How Bass Players Interact with Drummers: Being Conversational with the Kick Drum /// Bass Lesson
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- čas přidán 29. 07. 2015
- Lesson Summary:
As bass players we’re expected to be hyper tuned in and focused on creating bass lines that either lock in with the kick drum or are conversational with it. To do this you must always be listening and reacting to whatever drum pattern the drummer is creating at any given time.
1. Learn how drum patterns are constructed:
It’s vital that you know how drum beats are created. The most simplest of drum patterns will have the hi-hats on either the quarter notes or eighth notes throughout each measure, the snare playing the back beats on 2 and 4, and the kick drum playing on 1 and 3 with variations upon that theme. As I said, this is just the simplest of beats. You must know, understand and intuitively recognise all variations of this without thought. How to you do this? Listen drummers and study their drum patterns as much as you study other bass players and bass lines.
2. Understand that you don’t have to be unconditionally locked in with the kick drum:
Some songs are going to need you to lock in with the kick drum. Others will have more room for movement, and in those cases you can be more conversational with the kick drum. Ultimately, it depends on what vibe you’re trying to create with your bass line. When being conversational, you can either play a rhythmical pattern that differs from the kick drum - almost like you’re playing in the gaps, or one of my favourites is to create bass line that’s more like a melodic motif.
3. With great power comes great responsibility:
As bass players we can greatly alter the vibe of any song by using these techniques. Always be mindful of how your chosen bass line is effecting the overall feel of the song. I love the expression “play for the song”… in other words, play what’s right for the song, not what’s right for you.
Your Home Work:
In the comments below i’d love you to let me know what your biggest challenge is when playing with drummers.
1. Do you find it easy to lock in with the kick drum?
2. Is this something you haven’t really thought of before?
3. If these techniques are something you’ve been well aware of for a while, what are your favourite examples of bass players playing with the kick drum or being conversational with it?
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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"Play for the song". I wish more people took this to heart. If it's busy, play simple. If it's simple, play busy. Bass seems like more of a Zen thing than guitar. More about being harmonious. I may be a convert!
Guy Finney Zen! Love it Guy! Thanks for stopping by man :)
They're the spine of music with the drums, so they have to basically BE the music
As a drummer myself, I can confirm that this drummer is phenomenal. This whole lesson was phenomenal, in fact.
as a guitarist (yay me), I concur.
What a groove, holyshit.
+TheAlpacaAlliance What's so phenonomenal? 7:15-7:24 he can't even hold the rhythm. Don't call yourself a drummer if you find guys like this phenomenal in any way - that's upsetting Danny.
+TheAlpacaAlliance am a drummer too and i found out that he is a tricky drummer !
+yrussq He is actually on rhythm.... Scott got slightly ahead of him.
Tap out sixteenth notes with the high hat, and you'll see....
+yrussq I agree with @RandoManOfWonders
pianist is so on point he deserves more appreciation
Am I the only one getting moved by this video? I can totally feel the freedom and happiness through your music and it also shows on his face. Omg it's beautiful.
I have always been too concerned about playing like you are following a recipe. This video opens your eyes to the freedom available. I will be coming here regularly.
Absolutely! :D Feeling happy!
You are not alone! I am deeply moved by watching three musicians having a groovy conversation without words. Creating in the moment, supporting and making others sound great, and then when it's your turn express yourself...
Lol everytime they start to play i forget that im watching this for the lesson.
Then the guitarist steps in and screws everything up... - A guitar player
Daniel Collins the legend says, if you're not arrogant enough you can't play guitar. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
P.S. I'm a guitar player but I respect all the instruments that create a band. All of them have a special place.
my solo would rule his world or something.
Lol I'm a guitar player learning bass and it's teaching me so much about music that I probably wouldn't have if I hadn't picked up bass
hahahahahahahh
you are awarded for this comment, now go SNAFU on the set
I'm a drummer and have never played with other musicians so this is great to hear how they interact together. Thanks for sharing 👍
I just picked up the bass a little over a month ago and next weekend im supposed to be joining a band with 2 actual pros and a prodigigy guitarist.....im soooo nervous!!! After playing all month with just the guitarist he assures me im more than ready but i feel like im going to throw up on my shoes when i get in the studio.....
@@shadowninjarider374 how'd it go Bro?
As a 10 year guitar player turned bass player, I wish I had watched this a year ago, when I first picked up bass. Youve been an invaluable instructor to me Scott. Whenever I find myself across the pond Ill buy you a drink, least I can do :)
You are an awesome instructor. Thanks for sharing your talent.
Gregg Johnson Cheers Gregg! :)
3:31 When the drummer is ready to jam and the rest of the band still trying to tune the guitars.
Drummers should thank their gods for electronic screen tuners! :D It's also useful if you tune the guitar or bass while the drummer is trying to actually get behind the drums, dodging amps, cables and beer cans...
As a drummer, i have this predicament EVERY rehearsal lol
As someone whos played drums and percussion for years and is now learning bass I’ve really appreciate the way they interact.
I cannot believe how good these guys are!...and how they communicate with one another is mind boggling...the song has to be the best song ever, and did I mention the unbelievable way they're communicating.
The uniqueness of their playing is overwhelming...its almost like a long long time ago...like ancient times or something that these sounds are from another time in the 20th century or something. Amazing!
And the way their communicating...its nothing less than amazing. Keep up the communicating...its so communicative.
Very useful info, as always; thanks Scott.
I think many bass players, when starting out, underestimate the impact that the drummer can have on your sound. I know I did for a long time.
It wasn't until one particular band rehearsal, many years ago, where me and the guitarist were messing around, just jamming while the drummer set up his kit.
As soon as he joined in, I was like " 'kin hell! ,,, what just happened?"
I even remember looking over at my amp, thinking someone had turned something up,
We all obsess about our tone, but many do so in isolation,
What you hear when you're playing with your EQ or trying out a new bass on your own is not what you'll sound like when playing with a drummer.
Thinking about how you relate to the drums is another (along with things like how and where you hit the string) free way to dramatically improve your sound without spending shed-loads of money on gear that's been marketed at you as some miracle cure that will make you instantly sound like your favourite player.
Murdo2112 Great points man! Love the bit about EQ - very true! :)
Scott truly seems to be amazing at every aspect of his instrument, incredibly inspiring to watch/listen to.
The keyboard and drummer are both amazing musicians!
Great lesson, in synthesis: it's not just know Bass styles or impossibles rifs, it about synergy and play the notes on time, along with the drums / percussions. Simple lesson, but worth gold.
I still go back to this. It’s just too good
This is why I became a bassist. Lord have mercy the whole lesson was SMOOOOOOOTH
This is probably my favorite lesson yet! I have a friend that is a very advanced drummer. When he plays something complicated, I used to get flustered, thinking I have to "keep up." Now I can relax, because he's actually making it easier on me by allowing me to play less. I'm not nearly so intimated to play with him now! Thank you very much!!!
F minor is the saddest of all keys to play on a 4-string bass. Those stretches, they make my left carpal tunnel weep instantly.
youtert Move your whole hand. Don't stretch so much as move your hand so the stretch is just your relaxed hand splayed out without any strain. Scott actually stretches his hand a bit more than most bassists but he has a very efficient and static hand placement which he slides to new positions taking the need for long stretches out of the equation.
Use a 5 string for F minor
*While My Fretting hand Gently Weeps*
That's sick. Love to hear you play with other musicians, haven't seen it in other videos. Make more of these!
How can any human being dislike this? This dude is such a good player AND teacher but he seems like a lovely person as well. I especially love the whooooo's and little squeals of delight when he gets into the zone lol :o)
As a guitarist (and bassist when the occasion calls for it) I totally appreciate bassists who can hold their ground and come here to Scott for their lessons. These videos are great and Scott is a great instructor
When my parents cat wants more tuna 4:46.
I love the syncopation the drummer played while you complimented it a bit. Lovely!
I just want to say thank you for that video. Seeing and listening to you 3 lay down those lovely jams gave me so much joy. This was truly a delight 👍
All the bass players of the world LOVE uncle Scott Devine :) Thanks for all you do....I am the bass player I am today because of your lessons and influence. Thank you.
We can feel the pleasure between you guys when you are playing ! Love it !
There's a reason drum and bass is my fav genre of music to listen to outside of what i play.
Love the drums and bass together!
An inspiring lesson, Scott. As soon as you played the F minor notes at the start of the lesson, an instant bass line came to my mind that I'll use to build a track on.
would have loved to see a 2 to 3 minutes of this jam, love it
I could listen to this groove ALL day!
Awesome fun plus instruction? Scott - u da man! Love the lesson.
Must be a delight to have this mind-hand coordination. I would spend all my time playing along with backing tracks.
As another drummer myself this is exactly what we are looking for from the bass and other instrument's! So into it!
I've learnt most of the stuffs on this channel before opening one of Scott's videos, but I still can say that I enjoyed every single jam here
Scott, your passion for music is amazing. Love your bass playing and love for music.
Simply said: Great lesson, great musicians!
Hey Scott, you're by far one of the best (or maybe the best) bass teaching channel. Love your vids, keep rocking out
that jam would fit perfectly on Persona 4's soundtrack
awesome lesson!
Really like the first tune, a little drive and a little relax.
I loved just watching you guys jam out and work together to build the music
I wish you had more lessons like this. This was awesome!
I'm a long time drummer learning bass and this was really helpful. These videos are amazing. Keep up the awesome work, Scott!
Hi Scott, I'd like to say "Great Scot !" ^^ I've been a guitarist for 29 years but always in love with the bass which I'm currently playing as a beginner. Thank you so much for all those brilliant explanations and examples which open up a perspective where a guitarist can truly become a bassist.
that groove was beautiful that's a great drummer.
Scott: these videos are amazing. you have helped take my bass playing to new levels. THANK YOU!!!!
I'm only here to understand theoretically how bass players and drummers interact.
That riff you guys played at 3:27 is stupendously fun. Made me smile all along. Keep up the great work!
Holy shit, that first syncopated part was sick!! I am definitely writing down those chords! Keep rockin'!
Paco Lopez Always rockin' Paco! :)
transitioning to some bass playing after like 13 years of playing guitar. just want to say this channel is amazing. i wish i had these resources when i had started playing.
excellent lesson. i'm a drummer but picked have picked up guitar and bass in the past couple of years so a lesson like this benefits me in more ways than one. also, some quality playing from all three of you!!
Same here! Playing bass is a new challenge when you've been listening to them from behind the drums all these years.
Thanks for the lesson Scott!
Awesome,can really tell how much you like to jam with these guys....Thanks Phil and mark and obviously the bass maestro Mr divine
best thing to listen to, love the chemistry so clean
hey Scott great lesson brotha. I'm officially in a band, even though I hadn't played bass in over 10 yrs...I got my groove back. I started learning guitar which I love, but a band member I met at a music store needed a bass player I went to jam outand he chose me. thanks man your vids really help alot...great thing you are doing!
Great jam scott!😊 love it
This was soooooo inspiring!!! Scott, you seriously made it funky!!!! Too cool!!!!!
awsome lesson once again, great groove and easy to follow, nice work scott.
groove on!!!! \m/
What a demo! Gold.
Thanks for making this video Scott, it's really helping me play a fun beat with my friends
Thank you so much brother for your videos ...appreciates it a lot. :)
This is a great lesson. Really fun, too.
Love your tone man ! Grooving all the way , the drummer and the keyboard palyers are Massive killers on this groove ! Yea Baby Yea
You're the best bass teacher anyone could ever ask for! thanks x
This is my favourite vid so far I think (and I've watched a ton of them). On my fourth watch in a row!
thanks Scott! awesome demonstration! I absolutely love watching your videos!
Great lesson! This lesson is just as important for drummers as it is for bassists.
That groove was so catchie, thanks a bunch for the video!!
Awesome! Your lessons are simply.... Thank you Scott!
As always, excellent man..!!!
Where you are the art is born, thank you, Maestro.
this is more fantastic than anyone can imagine thanks for this particular "lesson"
drummah chimin’ in here… “ding” Love this! so helpful for me! thanks!
been bangin the cans for 35 years and every edge I get in knowledge is awesome! and yes Phil is a Phenomenal drummah!
Phe-no-me-nal lesson, Scott! Wow!
You make me want to go to my instrument, and play. I love that.
-F Brep
Thank you Scott. I love learning from you. YOur videos are awesome
This helps a lot when I'm going to play with my drummer friends since I'm only 5 months in my bass training.
when they all come in, Woooooooo! pure bliss
I'm lovin the synth pad sounds here!
Very useful as always! Thanks Scott. 🤘💜
Great lesson on a much needed topic. Agree again with other comments: the drummer is really good. Thanks, Scott.
Great lesson, this is going to help me make my bass playing sound less like it's a guitarist playing bass.. I've checked a few of your vids out and will be back for more, all the best, Robbo.
Man you're such a good bassist. I love your videos, thanks for sharing these lessons.
1. I find it easy to lock in with the kick drum when the drummer is consistent. (Another reason to seek out good drummers!) When I listen, I find that good, consistent drummers will also use patterns, whether simply a repeating bar, or 2, 4, or longer depending on the song form. Also it's easier when the drummer (like anyone else in the band) doesn't wildly overplay -- that way I can pick out the kick a bit easier. One other thing that I try to do is add or subtract from my part based on what the guitar and/or keys are doing. If they're a little busier in their part, I'll slim mine down a little. On the other hand, if they're playing very sparingly, and the song calls for some movement, I'll "talk" a little more with the drums.
2. I think about it all the time, since the first good drummer I met clued me in. That was fortunately early in my bass playing career. I had been playing music for a long time before that, so I understood tempo, rhythm, keys, and so forth. But I didn't understand how to orchestrate my part in the band -- when to dig in, when to lay out, and how to avoid overplaying. The drummer showed me his kick pattern and showed me how to lock in with it. After that, I made it part of my conscious effort every time I practiced to a beat or performed.
3. Nathan East is one of my favorite players for doing this (or just about anything else, for that matter). Check out his work with the late, great Ricky Lawson on any number of hit records -- Anita Baker's "Compositions" is a fantastic example.
Paul Frields Great points here Paul! Nathan East and Ricky Lawson = Magic! :)
+Paul Frields You mean drummers that like to SHINE and think that they are playing skillfully!!!!!
+Paul Frields As a drummer myself, when I'm with a band making a song, I always show what my rhythm is, and let know the others when it would be good for a solo (for each musician if possible) but we mostly keep the 4/4 tempo because it's easier to follow when someone goes insane on the solo (specially the guitarist) XD
Wow !! this is 'cause i love the bass . Great Scott
Such a good teacher. I feel like I'm there nodding my head like ''Yeaah mate. Okay. Baah bah abh abh. aah! nice one I get it.'' and Scotts like ''Yes mate. Boop boop boop.''
Cheers Scott.
Great lesson. Do you have one on relationship with the keys?
Jimmy Charles I don't Jimmy - but that's a great idea. I'll add it to the list! :)
Scott's Bass Lessons please please do...
Scott's Bass Lessons Hill Street Blues theme?
"Do something else with your left hand that's not my part!"
Hey Scott, just dropping in to say I love your phrasing and approach to bass. Very tasteful and enjoyable to listen to.
You really do make the bass sound like one of the coolest instruments :-)
At 3:45 when everyone came in it just sounded soo good that’s what made me fall in love with the bass
The bass here sounds so much better than in a regular, non jam, episode. I guess there is no replacement 4 a miked cab after all. Nothing like real air moving. Awesome playing.
For me is a very good technique to play with arpeggios and scales because it lets you improve and play with your fingers in the bass. I always think that the drums and the bass must play together to power a song and to set the rhythms and tempos.
Great lesson Scott. You're great bass player.
Greetings form Peru! :)
Very good lesson Scott's bass. One of the most importants things that a bassplayer must know!
gui07bass ! Cheers man :)
Great lesson and examples! Thanks!!
Scott kills it always. Way to be
Fantastic lesson Scott! you guys are great
hes going full michael jackson with that glove :D
love it when you three are playing together, sweet groove
niemand0123456789 MJ! :)
niemand0123456789 Michael Jackson only wore that glove to not leave fingerprints on children.
Prostheta Wrong but oh so funny!
Awesome lesson Scott just found your page and I'm already hooked!
This video will never age !
I've never seen anyone enjoy a bass so much. ;-) Great lesson...subscribed