Skip to main content

Discussion Archives - Page 7

Kicking Off a New Series: Bass Players You Need To Know
Bass Players To Know

Kicking Off a New Series: Bass Players You Need To Know

Over the past year, I’ve dug deep into the nether-regions of my brain, week after week, to figure out all of those things I wish I knew. Lucky for me, the crazy turmoil that is life as a professional musician has been inspiration enough. My goal in writing this series was to highlight those things I’ve learned the hard way…...

Types of Listening: Three Approaches for Bass Players
Ask Damian Erskine

Types of Listening: Three Approaches for Bass Players

Q: How do you hear music, as in a critical method of hearing? How can your playing or musicality get better just by hearing a certain genre or style? Do you perhaps hear a piano comping and try to do the same if you are digging it? A: The answer to this question could fill a book, for sure. It...

Making the Decision to Go Pro as a Bassist (Or Not)
Ask Damian Erskine

Making the Decision to Go Pro as a Bassist (Or Not)

Q: What is your experience before becoming a professional musician? Is it something that naturally occurred or did you have to decide to make it a career? Could you share a story in which you reconciled any doubts you may have had? A: Interesting question! I’ve always played music, and I always assumed that music was what I would continue...

The Great Bass Picksperiment
I Wish I Knew That

The Great Bass Picksperiment

I was a pretty picky eater when I was a kid. Okay, a very picky eater. Oh yeah, and I still am. Wednesday nights typically revolved around my father making pasta and having to put up with my self-imposed dietary restrictions: I was an anti-tomatite. Dad tried as hard as possible, time and time again, to convince me that not...

Road Gear: A Discussion for Gigging Bassists
Ask Damian Erskine

Road Gear: A Discussion for Gigging Bassists

Q: For the last couple months, I have been doing weekend warrior gigs with a pop artist who tours all over the country. The venues we play have been everything from large hotel ballrooms to amphitheaters to large concert halls, and we mainly rely on backline gear. Here’s my issue: we fly a lot, and we are very limited in...

Self Expression: Thoughts and Discussion for Bass Players
Ask Damian Erskine

Self Expression: Thoughts and Discussion for Bass Players

Q: Most pros say that playing with other musicians is one of the most important things a bassist can do. After practicing alone for a few years, I’ve returned to the band setting. I love gigging and I love band practice, but I find myself playing very conservatively. In no way am I trying to get crazy and show off...

Makers of the Melody: Part 3 – Time to Take that Solo
I Wish I Knew That

Makers of the Melody: Part 3 – Time to Take that Solo

It’s official. You’ve been given the nod from the guitar player and called out by the vocalist… time for a solo. Against your better judgment, you accept and try to switch your thinking from root notes and walking to playing the lead, expressing your thoughts, and showing off your musicality. You’re stepping out of your comfort zone, ready to play...

On Stage Monitor Mix Advice for Bass Players
Ask Damian Erskine

On Stage Monitor Mix Advice for Bass Players

Q: I play on a weekly gig and I use in-ear monitors. Things sound fine during sound check, but I don’t realize I need something until I’m lost in the middle of a song and find myself unable to find the keys or guitar in my monitor. This happens fairly regularly. I’ve even had most of my bass taken out...

Discovering the Right Practice Routine
Ask Damian Erskine

Discovering the Right Practice Routine

Q: Some people stand strongly by the notion of having a true practice routine while others claim that routines stunt growth, because the same thing is being practiced each day (e.g. scale modes in broken thirds with such-and-such technique striving for X bpm). Will you please elaborate on what a routine is and how to create one that keeps one...

Makers of the Melody: Part 2 – Soloing
I Wish I Knew That

Makers of the Melody: Part 2 – Soloing

Bass solo! Bass solo! The bandleader points his finger at you, giving you the okay and hushing the rest of the band. Great. Now what? We’re not the guitar player… we haven’t worked on Hendrix licks or memorizing the solo section to “Freebird”. We can’t just crank up the distortion or create mesmerizing soundscapes with our pedals. We’re the bass...

Makers of the Melody: Part 1
I Wish I Knew That

Makers of the Melody: Part 1

As we begin our journey as bass players, we are drawn to particular types of grooves. Perhaps our ears perk up with a soulful R&B line, the sound of a walking upright, or a rock tune where the bass is pedaling the roots. Many of us are intrigued by vibrant staccato grooves, the slaps and pops of 70’s funk, or...

To Audition or Not to Audition
Ask Damian Erskine

To Audition or Not to Audition

Q: I’ve applied to audition for a band. My problem is that I’m not actually convinced about their music. The reason that I still want to try it is because they play gigs that are a higher level than mine, plus the fact that they play, because I haven’t been doing much lately. I have never been great at networking,...