WARWICK'S Bass Survival 101 Lesson 14: Answering Your FAQ's

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Time to Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions Let me start off by thanking all of you for making Bass Survival 101 so successful. With your help, the Warwick website averages 8,000 hits an hour, and has done so for quite some time now! You guys are awesome and I thought the most appropriate lesson I can post now is to answer your most commonly asked questions. So, without further ado, here they are!

Q: Do you have any exercises to improve my speed when slapping?
A: By far, this is the question I get asked the most, and it is a good one. It may seem like a contradiction, but the best way to develop your speed is to practice very slowly. Speed is a byproduct of perfect mechanics. If you cannot play a slap groove perfectly at slow tempos, you will never be able to play it fast. Also, by playing very slowly you have time to focus on the small details of your techniques, looking for inconsistencies and weaknesses. As you begin to get comfortable with your slap technique at slow tempos, slowly increase the tempo, always focusing on your technique. A drum machine or metronome will help you with this process.

There is one warning about speed, though. Just like too much salt will ruin a meal, too much speed will destroy your band's groove. As I wander around the NAMM shows, I am stunned with how fast young bassists can play, but I hear very little musicality or groove. Make sure that you are not playing fast just for the sake of speed, but that your use of speed supports the song. The song and the groove are king!

Q: Which Warwick is best for me?
A: There is no way any person can tell you which bass is best for you. Music, tone and playability are all very subjective aspects of the bass. What one player thinks is a "fast" neck, another person may think is "a bit too narrow". It all boils down to the fact that you need to play any bass you are thinking of buying. It would be dishonorable for me to ever tell you what bass to buy without you getting the chance to play one first. With that said, I do not mind answering your questions regarding the different features of each instrument, which could ultimately help you decide which basses to go try out.

Q: What is the difference between a chord and an arpeggio? They seem to have the same notes. A: They do have the same notes! By definition a chord is a harmonic structure made up of three or more notes. In its strictest description a chord is when you play all the notes at once. An arpeggio, which does have the exact same notes as a chord, is usually played one note at a time. Still confused? Think of it this way: If you strum the notes C, E, G and B, you are playing a C Major 7 chord. If you play C, then E, then G and finally B, you are playing a C Major 7 arpeggio. As bassists, we commonly play arpeggios in our bass lines to help outline chords.

Q: What are some good resources for me to improve my slapping technique?
A: This is the easiest question to answer! There is a video called "The Slap Bass Program" by Alexis Sklarevski (ASIN: B0000633EW). This is the definitive educational resource on the subject, and is perfect for players of all levels. I have worn out two VHS copies myself!

Q: All the current magazines and books seem to be aimed at the soloing bassist. I don't want to solo. Is that ok?
A: Not only is that ok, it should be applauded! Every musician should seek out his or her own individual style and then have the confidence to stay true to that voice. If you do not want to solo, then don't. Believe me; I have gotten many more gigs for my foundational playing than I ever did for my soloing chops.

With that said, I do want all bassists to keep open minds to exploring all musical avenues. Sometimes the only way we can improve our applied theoretical knowledge is to play melodies over chords - which sounds suspiciously like soloing. I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt that the time I spend practicing soloing over changes has done more to help my walking bass lines than almost anything else.

Q: When plucking the bass with my fingers, should I rest my thumb on the top of the pickup, or keep it floating over the strings?
A: There is no definitive answer for this question. In fact, if anyone ever tells you that you have to play using one certain technique, he or she is probably selling something. Truth be told, both techniques are useful at different times. If I am rocking out on stage and moving all over the place, I will more often than not mount my thumb on the top-side of the bridge pickup. This keeps my hand in place and gives me more power. If I am recording or playing at home, I will allow my thumb to float over the strings, using it as a moveable mute for the strings that aren't be used. This is a very good way to keep the B or E strings from sympathetically vibrating.

You need to try both techniques out and find which will work best for you. And don't be afraid to use both!

Well, that just about does it for now. I will keep saving your email questions for a future lesson like this one. Keep playing and have fun!