustic-folk group. Simple lines mostly, lots of sections not playing at all (added to dynamics), but cracked out a few pre written feature bass solos each gig. Very satisfying musically.

Actually, a couple of songs I didn't even play bass on live. Some I played less than half the song, some 1-2 notes a bar only. Mostly it was all about space. You could clearly hear everything everyone played, very tasteful.
 
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#9
Choosing specific songs that showcase a specific band member is a very tasteful addition to a set list. Solos sound less forced or contrived IMO.

Other ideas:
- extending a song & ending with a solo,
- breakdown section in the middle of song eg. guitarist drops out for bass/drum focus.
- 8-16 bar drum solo can really lift a gigs energy too.

Everyone playing all the time gets tiring to listen to on long gigs IMO, and squeezes out these creative moments you speak against. Try something different.
 
#11
P. Aaron said:
I have found that the empty spaces are as, if not more powerful at times than any note.

Anyone else moved in this direction? By all means, comment.
Click to expand...

Yes, I've already moved in this direction. I'm now the John Cage of bass players. I just stand there for four sets ever so slightly swaying side to side, never making a sound. ;)

M. M.
 
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#16
P. Aaron said:
As we have progressed musically, and we're groovin' along on the gig, where there's space and where it does no harm, we all play a lick, or a passage, or some flurry of notes 'cause we hear it and/or think its cool.

I have moved away from much extraneous playing because of a few reasons:

1) It doesn't matter to the audience
2) The PA/rig/venue isn't always good at projecting those subtleties
3) Most great songs with awesome grooves leave 'all that' on the cutting room floor.

I haven't lost any love for learning new stuff. I have found that the empty spaces are as, if not more powerful at times than any note.

Anyone else moved in this direction? By all means, comment.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. What you don't play is as important as what you do play. I wish more musicians would realize this sooner in life - I'm not immune.

It matters to the audience -- Most audiences will love this simplicity :thumbsup: This is especially good in live contexts, since sound is often compromised -- compared to a studio recording.

I'm not saying fast or complex has no place. I'm saying many musicians play more notes than necessary IMO. Similarly, a good writer can communicate more using far fewer words.

Every note obscures another ~ Brian Eno
 
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#20
I used to play a lot of notes. I was newly blown away by Jaco and was out to be the best bassist in the world, which of course meant lots of notes.

Then a player I respected a lot (drummer Mel Brown) suggested that I play less, and he explained it a lot like some posts here..spaces just as important as notes.

That was an important step in my journey.
 
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