How Do I Groove Thee? Let me count the ways. Whether it's slapping the BaJesus out of the bass like there will be no more funk or dropping the perpetual football shaped whole note on the groove to leave space, the question you have to ask is what is your Groove Impulse? Do you truly know when and what to play or are you too caught up in trying to be a bass super hero? I’ve been working on a balance of the two lately and it can be quite interesting. The latter can also be interesting for me since my cape is too short and I don’t even want to talk about me in tights. I do enjoy my fretboard gymnastics but for some reason that's a bad idea on a country ballad. Don’t they know who I think I am? Anyhoo, today’s adventure into Grooveland will be discovering and honing your Groove Impulse.

Being a successful sideman and session musician has a huge number of dynamics to weigh in. At the end of the day the most important one falls on knowing what is right to play. Now obviously every situation will be different with every artist and producer you work with. The good news is that it does get easier with experience and you'll get to rely on a moment of Bass Zen. Everyone say “Ahmmmmmmmmmm” ( Wow, that was cheesey). The Bass Zen moment I'm talking about Groovehopper is your Groove Impulse. That total oneness with the groove where you just know what to play and what they want. Sound impossible to achieve? Not at all. Just take the groove from my hand.

You’ve all heard me talk a zillion times on the importance of listening and watching those around you onstage and in the studio. There is a very simple reason I do that. IT PAYS! Your Groove Impulse will come from this skill over time. Everything from a producer’s or artist’s body movement to the kick pattern on the drums will give you insight as to what to play. For example, heavyweight songwriter and producer Monty Powell and I have been working together for years. Monty will tell you every time in the studio what he wants if you watch his body movements. This can be something you may want to do since folks like Keith Urban, Sara Evans, and Rascall Flatts rely on him for their hits. He will either thump a kick pattern on his chest or play air bass for the groove he wants. The trick is to be aware of him at all times because he may not tell you. Sorry fool LOVES keeping me in suspense and has for years but I keep getting hired so something must have worked.  You know what it was? I found out Monty’s Groove Impulse. And you thought this whole article was about us…………silly rabbit.

The importance of having a finely tuned Groove Impulse is absolute. One of the main reasons this is such a big deal is because of one word……..MONEY. You thought I was gonna say a body part didn’t ya? Again…….silly rabbit. I did think about it though.

Having your Groove Impulse ready at all times can make everyone’s life easier. This is basic law on a demo session for instance. I mentioned with Monty that he may not tell me what he wants on a track. That's because good producers who hire good musicians know that if everyone has their Groove Impulse on, that the musicians will know what is right for the song. Even more so is, if you are on a session with highly seasoned players, they are going to test you by not telling you what they want to see what you're made of. Yes my dear Saviors of the Stank, you never escape the hazing period no matter what level you reach. Oye ve! So what does this have to do with money? Everything!

A demo session is typically a 3hr block. Most sessions the producer wants to get 4-5 songs recorded. Think about that for a minute. Conception to recorded for 4 -5 songs in 3 hours.  NOW you know why musicians all are coffee whores. This is where money gets involved because if you don’t get those allotted tracks recorded because you didn’t know what to play chances are that the songwriter, artist, or producer will have to book another session. This just cost them money. If you are the reason the session didn’t flow what do you think the chances of you getting booked again are?  That thought sucks don’t it? Now the good news. If you come ready to rock, know the type of music that you are tracking, brought the right gear for the session (don’t take a 7 string fretless to a country gig gang I beg of you), and play what ONLY needs to be played then you may even get 6 tracks done and the producer is smiling, the artist is running around giddy and confused (it's what they do), and the songwriter is in the lobby on his cell phone trying to look important (again, it's what they do). All of these equate to what? More bookings for you and a check that doesn’t bounce. Mongo loves money. So does Mongo’s girlfriend. For some reason she likes the idea of a bigger house. Go fig.

So there we go my mighty groovers. A little insight into knowing what to play for the ever elusive session call. I will elaborate more on these in the future. These traits also work great live and are awesome in helping you forge ahead as a musician of any type. Always be mindful of what's happening in Groove Space for one simple reason; it's our job as bassists. Do that and you will yet again save the world from another lame groove.
Until next time,
Keep Groovin’,
S

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