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Finding Your Own Voice Stealing Ideas by Jimi Durso
Finding Your Own Voice Stealing Ideas by Jimi Durso…
A phrase I commonly use with students is: “Don’t steal the lick, steal the idea”. Just like the saying about teaching a man to fish, if you steal a lick you have one new lick, but if you steal and idea you can generate dozens of licks from that.
To expand your mind into this concept, let’s use the example of the “one drop”. A term I’ve heard in reggae and ska, “one drop” refers to a bassline that doesn’t play the downbeat. A classic example of the “one drop” is presented in Example 1 – Sting’s Bass part on Roxanne:
Very simple (notice he just plays the root note of each chord) yet very effective. With the guitar chunking out staccato quarter notes and the drums playing just high hat and kick, this bass part is like a punch in the chest, and the syncopation makes it more so. (I heard an interview with Andy Summers who said that Sting originally conceived of the song as a bossa nova, and it was actually Stewart Copeland who came up with the arrangement and bassline)… Just two notes, coming in on the “and of one” and then landing on the “two”, implying the backbeat. It’s as if since the guitar is rhythmically filling the role of the bass, the bass is taking the role of the snare drum. It’s also hip that for the final chord the whole band anticipates it, creating a contrast to the delayed bass notes that make up the rest of the line.
The second example is about as far away from reggae as you can get: “Sgt. Baker” from Les Claypool and Primus.
Like the other two, this one also accents the “two”, but Claypool also comes down hard on “three”. In fact, Claypool plays every strong beat except the “one”. Another wonderful aspect of this line is that it outlines a B7 chord, but doesn’t accent the root. He blasts through the root (on the “a of one”, one of the weakest points in the measure) on the way to accenting the third. So not only is he de-emphasizing the “one” rhythmically, but also harmonically.
The final example is a song of mine that I’m going to be recording with Coincidence Machine (you can hear the demo at www.JimiDurso.com, it’s called “No One There”).
Like the Sting line, it’s fairly primitive technically and melodically. Since the groove is so heavy, and the drums and guitar so downbeat oriented, using a “one drop” approach not only provides more syncopation, but also gives the bass more of a presence in the riff. Rather than doubling the guitar (which is perfectly appropriate in some contexts) having the bass play in the space left by the guitar makes its function more crucial to the sound of the riff… Sort of a call-and-response kind of thing.
So try the “one drop” in any music you’re currently playing, or write some songs that incorporate it. Or, better yet, take any bass line you really dig and tease out an idea that’s behind it, and make up some lines off of that. By stealing from the riffs that grab your ear, you’ll be delving more into your own musical personality and thus creating your own voice.
www.JimiDurso.com
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
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Bassist Graham Stanush…
Return to Dust is keeping Grunge alive and well! They have a new self-titled album that went out on May 3rd, 2024 and will be super busy promoting this project in the near future.
Graham Stanush is the bass powerhouse driving their sound and adding vocals to the mix. Join me as we hear all about Graham’s musical journey, details about the new album, how he gets his sound and their plans for the future.
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linktr.ee/returntodust
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Bass Videos
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
CrystalBright Rombo Picks
PR SamplePlaying bass with a pick is still a touchy subject in our community. I believe you should be able to use whatever you need to get your sound. Even though I mostly play with my fingers, I like to check out innovative new picks that might have something new to offer, sonically speaking.
Judith and Carlos from Rombo recently contacted me about a new material called CrystalBright that they have been researching for the last 12 months and offered to send some prototype picks. After trying them out, I put together this video with my findings.
For more info check out @rombopicks
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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
New Joe Dart Bass From Sterling By Music Man
Sterling by Music Man introduces the Joe Dart Artist Series Bass (“Joe Dart”), named after and designed in collaboration with the celebrated Vulfpeck bassist.
Above photo credit: JORDAN THIBEAUX
This highly-anticipated model marks the debut of the Dart bass in the Sterling by Music Man lineup, paying homage to the Ernie Ball Music Man original that all funk players know and love. The bass embodies many of the original model’s distinctive features, from its iconic minimalist design to the passive electronics.
The design process prioritized reliability, playability, and accessibility at the forefront. Constructed from the timeless Sterling body, the Dart features a slightly smaller neck profile, offering a clean tone within a comfortable package. The body is crafted from soft maple wood for clarity and warmth while the natural finish emphasizes the simple yet unique look.
Engineered for straightforward performance, this passive bass features a ceramic humbucking bridge pickup and a single ‘toaster’ knob for volume control. Reliable with a classic tone, it’s perfect for playing in the pocket. The Dart is strung with the all-new Ernie Ball Stainless Steel Flatwound Electric Bass Strings for the smoothest feel and a mellow sound.
The Sterling by Music Man Joe Dart Bass is a special “Timed Edition” release, exclusively available for order on the Sterling by Music Man website for just one month. Each bass is made to order, with the window closing on May 31st and shipping starting in November. A dedicated countdown timer will indicate the remaining time for purchase on the product page. Additionally, the back of the headstock will be marked with a “2024 Crop” stamp to commemorate the harvest year for this special, one-of-a-kind release.
The Joe Dart Bass is priced at $399.99 (MAP) and can be ordered globally at https://sterlingbymusicman.com/products/joe-dart.
To learn more about Joe Dart, visit the official Vulfpeck artist site here https://www.vulfpeck.com/.
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
Preparing for Performance with Dr. Randy Kertz
Interview With Bassist Erick “Jesus” Coomes
