John JD Deservio--Bottom Feeder for Black Label Society
Uses a Schecter Research Bass Axe.
Not sure which model though.
By Mark Grove
Been a while since I had a how to bass playing tip. Playing bass is tougher than you think and if you want to be a first call bass session player you need to know the basics and work at it like you're still a beginner.
You'll need to develop a style of playing that's all your own yet keep the foundation of a song down and close to the earth like a real bottom feeder. First of all you need to jam at local clubs with other musicians who are better than you. That's the only way you'll ever get better.
You can play with guys who are at your level or less,but if you continue to play with them and they don't keep playing regularly to get better.You'll spin your wheels forever.
As well you need to learn from CD's to be able to play note for note, then at some point start interpreting those tunes your own way. Listen to these tunes and then play with these songs,what ever your band plays or the covers you're currently doing.
You have to be able to wrap your head around the textural aspects of playing and doing it your way at some point.
Even Dee Curtis,our resident consultant at Canadian Guitar Player feels if a session bottom feeder is playing a gig with him that they get the set list down and play it their own way.But keep the bottom down reasonably and at times dictate the tempo.
Playing with a Pick:
Playing with a pick is tougher than you think while playing with fingers is more natural.But being able to cut through really loud guitar and drums,especially if you play metal is tough with the fingers,and attacking the strings with a good sturdy pick like a Dunlop Tortex or Butterfly Picks which are great as well,will help in this endeavor.
http://www.jimdunlop.com
http://www.butterflypicks.com
Your Picking Attack:
I've written article after article saying to employ a down picking technique when starting out and even if you're a veteran Bottom Feeder. I still believe that. If you're playing fast metal then yeah,you need some down and up variations of strokes on the bass.
For blues or hard rock,not metal, a down attack only is far more effective for better tone and tempo--yet variating your chord and bass pattern structure. What is also vital is playing the notes fully with or without a pick,and this will take time to learn.
Textural playing of this kind takes a long time,and it will take some getting used to wrapping your head around what you're doing and how to listen to the other players and get down what the others are doing at a jam,recording session or gig.
All three of these types of sessions will give you needed experience and playing ability to make you a more in-demand bottom feeder.
Keeping Your Bass Playing Tight:
It's important to keep playing faster by variating your fretting and pick the strings immediately and keep that pattern going. Kind of my own version of a variation on a scale. For blues and metal.
Bottom Feeding Like a Pro:
Learn where to pick for either cleaner or lower dirty bottom feeding sounds. For cleaner sounds pick near the neck pickup,and if you want lower tones do it near the bridge pickup.Make it simple and then quicken up your chording pattern depending on the song being played.
Your sound will be that much evener,if that's a word. Your chording will be that much better by employing both lead guitar and drum pattern techniques that dazzle your fellow player and fans of your music.
It's also imperative to know when not to play. Use phrasing techniques that phase in and out will help the overall sound and feel of your band's music. Learn to do this by jamming mainly.Not by playing gigs. Practice alone with the lead guitarist or the drummer and jam.
This will help your phrasing like a bastard!
You'll learn how to play certain strings and really get a feel for what needs to be done at certain junctures in a song. What picking method you use is up to you depending on a song.You'll get there,just start out slowly and get to the point of playing pro sessions in LA in no time.
Peace and success to all bottom feeders.
Mark G
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