The Woodshed: Extended Techniques

On this installment of @yamahamusicusa #silentbass and @laklandbasses Friday, I will continue the series on "The Woodshed". A caveat here. What I will cover is based on my experience as a student, performer and educator. Everything is open to discussion. This week, "Extended Techniques ". What I mean here are things like slapping, tapping, double thumbing, pick if u play fingers (and visa versa)...anything beyond what u normally play, but want to incorporate into ur playing. Now, WHICH of these you choose is entirely up to u. U follow the path u set out. The key to any of these, IMO, is to break them down into their components, get them clean and accurate and then bring them together. This also helps you to apply them uniquely and creatively. For example,  if u were taking tennis lessons, you would hope the instructor doesn't just throw balls at u to hit back. No, they would go over each stroke, posture, stance and strategy so u can understand and execute each properly and play the game. Same here..u dig? Lastly, once u feel comfortable with any technique, the next step is to apply it. Here is where many go a stray IMO. Resist the temptation to learn another's riffs or licks, except as "examples". U want to be you, not someone else (unless required by a specific playing situation). Use the same approach I covered last week with bassline construction. Play over chords or a key. Try to make something musical that the listener can follow, not just maturbatory "NAMM chops". The more u think this way, IMO, the more you be able to apply these techniques creatively and tastefully in your regular playing. As always, I invite your insights. #yamahamusicusa #makewaves #pirastro #glasserny #laklandbasses #sitstrings #tsunamicables #philjonesbass #uptonbassstringinstrumentcompany #basslessons  #remotelessons #www.charleysabatino.com.