Friday, October 17, 2008

FENDER PRECISION FRETLESS BASS


Fender Precision Fretless Bass
The third bass that I owned was a Fender Precision Fretless Bass which I bought in Morganton, NC at Tommy Parker's Music Store. The Fender Fretless basses first came out in 1970 and the one I have is a 1972 model. I purchased it in 1973 used for $250.00. I guess the guy before me didn't know how to play it. With a fretless bass you can get a different sound and play a lot jazzier style than a regular electric bass. I played it for about 10 years before I bought my fourth bass guitar. I use Fender flatwound strings on it and it came with Fender Black Nylon Tape Wound Strings on it. It is a real joy to have this instrument as a part of bass guitar history.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

THE BITTER END NYC



The Bitter End NYC
In 1973 when I graduated from Starmount High School my good friend David Tenery and I took a trip to perform at the famous Rock Club The Bitter End. This was a real adventure for a 17 year old country boy to see The Big Apple and to get to perform on the same stage as Arlo Guthrie and Bob Dylan and many others. We drove all the way to NYC in David's Ford Econoline van and stayed at a Hotel right off off fifth avenue called The Arlington Hotel. New York is not like the country where I came from. There was no service stations as we know it in the city. We had to park a long way in a parking deck and walk to our hotel. The Bitter End is in Greenwich Village and is one of the oldest rock clubs in America. It was Rob Conrad on electric guitar, Paula Dagenhart on drums, David Tenery on acoustic guitar and myself on the bass guitar. Our original band which was suppose to go, backed out the week before we were suppose to leave so we threw this band together in one week and didn't want to miss this opportunity to play.
The Trapp Brothers
Our original band had congas, fiddle, banjo, acoustic guitar, and bass guitar. I never look forward to driving in NYC again. The taxis and buses will run you off the road so be prepared to get out of their way.

Monday, September 22, 2008

BASS SPEAKER

BASS SPEAKER
There are many different bass speaker sizes in bass amplifier combos, but there is a lot of difference in the sound. You can have 6”, 8”, 10”, 12”, 15”, 18” and I have saw 21” bass speakers, but they are very rare. Theoretically speaking, the bigger the bass speaker the deeper and richer the sound. Bass sound waves are bigger in size and slower in vibration. The most commonly used bass speaker size in bass amp combos is the 15” speaker. I have a practice amp with an 8”’ and another amp which I use the most has a 12”. If I need a lot of power, I use a 400 watt head with an 18” black widow speaker. When performing I use a 12 “ or bigger because of the better quality sound.

Friday, August 15, 2008

DEVELOPING A STYLE

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Should I use my thumb, or my fingers, or a pick on my bass? Playing with your thumb or your fingers will give your sound a full fat sound. I prefer that sound best. A pick will give you a thin metallic sound. Over the years I played both ways. I use both finger and thumb now on most of my music. When I played rock I used a pick a lot. If you are unsure have someone listen to you while you are playing with a band and get their honest opinion. Playing close to the bridge gives a crisper sound, whereas playing out close to the neck you get a bass sound. Experiment and find out what is right for you and your band. There is no rule saying you have to do it a certain way. Watch other bass players and if you find one that you like, mimic what he is doing. Your bass and equipment matters too.

Monday, May 5, 2008

BASS STRING

BASS STRING
I’m not going to get into the technical string sizes, because they come in different diameters, but to mention the two different types which are roundwound strings and flatwound strings. Roundwound strings are the most popular type that most bass player’s use today. They have a brighter, metallic sound and are used for all types of music. The second kind is flatwound strings. I’m not sure if their lack of use comes from people just never trying them or what. I used the nylon tape wound strings years ago on my Fretless Fender bass and also tried the flatwound strings at that time. I use the flatwound strings a lot now especially in the studio. You do not get the zipping sound when you change notes on the recording. They are also easier on the fingers. If you do a lot of sliding on the strings this type is for you. If you do a lot of recording you may want to try this type. If you are performing out a lot the roundwound have a real good sound. Experiment from time to time and use what sounds best for you.

Friday, May 2, 2008

PLAYING IN A LIVE BAND

If you are playing bass with a live band the thing not to do, is trying tooting your own horn. A live band is like a team and you must be as a team. There are some players who are just all out “ball hogs”. Do not overplay to show off. Keep the playing simple and the song will turn out a lot better. Also in the studio play simplistic bass patterns and the recording will be cleaner and neater. If you are playing with a drummer, the bass and the drummer should play together. When you’ve played with a drummer for a while, you know his every move and he knows yours. You will eventually get it down to the last drumbeat and roll that he does. This makes your music tighter. If there is no drummer in the band your bass playing becomes the beat just like the bass drum in a drum set. The other instruments become the snare drum in the drum set. You usually play on the beat and the other instruments play off the beat.

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

HOW TO PLAY THE BASS

PLAYING THE BASS

A lot of people think that playing the bass is an easy instrument. They think that because you only play one note at a time it doesn’t take much skill. There’s a lot more to it that just that. Playing certain riffs or beats like country, bluegrass, rock, beach, waltz are pretty much the same and this much is basic. A band without a bass is like having a body without the legs to carry it. Take for instant piano music. The right hand plays the melodies while the left hand keeps to timing or the beat and also plays the bottom end of the chord.
There is a great demand for good bass players. Many bands always need bass players and when you get your name out you will getting calls all of the time. Don’t think that just because you play the bass you are any less important than say, the drummer, or lead guitar, or lead vocalist. The only bad thing about playing the bass is people never come up and compliment you after a performance about your bass playing, unless your Victor Wooten.