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Recently, someone referred to me as a “Veteran” Bass Player, although this wasn’t necessarily meant as a compliment. “Typical Veteran” was the exact comment as I recall. I had casually mentioned some subtlety regarding the key or feel of a tune and it’s placement in the set, and this produced the disparaging remark. However, I didn’t take offence right away because, as you can imagine, having played music in bands for 25 years or so, one gets somewhat edgy about playing 3 tunes in a row in the same key or the same tempo. “Am I the only one who notices these things” I thought to myself, suddenly feeling like a troublemaker, “but, no”, I thought “these subtle nuances are what makes ordinary music excellent.” The small details do count when one is striving for excellence, even when you’re playing “Wave” for the umpteenth time. This might be the last “Wave” we ever play, so let’s do it right, with attention and with diligence. Otherwise we might as well be serving doughnuts or something. My approach is that music should be played with the correct amount of reverence, and this is what separates the artist from the mere technician. Attention to detail – that’s what we veterans’ want. No sloppy, absent, unconscious playing please, and that goes especially for drummers, ‘cos you know how their minds can wander, what with not having to bother about chords or melodies or anything. Mind you, they do use more limbs than we do. Anyway, you get my drift.
Talking of Veterans, I was privileged to see Anthony Jackson live in a New York Club in 1981. For those of you who know, Anthony is THE professor of the Bass on this planet, and he is, of course, a very polite and humble guy as well. He joined me for a drink between sets after I introduced myself as a South African bass player/fan, and he was knocked out that he’d even been heard of in South Africa. If you ever have the privilege of seeing him live and close up, as I did, you will surely notice that he plays as though this will be the last gig. Every note, even long ones get all of his concentration and attention. He is RIVETED in the moment - only the music at hand matters. Even his tacits are intense. He is absolutely oblivious to everything else around him. This was one of the greatest lessons I have learned as a musician, and I have tried to emulate his approach ever since (not always successfully I may add). The note lengths, the dynamics, the rhythmic perfection, the unwavering concentration, these details all make Anthony Jackson one of the guv’nors of the bass guitar. For me, this was a life lesson from a true veteran.
The next question is – how does one get into the state of concentration we’re talking about here, where you’re in the music and nothing else matters. Herewith a few humble suggestions:
- Practice and preparation
- Being relaxed
- Being comfortable with your tone
- Strength and exercise
- Loving the contribution you’re making to the music
- Enjoying the sound of the other instruments
- Realizing that the bass is the glue in the music, holding and hugging all the other sounds together
- And most of all … doing what it takes to put all of your life’s concerns and cares aside when you put your bass around your neck.
So roll up your sleeves and kick that groove.
Remember, a good bassist can’t save a bad band, but he/she can make a good band excellent!
Till next time
Booyakasha!
Glenn
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