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regarding bass
Sep. 15th, 2003 09:09 pm... which I'm just added as an interest, in spite of the fact that I don't play it and (no offense, bass players) don't think it's exactly the most challenging instrument in the known universe. (Come on, it's like guitar for dummies! I mean... please don't hurt me...)
BUT. Here's why I love bass and think it's vital: in so many songs, it is the heart, the lifeblood. Get out your favorite rock now, turn up the bass, and listen: the energy in the song all comes from that strumming. I was listening to Eve 6 on the way to work, with the bass as high as it went on my puny discman. The heartbeat of the song is all in the bass -- screw the drums, the bass is where the rhythm is. And all sorts of interesting harmonies and echoes of melodies. (I guess the former is the alto in me talking, the bit that thinks the top of the staff is for showoffs and the shallow. :P ) ... This was going to be about twice this long but my brother needs math help, so I gotta go. That sums it up anyways, insofar as this particular fascination of mine can be worded.
ETA: Oh, I forgot. Killer bass example: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. I give Fat Mike the bassist all the credit for how pulled-together, tight, and -- I want to say utterly professional, but that sounds pretty silly applied to the all-male band with the Natural Woman cover. I listen to NOFX just because I love that bass. ... OK, the clever lyrics too, but that's another kettle of seafood.
And anyone who knows where the challenge is, let me know. I've never played it, I wouldn't know, and I'm willing to learn. And apologize if I was wrong.
BUT. Here's why I love bass and think it's vital: in so many songs, it is the heart, the lifeblood. Get out your favorite rock now, turn up the bass, and listen: the energy in the song all comes from that strumming. I was listening to Eve 6 on the way to work, with the bass as high as it went on my puny discman. The heartbeat of the song is all in the bass -- screw the drums, the bass is where the rhythm is. And all sorts of interesting harmonies and echoes of melodies. (I guess the former is the alto in me talking, the bit that thinks the top of the staff is for showoffs and the shallow. :P ) ... This was going to be about twice this long but my brother needs math help, so I gotta go. That sums it up anyways, insofar as this particular fascination of mine can be worded.
ETA: Oh, I forgot. Killer bass example: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes. I give Fat Mike the bassist all the credit for how pulled-together, tight, and -- I want to say utterly professional, but that sounds pretty silly applied to the all-male band with the Natural Woman cover. I listen to NOFX just because I love that bass. ... OK, the clever lyrics too, but that's another kettle of seafood.
And anyone who knows where the challenge is, let me know. I've never played it, I wouldn't know, and I'm willing to learn. And apologize if I was wrong.
