The Next Level Bassist - Practicing

When instrument, any instrument, it is
10 •Next Level
assist
we are just beginning to play an
hoped we are told how to correctly hold it, how to make
a sound with it, and that we must practice to play it better.
It is also hoped by your parents and/or teacher that
you become so enchanted with the chosen instrument, you
don’t have to be told to continue practicing. When you
begin to notice that you are improving as a player, the
wonderment of discovery truly begins. Please remember
that you practice for yourself because the reality is that
no one really cares if you practice or not. As we mature,
broadening our practicing and listening habits, continuing
to emulate and imitate our music heroes, this process gives
us a very satisfying feeling by enjoying the mere sound that
you make. After 50 years of playing, I still enjoy the ups
and downs, the frustrations, and the successes that this process
of practicing gives us. I even enjoy just looking at my
bass. :-)
When we are young we practice to become really
good. Perhaps one day, you may become a professional
player. It is my opinion that we all should strive to play at
a professional level. Please let it be understood that playing
at a professional level does not mean you will be nor
have to be that individual who makes his or her living as a
professional musician. Those are two totally different subjects
that do not need to be discussed at this time. I hadn’t
thought for several years about making my livelihood as
a professional musician until it just happened. When that
happens, you still have to continue practicing to maintain
that professional level. Everyone should strive to be one
of the best in their field. Develop a strong work ethic and
work diligently to be the best that you can be, because
that is really all that one can do. That is all that YOU need
to care about. You never know when someone is listening
to you, so make every playing situation its optimum.
When we are younger, we feel we have a lot of time, and
you do, to a degree. What you do not have is time to
waste. Remember, no matter how well you play, there is
always more room to learn more.
I loved playing music all through middle school and
high school. I turned down sports if I had to make a choice.
There has never been anything else I wanted to do, but
this has nothing to with deciding to practice. Personally, it
took me three or four years at the beginning stage of my
playing to be “shocked and truly inspired” to learn the real
reason to practice.
In 1964, I was in Japan as a United States Air Force
Band member as a trumpet player. I listened to jazz records
daily, every opportunity I could get. Two years prior
to being shipped to Japan, I began to teach myself the bass,
because I just loved to hear the sound on the recordings of
Paul Chambers, Percy Heath, Willie Ruff, Sam Jones, and
my hero, Ray Brown. While in Japan, there were many
Jazz concerts being presented in Tokyo. In 1965 I saw Ray
Brown in person for the very first time with the Oscar Peterson
Trio and my life was forever changed. To make a
long story short, I met him after the concert. I was in awe.
His playing was amazing. The recordings I had were fabulous,
but to see him up close was simply, astounding. The
crowd was begging for autographs. He noticed me and
said, “Hold my bass, please!” Can you believe it? I couldn’t
either! I held it ever so tightly. After he signed a zillion autographs,
he then let me walk with him back to his hotel a
couple blocks away. I told him I was in the military band
and asked if I could have a lesson with him. He said yes,
and to come back the next morning at 10am. I was at the
hotel at 9am. I called up to the room promptly at 10am
and he told me his room number and said to come up. As
I walked down the hall toward his room, I heard the sound
of the bass being bowed. He had left the door ajar. When
I knocked, he said, “Come on in!” My heart was beating a
mile a minute. As I entered the room, my mouth hit the
floor. I was shocked to see him playing two octaves scales
with the bow! This is “The Ray Brown,” PRACTICING? I
didn’t think he still had to do that! Why? He was at the
top of his game, right? Perhaps so, but, I have come to realize
that is one of the main reasons he continued to be at
the top as “Ray Brown,” who was loved by the Jazz community
of the world and beyond. He had a magnificent
infectious sound. He also had a reputation to uphold that
only he could tear down. I am convinced that he needed
to satisfy himself, as he was being challenged and was expected
to play well all the time.
There are many ingredients and elements melding
together as one to produce a memorable quality sound.
Tone, pitch, dynamics, harmonic sophistication, buoyant
pulse, rhythmic dexterity, interesting creative bass lines,
and engaging solos, constitute the totality of your sound.
Can you practice each of these? Absolutely!
Begin to love your sound. The sound quality you
project is what reaches the listeners ears first. If you don’t
love your sound, why should I? The reality is that no one
really cares if you practice or not, so why do we do it? We
practice because it is incredibly gratifying and satisfying
when we reach those goals that have been eluding us. Our
challenge is to practice so we can sound and play as well as
we did yesterday. Get that concept under control and this
practicing process will grow leaps and bounds. The name
of the game is to maintain those skills you’ve developed
so they are ready when called upon at any given time! If
you wish to become part of the lineage of any genre, you
must convey to your audience that you have done your
homework and you, most certainly, belong on that stage.
Great musicians play with a memorable sound, excellent
dexterity, great intonation, an incredible sense of time, a