Great ebass playing

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the playing styles and contributions of various ebass players, particularly focusing on the techniques and musicality of specific tracks and artists. Participants explore different eras of music, comparing styles from Japan and the USA, and reflect on personal experiences with ebass music.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for Mina's finger style playing, contrasting it with her previous slap style.
  • There is a discussion about the complexity of ebass lines in Japanese music compared to those in the USA, with one participant recalling a comment from a Madonna's ebass player about the demands of playing busier lines.
  • Several participants share their thoughts on specific tracks, noting how certain bass lines can be mistaken for vocals and discussing their musical qualities.
  • One participant mentions the unique contributions of Roger Glover in a live setting, highlighting his ability to insert runs amidst other virtuoso musicians.
  • There are reflections on the historical context of ebass playing, particularly regarding Motown and its influential bass players, with some participants sharing personal anecdotes related to these artists.
  • Participants discuss the evolution of ebass sounds and techniques, including the impact of synthesizers and the resurgence of slap bass styles.
  • Some express mixed feelings about pop music, noting that despite initial dislike, they have come to appreciate certain songs and their bass lines over time.
  • There are references to specific artists and their unique tones, with discussions on how certain bass lines stand out in pop music, including comparisons to other musicians like Mick Karn.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion features a variety of perspectives on ebass playing styles and the significance of different artists, with no clear consensus on which styles or contributions are superior. Participants express both admiration and critique, indicating a range of opinions on the subject.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the complexity of bass lines and the historical significance of certain players depend on subjective interpretations and personal experiences, which may not be universally applicable.

Who May Find This Useful

Musicians, music enthusiasts, and those interested in the evolution of ebass playing styles and techniques may find this discussion insightful.

Hornbein
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Noted ebass player Mina has just joined East of Eden. She always was heard playing slap style before. Her finger style play is the greatest say I. How can anyone be so nimble?



Note the rust. There is a lot of rust in Japan. I think they like the way it looks. I know I do.
 
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J-land ebass lines are far more busy than USA ones. The ebass player on Madonna's Like A Prayer said that Madonna had to yell at him repeatedly to get him to play that busy. He said the final part was so wild he didn't recognize his own playing. I say it's nice but tame. Heck, 1960's Motown ebass parts are busier than that. That strain died out entirely.
 
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When the bass kicked in I thought it was a voice at the time. Beautiful line at 1.27 and it is pretty much all over place throughout the track.
I absolutely detested "where ever I lay my hat" which had a fretless also.
 
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pinball1970 said:


When the bass kicked in I thought it was a voice at the time. Beautiful line at 1.27 and it is pretty much all over place throughout the track.
I absolutely detested "where ever I lay my hat" which had a fretless also.

Her lover at the time was ebassist Del Palmer. He does play very nicely. Later she married an eguitarist. He may be seen and heard here.



As often happens once she was married music took back seat.
 
 
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Hornbein said:
Her lover at the time was ebassist Del Palmer. He does play very nicely. Later she married an eguitarist. He may be seen and heard here.



As often happens once she was married music took back seat.

I know next to nothing about her, she rarely offered information and those whom loved her music did not care.
 
What is cool about this is where Roger Glover puts his runs. Think about it, they were the best live band around and he was surrounded by musicians who were all virtuosos.
Where and when could he ever shine? In this track he doubled up on the riff and tripled up on the middle solo section so he stuck these cheeky little runs in over Gillan!

 
Rickenbacker.

I could list 100 tracks or more just from these guys but I will just put a few of my favourites.

Chris Quire growled his Ricky



Macca punched his.

 
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Not sure of the bass but the bass line is fun all the way through.

 
  • #10
Fantastic bass line, this was a pop song!
 
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  • #11
The bass behaves for a while but has to go with the flow when Jan Ackerman gets going.

4.11 the bass note and resonator head on his snare are the same frequency. Thats what it sounds like anyway, I always take my snare off when the bass is tuning up to avoid it. A little bit of physics in there!

 
  • #12
I could put lots of Focus on but I will be selective. Arpeggios all the way through pretty much.
Simple but effective.

 
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  • #13
My friend bassist got a Gibbo on the back of this track I think, an EBO?

Jack Bruce would have been a nightmare to play with during the solos!
Where the hell is he?
Genius playing on this, see how he pinches the riff and keeps using it when Clapton is playing something else?

 
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  • #14
pinball1970 said:
those whom loved her music did not care.
Pshaw!
 
  • #15
pinball1970 said:
My friend bassist got a Gibbo on the back of this track I think, an EBO?

Jack Bruce would have been a nightmare to play with during the solos!
Where the hell is he?
Genius playing on this, see how he pinches the riff and keeps using it when Clapton is playing something else?


It's an EB3, it has a bridge pickup.

This was on the third album I ever bought. Jack started out as a cellist, the distortion sounds a little like bowing. The EB3 is short scale so it's easier to bend the strings and and he bent notes a lot. No one ever tried to imitate this : he said his fave bassman was JS Bach and his style is contrapuntal. Few rockers go there. And once the Acoustic 360 amplifier came out the fuzzbuzz bass sound became passe.

Here's Jack playing an EB1 : weird, eh? Just can't let that cello thang go...

 
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  • #16
The sound isn't great sound but I put this version because seeing what they could create live with basic technology by today's standards is just incredible.
Mike the drums up? No we're good.
Monitors? What are they?
Who's on the desk? Sandra, it's ticket only tonight so give her time to check and she will give you your stub.

Macca walking bass.

 
  • #17
 
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  • #18
 
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  • #19
This was totally unique.

 
  • #20
Top this for 1960s bass line, for a "pop" song!

 
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  • #21
Another walker but in an early 80s setting.
 
  • #22
pinball1970 said:
Not sure of the bass but the bass line is fun all the way through.


I missed that one. Fun! My fave is still Saw Her Standing There. It's impressive he can sing so well at the same time.
 
  • #23
pinball1970 said:
Another walker but in an early 80s setting.

These guys had to write hits but they were thoughtful talented musicians. This would never have been a hit, too subtle, not the usual quirk and quite jazzy.
 
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  • #24
pinball1970 said:

Motown is what got me started on ebass. They say on Tears Of A Clown " Tony Newton, Bob Babbitt, and James Jamerson" are credited. Tony Newton had a band called Eighth Day that I happened to see. Great! Pretty rare to have the ebass player as the star. Unfortunately Motown moved to LA just then so that was the end of Eighth Day before they could get anywhere. I think Tony drives harder than that and its too normal to be Jamie J so I'd go for Bob Babbitt.

Looking into this I found out that BB played on a lot of things that I thought were JJ. And on Inner City Blues they both play different parts at the same time!

On that Stevie Wonder thing I think its mostly synthesizer with some ebass. Ebass is hard to get around fluidly so I only play synthesizer these days. And you don't have to worry about damping, fret buzz, or string whistle. Back in the 70s I thought it was going to replace the ebass but then slap saved it. Or maybe ebasses look better on stage than visually unexciting keyboards.
 
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  • #25
Hornbein said:
Motown is what got me started on ebass. They say on Tears Of A Clown " Tony Newton, Bob Babbitt, and James Jamerson" are credited. Tony Newton had a band called Eighth Day that I happened to see. Great! Pretty rare to have the ebass player as the star. Unfortunately Motown moved to LA just then so that was the end of Eighth Day. I think Tony drives harder than that and its too normal to be Jamie J so I'd go for Bob Babbitt.

Looking into this I found out that BB played on a lot of things that I thought were JJ. And on Inner City Blues they both play different parts at the same time!
I think Jameson was one of Macca's favourite bass players.
 
  • #26
Good music always shines through, even when it goes against your world view.
When this was released I detested pop music, I went to my friends house he played his Duran Duran record, got his bass out and played it. It stands up now, lovely sound and choice of notes.

 
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  • #27
pinball1970 said:
Good music always shines through, even when it goes against your world view.
When this was released I detested pop music, I went to my friends house he played his Duran Duran record, got his bass out and played it. It stands up now, lovely sound and choice of notes.


Unique tone and sophisticated note choice. No wonder the ebass is mixed on top. Some Duran Duran songs have a lot of chords. Ordinary World has 13.
 
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  • #28
Hated the song, the look and the name of the band. It was the 80s.
However, that bass...

 
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  • #29
Duran Duran sounds similar to Mick Karn the ebassist of Japan with David Sylvain.



I once went into a barber shop in Bali and there was a photo of David Sylvain on the wall. Forty years later! Then later I found out that male prostitutes in Japan all look like David Sylvain. I wonder whether they got it from him or he from them. Only old people would know.
 
  • #30
Hornbein said:
Unique tone and sophisticated note choice. No wonder the ebass is mixed on top. Some Duran Duran songs have a lot of chords. Ordinary World has 13.
That is a heartbreaking song to me. It was my ex's favourite and i thought it was ok at the the time.
I did not really get it till years after, the words cut you to the bone.
 

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