It Ain't All About the Bass

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, I am going to cover one of the first topics (if not THE first) ever in this series. Based on discussions this week, I fell it needs to be revisited. Today, "It ain't all about the bass" (sorry Ms. Trainor). It's about the music. We, as artists, have to understand that most listeners listen to the music "as a whole ". Not a sum of individual parts (at least not consciously). Virtuoso bassist, conductor and educator @heatherbird said it perfectly..."no one goes to the orchestra and says..WOW...that viola part...." u dig? While u may be stoked about ur 18 string semi fretless contrabass that was made with the bones of 8 baby seals and playing triple tapping hemiolas with ur feet, the average listener doesn't care. They want to hear music that moves them. IMO, we have to strive to me more musicians and less musical technicians. Now, great gear and impressive technique is cool, but it is not an end into itself. If the bass and technique above serve the music, all is good..u dig? Each player needs to see what their contribution adds (or subtracts) to the music...even solo players. One of my teachers DRILLED into me...when u play, u are telling the listener a story and it is not necessarily how many notes u can fit into a bar. Ok, as usual, how? First, listen to music completely, not just keying into your instrument. See how each compliments the other...stays out of each other's way, etc. Take a tune u like...write another bassline..see if you can do better in terms of what I said above. Do the same with the melody. Here, you have to NOT think as a bass player! Finally, COMPOSE! Not masturbatory basslines surrounded by "stuff". Well thought out harmony, melody and rhythm that is creative, cohesive and continuous. It can have some chops, but for a purpose. I have ALL of my students compose and every one has had a "eureka" moment. The more you see music in its entirety, at every moment, the better you will be as a musician, band member, composer...artist. Your music can absolutely be "bass heavy". But it just "ain't all about the bass". As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com