christian bass players

[mcgraham]

Absolutely man! Plus the one! I totally get that learning theory can be boring to some (I find it fascinating and love it!), but those that insist they are better off without it... and won't be persuaded to the contrary... well I just tend to leave those guys well alone ... and just keep playing my ass off to show them it really does make you a better player. The proof is in the eating of the pudding after all!

Edited June 3, 2011 by mcgraham

[radansey]

[quote name='Ancient Mariner' post='1255266' date='Jun 3 2011, 11:53 AM']It also allows injection of things that make it fun - like doing a hymn reggae style or borrowing little quotes from well known songs and adding them into the backing.[/quote]

I often get the urge to play the 'Money' bass-line during the offertory hymn/song.

[radansey]

A couple of months ago, our MD moved us onto the dias from our previous position tucked away beside one of the pillars. Despite being in the 'open' so to speak, this has made me feel more like I am part of the worship team leading the service as I am taking a more prominent role.

Funnily enough, this has improved my playing immensly (from the positive comments from the MD and members of the congregation post service) and has given me a new perspective on worship in our church.

[mcgraham]

That's great news. No-one likes feeling shoved out of the way, even when playing at church!

I played at a church once where if there was even the hint of a headstock beyond a pillar that could be considered to 'distract' or 'obscure' just a fraction of the huge stain glass window at the back then we got complaints from more traditionalist congregation members. Bless them, and we did our utmost to oblige with a relatively small space - but if [i]that's [/i]what they're really fussed about then they're kind of missing the point.

[wulf]

QUOTE (Bottle @ Jun 3 2011, 08:06 AM)
Had a quick shuftie at the website. I think I'm free that weekend and I'm just up the road near Newmarket (plus have family in BSE), so would love to come. Need to run it past the other half, but I can't see it being a problem

You'd be welcome. It's all free and informal enough that I don't need exact numbers before the day so, if you can make it, just turn up (let me know though if you need any more information).

Cheers,

Wulf

[Bottle]

[quote name='wulf' post='1258102' date='Jun 6 2011, 09:41 AM']You'd be welcome. It's all free and informal enough that I don't need exact numbers before the day so, if you can make it, just turn up (let me know though if you need any more information).

Cheers,

Wulf[/quote]
Thanks Wulf

Will be there - have permission from the lovely lady (in fact she may well tag along!). Looking forward to meeting up with some other Christian bassists. Sounds like it'll be a great day.

HTH,
Ian

[wulf]

[quote name='Bottle' post='1258141' date='Jun 6 2011, 09:25 AM']Will be there - have permission from the lovely lady (in fact she may well tag along!). Looking forward to meeting up with some other Christian bassists. Sounds like it'll be a great day.[/quote]
Fantastic. Remember to bring some sandwiches - it's a bit of a distance to the nearest chippy, apparently. Still, at least that saves getting greasy fingers over people's gear!

Wulf

[NeilMorrell]

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1306408759' post='1245448']

QUOTE (gafbass02 @ May 25 2011, 07:32 PM)
Anyone else remember 'HeartBeat' and '65Dba' or is that just me?


I remember 65Dba, roadied for them at one point back before I gave up on religion (not knocking you guys, just wasn't for me)
Brussels Spaceship anyone? They were cool as.
[/quote]

I auditioned for something with Ray Goudie down in Malmsbury in the very early 90's - It was going out to Belgium but was at the time "Un-named". Is that Brussels Spaceship then?

[sk8]

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1306408759' post='1245448']
<!--quoteo(post=1244667:date=May 25 2011, 07:32 PM:name=gafbass02)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (gafbass02 @ May 25 2011, 07:32 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1244667"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Anyone else remember 'HeartBeat' and '65Dba' or is that just me?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I remember 65Dba, roadied for them at one point back before I gave up on religion (not knocking you guys, just wasn't for me) <img src="style_emoticons/default/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />
Brussels Spaceship anyone? They were cool as.
[/quote]

Brussels Spaceship, there is a blast from the past!

Seventh Angel and Detritus were my favourites

[sk8]

I should add i'm a christian bass player and play in my local Baptist church when i can. I just make up basslines from the chord charts. Very loose and very fun and have managed to include an envelope filter on a couple!

[algmusic]

When I used to go to church, I enjoyed making up new versions of existing songs or use other bands interpretation of songs

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAZd3mMeKBY[/media] (from 0:42) or from 1:00 (if you don't want the long intro)

I remember learning this.. tricky tune, but great on drums or bass

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8UPjitYVEQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8UPjitYVEQ[/url]

Edited October 14, 2011 by algmusic

[4 Strings]

I've been a Christian most my life now and have played in churches for almost as long.

The best training ground for playing by ear and predicting sequences was a Full Gospel Hall, the songs were started by the congregation, band strikes up immediately at wherever in the song it was started and whatever key. Learnt about levering off fifths to change key at the end of the verse to a key everyone could sing. Band was piano, C3 Hammond +Leslie(!) bass, guitar and drums, all really great musicians - except for the bass who was still learning. I played my Jaydee through the church Fender Bassman 4x10.

Anglican church now in a suburb so loads of musicians, 4 rotas in fact, but I'm the only bass player so I'm on most weeks. Usual Chris Tomlin and Hillsongs etc plus some hymns - bit more tricky but much better writing! Due to my Full Gospel training I'm the only one who doesn't have to shuffle sheets of music between songs. American Jazz Deluxe through the battered old church Trace 115 combo.

[Matt P]

gosh there are a few of us on here, i'm a Christian and play regularly at Heaton Baptist Church, i guess if i wasn't a Christian then i'd still be a guitarist, I only made the transition to bass because of that church, started there when I moved to newcastle for uni, and volunteered for an all-age service for electric guitar duties (which i'd done for many years at my old church), turned up to the practice with my custom super-strat and my marshall all valve 2x12, turned out that the bassist was actually a seriously good guitarist too (much better than me on guitar and bass), and within 5 minutes he had my guitar round his neck and i was holding his mex precision special, so come the sunday service everyone saw me with a bass and assumed that i was a bassist, i would get regualrly asked to play bass and would have to borrow a bass most weeks to play, i even made an "i am not a bassist" t-shirt, in the end i aquired an aria bass and then my yamaha rbx765a but i didn't consider myself a bassist till i bought my precision last year. we're lucky enough to have a nice rig owned by the church (donated by a old member who moved away), Trace Elliot gp11 ah250 with a peavey 4x10 and a modded behringer 1x15, sounds ace when it's cranked up,

i'd have to say that playing in a worship band really helps when it comes to seat of the pants playing, especially when the leader starts in the wrong key and you have to wing it.

Matt

[lojo]

why is it most modern worship songs have the basis of u2s with or without you in there somewhere ?

[4 Strings]

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1318773443' post='1406003']
why is it most modern worship songs have the basis of u2s with or without you in there somewhere ?
[/quote]

I know exactly what you mean, frustrating to the hilt when the next 'new' song is introduced with that exact chord sequence again.

There's some good stuff around too though, less of it but one thing we learn at church is to look at our blessings!

[lojo]

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1318799169' post='1406390']

I know exactly what you mean, frustrating to the hilt when the next 'new' song is introduced with that exact chord sequence again.

There's some good stuff around too though, less of it but one thing we learn at church is to look at our blessings![/quote]


Im not really complaining , in fact it makes it easier to busk, but im just wondering why that particular progression is used in modern worship songs, it does seem very dominant, almost like what the 12 bar is to blues

[originalfunkbrother]

[i]leader starts in the wrong key and you have to wing it.[/i]

Story of my life!

[algmusic]

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1318773443' post='1406003']
why is it most modern worship songs have the basis of u2s with or without you in there somewhere ?
[/quote]


You can blame the writers.. Sometimes bass hasn't really been thought about in the writing process, so it's becomes an afterthought. That's the only way that will happen

[mcgraham]

What I find amusing is how 'THE chord progression' is still being used even by those who insist they are being 'fresh' with the music.

G D Em C was used by hundreds of songs worldwide for decades (still is)... then a fresh new batch came out

Em C G D (e.g. Beechings' Awesome God).... which is the EXACT same progression but starting on the third chord... then a fresh new batch

C G Em D (e.g. Hillsong's Mighty to Save verse and most of the chorus) ... which is the same but starting on the final chord of the first progression... and now there's a new batch...

D Em C G (e.g. Tim Hughes's Jesus Saves) ... which is the same but starting on the second chord.

Loads of songs borrow from each of these sequences and you may note that each progression becomes quite popular around a certain time. Fortunately there are no more 'shifted' permutations left so there'll have to be some variation now.

[oldslapper]

Laziness, plain and simple, accepting whatever's offered.
Very frustrating.
When writers like Shearing, Porter, etc can write singable, memorable melodies with interesting chord changes and well thought out lyrics, but the church settles for cliche.
I stopped playing in church a while ago as I got frustrated with predictable chord changes and unimaginative lyrics.
Also for decades the UK church has invested in all sorts of campaigns and initiatives, but very little in training it's musicians.
Music is a high priority within services, but musicianship isn't.

Sorry to moan, but the church should be nurturing the most creative of environments.

[algmusic]

[quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1318846922' post='1406696']
Laziness, plain and simple, accepting whatever's offered.
Very frustrating.
When writers like Shearing, Porter, etc can write singable, memorable melodies with interesting chord changes and well thought out lyrics, but the church settles for cliche.
I stopped playing in church a while ago as I got frustrated with predictable chord changes and unimaginative lyrics.
Also for decades the UK church has invested in all sorts of campaigns and initiatives, but very little in training it's musicians.
Music is a high priority within services, but musicianship isn't.

Sorry to moan, but the church should be nurturing the most creative of environments.
[/quote]


As someone who used to got to church, I would agree and disagree with that. There are some churches would do play 'cliché', but there are many that don't. Also there are many pub bands that play the same old dribble week after week and don't write there own music.. There's good and bad.

Some of the people I have played over the years have worked, written, toured with some of the world's top artists and bands and it's where I learnt most of my trade and went pro. There's a big number of 'church' players that work as great musicians and writers.

So my reply, is Yes and No ;-)

[mcgraham]

[quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1318846922' post='1406696']Music is a high priority within services, but musicianship isn't.[/quote]

I agree with much of the rest of your post, yet I most strongly agree with this.

Taking a step back though, is the rest of the world any better? Sure there are pockets of players in the jazz or instrumental rock or classical regime who work incredibly hard for their craft (I count myself as one of them as that is the type of music I tend towards). They work hard because their art form is so incredibly demanding that they have to put in far more hours than those in other genres of music even to be able to handle the most basic of songs.

In contrast, what is the minimum level of skill required to play most other genres (mainstream secular, worship, or otherwise)? Relatively low. What happens when you get even slightly above the bare minimum level? You start to get noticed and praised... even though you still have a long way to go, you will be repeatedly rewarded (whether by verbal praise from others or financial gain or even just the opportunity to perform regularly) for being just slightly above the bare minimum. Thereby bypassing any perceived need to get better and thereby mitigating any likelihood of improvement. It's the path of least resistance, because you don't get much more praise (if any!) for being substantially better in any of these contexts.

To be controversial, what we need are more people (in and out of churches) who are willing to say 'you suck'. Because otherwise, if all we say is 'well done, you did a great job' regardless of how good they actually are, people won't be motivated to improve... and our musical standard will continue to fall away and devolve.

[/soapbox]

[oldslapper]

Really didn't mean to cause offence.
Just trying to be honest based on my own experiences.
I don't think I ever heard anyone actually challenge another musician about practicing their instrument, or studying songwriting craft.
Just smiling sweetly and saying nothing whilst their fellow musicians don't develop.
Ive toured and recorded with some wonderful players within the UK church scene, and most of them play outside of that scene professionally.
I just feel that theirs an imaginary glass ceiling that needs to be shattered through being honest, and helping one another provide a wider and fuller "pallette", if that makes sense.?
Probably doesn't....I need coffee.

[mcgraham]

Don't worry OS, I for one certainly wasn't offended. It's a difficult topic for those who've experienced it. It feels like you're talking to a brick wall with a smiley face painted on it sometimes.

[algmusic]

[quote name='oldslapper' timestamp='1318849220' post='1406732']
Really didn't mean to cause offence.
Just trying to be honest based on my own experiences.
I don't think I ever heard anyone actually challenge another musician about practicing their instrument, or studying songwriting craft.
Just smiling sweetly and saying nothing whilst their fellow musicians don't develop.
Ive toured and recorded with some wonderful players within the UK church scene, and most of them play outside of that scene professionally.
I just feel that theirs an imaginary glass ceiling that needs to be shattered through being honest, and helping one another provide a wider and fuller "pallette", if that makes sense.?
Probably doesn't....I need coffee.
[/quote]

Totally argee