Playing Bass this Sunday

[scooteraz]

I talked to my music director today, and turns out she does not have anyone other than the drummer and herself on instruments this week. I missed practice yesterday because of the AC (other thread), and a cell phone issue (had to replace) and computer issues that I felt I had to fix...oh and I just ran out of time.

In any event, I talked to her today, and we will run through music Fri afternoon (so we don't break the no practice no play rule), and I will be bassing it this Sunday. Will let you know how it goes. Usually pretty basic stuff, but we think Piano, Drums and Bass sound overall better than Piano, Drums and Guitar. Guitar seems to compete more with voices, bass fills bottom.

Hey, is it ok to post here on the "4-Stringers Forum" even if my bass is 5 strings?:dunno:

[Barry]

5 strings is good :up:

Is it your bass? Got any pics of it? :cool:

Good instrumentation decision. Piano, drums and bass do make for a more complete overall band than piano, drums and guitar would. I'm sure you'll do fine, but yes, please let us know how it went!

[scooteraz]

It's a Bongo Bass. I'll post pictures when I get a chance, maybe after I get home tonight.

I've done this before. For a while, we were down to just two of us on instruments (and a couple of singers). Folks in P&W bands can be so SO temperamental at times (different thread). So, it was Piano and Bass only. Then we got our drummer back, and we were three. Between the period with only 2 and 3, it was almost a year on bass. But then we got a dedicated bassist, and I went back to guitar.

When we loose the bassist, we loose her family, a guitarist, a percussionist and one male voice. Sort of a family thing, which is great for them but sometimes is not so good for us. They are on vacation for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, I am kind of stoked about playing bass again.

[LesStrat]

The last time I was asked to play bass they put "Tell the World" and "Salvation is Here" in the setlist.:hmm:

[Barry]

I was "the" bassist in every band I was ever in, church or otherwise. It was once me on bass and a lady playing an Ovation acoustic and leading the singing. Very small church. Then there was the big AoG in Florida. Lots of fun. Seems like ancient history to me now ('70s-'90s), but that's another thread.

It's friday. You guys rehearse yet, scooter?

[BuckyB]

I've played bass at more churches than I have guitar, mostly because I was the only guitarist that was willing to. If I join a team with lots of guitars and no bass, I HAVE TO play bass, because to my ear it just sounds wrong without it. I would sooner hear a band without drums than without bass, it's that important to me. That said, it's been almost 6 years since I've played any bass. We don't even have one in our house any more. My wife used to play bass in our worship band, until Arthur (Itis) made that impossible. She's still playing bass, but now on a keyboard. I enjoy playing bass guitar whenever that's what the Lord has for me. I even had a 5-string Fernandez for awhile. Loved it.

[Barry]

I would sooner hear a band without drums than without bass, it's that important to me.

Same here

My wife used to play bass in our worship band, until Arthur (Itis) made that impossible. She's still playing bass, but now on a keyboard.

I remember her talking about playing bass in church at the BBQ last year. Mr Itis has been taking it's toll on my wife, too. Not too bad, but she tries to keep her fingers warm by using gloves at night. She doesn't play an instrument, but it does affect her activities sometimes. I've had a bit of it in my fretboard index finger for a couple of years already that I'm trying to fight without taking yet another med, etc. Not fun when it kicks up.

[scooteraz]

So, here is the bass in question.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3645371583_ea20e07b38.jpg?v=0
Hope you like it Barry.

[BuckyB]

Whoa! Looks like what would happen if a Parker and a MusicMan had a child. I like 5-strings, though.

[scooteraz]

Whoa! Looks like what would happen if a Parker and a MusicMan had a child. I like 5-strings, though.

Well, it does show you what happens when you let a car company design your musical instrumentsrofl

[Barry]

So, here is the bass in question.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3645371583_ea20e07b38.jpg?v=0
Hope you like it Barry.

:hmm: Interesting, but I doubt I'd buy one. I personally have never been a huge fan of the Music Man bass look. But if it works for you, that's what counts.

Well, it does show you what happens when you let a car company design your musical instruments rofl

What I wanna know is does it do 0-60 in less than 3.5 seconds? rofl

[scooteraz]

It works fine. Actually, while it looks strange, it really is nicely balanced and has a good range of tones.

Oh, by the way, worship went fine, though I am a bit rusty on the bass.:embarassed:

[Zhangliqun]

I play bass every Sunday, a 6-string Carvin. (6 strings are great when they nod for a bass solo, which sometimes happens in the post-service jams but obviously never during service unless it's to substitute for another instrument solo in rare cases.) It's a mostly-black church so it is required that you be exceedingly funky...

[Barry]

It's a mostly-black church so it is required that you be exceedingly funky...

That's cool! Gospel music?

[LesStrat]

I play bass every Sunday, a 6-string Carvin. (6 strings are great when they nod for a bass solo, which sometimes happens in the post-service jams but obviously never during service unless it's to substitute for another instrument solo in rare cases.) It's a mostly-black church so it is required that you be exceedingly funky...

:clap::D

We need to form a band together!

[Zhangliqun]

That's cool! Gospel music?

More modern gospel but sometimes some hardcore old school too, depending on which choir and who's on the piano. The main piano player has a strong jazz background so he uses a lot of great chord voicings.

I'm not primarily a bass player but 10 years ago I volunteered to fill in when the two main guys (both touring pros) were both out of town on gigs. That said, I was no newcomer to the bass and I picked up the pop/slap technique fairly quickly, though even today it still needs some refining. (Naturally I had to learn how not to overplay, as most guitar players moving to bass have to.) But I think the fact that I was never out of town and never complained when I wasn't playing got me the position permanently.

I'd seen a few folks before me (mostly drummers) cop an attitude when they filled in but didn't get the permanent slot and they just disappeared over it. It was an ugly thing to see, especially in the House of God, and I was determined NEVER to be like that. In addition to offending God, that sort of thing is a headache a music director does not need so I just kept my piehole shut and let the Lord handle it. Plus it was okay with me if I didn't become the permanent bassman. Eventually the two pros got a little squirrely in different ways and left, and here I am.

EDIT: I guess that was a bit of a tangent and a hijack to boot. Sorry...

[scooteraz]

More modern gospel but sometimes some hardcore old school too, depending on which choir and who's on the piano. The main piano player has a strong jazz background so he uses a lot of great chord voicings.

I'm not primarily a bass player but 10 years ago I volunteered to fill in when the two main guys (both touring pros) were both out of town on gigs. That said, I was no newcomer to the bass and I picked up the pop/slap technique fairly quickly, though even today it still needs some refining. (Naturally I had to learn how not to overplay, as most guitar players moving to bass have to.) But I think the fact that I was never out of town and never complained when I wasn't playing got me the position permanently.

I'd seen a few folks before me (mostly drummers) cop an attitude when they filled in but didn't get the permanent slot and they just disappeared over it. It was an ugly thing to see, especially in the House of God, and I was determined NEVER to be like that. In addition to offending God, that sort of thing is a headache a music director does not need so I just kept my piehole shut and let the Lord handle it. Plus it was okay with me if I didn't become the permanent bassman. Eventually the two pros got a little squirrely in different ways and left, and here I am.

EDIT: I guess that was a bit of a tangent and a hijack to boot. Sorry...

Oh, recently any number of threads seem to be moving in directions different from the beginning. Is that important or not?

I understand the not wanting to cop an attitude, and seeing others do it is a pain for everyone. I have told (and reminded) my directors that I'm here 'till they find someone better for the job. I started 8 years ago saying I would fill in until they found a real guitarist. Been here ever since. Guess God doesn't want a real guitarist, He wants me instead:dunno:. Guess He needs a mediocre guitar player who will lead the group when necessary. go figure.

[Zhangliqun]

Guess He needs a mediocre guitar player who will lead the group when necessary. go figure.

Well, he did send a stutterer to talk to Pharaoh...

[Zhangliqun]

:clap::D

We need to form a band together!

You're in Arkansas or Looozee-ana?