What makes a bassline lock in with the drummer instead of fighting them?
I have been listening back to rehearsal recordings and noticed that some bass parts feel glued to the drums, while others sound like they are sitting on top of the groove…
BASS
Hold it down. Shake the room.
Ask bass questions, share ideas, and get feedback from other musicians.
What is the most useful thing to practise when you only have 20 minutes?
Not every practice session can be a full deep dive. Some days there are only 20 minutes available, and I am trying to make those short sessions count instead of just nood…
Which musician influenced your feel more than your note choices?
Influences are not always about copying licks or sounds. Sometimes a player changes how you think about space, timing, dynamics, or confidence. Who influenced the way you…
How do you make a simple bass part interesting without overplaying?
Some songs need a simple bass part, but simple does not have to mean dull. I am trying to find ways to add character without stepping on the vocal, kick drum, or guitar r…
How do you make a cover song feel like your band without wrecking it?
Cover songs can either sound like a weak copy or like a version with its own personality. The tricky bit is changing enough to make it yours without losing what people lo…
How do you write a bass part under busy guitars?
Busy guitar parts can leave very little obvious space for bass. Doubling the root can work, but it can also make the arrangement feel smaller than it should. What do bass…
Do you use an active bass?
If so, what advantages does it have?
What beginner’s book would you recommend?
What method book would you recommend for beginning bass lessons?
Do you use wireless for bass on stage?
I was wondering how the wireless bass systems handle the sound. Does it sound the same as when a regular cable is plugged in?
Have you ever written a whole song on bass?
So, instead of writing songs on bass guitar, I grab my regular 6-string guitar when writing songs. Have you ever written a whole song by playing a bass instead?
Are you a fan of 5+ string basses?
I've only ever had 4-string bass guitars, but have tried out a 5-string bass once or twice. I'm not sold and am happy with just 4. What are your thoughts?
Set-list pacing for pub gigs: energy without exhausting the audience
A set list should do more than rank songs from favourite to least favourite. Tempo, key, vocal demand, tuning changes and audience familiarity all affect the flow. Severa…