Sting - Bass Players You Should Know. Ep.4
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- Back in the mid-70s, The Police, formed the most popular trio since the Jimi Hendrix Experience, with Sting grounding chart-topping hits like Roxanne, Walking on the Moon and Message in a Bottle.
He is a legendary singer, songwriter and bandleader - but is he a great bassist?
In this video I lift the lid on Sting's super stardom with The Police, his unbelievable solo career, his vintage P-Bass and his awesome ‘less is more’ approach.
As always, see you in the shed…
Scott :)
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My favorite bassists are not the most technically proficient ones necessarily, but the most imaginative ones; for me it's not about how they play but WHAT they play. Players like Sting, Tony Levin, Colin Moulding, Geddy Lee, John Entwistle, Paul McCartney, Bootsy (and so many others)...all expert players but I've ALWAYS liked them for what they chose to play.
Carlos Dengler 🙌
Tony Levin is incredibly technically proficient isnt he? He's been playing jazz for decades along with prog and pop artists. Check his work with Steps Ahead for instance.
Colin Moulding is criminally underrated.
Sting is an incredibly smart bass player. His use of counterpoint is fantastic, and he sings on top of that which is just crazy since the vocal and bass accents and melodies in a lot of the Police stuff are SO independent of each other. I love his songwriting philosophy of being the bass player and singer too, he mentions it's like he has the final say on every chord the band makes since he takes the top and bottom. He's a very thoughtful player. He doesn't do things on accident or add filler notes to beat his chest.
Nani Bakana Agree, he knows how to use rests, unlike a lot of advanced players who feel compelled to fill every beat with multiple notes
Your comment is just like an introduction for pro bass lessons. I’m agree with all of your letters.
I came here to say what you said but you got there before me and worded it far better than I could have. 😸
@Simon Simon i know how hard it is... I had frustrated myself and forgotten that exercise.... You reminded me again... Gotta hit the shed and practice.
Btw is the drummer Thomas Lang?
I play bass, but I've never been able to sing at the same time. That just astounds me.
I think I a big part of what makes his bass lines unique is the way he often does call and response type bass lives with his vocals. They are often simple while he sings and then more melodic between vocal phrases.
Understated, effective lines, the right space in the right place.
Message In A Bottle was the first bass song I learned from the a Police- I still play it to this day in 2020!!!
I've always been a big Sting fan. His tone is incredible. He always just sounds so damn good!
Yeah, he’s damn good
After reading some of the commentary, - from musical genius to very average bass player, what Sting does on the instrument just works him. His longevity, risk taking and interpretation of different styles of music speaks volumes as far as his talent goes. Love him or loathe him, he is an important artist for our times.
Phil Lynott would a be cool. He's definitely underrated
He wasnt a great bass player but, he was a great artist so understand this is a channel about bass. He did have a couple good lines though. If anyone's gonna respond dont waste your time I'm stating facts. You can cry scream and shout about your opinion. The bass was basic and played in a rhythmn guitar manner works great in rock n roll. Sometimes all you can do. But the dead are always immortalized arent they. Why not recognize all the other greats that are still alive Steve Digiorgio, David Ellefson, Duff Mckagan many others just giving big names those are real bass players who gave their lives to play bass specifically and made great music they should be recognized over someone that's immortalized for their lifestyle and death. The dead cant hear but the living can. Everything is for a moment on earth like it or not but it's a piece in eternity that wont repeat and that's why its special. I saw Lemmys rickenbacker and I never knew what a bass was till I saw him and I was like I wanna play that so I understand it's not just technique but also impact creativity all of that. But we tend to idolize dead people and I think that's sad because people who live usually dont get respect. Live fast die young and leave a beautiful corpse so that you have a beautiful picture for idolization I guess right. They gave him a pretty big statue look it up. You all have a good day. I have unpopular perspectives dont mind me. Once you actually learn to play and examine others and you stop idolizing everyone you notice you can do the same thing. It's just experience and knowledge. Basically the sum of life. We all have something great to remember and just not when we die young. Seems to be a reaccurring curse though.
It's kind of hard to be a great singer and bassist at the same time .
@@ixa-3140 lmao go watch cover of boys are back in town
@@billfraser1491 I dont get what's funny I will assume its because your trying to say it's hard and that's why I should watch the cover. As I could see no other reason why you would laugh and say to watch a cover. As though I'm incorrect that it's a simple bass playing. If that's why your saying it your not quite all there. Like I would speak something I dont know about nah I'm not like that its very simple and effective. I already know how to play the song actually great artist but definitely not someone to look up to in the bass category. That's not the level of bass playing you should aim for. Theres a difference between someone who's a great muscian who makes great songs and a great bass player. He was a good bass player you missed the whole point. Hes not someone that should be looked up to in terms of playing. I can tell you it sure wasnt great bass playing that hes remembered for. Hes remembered for being a great artist overall being able to create beautiful songs, his lifestyle and tragic death. You love Johhny cash based of your channel perfect example great artist not a great guitar player. Nothing but cowboy chords but it's a great style. Although that's not what most people aim for not that basic level. When a kid says I wanna play guitar its usually because of people like Slash, Dave Mustaine, Jimmy page those are inspirations in guitar playing.People like Johhny and Phil are gifted in many ways that make them great. But most have 1 thing they develop and some have it all. I listen to Thin Lizzy all the time one of the greatest bands of all time. But theres a separation to be made if you wanna get closer to that mastering of the bass.
@@aironnoles5588 Yes it is. Great muscian to be able to do all he did.
STING absolutely is one of the real genius' of my generation. If you doubt me, listen to 'the last ship'... still a gifted talent after all these years.
BTW it was David Sancious on keys for Ten Summoners Tales and you missed out the exceptional Mercury Falling album and the pretty good Brand New Day.
Stings bass lines are perfect.
Killer bass player, killer vocals and killer song writer.
I always say the same: Stanley Clark is the reason I play bass, but The Police is the reason I play music. When I was a kid I thought that Sting was the coolest guy in the world and I wanted to be like him.
Haha, I was the same. Been playing for 30 years now because of Sting.
If you want to get some insight into how crazy good Sting is, try playing the bass line from "Love Is Stronger Than Justice" in 7/4 while singing lead vocal at the same time.
Or Seven days
Or man in a suitcase
Walking on the Moon was the first bass bit I learned. So simple, but so cool.
🧡🧡🧡
Still love the bass line for "Spirits in the Material World". Simple but harder than you would think. A completely distilled to the essence bass line.
It's amazing the catalog of great music the police and Sting have produced very unique and unmistakable
A bit disappointed that you did not put more emphasis on his bass playing ...
Yea, that's the reason i clicked on the vid in the first place (and others too)smh...
Probably because his bass playing was nothing to write home about.
King of Pain is a masterpiece on the bass...
Sting‘s bass playing is solid, but his outstanding talents are songwriting, singing, composition, arranging, performing, producing, networking and exploring. Insofar I am not disappointed, but IKWYM.
My thoughts exactly! I don’t get the point of this in respect of bass playing.
Some of his bass lines are deceptively difficult, especially to sing against. He crafted many lines that were contrapuntal. For example, try playing the bass lines to, "Spirits in the Material World" while singing it. Go on, I dare you.
Sting has great separation. The difference between the vocal rhythm and bass rhythm on "Message in A Bottle", "Roxanne" and "Walking on The Moon" are stark. It is hard enough to play those bass-lines precisely; never mind that he sings perfectly at the same time. Sting can groove.
His "Less is more" , a rest can be worth a 100 notes approach is for all bassist's to discover.
Wasn't there some quote from Miles Davis saying something to the effect that the space in between the notes is just as important as the notes themselves?
@@p.t.mchaineyman3235 I haven't heard it, but i'd beleive as any good to great musician would know that. Miles was certainly HOF caliber. Although i'm not worthy to tune Stings bass or polish Miless horn, i know it. And i suck in comparison to good.ones.
Amen.
Hey Scott, I love your channel. Very informative!
Do some Female Bass Players in the "Players You Should Know" Series!
Thank You!
🧜🏾♂️
Kim Gordon
Anyone who can sing and play bass at the same time is a hero to me.
Seen him at Sandalford Wines in Perth, West Australia in January 2011 as part of the Symphonicities Tour.
Outstanding.
You need to do one of these on Chris Squire ... He was an exceptional talent.
One of my favourite musicians, I've always felt he's underestimated as a bassist
@@TJ-Dives I said his bass skills are underestimated, not him as an artist. I don't know what you're on about boomer
@@TJ-Dives calm down troll
@@TJ-Dives Take your meds, boomer.
T J Boomer approaching.
The thumb give a real richness to the trickery of Coplands amazing fills and don't forget Andy Summers always plays a ghost bass line on his beloved strat and tele
What makes Sting a great bass player? The fact that he's one of best songwriters and singers of his generation. Anything he does on bass is in service of that.
Sting, one of great musician that makes me be a bass player.
Sting, like Paul McCartney, is the bass player who, unlike Scott, sees bass playing -never from it's technical aspect.
Interesting if @Scott would like to interview him. Or has he? :))
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy these videos but I feel like the direction of this series is kinda misguided. I'd much rather hear about the intricacies of the artists playing style than being read their discography and shown small clips of live performances
Agreed
Can't say I'm a Sting fan but there is no denying his talent.
For me it depends on the era. He's had some really good material, especially with The Police and some of his solo work, and some that just feels really tepid.
Well.. uvdo bettet?
crimfan it’s mainly his lyrics that have become tepid. But it’s the same for most pop/rock artists aged over 40
@@qwargy The music sounds kind of tepid, too, in my view. He still writes really good melodies, though.
crimfan True, I reckon he should have stopped trying to be a rock star after 50 and just focussed on instrumental music. But, he couldn’t let go of that persona
You made me REALLY curious to hear more from Sting’s work! Thanks for the great content, Scott! Cheers from Brazil!
Played to an audience of 6? Hell, that's a packed house compared to some gigs I've played...our only audience was the bar tender.
been there...done that..LMAO!!
I’m fairly sure that wasn’t the Police first UK television debut. This is an incredible performance on television from 1978... ruclips.net/video/sQb29dIHAas/видео.html
I’m not sure why Sting is often described as a basic or simple bass player. After 25 years of playing bass professionally I find that I appreciate him more and more. Most instrumentalist know that playing simply or the appearance of playing simply is usually anything but simple. Often what comes across as good or fancy bass playing is quite the opposite. Remember that the function of the bass is the first priority and Sting’s baselines always make the songs work. His feel is always happening and his pocket is relaxed and deep. Some of his pick playing across the strings is very fast yet punchy and precise. He plays with effortless authority, there is no question where he wants the harmony to go or where he is on the beat. And beyond all that, he has a very recognizable sound and style. He is not a good bass player, he is a great bass player. Over the years he has developed a fingerpicking style that helps him create some rather unorthodox lines that sound smooth and add very subtle harmonic underpinnings and rhythmic twists. Legend.
Nice story about Sting but I would have liked to hear more about his bass lines, his bass playing and how they fit into the songs that he's famous or even unfamous for
yes, disappointing. just the usual wikipedia article regurgitation
A mark king must know bass player would be cool
0:20 and the 2017 Polar music prize (the Nobel of music awards).
Saw the reunion tour at Ericsson Globe (Stockholm), a snarky music reviewer who didn’t even know Stewards name called him “the drummer with goalkeeper gloves”… for me it was a concert of a lifetime, I thought the chances of seeing The Police live would be like asking to see The Beatles live.
Hats off to anyone who can play bass and sing. I'd like to see one on Paul Simonon
Please do Geezer Butler
vengenzinchains not sure if I'm up for seeing Scott do Geezer :}
@Airik Luna what?
Yes absolutely Geezer
Geezer would be cool
Hear, HEAR!
I transcribed almost all of Colauita’s parts in Ten Summoner’s when I was a kid to the “T” I literally wore that Cd out! Stings song writing skills is undeniable though wether you like him or not.
Mick Karn (R.I.P) was the most revolutionary bass player of the 1980's. A fretless player and a contemporary of Pino Palladino, but few people have heard of him.
Totally!
Japan? Maybe the bass players who get noticed are the ones who sing? Peter Cetera, Larry Graham, Mark King, Richard Page, Esperanza Spalding, Sting, McCartney. Then people like Stanley Clarke get noticed because they create their own music as well perhaps.
I'd love to see Paul McCartney, John Entwhistle and John Paul Jones
Jonas
Yes... yes and yes.💪👍
John Entwhistle, definetly yes
Great profile Scott, I would have mentioned “Brand New Day”, and maybe a snippet of bass, double bass double tracking he did a lot. Thanks for these profiles, my votes for next ones are: Mark King, Tina Weymouth, Aussie bloke by the name of Roger McLachlan.
In the booklet of the "Message In A Box" CD- box they say that it was one day when they were to play a huge stadium gig - 60 000 - when they realised that this is it. It won't get any bigger than it is now. Also the the tensions within the band were growing too much to handle. Sting also had no interest anymore to write for the band. They intended to record an album 1986 but the plan fell flat on its face due to arguing. They did a new versions of "Don't Stand So Close To Me" and "De Do Do..." As Andy Summers puts it, he did the guitar parts in the first day. Three weeks was Sting and Stewart Copeland arguing whether the Synclavier or Fairlight was better, wasting three weeks writing abusive letters to each other.
That was SUCH a good synopsis and breakdown of an artist
Really appreciated and thankyou!
He's not technically fast or whatever, but he's spot on in every other regard - rhythm, feel, sense of timing, melodic, both laid back and abrasive when need, and at the same time. And his bass lines are so fun to play. He's one of my biggest influences as a bass player.
That upright in Every Breath You Take.
May not be a popular choice but I’d love to see you do a video on Michael Anthony. 1) I think he is an underrated bass player and 2) I think it would be interesting to explore how a bass player works within a band with such an iconic guitar player.
VERY cool little doc piece, man 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
David Sancious was the keyboardist on Ten Summoners Tales
My playing bassically started with the police complete box set and police complete book. First song? "Too Much Information" if your a new player its four notes going round and round you can just groove on.
He can turn up the heat a little higher in lines like "Dead End Job", always with that great tone but when it comes to an iconic line...
"Walking on the Moon"
The guv.
😉
Ten Summoners Tales is a brilliant album
One of the most underrated bassist, ever, is Tony Kanal from No Doubt.
No doubt.
Could you make a video about some reggae bass players I would appreciate it :)
The Police played in a small cafe about 20 mins away from where i live in 1977. They got a bad review, and this particular show was marketed as a punk-show! I read that at the time, they had one single out and Andy Summers hadn't yet joined the band
Yes sure, but such a pity there's no demonstration or focus on Sting's bass playing technique, tone and so forth ...which is the very point of making a video like this for that matter
Wow.
A lot of work went into this video that covered his career and displayed his vocals.
20 seconds info on what makes his bass playing special and no clips.
I’ll leave my comment incomplete withou
Everyone keeps ignoring the last ship :(
His early work on a fretless with pick was particularly great on the Ghost record. Hats off to the King of Pain.
You've got to cover Chris Squire.
Always been a fan of the Police and Sting. You missed one of his biggest acting roles in Dune. Enjoyed the video thanks.
Ten summoners tales has David Sanctious on Keys.
That is by far his best solo album. It's the smooth use of odd times thanks to Coliauta which sells all of those songs.
Tom Luongo totally agree, that album is incredible.. brings back so many memories
Yup. Kenny Kirkland did the tour, but David Sancious played on the album.
So how about Chris Squire
Sting is my man always....
Thanks for this, but could you go into detail about his basslines?? Like give a few examples and show how he does them? That would be interesting.
Please do John Wetton, Chris Squire, Jeff Berlin, Nick Beggs, and John Taylor! These are my favorites!
I've had the good fortune to play a few Police songs on bass and yes, they aren't too complex, but they aren't easy to play well, with the feel of the original. He's always had great bass hooks that grab and pull you into the song. In fact, the Police have the blokes like that.
He also performed "Fragile" with Yo-Yo Ma during the 2002 Olympics in SLC, Utah…
He's a really good vocalist, too.
Really well put together short doc! More!😅🎉
🧡🧡🧡
Stings bass lines are perfect.
Unfortunately this episode focuses on Sting as an artist and composer, but not as a bassist. I can't benefit anything regarding bass from this video, or bassist 🤷♂️🤷♂️ :/
I'm thinking you should do Colin Moulding from XTC at some point.
Great call!
So back when I was a kid, a long time ago, I thought Sting could do no wrong. He’s a great songwriter, perfect lead vocalist, knew his theory well enough, and could write and play some cool bass parts, but the older he got, he didn’t try very hard on bass. Not that he cares about my opinion, and personally, I’m generally a finger bass player, some slap and rarely a pick player, but Jeebus, when he abandoned the pick for that lazy thumb pedaling his writing took a nose dive. The last thing he was truly creative on was bits of Nothing Like the Sun.
Sometimes even greatness needs like minded greatness to maximize their potential: Sting needed Stewart, Andy too, but He and Andy seemed less volatile than he and Stewart.
He was never better than the early Police when the three of them created something unique and special
Sting (Police-era) was the reason I bought a bass. Would love for you to do a video on James Jamerson!
anybody who comments here and knocks Sting is just hopeless....go listen!
Thank you for doing this series
I also relate constubler summers a very unic stylish musician , very playabel.
Ok I’ll make the obligatory call for the next bassist you choose to cover as JJ Burnel 😄👍
@Langelier Fabrice Not when they are a ninth dan martial arts expert and ex Hell's Angel!
Amazing career, musicianship, incredible song writer. Awesome life! My first attendance to a live concert when he released "The Soul Cages" ... Ten Summoner's Tales" with the unbelievable Vinnie Colaiuta on drums one of my favorite albums of all time. Wish I could create half of what he's done ...
Sting rules man!
Thanks for this short video Scott.
lml lml
His lines are simple, but smart, and it’s all in service of his songwriting, which is what it should be. He also throws at least one bass hook in every tune - a run or a rhythmic thing - just to see if the bass players are paying attention.
When I started off in ska bands, I ripped of Police lines, cuz they were learnable and rock solid. I recently revamped my whole right hand technique to this T,1,2,3 classical guitar inspired thing, and then I saw a video of Sting and realized that’s kind of what he is doing now - so full circle.
And Rutger Gunnarsson of Abba would be worth of some kind of honorable mention... He is one of those great unsung heroes. And he was not only a great bass player, but wrote some of the great arrangements on Abba songs.
Yes!!
Recommendations
Greg Lake
Victor Wooten
James Jamerson
Roger Waters
Scott has done an interview with Victor Wooten. It's very good.
also Geddy Lee, Chris Squire
Please do Jack Bruce next!
I think they gone do a video on the White Stripes bassist before you could have one on Jack Bruce 😒.
I would like to learn more about how Sting uses his thumb.
My guess is he simply uses more of the fleshy thumb and not just the bone side that gives you the cool muted sound (softer than a pick but similar), so something similar to the Wailer's bassist or Robbie Shakespeare ruclips.net/video/bWlQXunQXlo/видео.html Anyway, something to practice cause his tone is great! I tried to fully enjoy a Sting live show 2 years ago but sadly most of the listeners were actually viewers and were taking annoying photos all the time :) Please ban cameras, phones and open eyes at concerts (eyes open only if you want to understand a musician's tecnique!!!)
Ask Trudy.
Tantrically I would imagine.
@@ReneAlexisPenalozaMunoz ...I see what you did there...! :-D
@@DavideDondiMusic Yep, my guess too... I do the same thing, along with some palm muting, when I want that thuddy and softer sound but I still have to switch back and forth with a "normal" sound.
Scott, It'll be amazing if you can do a video explaining his right hand technique and the way he use the Boss Octaver
So, in short, he's too famous of a bassist not to do an episode on him, but you can't say anything about his bass playing beyond 'playing roots, giving space to the actual geniuses around him'. Come on mate, he might be a passable songwriter and he does have a very distinct voice, but even Paul McCartney is rolling his eyes watching this.
Sting is incredible!
Two things in response Scotty. Firstly he sings and plays at the same time, something that I respect and admire in any bass player, as I find it quite difficult. However, you asked if he was a good bass player in an Email for this vid but you don't reflect on his modern day use of just the thumb.
I hate the half-assed use of eighth note pedaling with his thumb. Everyone else tries to grow as a musician, and he stopped trying
Agreed. He also got the title of Sting's last studio album wrong too. For the record and because Scott can't be arsed to tell you, the finger/thumb style is called APOYANDO and is derived from Latin American guitar music.
I would like to see one of the coolest, Mario Cipollina from Huey Lewis and the News
Pretty cool. I would have liked to see you break down a few of his riffs.
Thank you for this beautiful, although a little short, documentary on Sting's activity over the years.
Always loved Sting's songs, they were so inspiring to me when I was young. His bass lines are pretty unique in contemporary music, difficult not to recognize them.
Nevertheless, very little has been said about his bass technique, which is undeniably unique as well. I don't know if his sound is just the result of his undestructible P-bass or if it's more about his way of touching the bass strings.
In many of his songs, performing live, he plucks the strings just with his right thumb, and still manages to get a rich, full sound with apparently the slightest effort.
Are there any technical videos describing this technique in detail? Does he use a compressor or is the bass sound simply a result of the best amplifier setting?
Agree should have been more on his bass style, less on his career. Sting's bass playing appears effortless and simple. His rhythmic feel is impeccable, he plays with great economy. Lines are perfect for the song. He's fluent on fretless and upright. His use of the thumb, both right and left, deserves comment. Finally, his tremendous ability to combine superb vocals with flawless playing in live performances is unmatched. The live recordings on RUclips of Ten Summoners Tales is a real treat.
Chris Squire please!!!!!!!!!!!
Even if older...Squire was very fond of Sting too ..Fantastic great bass lines, roundabout, Heart of the sunrise, long distance and all 90125...superb!!
Yes. Do one on the Fish!
Mr. Tony Levin next please :)
Great video doc on Sting,succinct,informed,articulate and interesting,Thanks mate.
I could talk about how much I admire Sting as a bassist, songwriter and human being, how he is probably the most intelligent pop songwriter out there, that really writes beautiful melodies in modes (Rick Beato just did a fantastic video on that), and a great lyricist, but after mentioning Quadrophenia, the only thing I can say about him is: BELL BOY!
I keep getting flashbacks to Jazz Club
Great video.
Definitely a talented man.💪👍
Awesome Scott!
Have you done anything on the studio giants? Like Donald Duck Dunn, Carol Kaye, Nathan East, James Jamerson, Abraham Laboriel, etc.
I must say STING is one of the greatest bass player,In all his songs in the ability to bring the focal point of the bass without all that fuzzy lines.Try to listen to SHADOW IN THE RAIN IN ZENYATTA. Well the whole album is great plus GHOST IN THE MACHINE If you notice alot people dont like the police as a rock band is because there's no hard notes on guitar only bass and drum players like or love the police,sorry I'm not taking away what Andy has done as he mentioned once he hasn't master it he has EXPLORED IT is every different I have notice this when I speak with musicians that plays guitar and listen to rock music and even though they listen to jazz or anything else for some odd reason their focus on one thing.persons like you and other really notice how great THE POLICE ARE and I have follow sting solo career and love it.thank you for posting but you should of put more of the others songs then his commercial ones.
What was the point of this video? Just to tell us how famous Sting is?