THE CLINIC>>>>>Comments

[Big Poppa]

Ok

At the Bash we had that was billed as the Big Bottom Clinic. IT really was mislabeled as I think it was a master class for musicianship. IT featured new family member Dave Marotta, Cliff Hugo, Dave La Rue and Tony Levin, and me. I kept thinking in the back of my mind that I wanted to take this thing a different direction from the canned gear oriented questions and canned demos......

I invited John Ferraro to join in and Jimmy Cox ( Who is the Number One Keyboard cat in LA)


I wanted to talk about the bass and its role in rhythm and melody......It was intentionally not gear specific except for a little talk about the bongo's place in the mix and what axes these guys have that has the "mojo" IT started by tracing the roots of funk and CLiff was elequent in both his verbal rap and his playing demonstrations backing it up...Dave Marota really explained a lot about bass and its funtion and responsibility as the bottom note of the chord
Dave Larue said he missed all of the cats that Cliff Talked about and joined the funk and pocket world with Marcus Miller and on....Ferraro demonstrated ghosting notes an d all played with it and it was cool. You had the "ITs the notes you dont play approach to the many notes are good if you know where oto put them schhool"


It went way over the scheduled time and I hope that you guys liked it. The other cats all commented that they actually learned something from the other guys. Special kudos to all of the guys...


Oh yeah...then we brought LUke and Steve Morse up and it got really interesting.
John Ferraro made some points that I hope all of you in attendance got....IT was gold from the hills.

What did you guys think?

 

[bassmonkey]

The clinic was fantastic. I learned a lot. The playing was absolutely spectacular. I'm awestruck and speechless just thinking about it. The best thing about these events is they give a very close-up view of some special players and for me, personally, it inspires me to work harder and practice, striving to reach that level. I probably never will but it's good to have a goal.

Thankyou BP and crew for setting this up. These events are really very special and I'm so fortunate that I have been able to attend.

 

[adouglas]

As I said in another thread, there was some epiphany going on inside my so-called brain.

It was priceless.

I also really liked the fact there there was true discussion going on between everyone. Friction between ideas is where true value arises...when everyone stands up and just delivers their own message it's not nearly as interesting as when there's genuine interaction and debate (IMHO a sadly lost art form... a good, powerful back and forth debate is a wonderful thing).

I chuckled a bit when you asked them if they dime their volume...everyone seemed a bit puzzled and said "yes." (BTW, I've taken your advice and am running at 50%....)

I also really liked the fact that it wasn't just about chops. It was about philosophy and approach too. A clinic where the artist just displays awesome technique isn't as interesting to me, because I'll never be able to play like that. Hearing about what goes on in their head is much better, and something that I can apply to my own experience.

BP, you're a master moderator and really know how to keep the discussion on track and moving forward.

BTW, does anyone recall the answers to the "who do you like these days" question?

IIRC Tony said something about "gorillas in the museum," Dave Marotta mentioned the bassist who played on the first John Mayer album, Cliff mentioned somebody named Bono, and Dave LaRue gave the answer I would have..."nobody springs to mind."

Can anyone fill in the gaps?

 

[glockaxis]

I thought it was awesome as well. W/ a front row seat nothing could have topped it. As far as exceding the time, I could have stayed there all night and listened so no problems there. 1st class all the way BP and crew!!

 

[GHWelles]

I liked the info on how to play bass for guitar players. I like to record on my multitrack and have to play all the parts, and for me as a guitar player the bass is a bit of a mystery. So it was helpful to get some good advice on what it takes to have a good bass/rythm section working. And I still want that Walnut burst BFR Luke...

 

[Kristopher]

adouglas: He mentioned Sleepytime Gorrilla Museum. I hear a lot about these guys locally in Phoenix, not sure if they're local to my town or what.

+1 to all adouglas said. And as far as time, I'm glad it went longer, because I was really enjoying the conversation and music examples. I can listen to that stuff all day. BP you did a really great job keeping things interesting and moving along.

It was great when the conversation turned to ghost notes and all the bass players on stage spontaneously started playing a groove together. The fact that five bass players could all play a tune at the same time and not step all over each other said a lot. It really demonstrated the point of listening to the other musicians you're playing with and finding a way to compliment what's going on, instead of just plowing through a tune with your eyes and ears closed.

I definitely left the clinic with my inspiration tank on full.

 

[adouglas]

as a guitar player the bass is a bit of a mystery.

Stop the presses! Call Reuters!

Mr. Dog, you have transgressed the unwritten law and admitted that bass isn't easier than guitar!

 

[Psychicpet]

please tell me someone's got a board tape or some form of recording of it.....

sounds like it was phenomenal BP!

glad everything turned out great!! the rain has been awesome here this week-end in Vancouver

 

[Big Poppa]

WE HD video'd it but you never know if it will make the scene.....
How about the subwoofer subjuect? How about Dave Marotta's approach? brilliant

I enjoyed moderating it. TOny Levin is doing an article on his website on the clinic......

Ill post a link when it comes up

 

[adouglas]

How about the subwoofer subjuect?

This one really hit home, and I spoke briefly to Steve Morse about it after the clinic.

A few years ao I saw The Dregs at Toad's Place, a locally famous venue in New Haven, Connecticut. I was standing as far back as possible, right under the elevated station they have for the sound guy.

It was so flippin' boomy and loud that I swear that my shirt was fluttering in the breeze. I know the material, and frankly I couldn't tell what song they were playing half the time because of the Wall O' Sound effect.

That night Steve got on mic and said "Hey, it sounds really great up here...how does it sound out there?" Naturally, the inebriated crowd gave a big cheer, but honestly...I was on the verge of walking out just because I couldn't hear what was going on.

 

[midopa]

It was a great and informative time BP! The clinic didn't feel long at all. I loved how you moved the topic from James Brown, James Jamerson, and Paul McCartney, all different but powerful, influential, and critical to the development of bass. So much great input from the the bass superstars (including you!), John Ferraro, Jimmy Cox, Steve Lukather, Steve Morse... Makes me just go daaaaaaaaaaaaaamn whenever I think back about it.

 

[joshbrake]

Having not been there, I would love to see video of the clinic(s).

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I chuckled a bit when you asked them if they dime their volume...everyone seemed a bit puzzled and said "yes." (BTW, I've taken your advice and am running at 50%....)

What does "diming your volume" actually mean?

 

[joshbrake]

Diming a control is turning it up full. Dunno where the term comes from.

 

[Kristopher]

Diming a control is turning it up full. Dunno where the term comes from.

Dime = Ten cents, full volume = putting the volume on ten.

 

[Kristopher]

WE HD video'd it but you never know if it will make the scene.....
How about the subwoofer subjuect? How about Dave Marotta's approach? brilliant

I enjoyed moderating it. TOny Levin is doing an article on his website on the clinic......

Ill post a link when it comes up

That subwoofer thing hit home for me. A couple of months back I played a club in a three-piece rock band. We paid the soundguy to make a cd of the soundboard mix. Comparing that cd to what we actually sound was like night and day. Just like the guys said at the clinic, my bass lost all treble and attack and was reduced to a low frequency rumble. Maybe I could post a sound clip later, but the point is that yeah, these guys at the clinic hit it right on the head with that subfoofer thing.

 

[MrMusashi]

Having not been there, I would love to see video of the clinic(s).

am i allowed to say +100 on this one?

MrM

 

[joshbrake]

Dime = Ten cents, full volume = putting the volume on ten.

Oh, well there you go!

 

[dkassenbrock]

BP, First of all THANK YOU!!! for an incredable weekend. Everything was top-notch, first class, OMG I-can't-believe-i'm-here quality. RE: the clinic...I did NOT want it to end. I learned so much...there was so much knowledge and experience up on the stage...it really was amazing! I was very pleased with the job you did moderating/steering the discussion into areas that many musicians don't talk about in other "canned interviews"...in-ears vs. wedges, what do you like in your monitors, etc...some of the best info I've heard shared ever. Funny thing is, is that the night before, as Susan and I gave Tony L. a ride back to the hotel, we talked about some of these very same subjects. BP, Thank you again SO much for everything. You are an amazingly kind-hearted, one-of-a-kind, individual. Long after you leave us, your legacy will remain. -Capt. Don

P.S. On the long drive back to PHX, Susan, out of the blue asked "so what are we going to buy for Michaela (our 11-year-old), a Luke, or an Axis?" Let the GAS begin! God bless you and yours, -Don

 

[Big Poppa]

I knew I loved Susan!

Midopa post that photo it was great!

THe diming thing was great as we talked aobut it later and CLiff didnt know and Dave only does it in the studio and dave controls his from the EBVP so it is never actually "dimed" TOny Also is going to try it...Funny!