Ever come off a gig feeling like the groove between both you (the drummer) and the bass player was basically "cool" but could have been better? I mean, we as musicians, because of our nature to bring the music to the highest level, usually don't settle for second best. If it ain't "Happening", we get "Bugged"! You, the drummer, and the bass player could have both played your butts off (individually) all night...but for some strange reason, didn't hook up...at least to your satisfaction. This is a phenomenon which has plagued many great bass players and drummers alike...since the beginnings of "Pop" and "Jazz" music.
The driving force of any modern day band is a group of musicians called the "Rhythm Section". This section consists of a team of players, most notably, the Piano Player, Bass Player and Drummer...the latter two are those responsible for holding down the basic time and mainly responsible for setting the "Groove" or "Feel" of the music. If the "Groove" ain't happening, many of us listeners can tell that something is wrong, however can't quite put our finger on it.
Conceptually, we as individuals have our own thoughts on where or how the music should feel. We all come from diverse backgrounds which in retrospect has ultimately guided our views and thoughts on what we believe to be "Happening" musically...helping us make choices between our "likes" and "dislikes". Africans and Latinos come from cultural backgrounds rooted deeply in rhythm. Europeans however come from musical cultures which are based mainly around the harmonic and melodic aspects of musical composition. As one draws from the intricacies of "Rhythm" for musical inspiration, another might focus on the harmonic and melodic complexities. These somewhat subconscious choices inadvertently dictate what makes up our musical tastes. In addition, influences from family, bandmates and friends complete what is needed to define our musical "likes" and "dislikes". In short, our lives in total, past and present, effect our own individual conceptions of music...how it should feel and, as musicians, how it should be performed. Having said this, "What we see, is not necessarily what we get"! Imagine this......
You're standing outside a club and hear, coming from within, a Latin Band band that is "Smokin"...straight out of the Tito Puente tradition? As you walk into the club, much to your surprise you witness a group of musicians on stage who look like they came straight out of the "Bible Belt"...a group of white Anglos who would have looked more appropriate on the prairies of the midwest. Even more surprisingly, you find out between sets that two band members were born and raised in Washington Heights (an area of Northern Manhattan populated mainly by Dominicans). Another lived in Puerto Rico for 10 years and the others received their music education by hanging out in some of Brooklyn's hippest Latin Clubs. Yes, this I experienced first hand... and....Yes, this again lends credence to the statement, "White Boy's can jump"!...or in this case..."Get Down"! This is as true a fact as that which states...Bryant Gumble (probably) "Can't"! My point is this..."Don't judge a book by it's cover"!
Drummers and bass players alike, despite their ethnicity, come from a number of diverse backgrounds. Their music education consists of listening to many different kinds of music and their roots are not always coming from the same place. One drummer might have been inspired by the cymbal beat of Tony Williams while another might have been inspired by the backbeat of John Bonham. One bass player might have come up by listening to Scott LoFaro while another might have been overwhelmed with the sound and groove of Paul Chambers.
Going one step further, one drummer might have been entrenched in learning how to groove like Elvin Jones only to meet up (on a gig) with a bass player who spent little time developing his/her groove and many years developing tons of soloing technique...this combination might not work. Having listened, myself, to Elvin for many years, the one thing that strikes me as his most outstanding attribute is his cymbal beat. The size of his beat (wideness, space between notes) is like no other drummer I have ever heard. Bass Players who are comfortable playing with drummers who's influences come out of Buddy Rich or the great Roy McCurdy might not feel at ease performing with the beat of Elvin Jones...unless however, some adjustments are made.
It is my experience that many, if not most, Bass Players (Jazz Bass Players) focus on the drummer's cymbal beat. This is where they ( the Bass Player) attempt to hook up their "Time"...their "Groove"...their "Beat". Many seem to rely on the drummer's cymbals for their own sense of security, just as many drummers rely on the bass player's "String Attack/Note Attack" as a crutch upon which to lean. In short, both Bass Players and Drummers rely on each other for musical support in firing up the rest of the band. Depending on where each place their notes outlining the time, will determine how the music will feel and ultimately allow the rest of the band to play to the best of their ability. Consider the Bass Player/Drummer combination the "Bed" upon which the rest of the band can lay. Any of you who has ever had an uncomfortable bed upon which to sleep knows that "If it ain't comfortable, you don't sleep"! The same holds true in comparing Drummers/Bass Players to the rest of the performing group. It is up to us to set the "Comfort Range" upon which the rest can rely.
This is why we Drummers must communicate with our brother Bass Players in setting the "Groove" of the music. This communication includes not only musical communication but verbal as well. Understanding where each come from musically (influences, likes/dislikes) will ultimately determine the success of the performance. Being able and "WILLING" to adjust to many various musical situations will determine the outcome (good or bad) of the entire performance.
In closing...to all you "Bass Players" I say..."Keep Walking...Groove Hard"! To all you "Drummers" I say..."Splang Splang-a-Dang"!
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