Bottom Feeder Series--Basic Bass Playing Bassline Tip

"I Like To Say, "The Sky Belonged To Jimi and the Earth Belonged To Me" (Billy Cox) Jimi Hendrix Bass Player for The Band Of Gypsys 

First of all,I have to say I can't read music and nor do I know what a note is or the chorus of a song is for that matter. Some of you are probably thinking, how can this guy call himself a music journalist?

Yeah, I'm kind of a dunce in that regard and I don't worry much about it.

But how many musicians do you know that can't read music? Probably more than you think. But I digress. Lets get back to what this bass playing tips article is about. Okay, I was reading an old article

in Bass Guitar Mag by one of metal's ultimate bottom feeders'--that being Shadows Fall Paul Romanko.

He talked about the give and take between Bass, drums and what's involved in effectively playing a solid bassline without playing over the drums, and giving the bassline what it needs. This in effect means 2 things. First knowing when to work around lead guitar and drums without stepping on the basic chord and riff progression. Also, using differing chords and riffs when fretting to change it up a bit as well.

But here's the rub bottom feeders,when anyone kicks the playing up a notch keep the bottom down and don't play above the fray so to speak. Meaning keep the bottom down and don't play above every one chord or tempo wise. Got it?

But when someone else lays back a bit or you see their phrasing has textural spacing in-between, that is your cue to either noodle around their chording or step on the bassline just slightly in between their phrasing to give it a different feel. Basically your bassline should serve the song and comp the tune in a way that benefits everyone. In some respect giving a good bassline what it needs for everyone else. It's kind of like doing session work. What I mean is if you're an old pro at creating a great bassline you will know almost to the note when to complement the song with your bass stylings and go above the fold just slightly and when to lay back and hold down the fort.

But a pro bass player can put in his style of playing at sessions whether live or in the studio and it serve the song in a way that makes it better. You won't always do it in a way everyone likes,but if you're a straight ahead player who listens and studies like a bastard you'll do well as an in demand bottom Dweller!

Maybe I'm talking friggin' jibberish and don't know shit. I think if you practice your ass off with your band and learn all you can you'll do well as a bass player and be served well holding down the earth like Paul Romanko and Billy Cox.

Mark Grove

Bottom-Feeder Series--Bass Playing Basics--Down-Picking Can Be a Great Way To Learn And Become a Better Bottom Feeder

Yep, the simpler you make something but make people work at it the more people won't do it. But it makes it easier to play effectively. That just means the real bass players will stand out. I got the inspiration to write this article is from ex-Metallica Bottom Feeder Jason Newsted. Newsted runs his own label (Chophouse) and played with the thinking man's metal band (Voivod) who are on his label.

Jason talked about the need to use a pick to get the tone you need to cut through a very loud lead guitar and drums. But at the same time keeping your tone in sync with the others but not more in the mix than the others.

Getting Your Bottom Feeding Right on The Money:

The one thing I want to get across to you is to get a tone that's right for the type of music you play, and learn to lock in-step with the lead guitar player, especially if you play metal. As well, play tunes you know and can play using a simple down stroke. Try to figure out where you get the best tone on your bass. Is it closer to the bridge pickup, the neck pickup or in between both. Or is the tone better when you pick the string over the pickups themselves, or in between the pickups where Newsted feels he gets the best tone.

Experiment with it and see what's what in the tone texture of your Bottom Feeder sound.

When You Down Pick It Produces Beefier Tones:

Really, it does produce a total Fat oblong football bass chording,  that if tweaked just right when setting up your amp and Bass will serve you well. When the tempo of a song is slower you learn to pick more effectively when you strictly down stroke. That way when your chops get better you'll be able to include up strokes to a limited degree, which I feel aren't as effective as down strokes, even for the best Bottom Feeding Gurus.

Try to use down strokes always. If you can't always if you're doing session work or live gigs, you can use both and alternate between both up and down strokes. But think about this before I go. In 95 percent of most bass players stroking style, it's always up strokes, and some down stroking.

Be different and use down strokes. Not to be just different but to become a better bass player who learns the simple stuff, and becomes a great Bottom Feeder. And to piss off every player out there. I love it!!

Bottom Feeder Series:How Bass Axeman Can Finangle The Shit Kickinist,Dirtiest Tone Know To Mankind

"And it ain't from Using Strictly Humbuckers and a Marshall Stack"

Been a while since I've done a good Bottom-Feeder article.So I was due.

But my critcizers are in full force out there saying I don't know shit about music,and I'm a  terrible writer. Good--Bring it on!!

You've been playing your bass to set lists your frontman left you and you think you've been just bloody crushin' it! Then your band starts recording your practice's,Jams and live gigs, but your tone seems to be getting lost and obliterated in the mix. What to do?

Chances are you're playing hard enough and alternating between using a pick and your fingers,but it still isn't cutting it.Hell,you've been using Humbuckers strictly,but to no avail.

What the hell you gonna do now?

Here's what to do. Change your pickups to a combination of a single and hum,instead of just Hums. Reason is with strictly hums your tone may be too low or just blasts too much over lead guitar and drums,to be useful. You'll only need to change the neck pickup to a single coil. You already have a Hum in the Bridge position,so you're good. I also have a good pickup replacement and installing video on the site with the one and only Seymour Duncan showing you how to do just that. It's an important video.

Okay,after you've done all that use a good distortion stompbox.Go to your local music shop and test several out. Don't use the first one that comes along.having a stomp will help you out when you need some girth in your bottom feeder tone on more melodic heavy material. But don't use a stomp exclusively over a good Ampeg or SWR amp's overdrive or gain knob. Keep it simple guys. Keep your heavy music tone brutal though yet keep an attack that feeds the lead guitar and drums without cutting into the whole band's mix and overdo it. Be melodic and midrange like when you need to, But keep that heavy music bottom down like the pro bottom feeder you are.

Also,remember to keep recording when you play alone to set lists,cover material and your band's jams, reheasals and live work.So, keep a close eye on whether your bass tone gets lost in the shuffle or it's getting better,grittier,dirtier and just shit kickin'. That last part is a good thing. This will take lots of time and practice fellow Bottom-Feeders.When you figure out how to tweak your bottom feeding just right,you'll know you hit the note,and your brutal bass power has other band's and fans going nuts over you.

Email me for more Bottom Feeder tips.

mdgrove@rock.com

Bottom Feeder Basics That Can Take Your Bass Playing And Stretch It Like A Pro

I always tell Musicians and bassist's to listen to different types of music, not just to listen to it, but to gain knowledge and take your music farther as a result. You have to take your music past its own genre. By that, I mean you have to listen to musicians who can use their instruments and come up with mind-blowing chords and notes that will not just mystify their own band members, but fans who love their type of music.


It could be blues, jazz, country or classical ensembles. I tend to listen to progressive rock bands like Enchant and their "Tug Of War" album(Inside-Out). As well, I listen to a lot of old Country Blues, and people like Frank Zappa and Stevie Ray Vaughan, who are, if you really listen closely to their unique chord structures and application of guitar technique are really, Jazz men.

If you don't try new things with the way you play bass, it will be old and stale. This is one of the reasons good musicians don't become great, and eventually give it up. Integrating new ways of playing Bass There are a number of ways to change the way you play for the type of music your band is styled after.

Don't worry so much about music that is played with a wacked-out meter variation, that just confuses everyone, and most bands don't have the time for shit like that. I would say having some variation in the chords and the phrasing of each instrument can lend it's self to new ways of taking your band down new paths of musical freedom and expression.

For most songs, the bass just plays a backing role and that's fine. But if your band wants to spread it's wings in a progressive manner, the bass player should attempt to apply lead guitar techniques, and the lead should reciprocate that. There are also other ways to play that can take your bass playing farther. Do a forensic audit of your bass guitar, amp head and cab, along with any accessory items such as effects or even the types of strings you use.

Number one, do the pickups in your Bass have the right clarity and give for the music you play?

If not, change them. Try to incorporate different music in your Jam's with the band, and possibly come up with new material on the fly. Try to record every practice session so it gives you new insight, or chord variances that jive with what your band is doing.

Combining different working amp heads and cabs is also essential to changing your sound. Bassist's tell me that just one whole amp head and cabinet together don't usually give you the sound you want, or the chance to interchange different amps and cabs. I try to get musicians to use minimal effects when playing, especially if you have had limited experience with them.


Bassist's and guitarist's seem to overuse them at the expense of our talent as a guitarist, and ability to take notes and chords farther naturally. Try effects by buying Jim Dunlop's (Blow Torch), basically a stomp that mixes midrange distortion in your bands overall sound, and tweaks your distortion and gain mix on the bass. A great stomp Box. Go to www.jimdunlop.com


Try to muddy your sound to some extent on the bass, because a lot of musicians seem to think that cleaner is better. By tweaking a combo of different amp heads and cab, along with minimal effects and mic placements as well, will go along way to getting your sound out of the doldrums. Now, this may not be involved in the overall sound of your bass, but if you use the same Mic's for recording, practice and on-stage, clean your mic's!

It has a definite affect on your overall sound. Think of all the saliva, smoke, food and what ever else gets imbedded in your mic. Take the top of the mic apart and use a paper towel to wipe it down, then use a good alcohol wipe to clean and sanitize it, to get of those little nasty critters that embed themselves on top of the screen, and on the inside as well.

The strings you use are important as well. Have a fresh set on hand at all times, and try to change the gauge for the type of music you're playing, which can have an effect on your tone and your ability to manipulate the strings. Just because you play with thick strings mainly, doesn't mean you're able to play anything.
Experiment, Experiment, Experiment. You won't regret it Bottom Feeder's. Now, get back to doing what you love most, creating music that takes you on a journey that most musicians or people never take.

Mark Grove-CGP

Bottom Feeder Principles For Bass Players That Let You Keep The Foundation Down Like A Pro

By Mark Grove

I was reading an old article by Paul Romanko the resident bass player for Shadows Fall,in the now defunct Bass Guitar Mag.SF is one of a very few metal bands I follow because they are original in their work and have a bass sound that keeps the bottom down better than most.And they decided to go the indie route finally.

http://shadowsfall.com

Okay,Paul talked about his role as a bass player and the fact that bass playing is about keeping the foundation down,in the pocket in a way that keeps everything in sync.Yet when the phrasing gives you an opening you can improvise and still stay in the pocket with going some where else.

I hope that makes sense to all you bottom feeders out there.It will to veterans who are playing gigs and doing regular session work live or in the studio.When you keep the foundation or bottom when you play a complicated lick your playing will complement the lead more.

A lot of rock and metal bass axemen seem to play beyond the tempo which turns the song in side out and makes it difficult to get back to the original riff or lick the song was based on.

If more bass players learned basic blues,country and jazz their playing would take on simple and more technical techniques to stretch their ability as players.Even learning to cop bottom-feeder techniques such as applying lead guitar picking and fretting--yet keeping the bottom in place will serve you well when auditioning,,jamming,playing live or doing sessions in the studio.

I hope these bottom feeder principles will help you in your career as a bass player.


Mark Grove--Create value for other musicians and your career will soar forever.

mdgrove@rock.com

Wanna learn to be a Bass Player with a guitarist's feel? John Entwistle and Jack Cassady are some of the best Bottom Feeder's In The Biz

This very short interview with The Who's John Entwistle and Jefferson Airplane's Jack Cassady,delve into where their playing evolved from.

Also,why they changed their application to technique because of their band mates influences,which gave them the freedom to experiment,yet hold down the bottom with precision skill.

You'll notice they both play like a lead guitarist, which shows how far they're playing has progressed, and so can yours.

This can help you get session gigs as an in-demand Bottom-Feeder.

Watch and learn guys.

Mark Grove

Bottom Feeder Bass Axe Tone Tips

By Mark Grove

Picture Of Band Of Gyspy's Bass Guru Billy Cox

Been a while since Canadian Guitar Player has done a post on bass playing and I'm due.This is a simple tip that the pros of rock and blues use everyday in the studio and live.Bass players seem to think that cranking amps to 12 and obliterating the drums and lead guitar,is a good thing.

Wrong!!

What I mean by all that is Dee Curtis a Canadian Guitar Player consultant,and very aloof from the CGP fold,has always said you don't need to be loud to get great tone.That's part of the reason he's designing and building his own low watt amp.

You tend to lose your best tone by cranking it.Lower watt amps tweaked just right can elicit the best tones you've ever heard out of your guitar and amp.Amps like a 10 or twenty watt amp set at volumes of 5 or 6, and the EQ and other settings set just at medium range can warrant better tones a Marshall 50 or 100 watter.

Pickups and Using Picks Tip:

Even if you're a metal player,don't have strictly Humbuckers in the fold.Two Hums and a solid single coil will give you the tone you want without destroying your intentions.

If you need extra bottom-feeding bass tone,use a solid wah pedal or stomp box.Use a stomp that coincides with your type of music.Here's a good pic tip.Don't always use a pick.

I realize you want to be able to cut through the drums and guitar and be heard,but at what cost to your band sound.You can still be heard at low volumes without a pick.Just use your fingers.That connects you more to   your bass axe and the tone you strive for.

You'll be more creative on the frets and picking as well.Using a pick just loudens your sound,which you are trying to keep in check anyway.Just use these bottom feeding bass tips and you'll strive for the bass tone  that you create and deserve.

Mark G:email me for any questions.mdgrove@rock.com

Bass Playing Tip And Using A Pick For Ultimate Bottom Feeder Tones

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