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In my opinion, every great groove/song keeps you listening because of the rhythm. From Monk to Van Halen, a tunes groove is deeply rooted in its basic rhythm.
Take the simplest of examples: Momma loves shortnin’, Momma loves shortnin’, Momma loves shortnin’, shortnin’ bread. Yep, I guarantee that rhythm is in your soul right now. You didn’t hear anything, you didn’t read any music – you just saw the words on this page and that rhythm is tattooed on your brain. This example, to me, really demonstrates the essence of any great groove.
We’ve touched on this before in other articles. This is just another attempt by me to drive home the importance of getting the rhythm into our souls first – before the notes ever even hit the air.
The examples in the accompanying video will show just that. Breaking down the coolest grooves in their primal, rhythymic form is necessary (and fun!) for the notes to even matter.
You must practice every day on your ear training and your facility on your instrument, but it all comes under the umbrella of rhythm. All the craziest, most unbelievable chops on your instrument don’t mean didley squat shit if you don’t have rhythm. That I guarantee.
I am not by far the first person to say this. Case in point: “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing….. do-wop do-wop do-wop do-wop do-wop do-wop do-wop.” (I’ll bet that rhythm is in you right now)!
Doug Johns has written 16 articles in BMM.
Doug’s raw presence, energy, and all-around crowd-wowing prowess can be heard on numerous recordings and stages. Believing that a good musician surrounds himself with great musicians, Doug has had the privilege of working with such icons asVictor Wooten, Buddy Miles, Chuck Rainey, Dana Rasch, The LA Mass Choir, Grammy winning producer Aaron Lindsey, Steve Smith, and many others.
The culmination of these musical experiences led him to his first critically acclaimed solo CD, Doug Johns, released in 2006. Doug followed up his very well-received solo debut with his 2008 release, Pocket Fulla Nasty, and received an outstanding reaction from the bass community, as well as catching the ear of the general public very quickly. Bass Player Magazine on Johns: “One of the most credit–deserving bass virtuosos in America…it’s his inventiveness that’s consistently compelling.”
Doug’s newest release, Stank (October 2010), brings ten stank-funk tunes with returning artists Oz Noy, Kenny Anderson, Otmaro Ruiz and drummer extraordinaire, Chris Ceja. With fat slammin’ horns, intimate, artful composition and beautiful solo bass, this latest collection is a strong, healthy dose of groove for your soul. Doug Johns and company are definitely guilty of the old adage: Put some Stank on it!
Doug can also be seen on national stages with his two-man project, the Doug Johns Duo, featuring a stunningly musical approach to Bass & Drums. In addition to numerous clubs, clinics, and festival bookings, also look for Doug playing such events as BassQuake, Bass Player Live, Bass Slam andBassBash with a host of other stellar bassists.
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