Mykesbass Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) Saw the Temperance Movement last night, great gig, brilliant front man and every song had groove and feel to it. Bass player is probably better known around here from his work with Jamiroquai, and I must admit, I was a little surprised by his pedigree. What really stood out for me was just how much energy and drive he created without much physical effort - i.e. not digging in. Now I know this is good technique, but I've never mastered it. Having seen what Nick could do I think it is time to turn the amp up and give it another go! Edited February 25, 2018 by Mykesbass There may only be one f in Fulham, but there are 3 in Fyffe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) I play very lightly, I can play very fast too. It's just practice, ergonomics. I find that if you're 'digging in', then where can you go when you need to move up a gear? Edited February 20, 2018 by ambient 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) +1 for playing with a lighter touch. "Digging in" is not at all effective in any style of music I play. Edited February 20, 2018 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Digging in is a big part of how I play, however you can get a lot of those growlier sounds with a lighter touch if you use lighter strings and a lower action! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBP Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 3 hours ago, ambient said: I play very lightly, I can play very fast too. It's just practice, ergonomics. I find that if you're 'digging in', then where can you go when you need to move up a gear? It depends on what your playing, but I like to think I sit somewhere in the middle, so I can dig in or play lighter as appropriate, that's how dynamics work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I'm far too ham fisted, I think I've come to terms with that just being how it is now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
project_c Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I dig in hard on some notes, and lightly stroke the strings like a frail old lady on others. I like the contrast you get from combining the 2. Bit of compression helps to even it out. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Passinwind Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 3 hours ago, Mykesbass said: Saw the Temperance Movement last night, great gig, brilliant front man and every song had groove and feel to it. Bass player is probably better known around here from his work with Jamiroquai, and I must admit, I was a little surprised by his pedigree. What really stood out for me was just how much energy and drive he created without much physical effort - i.e. not digging in. Now I know this is good technique, but I've never mastered it. Having seen what Nick could do I think it is time to turn the amp up and give it another go! You might find it worthwhile to play around with a ramp, which makes digging in pretty much physically impossible. In my case it hardly made any difference though, since I've always played with an extremely light touch anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 hour ago, stingrayPete1977 said: I'm far too ham fisted, I think I've come to terms with that just being how it is now. That`s about it for me too. If I turn up louder and play lighter the sound just isn`t the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 39 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: That`s about it for me too. If I turn up louder and play lighter the sound just isn`t the same. That's what I always thought @Lozz196 but watching Nick last night made me realise that it can be done. I know I'm going to struggle, but really going to give it a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I can definitely be done, I just don't think I've got the desire to put the time in these days,lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 37 minutes ago, stingrayPete1977 said: I can definitely be done, I just don't think I've got the desire to put the time in these days,lol. Yes, know what you mean, but at nearly 54 I thought it was probably time I tried to get it right!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Ha I've got 14 more years of clanging and banging left then! :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutSpoon Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I'm definitely in the 'diggin' camp. Grew up listening to Geddy, Flea and Bill Gould... all my technique came from those guys... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammers Posted February 21, 2018 Share Posted February 21, 2018 I saw Temperance Movement a couple of years ago and it was probably the best live sound I’ve heard from a bass. P bass & Hofner into a Fender Bassman stack with a REDDI. Was studio like clarity! Nick is a fantastic musician though, plays to the song brilliantly! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 On 21/02/2018 at 08:42, Sammers said: P bass & Hofner into a Fender Bassman stack with a REDDI. I'd buy a REDDI today, but for the usual reason... And a Bassman stack, come to that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrtcat Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 Saw them last night in Birmingham. Excellent show and fabulous energy all round. Love the dynamics created by the two guitarists and their telecasters. Overall the sound was good but, as is often the way, the kick drum occupied such a big space that the bass wasn't quite as audible as I (as a bass player) would have liked. That said, what I could pick out was absolutely excellent and really enhanced the song. Probably my favourite band right now alongside Rival Sons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merton Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 On 20/02/2018 at 17:13, stingrayPete1977 said: I'm far too ham fisted, I think I've come to terms with that just being how it is now. Me too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 On 20/02/2018 at 18:32, Lozz196 said: That`s about it for me too. If I turn up louder and play lighter the sound just isn`t the same. On 20/02/2018 at 19:14, Mykesbass said: That's what I always thought @Lozz196 but watching Nick last night made me realise that it can be done. I know I'm going to struggle, but really going to give it a go. I`d love for it to work for me but I have tried and the aggressiveness and attack are lost. Being in a 3 piece street punk band, where my sound is somewhere between JJ Burnell, Duff McKagan & Lemmy the "strength of hit" is where it`s at. The only time I ever really found playing lighter to work was one band practice where it was so hot in the rehearsal room I couldn`t be fussed to play with my usual attack, so turned up louder/hit softer and admit that I really enjoyed it, but that was in a different band where it fitted far better. In all honesty I thought the tone was better too as a result, but again, different band, different needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted February 22, 2018 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I generally let the amp do the work but like to have a little bit of urge in reserve, so I tend towards a higher action at gigs in case I get a tad over-excited... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurhenry Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 On 2/20/2018 at 17:58, Passinwind said: You might find it worthwhile to play around with a ramp, which makes digging in pretty much physically impossible. In my case it hardly made any difference though, since I've always played with an extremely light touch anyway. Using a ramp, or raised pickup is what enables me to dig in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I mostly strike and fret very lightly; speed, dexterity and ease of execution are very important to what I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted February 23, 2018 Author Share Posted February 23, 2018 So, just back from first rehearsal since deciding to give this a go - and not too bad. Only got stuck in once and caught myself doing it so backed straight off again. Drummer thought I may have been just a touch too loud, but said feel and sound was fine, guitarist thought that the sound had more clarity (only using rehearsal studio's H&K combo), and to his ears, a less compressed sound. Going to chalk this one up as a success, but the real test will be when adrenaline kicks in at a gig! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldbass Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Its taken me decades to realise that a light but positive touch is actually more efficient and powerful than fingers a flailing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted February 23, 2018 Share Posted February 23, 2018 I had my first practice using a compressor and found I could play faster and with less effort, and there was not much benefit in "digging in". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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