Prayer for Bassists..... Always in the Pocket of the Groove.....

[Sparky Kronkite]

I've been spanking the plank more and more lately - playing the bass. I hang out with some smokin' players who teach me all the latest Jaco'esk - thumbing, popping and slapping. One of them sent me this today.

The Lord is my drummer; I shall not rush.
He maketh me to lay out in tasteful places;
He leadeth me beside cool meter changes;
He restoreth my "one".
He leadeth me in the right repeats
For his name's sake.

Yea, though I read through the trickiest road maps,
I will fear no train wrecks;
For You are with it;
Your ride and Your snare, they comfort me.

You setteth up a solo for me
In the presense of mine guitarist;
You annointeth my lines with drive;
My groove overflows.

Surely good feel and swing will follow me
All the tunes of each set;
And I will dwell in the pocket
The whole gig long.

 

[Markov Cain]

Was that a Flea flicker of a tune?

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

I don't think so.....

Flea is great! Self taught and plays really strange - mostly with his big thumb. He's a hammerin' dude. He amazes me but, but, but......

I like to use the entire arsenal of fingers God gave me - and my thumb - I've been working on a single string, all finger "and thumb" roll - kind of Flamingo-like. I have not seen or heard of any other bassists doing this.

And I just have to be different - now don't I?

 

[Markov Cain]

Don't know. Play Clarinet and Piano. Former good, the latter can make Jerry Lee Lewis cringe. Hell my two-year old is almost better than I am on the piano. Her banging and singing is much more melodic.

But I certainly use more fingers than she does. She just adds toes to keep up!

Can hit the very highest octaves on the Clarinet, but I must take a 6 reed and trim it down to get it stiff enough. I have a very strong umbature, which my wife appreciates!

 

[Sparky Kronkite]

Just glad you don't practice.....

the skin flute.

 

[Markov Cain]

I prefer to be drumming backside...