I am 58 and have been playing bass since I was 15 and feel exactly like you. Never solo. Have no interest. No slapping. No pick. Just a good line that is crafted tightly to the drums. Well-placed notes. Simple and leaving space.
Did you not at least try it though? I find it odd that someone could try an instrument and not, at some point, explore the possibilities -- even through hearing different types of music. Slap doesn't necessarily have to be wild soloing, think about the chorus in Peg by Steely Dan -- amazing slap bassline, but it just adds to the music without being ostentatious.
Mac yeah, I can't stand playing the most simplistic lines because it just feels a little boring after a while. Not everything needs to be crazy fast and technical but other bassists should strive to do more than just 4 note walks from time to time ;p
Yes, complexity sometimes gets a bad rap (emotionless, wankery etc.), but there is a massive delineation between blatant mechanical "tricks" and someone pushing their ability to make something sound good. OP, I'm actually interested in hearing your view -- when you listen to a bassist like NHOP (the best ever as far as I'm concerned) do you not in some way think "wow, I would love to do that"? The stuff he did with Joe Pass back in the day was just insane.
Was a session bassist in the seventies for Casablanca and Capitol. KISS: Keep it simple stupid. Slapping has its limited place, but I can't stand the unpleasant metallic grating sound that comes with slapping; it sounds unmusical. And if you can't read music, you're missing a hell of a lot, more than someone who doesn't slap. If you can't read, a player is half a musician (unless of course you're one in a million).
mel obrien People who can’t read always put it off as unimportant but it is essential to understanding to getting a deeper understanding of rhythm and timing.
Damn, Joe! When I bought my first guitar from Riff City, I talked to you on the phone, and you told me you weren't 100% sure of some question I asked about the guitar, because "you were a bass player." Well, good on ya, because now we know that not only can you play bass, but you can sing, too. Makes me wish I worked at Riff City. ;-)
Love both my Ibanez and my Mule, and can't get over how great my Ampeg is. Seriously good stuff. Now, if I could only be "slappin' da bass" as good as Joe....
I don't think I would trade my VM 70s squier Jazz for any other! It's an amazing bass, no crazy special features, it does what it needs to perfectly and feels great. It also looks amazing, being natural maple ;p
I really empathize with Joe on this one. I love playing bass but I don't have any aspiration to become a virtuoso. I can slap a little bit, and tap a little bit, but I like using my pick or my fingers to create a foundation for others to play to.
The sound they were playing it´s so good, the kind of stuff a band can play all day long ...the instruments in my opinion there´s nothing better than a fender strat or a tele
That was a really good interview (terrible live band videography) and gave me an insight into who Joe is as a person. But did we ever get to find out what his three favorite basses were?
Liked the video overall but I don't see why a bassist necessarily needs to fade into the back. My guitarist plays simple chords and I'd rather have more interesting basslines. Also don't like pick vs. finger. Lots of great bassists on either side - depends what you're going for. Macca had a pick and Entwistle didn't - both sounded great.
More boring bass guitars.....wake me up when its over...!!! Applauding the extreme effort bass guitars need to get out of the shadow of a six string nation...
Bass guitars are useful for one purpose only and that's to provide a slot in a band for a bass player and nothing more. The bass guitar was never intended to be a solo instrument..
I am 58 and have been playing bass since I was 15 and feel exactly like you. Never solo. Have no interest. No slapping. No pick. Just a good line that is crafted tightly to the drums. Well-placed notes. Simple and leaving space.
Did you not at least try it though? I find it odd that someone could try an instrument and not, at some point, explore the possibilities -- even through hearing different types of music. Slap doesn't necessarily have to be wild soloing, think about the chorus in Peg by Steely Dan -- amazing slap bassline, but it just adds to the music without being ostentatious.
Mac yeah, I can't stand playing the most simplistic lines because it just feels a little boring after a while. Not everything needs to be crazy fast and technical but other bassists should strive to do more than just 4 note walks from time to time ;p
Yes, complexity sometimes gets a bad rap (emotionless, wankery etc.), but there is a massive delineation between blatant mechanical "tricks" and someone pushing their ability to make something sound good.
OP, I'm actually interested in hearing your view -- when you listen to a bassist like NHOP (the best ever as far as I'm concerned) do you not in some way think "wow, I would love to do that"? The stuff he did with Joe Pass back in the day was just insane.
Was a session bassist in the seventies for Casablanca and Capitol. KISS: Keep it simple stupid. Slapping has its limited place, but I can't stand the unpleasant metallic grating sound that comes with slapping; it sounds unmusical. And if you can't read music, you're missing a hell of a lot, more than someone who doesn't slap. If you can't read, a player is half a musician (unless of course you're one in a million).
mel obrien People who can’t read always put it off as unimportant but it is essential to understanding to getting a deeper understanding of rhythm and timing.
Top 3 bases... Only 2 bases in the video
I love joe's perspective. Exactly how I feel about the role of bass. Lock it down and get people moving!
Idea for andertons, least expensive music man vs most expensive sterling by music man
Riley IoAcura Most music mans usually cost a whole lot tho
Maxed out mm stingray vs sterling sub Ray 4
or just blind test between musicman, sub, and sterling
So a SUB vs a Sterling?
Sub rays use the same pre amps so they sound almost identical to music mans
I just discovered Uncle Riff is a bassist. I knew something was up with the guy. This explains it all.
It's great to see more of Joe. He seems like genuine good person as well as an entertaining character.
I legitimately could not agree more, I love the laidback feel of playing bass, it’s so relaxing to just pluck along.
Us bassists need more love from Rob
Why though? He's not a bass player
Cuz they wanna be Robbed
Pitty Robs not Russian, otherwise it would of been Hard Bass
Bassists usually don't deserve love... ;)
I'm hoping this NAMM will see the MLB-1 back
along with Dave's signature bass and a five string
Damn, Joe! When I bought my first guitar from Riff City, I talked to you on the phone, and you told me you weren't 100% sure of some question I asked about the guitar, because "you were a bass player." Well, good on ya, because now we know that not only can you play bass, but you can sing, too. Makes me wish I worked at Riff City. ;-)
Very insightful, a man after my own heart... and name apparently!
Played bass for 30 odd years and feel the exact same way, Bass solo's etc aren't for me, we are there to be the driving foundation. Great job Joe
This guy is cool. I enjoyed this video
This man understands my soul.
Always good to see Joe doing his thing.
Hey Joe. Seasons greetings from Wales. Much enjoy your style...great bass tone and attitude :D
It's great to hear other musicians aproach to their instruments. You can always learn something new
Uncle Riff can sing too :D
Do this again with your bassist Rob! I’d love to see the contrast in their stories
RUclips needs more Joe!! Awesome Rob!!
I would like to thank the person who overlays the questions on the video; Pick or Fingers Question Mark made me chuckle...😁
Met Joe
... he is a great guy and very genuine.
Hey, Joe! Great pipes! Bass players know how to groove for sure.
The bass is the glue that melds it all together. Took me a while to learn that...
Wonderful! More Joe
Love both my Ibanez and my Mule, and can't get over how great my Ampeg is. Seriously good stuff. Now, if I could only be "slappin' da bass" as good as Joe....
Bass wars: Joe vs. Dave!
I don't think I would trade my VM 70s squier Jazz for any other! It's an amazing bass, no crazy special features, it does what it needs to perfectly and feels great. It also looks amazing, being natural maple ;p
Joe, when is your band playing a show around the twin cities?
Joe is so cool, been playing guitar 30 years , think I’m going to try bass
Man,Joe has a Great Voice!!!
Lik your style man :D No-Nonsense!
My personal Top 3:
1. Fender Jazz Bass Special (87)
2. Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass.
3. Squier Jaguar VM Longscale.
Thank God you don’t play annoying jazz fusion bass!! I enjoyed listening to you & your band. Y’all sounded good!👍🏻
There is magic in the pocket. Few players ever get it.
Dave.
Omg and he can sing! Joe you are my hero.
I really empathize with Joe on this one. I love playing bass but I don't have any aspiration to become a virtuoso. I can slap a little bit, and tap a little bit, but I like using my pick or my fingers to create a foundation for others to play to.
what is that blue sparkly guitar above Joe's head? I want one!
Love a bit of CCR!
That Reverend bass sounds gorgeous.
I totally get Joe's bass philosophy. Very cool. But what are the three bass guitars?
The sound they were playing it´s so good, the kind of stuff a band can play all day long ...the instruments in my opinion there´s nothing better than a fender strat or a tele
Now we're cookin'!
(Also was that Dave playing at the end there? ^^)
Lasse Huhtala it must have been.
That was a really good interview (terrible live band videography) and gave me an insight into who Joe is as a person.
But did we ever get to find out what his three favorite basses were?
Every town in America has a guy that looks EXACTLY like that drummer.
What is that song Joe's band plays?
Joe Dargis green river by ccr
Mine are Thunderbird, Stingray and an active jazz bass
Song?
whats the song in the opening?
Dorje's US tour support band?...or could that be other way round ;)
Chappers, how many hours of videos did you record when you're in US? 😁
He doesn't need to be in US for this one.
I will be at riff city tomorrow, coming from Texas.
So... ummm... What are his three favorite basses? Music Man, Reverend, and Fender Jazz?
yeah wheres the 3rd bass ? G&L SB2 maybe ? (cover band sounds great Joe )
I dare you to 1v1 someone with bass guitars by using them as swords.
Name of the band?
Surprised you never mentioned RIckenbacker which is one of the all time greatest bass guitars in music history!
Liked the video overall but I don't see why a bassist necessarily needs to fade into the back. My guitarist plays simple chords and I'd rather have more interesting basslines. Also don't like pick vs. finger. Lots of great bassists on either side - depends what you're going for. Macca had a pick and Entwistle didn't - both sounded great.
When I think of bass I think of the thing that causes headbanging in a good metal song.
Headbanging in metal. Foot tapping in rock, country, and blues. Bass is the heart of all music. It translates, man
The jazzbass is just an iconic bass basSically
Ay 😂😂😂😂
0:29 For MEEEEEEE, I just feel, ya know
Typo @3:46 "inpsire"
thanks. my day is better now.
Come to pittsburgh !
the main thing is you are having fun bud
Blindfold Challenge: EVH 5150, Mesa Dual Rectifier, Marshall JVM and diezel VH4
My three would be a Stingray, some kind of PJ bass like a Spector and a Ricky.
Godin Shifter 4.
Bass videos with Dave and Joe
ROBERT
More boring bass guitars.....wake me up when its over...!!! Applauding the extreme effort bass guitars need to get out of the shadow of a six string nation...
Terrance Hill back to the bitch fiddle with you
Bass guitars are useful for one purpose only and that's to provide a slot in a band for a bass player and nothing more. The bass guitar was never intended to be a solo instrument..
Fender style bass.....boring!
First