The Ten Commandments of Bass

Mark Wein

Mark Wein

Grand Poobah
Staff member
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I have always felt that #3 should be #1. Everyone thinks the drummer is the time keeper, hell no. It is the bass player!!!
 
Thall shall not fuck up the groove.

and

...so they might wrestle with their own bad taste.

Brilliant.
 
I'm curious: what is the hatred of the pick all about? I've actually had real bass players recommend I use one on certain songs.
 
After closer reading of the above scripture I interpret there is no strict prohibition of pick or thumb, but only when "thy fingers are the WAY of truth". Which is most of the time. Scripture is inerrant.
 
My fingers (at least on bass) are not currently the way of truth. Therefore, a pick is allowed for me. Besides, I was raised Catholic (no longer particularly practicing) and so early on became used to picking and choosing the scriptures I want to follow.
 
and we gotta bear in mind...what kinda music ya playin'?

with our shit, there's no "groove"
it's 220 bpm hitting you in the face.
that's what it's about.

now for, say, what Mr Wein does, I would be the absolute WORST possible bassist.
although it woud be kinda funny to see.
Mark's playing in G, I'm playing in H% and at 8000 mph....:lol:



I don't know if there are vids out there, but there was a band outta Wpg many years ago called DuoTang
2 pc
drummer & bassist.
that was it
two dudes.

and they were killer.

he didn't stick to the low register.

neither does Steve Harris


up the Irons. :tongue:
 
Haha… excellent!
#2 and #8 are particularly meaningful.
#4, I kinda need a drummer with good tempo.
#5, sorry, but I NEED five strings—my whole neck theory includes that B string. :)
 
USian Pie said:
I'm curious: what is the hatred of the pick all about? I've actually had real bass players recommend I use one on certain songs.
Click to expand...

I prefer to play with my fingers but sometimes the sound is a pick. Use the correct technique for the music. The problem is that if someone starts with a pick they end up never learning to play well with their fingers most of the time.
 
Mark Wein said:
I prefer to play with my fingers but sometimes the sound is a pick. Use the correct technique for the music. The problem is that if someone starts with a pick they end up never learning to play well with their fingers most of the time.
Click to expand...

This is exactly where I'm at now. Same problem on guitar.
 
Mark Wein said:
I prefer to play with my fingers but sometimes the sound is a pick. Use the correct technique for the music. The problem is that if someone starts with a pick they end up never learning to play well with their fingers most of the time.
Click to expand...

Ditto.

Irony is on guitar, sometimes I prefer to play with fingers only!
 
I'm really tired of these lists telling me what I should and shouldn't do. If it's anything beyond basic technique, fuck off. This is art and I'll do it any way that I want to.

And yes, I understand these things aren't binding. Still, fuck off.
 
#3 should be: Be not swayed by a drummer with crappy timing, instead work with him/her until you are locked in together, deep in the pocket.
 
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