Lateralus' Musical Meanderings

Astronomer · 09-20-2009, 09:24 AM

Music is a huge part of my life, as a both a listener and a creator of it. As a result this journal is going to contain a bit of everything... from my musical influences to gig reviews, favourite instruments and new bands I discover, my plights as a musician and pretty much just other random bits of music-related meanderings I feel that I'd like to include! So... enjoy?

Anyway, on to the first post, which I would like to dedicate to....

Bass Guitar

Ever since I can remember I have been extensively interested in the bass as an instrument and have often found myself marveling at its diversity that many people tend to overlook. Growing up learning classical piano, I was often laughed at or looked at funny when I ever mentioned that I wanted to learn to play funky, dirty bass lines; told that I wouldn't be able to do it and I'd be better off keeping my tiny hands on the piano keys. Recently I finally bought myself an electric bass guitar and I have to say that I am entirely and utterly in love - I haven't been able to detach myself from the instrument since.

There's something about bass that for me just brings the music alive; an awesome bass line or riff actually makes the music move. I love the diversity of techniques that can be used - plucking, slapping, popping, tapping, thumping... and there's just a warm kind-of buzz that I get when I play bass that doesn't happen when I'm playing guitar or piano. The bass guitar anchors the harmonic framework and lays down the beat, but it also has the opportunity to add character to the music.

Here's Flea talking about bass:

Other favourite bassists of mine also include James Jamerson (who in my opinion is a hugely influential bassist):

And Justin Chancellor (who brings his own uniqueness to the instrument and who personally made me think quite differently about bass):

Plus plenty, plenty more which I won't overload this first entry with, because I want to ask YOU, who your favourite bassist is, or what your favourite 'bass' moment in music is. Go!

Bulldog · 09-20-2009, 09:58 AM

It's always great to see a new journal start up. I'll tell you what a great album for basslines is, and that's this one (just blowing my old thread's trumpet there - hope you don't mind!). Well, that's what springs to mind anyway. It's a fella called Bruce Thomas who plays the bass on that album, and that's full of examples of why he's so awesome - very good, very OTT kinda bassist. If you can, download a song called B-Movie - it's on that album and is home to one of the craziest basslines I've ever heard. Well, in rock-centric music anyway.

Peter Hook is another one of my absolute favourite bassists, and this 'ere video is an example of him at his best...

I could name more, but that'd require a bit of digging around my musical memory, but those are the ones that spring to mind anyway.

Antonio · 09-20-2009, 10:35 AM

well, for me, it's gotta be

Jaco Pastorius, he took to the bass in such a way and with such personality that you knew it was him

Dan Maines from Clutch has great presence as well as some grooving basslines, one of my biggest influences

also a bass player who i think doesn't get enough recognition is Robert DeLeo from Stone Temple Pilots, he was influenced by James Jamerson as well

zeppy111 · 09-20-2009, 10:58 AM

Great start to the journal and I have to agree with you about the bass, so underrated. Funnily enough Tool was the reason (along with The Who) that I picked up a bass the other day and inspired me to tackle it and try learn how to play some good stuff. Even more ironically, it was during a listen to Schism that I picked out the bass I purchased. It is pretty freaky now that I think of it.

Great post

Double X · 09-20-2009, 11:08 AM

Bass can add so much life to a song, and to agree with Bulldog...

jackhammer · 09-20-2009, 05:41 PM

I LOVE basslines and it's one of the reasons why i love Reggae and some dance music too. I won't post a bunch of my likes just yet but fair play for the Jamerson mention too.

Astronomer · 09-20-2009, 07:04 PM

Thanks everybody for the responses! All those vids were awesome, and I am now armed with even more great bassists to get into. And Bulldog: yes I've wandered in and out of your Elvis Costello thread various times, so I'll definitely check that album/song out. Thanks!

Anteater · 09-20-2009, 09:58 PM

Bass is also a rather mighty factor in a lot of music I listen to as well, particularly when it comes to jazz-related music. However, giving credit where credit it due, I think that Mark King from Level 42 is frighteningly underrated and a very fun bassist to see live.

djchameleon · 09-21-2009, 08:55 AM

I was going to list a bunch of my fave overlooked bassists in this post but I'll just give you one.

Larry Graham definitely deserves a mention

NumberNineDream · 09-21-2009, 09:59 AM

Congrats for the new journal. I've been waiting for it, and it didn't disappoint me at all. Great start!

09-20-2009, 09:24 AM	#1 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Lateralus' Musical Meanderings Music is a huge part of my life, as a both a listener and a creator of it. As a result this journal is going to contain a bit of everything... from my musical influences to gig reviews, favourite instruments and new bands I discover, my plights as a musician and pretty much just other random bits of music-related meanderings I feel that I'd like to include! So... enjoy? Anyway, on to the first post, which I would like to dedicate to.... Bass Guitar Ever since I can remember I have been extensively interested in the bass as an instrument and have often found myself marveling at its diversity that many people tend to overlook. Growing up learning classical piano, I was often laughed at or looked at funny when I ever mentioned that I wanted to learn to play funky, dirty bass lines; told that I wouldn't be able to do it and I'd be better off keeping my tiny hands on the piano keys. Recently I finally bought myself an electric bass guitar and I have to say that I am entirely and utterly in love - I haven't been able to detach myself from the instrument since. There's something about bass that for me just brings the music alive; an awesome bass line or riff actually makes the music move. I love the diversity of techniques that can be used - plucking, slapping, popping, tapping, thumping... and there's just a warm kind-of buzz that I get when I play bass that doesn't happen when I'm playing guitar or piano. The bass guitar anchors the harmonic framework and lays down the beat, but it also has the opportunity to add character to the music. Here's Flea talking about bass: Other favourite bassists of mine also include James Jamerson (who in my opinion is a hugely influential bassist): And Justin Chancellor (who brings his own uniqueness to the instrument and who personally made me think quite differently about bass): Plus plenty, plenty more which I won't overload this first entry with, because I want to ask YOU, who your favourite bassist is, or what your favourite 'bass' moment in music is. Go! __________________ Last edited by Astronomer; 11-22-2009 at 06:19 PM.

09-20-2009, 10:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
zeppy111 16, so? Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Africa Posts: 630	Great start to the journal and I have to agree with you about the bass, so underrated. Funnily enough Tool was the reason (along with The Who) that I picked up a bass the other day and inspired me to tackle it and try learn how to play some good stuff. Even more ironically, it was during a listen to Schism that I picked out the bass I purchased. It is pretty freaky now that I think of it. Great post __________________ My Blog (album of the day): http://musicfromthesouth.blogspot.com

09-20-2009, 11:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Double X sleepe Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: boston Posts: 1,140	Bass can add so much life to a song, and to agree with Bulldog... Last edited by Double X; 09-20-2009 at 11:21 AM.

09-20-2009, 05:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I LOVE basslines and it's one of the reasons why i love Reggae and some dance music too. I won't post a bunch of my likes just yet but fair play for the Jamerson mention too. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

09-20-2009, 07:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
Astronomer we are stardust Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 2,894	Thanks everybody for the responses! All those vids were awesome, and I am now armed with even more great bassists to get into. And Bulldog: yes I've wandered in and out of your Elvis Costello thread various times, so I'll definitely check that album/song out. Thanks! __________________

09-20-2009, 09:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	It's always great to see a new journal start up. I'll tell you what a great album for basslines is, and that's this one (just blowing my old thread's trumpet there - hope you don't mind!). Well, that's what springs to mind anyway. It's a fella called Bruce Thomas who plays the bass on that album, and that's full of examples of why he's so awesome - very good, very OTT kinda bassist. If you can, download a song called B-Movie - it's on that album and is home to one of the craziest basslines I've ever heard. Well, in rock-centric music anyway. Peter Hook is another one of my absolute favourite bassists, and this 'ere video is an example of him at his best... I could name more, but that'd require a bit of digging around my musical memory, but those are the ones that spring to mind anyway.

09-21-2009, 08:55 AM	#9 (permalink)
djchameleon A.B.N. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: NY baby Posts: 11,451	I was going to list a bunch of my fave overlooked bassists in this post but I'll just give you one. Larry Graham definitely deserves a mention

09-21-2009, 09:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
NumberNineDream Blue Bleezin' Blind Drunk Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: The land of the largest wine glass (aka Lebanon) Posts: 2,200	Congrats for the new journal. I've been waiting for it, and it didn't disappoint me at all. Great start! __________________ Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do cats eat bats? Do cats eat bats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats?Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Do bats eat cats? Welcome to the Black Lodge