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Start Your (Creative) Engines! by Steve Gregory
Start Your (Creative) Engines! by Steve Gregory… The worship bassist is an interesting animal. Insert a nature documentary voice-over here:
“Here we see worship bassists in their natural habitat – the church. Highly skilled in interpreting others’ works, the worship bassist’s primary role is to support the worship function. Our team has noted that, over the span of several months, there were several songs that the worship bassist would be required to play week after week. Full of determination, the worship bassists would carefully navigate a course that included both inspiration and excitement, while not straying too far from the original music. Yes, interpretation is a major function of the mighty worship bassist – a magnificent beast to witness in person.”
Does some of this ring true for you? We are often asked to interpret songs and, in many cases, to reproduce songs in a careful manner. Since our role is to provide a setting for worship, radical derivation from the original song is not often needed. More often than not, staying true to the original is necessary to allow our congregations to quickly recognize, sing along with, and worship to the music we present.
This is a difficult task for many reasons, but a big issue that needs to be addressed is one of creative atrophy. It is very easy to see a weekly set list that contains songs that you know like the back of your hand. When many of the songs are also based on steady, root-based pedal lines, the creative part of our brains can be neglected.
This is not to say that interpretation is not important – quite the contrary. What I am pointing out is that there is a trap of rote reproduction that worship bassists must be aware of and avoid. When worship bassists become ensnarled in this problem, three symptoms can be seen. First, interpreted songs sound lackluster and emotionless. Second, when called upon to be creative (when a newly written song is presented to be “fleshed out” by the band, for example) the artistic resources are slow to respond and difficult to tap. Third, there can be a bothersome sense of lack that overcomes the player and exhibits itself in lowered energy and attitude.
The last symptom recently bit me. My worship team had several weeks during which the worship material was very familiar. I felt a restless hunger to stretch, but I was not finding a way to feed that hunger. I was complaining about the “creative muscle cramps” I was experiencing to my friend Dane, who was able to empathize with my position. Dane’s suggestion was simple and spot-on: find a way to be creative every single day. In other words, make sure you are constantly exercising your creative muscles so that, when they are needed, they respond appropriately. Also, keeping your creative juices flowing will ensure that your interpretations are fresh and energetic.
So, the first exercise in creativity is coming up with exercises for creativity! Here’s a short starter list:
- Use a looper to set up a basic chord progression. Play different bass lines to the loop or find lines to layer on top of the track.
- Take a song you know well and learn another part. Be able to play the vocal line or the lead line, for example.
- Play over a song with a completely different bass line – if the song is a slow ballad, try playing a sixteenth note pedal. For a fast song, play only in quarter note triplets.
- Find tracks without a bass line, whether a songwriter’s demo or a song that wasn’t recorded with bass, and create a part.
- Turn the sound off on your television and play along, interpreting the scenes on the screen. What does the basketball game sound like on bass? How about something from Animal Planet? Antiques Roadshow?
- Write a song that is inspired by a piece of visual art.
- Take inspiration from your reading or quiet time and interpret passages and verses on your bass.
Come up with your own exercises – the possibilities are endless! Flexing your creative muscles will keep them ready for action and will infuse your interpretative playing with new energy. You may even find that there are parts of the “same old song” with which you could do something different and, dare I say, be creative?
I would love to hear your stories of creativity and worship bass! Let me know if you’ve beaten creative apathy and what you did to do it. You can always reach me on Twitter (@sgregorybass) or in the Bass Musician Magazine Community!
Until next time, I hope that your bass playing is blessed and that you can bless others through your bass playing!
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
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This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
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Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
