Scott DISAPPOINTS at a gig / New SBL HQ / Clinics vs. Masterclasses / Why Prep is EVERYTHING | EP125

Scott DISAPPOINTS at a gig / New SBL HQ / Clinics vs. Masterclasses / Why Prep is EVERYTHING | EP125 | The SBL Podcast #125
So, you’ve had a bad gig. What next? We’ve all been there - the tiny stage with no power, the would-be bassist that wants to do a song. Nightmare gig stories are so commonplace there’s even a Facebook group dedicated to them! In this episode we dig into Scott’s recent hair-raising gig experience, and why every gig deserves a bit of homework.
In this episode
Scott’s nightmare gig story.
Tips to prepare for your next gig.
Charcoal Frost or Firemist Charcoal?
SBL HQ is moving!?
And much, much more!
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[@joeg7183]

I would really like to thank you guys for the podcast and everything else you put on KZbin. I'm a 56 year old disabled construction worker and I purchased my first bass this year without knowing anything about the instrument. I bought it to improve control of my hands because I tend to drop things, a lot. I've played it every day since. I don't know if it's helping my hands or not, but I love it and I can't stop playing with it...the bass I mean. I'm learning songs (poorly), transcribing bass tabs, and running through scales. Most of which I got from you. I like to hear you talk about techniques and patterns and experiences, but I really enjoy learning about gear, both budget gear that I can to save up for, but also the fancy, "bougie" stuff that I can never hope afford. When I'm under the weather (which happens more often than I'd like) I imagine hitting the lottery and building a grossly overpriced pedalboard or designing my own boutique bass. It's a pleasant distraction that's helped me through some very unpleasant situations. So please, don't feel guilty about having cool stuff. Some of us need to live vicariously through you. I'm too old, physically impaired and comically talentless to ever be a musician, but I'm now thoroughly obsessed with the bass and I'm very grateful to the both of you for sharing your knowledge and love of it with the rest of us. It helps in ways you'll never know. Thank you.

[@LionAndALamb]

You definitely are NOT too impaired or talentless to be a musician. If you can get any sound out of your bass, you are creating. I actually know musicians who LOVE to play with beginner bass players because they make unexpected/unschooled choices that helps their more schooled partners get "unstuck" creatively.

[@iguanamane7090]

Rock and roll brother!

[@blaynemcguire7573]

Would love to see Ryan Martinie do a class on his right hand. He has so many sounds without using pedals and just right hand techniques

[@SquareWaveSymphonies]

2nd this. That would be sick!

[@liamgaliano]

Would be awesome!!!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I’ve been saying this too!! Yas! Ryan Martinie!!!

[@ClaireParr-g2b]

Please make this happen!

[@chuckwike5053]

A vintage player and educator, John Goldsby, who has held the bass chair for the WDR Big Band for 30 years. You might remember his columns in Bass Player magazine

[@richardsp2794]

I'm not a bass player. I play guitar. I have a bass that I play to finish a song. I stumbled across the P and J bass video where you showed the differences and sounds. It unlocked me getting the right sounds from my bass. Then I watched one that touched on basic technique. And my bass playing improved instantly. Then I subscribed. Then I invested a little bit in recording better quality bass sounds. Then I retracked some bass parts. Now I'm taking bass lessons! I'd say that's assimilation!

[@garrysimmons111]

I'm a Prepper for sure. Pre-gig prep stress is a thing for me. Once I get the PA and lights set up and the gig starts, I'm fine. I practice all songs, in order, multiple times before every gig.

[@fostervalle2483]

Avashi Cohen, Dave Holland, Mike Bendy, Tony Grey, MIKE GORDON from Phish! You’ve never made mention of jam band bassist like Phil Lesh and Mike Gordon!

[@sebastianwinterberg]

To answer your question: I'd ask the members to recommend songs with killer basslines from their respective countries. Imagine listening to something absolutely amazing from Estonia, Slovenia, Paraguay, or Botswana that you'd never ever have found yourself - these are never on the mainstream platforms. But that doesn't mean they are not bone-shatteringly good and interesting. You have a worldwide platform; use it get the input from all your members from all over the world, and then widen peoples horizons by introducing them to basslines they'd never have heard otherwise. That'd make an amazing set of 10+ session right there....with minimal effort and maximum engagement.

[@kenepps1463]

36:31 😅😅

[@setaylw]

As long as I have followed SBL I don't remember any mention of Stanley Clarke....ever. Also, although the same names are floated around regarding funk artists (Marcus, Larry Graham, Bootsy) bassists such as Nathaniel Phillips, Aaron Mills, and so many others are not covered. Plus Abraham Laboriel, Mark Adams, and Byron Miller.

[@NLTipper]

Would love to see Matt Freeman (Rancid, Operation Ivy, Charger, etc). He is pretty universally thought of as one of the greatest bassists ever in punk rock, but never hear him mentioned on here, or punk in general- aside from Ian mentioning playing some Ramones songs for a gig and being surprised how challenging and enjoyable they were to play. Would love to see more content tailored to punk/hardcore or adjacent genres.

[@joeclark149]

It is hard to margins a situation where a lot of preparation isn’t a benefit. Only thing I can think of it isn’t is where the improvisation is a selling point for the enjoyment, a “let’s see what they can do on the fly for fun” kind of thing.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

“2nd comment my apologies everyone” just want to shout out to Mike for his honesty, that sparked such a great conversation on here today, what a real eye opener!! Cheers Mike

[@littlewhitestormy]

as a guitar focused person who stumbled on this and now owns a p-bass and a 5 string fretless, the assimilation threat is real

[@admarhermans1]

I’ve had an experience like this, Scott and Ian! 🤣 Just a few years ago, I was playing my EB MusicMan StingRays in a band that did mostly late ‘70’s Bowie and ‘80’s synthy new wave, like Depeche Mode. I used a ton of pedals, because it was my job to do almost half of the synth parts on my bass! People here loved that, because I managed to interwine bass and synth parts after months, even years of studying and trying out things. Well, as it goes, that band didn’t last (singer and guitarist ego stuff, like always..., 😉). These days I play Beatles, Stones and CCC music for three 1,5 hour sets almost every weekend, playing one of my Fender P’ or J’s sans a lot of pedals. Just a nice preamp pedal. What do I get? (Younger) people come up to me after (or during!) a gig telling me my playing used to be better in that band I spoke of before... Well, who needs synth sounds on a CCC song or even ACDC...? The freekin’ Stones? I try to tell these people that I’m a side man: I play whatever is appropriate and will bring the appropriate gear if I can. Sometimes, they get it..., 😄. 🖖

[@redstrat1234]

The clinic story about the guy being disappointed. Maybe going forward you could throw an album track in there just to address the elephant in the room, get it done and then move on the the clinic proper. In the clinic ad, tell people what to expect - 90% clinic work and 10% 'other'.

[@mule71]

I’m still waiting on the Hadrien Feraud masterclass that you recorded back in early 2020. Will it ever be released into the Academy?

[@jamieallan104]

Prepping is always a must. I always remember the analogy of the difference between a pro and an amateur, an amateur will practise until they get it right, a pro will practise until they cant get it wrong! all those things that can go wrong at a gig will go wrong at some point. Practise standing up, the amount of bedroom players that I've rehearsed or auditioned with that don't realise that hand position changes or your voice changes between standing up and sitting is crazy

[@SquareWaveSymphonies]

There just aren't words for how much I love this podcast. Great episode, guys. It really made me think about what "my thing" is.

[@joeclark149]

For someone who works away and stays in Hotels, a one off seminar sounds really good.

[@joeclark149]

My point being that going to a place for a day or two days for a seminar or clinic is more attractive than signing up for a long course.

[@iguanamane7090]

Thanks guys. Nice pod. If you guys can interview Brady Watt, that would be rad. I love his "bass and bars" he does with hip hop artists. 🎉

[@SamuliSivula]

Could do Sbl episode of reggae? Aston Barrett interview would be also very nice!

[@andyhastings176]

I'd love to get Matt Freeman on the channel. Currently with Rancid, but he's one of the best punk bass players ever!

[@billywood7931]

+1 for matt.

[@apagey10]

Hey Scott & Ian, I’ve read some comments requesting representation from Brazil on the SBL Platform. Great ideal, additionally I’m sure many like myself would love to have a MasterClass presented by the amazing Spanish “bajista” bassist, Fernando Lamadrid. Even an interview with this cool cat sharing some of his techniques & creative musical ideals would be over the top! And thank you for all your help to become better bassist’s via the SBL Platform.

[@chrislongnecker694]

Thaddaeus Tribbet for Gospel Bass

[@bassm302000]

David Pastorius (Jacob’s nephew) is a great bass player that has done a couple albums with his band Local 518, and has been playing with Pat Travers for many years now. He’s a very versatile bass player with his own unique style and it would be great to see him do some classes on his techniques and his experiences in the industry.

[@papabearwinegarden]

"Snoop" Evans, Matt Ramsey, Justin Raines for gospel bassists. Dan Brown, Martin Mendez, Troy Sanders, and Evan Brewer for underrepresented metal bassists.

[@sharonsislockwall]

Yes please. GOSPEL!! Also, Abraham Laboriel Sr. THANKS guys. I enjoy this so much!

[@LionAndALamb]

Great point about recognizing/valuing audience expectations. And while I absolutely love the P-bass tone myself, that thicker-than-oatmeal F Bass tone is definitely a major part of the DNA of the album.

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

Very good episode dudes . I agree . It is always someone else who tells you what your thing is .Been there .

[@mr.force1036]

Years ago I heard that instead of hanging with his band before a gig, Tom Petty would go somewhere, by himself, and go thru the entire show in his mind with his guitar. When he would walk onstage, it was a done deal, he had it dialed. I have been doing that ever since. Works

[@mrmsmdjp]

Hey Ian. It would rock long & hard if you did "The O'Jays" for the letter O. Not a bass driven band. It's the vocals that these cats feature. But they had a huge hit with "For the Love of Money". Anthony Jackson was a cowriter and the bass player. The bass line is one of the most iconic, recognizable bass lines of all time. Cheers.

[@b1lahb1ah]

'Give the people what they want' is another killer O'Jays bass line, and 'Backstabbers' to reference the Angie Stone sample ;)

[@lockharthorsburgh8601]

O: Obscura. A collection of ridiculous basslines, some of them on fretless. Re: preparing, a few years back I learned the hard way that being able to play a song while sitting on the couch is not the same as being able to play it while standing up, under the gaze of other musicians.

[@ChuckNicholsonTRM]

I'll throw out a couple of guys I haven't seen mentioned yet. What about Mononeon? His technique is unorthodox because he plays a right handed bass flipped over to play it right handed. He was Prince's last bass player and he's pretty amazing. Another is Jerry Barnes. Jerry has played with Nile Rodgers for a long time and is super solid, as you might imagine one would need to be to hold that gig.

[@andrewpinner3181]

Thanks again guys, always great to listen & watch, especially the cackling laughter ! Kudos to 'Mike' who made his point, above all respectfully. Be-Joy (?) be prepared to receive a night time subliminal message : 'Bass-Borg Assimilation Complete !' (Star Trek ref.) 😜

[@basscoup]

Would love to see if Joe Dart would participate. Also want to thank you guys for your honest discussions in these podcasts.

[@JasonFerguson17t]

Idea for SBL: could you have a trainer for improvisation over chords? It would be cool to que up a basic chord progression with a drum beat that I could try and solo over or play fills.

[@michaelhardie9193]

Just saw Tool with my son and reminded how much of a beast Justin Chancellor is. Be great to see lessons by him or a break down of his top 5 basslines, similar to what you've done with Flea, Geddy and Pino

[@michaelokane6065]

A big badass bass weekender/bass anarchy camp in the UK would be great - bass gear, beer & epic level nerd-ery 🎉 #basscruiseonland

[@alanwadey2848]

@The SBL Podcast ; would any of the information in the upright course be transferable to electric?

[@mdmarkle]

I would fly to see you in person. Gospel Justin Raines, Andrew Gouche', Jermaine Morgan, Sharay Reed, Thad Tribbett, Kenneth Keybass Diggs

[@georgecookonbass]

I'd love to see some Nashville studio representation either in a course or even just an interview - I really love the stuff with Sean Hurley from the LA perspective but Tommy Bukovac seems to come from a very different studio environment in Nashville. Amos Hellers interview was awesome but someone that spends every day in those studios would be amazing... I wouldn't even know names to shout out here, that's how little most people know about them!

Tom Bukovac’s ‘Home Skoolin’ channel has given an excellent insight into the Nashville session scene, especially from a guitarist’s perspective - Tom being a first call player. Some of the bass players he’s referenced as part of the scene are, amongst others, Tony Lucido, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Steve Bryant, Steve Mackey and of course, Willie Weeks. The Nashville session scene appears to be on a different level…

[@Seer73]

Love the idea with growing to do in-person workshops at the new HQ. Really enjoyed the London bass show days of them in the past! However, please try not to fall into the trap of them costing the earth to attend! I’ve done multiple tours camps with Victor Wooten having flown from the U.K. over and all in have spent $1k-ish for the 5 day camp + £800 for direct flights. Recently, there have been a few other artists putting on camps/retreats and charging in excess of £2.5k which just prices it out for me particularly with cost of living etc. Really hope it comes off though and works out well for everyone! I’ll definitely be signing up if financially possible 😁

[@jaycianfrini77]

Great show as always. Would love to see some love for Paul Jackson one day. Ian - for O you gotta check out some Opeth. Intro to “Sorceress” is a killer bass line.

[@BenD_Bass]

If you can ever check out "Galactic Funk" by Casiopea, that would be awesome! It's a Japanese fusion band from the 70s. The whole band is amazing. A lot of slapping too!

[@velavada4908]

Upright guys who are breaking new ground I’d like to see on SBL: Kham Meslien, Milo Fitzpatrick, Nick Blacka, Avashi Cohen…

[@deanweld]

For new courses or players to work with, it would be great to lean a little more into pick playing. As a pick player who learned to play fingerstyle, SBL helped me a ton with that through Players Path and other courses and pathways. But the pick portion of the bass community feels under represented. Someone mentioned Mike Gordon, also Mike Dirnt, Jason Newsted, and so many others would be great to shed some light on all the nuances and challenges with pick playing.

[@kevinsavo718]

GOSPEL CATS: Young Blood: Matt Ramsey of Kirk Franklin’s band would be awesome. Old head: Reggie Parker from Hezekiah Walkers band. Also, a full on bebop course, that really went in on the Barry Harris method would be phenomenal. Thanks guys!

[@zachjones1716]

You have done metal with David Ellefson I believe, and Nolly of course. But, Alex Webster is the style of metal being neglected. He does the old tone without a distortion pedal and lots of clank, fingerstyle, spector. Its the sound I grew up with for metal Edit: there's a clip of him with Victor Wooten too, he's legit

[@billpeake5260]

Jimmy Johnson springs to mind as a possible mentor, trainer.

[@keithgoldberg2298]

Wes Stephenson!! Check out the Funky Knuckles and Mark Lettieri’s band.

[@BenD_Bass]

Scott and Ian, I'm trying really hard to break into the music internet world. Can I get a job application? I almost have a bachelor's degree from the University of KZbin, lol. I major in bass and production and minor in music theory.

[@pabloprimo250]

Would love to see Laura Leezy from Khruangbin; Cory Wong, Tony Grey, Mike Bendy, Munir Hossn, Rocco Paladino. Also would love to see a course on Reggae playing and tones with all different sub genres of reggae (Eric Wilson from Sublime), also Brazilian rhythms with Thiago Espírito Santo or Munir Hossn, and a course for ear training for bass player with tools to assist on learning music by ear.

[@christopheronsmans5933]

Hi guys It’s the second time that Scott mentions the idea of « SBL member » meeting The first time on a cruise ship and now in the new HQ… No matter the formula, let’s go for it! Like the Victor Wooten bass/music camp… Having a clinic or masterclass, visit Andy Baxter’s shop, then a concert in Leeds, finishing with beers 🍻

[@warwicker22]

You guys should reach out to Kade Turner. Aside from having recently done a bunch of product demos for Warwick, he’s a sick musician! Not to speak for him, but he could do an entire masterclass on recording and production.

[@gpwhughes]

Up n commer rec > Rocco Palladino [plays with Yusef Dayes] His old man plays a bit too.

[@genesound]

Perhaps a missed opportunity Scott. Maybe start out on the bass and part you recorded, then change basses part way through with a mode or key change and possibly at the end change back, or finish up with a totally metaled outro. Mix it up, keep it fresh, knock them off their toes! As soon as they think you and they are in sympatico, knock 'em off their feet, they will stand up screaming AWESOMER! Personally, I seldom play a song the same way twice, it's all pretty much improv.

[@adammono1839]

Love to the pod! My wife calls it the bass dads chat.

[@aaronl7669]

great episode!

[@larspeh]

ha, the "Ex-Girlfriend Mental Bandwidth" point made me laugh :-))

[@liamolowend]

For your "O's" on your basslines series. Some solo Ozzy Osbourne maybe or my favourite O for that list is the British band Ocean Colour Scene. You'll know one of their songs Hundred Mile Mile City from the Guy Ritchie movie Lock Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels. Get their best of and get listening. Their bass player Damon Minchella is killer and plays a gorgeous 70s Jazz. Played with the Who on Live 8, Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft from the Verve and many others. I'm such a fanboy! Get on it Ian :)

[@DavidBaker-z1t]

I would love to see more Dane Alderson coverage! That guy is the real deal!!

[@setaylw]

In regards to what the audience expects it is a lot like the internet. You can't please everybody all of the time although that is what we strive for. As long as you play to the song and the band, you are playing appropriately. Mature musicians understand this.

[@Bertone]

Love to see content with Kevin Scott

[@bassimprovjams3772]

We really Mark Michell!!! He was in “Scale the summett” has a great KZbin channel, very educated and has perfect pitch his KZbin channel is “Lowend University” he has a ton to offer

[@C80234O]

Matthew Garrison, Joe Dart, Stefan Redtenbacher

[@_bassmentdweller]

Hi guys! I guess it depends on your goals as a musician. If your goal is to be an artist and express your individual voice, then whatever decision you make is the right one. Regardless of what anybody else thinks. Imagine Prince’s reaction to feedback like that? 😂. If your goal is to be a chameleon that can fit into any ensemble, then it might change your response. It might be commercially responsible in order to feed your family to pick a sound and reliably stick to your niche. I don’t survive by music and I don’t know the answer. I suspect that it completely depends on who you are, where you are on your journey, if you make a living by music, etc. Many variables! This one man isn’t everybody so don’t let it shake your confidence in your own decision making Scott. Go with your gut and your ears. You have done all the work and whatever artistic decision you make will be the right one! ❤

[@Squares1960]

Julian Crampton , Laurence Cottle ,Orefo and Alex Al !

[@erickroth]

The new Lull is kinda like British Racing Green. It looked black on television, so Lotus F1 changed to the new sponsor colors - Gold Leaf ciggies.

[@ahyoib]

hi SBL! if you ask me, I'd love to see Chad LB (sax player, KZbinr, educator) helping bass players improving their soloing game. cheers!

[@joeclark149]

35.00 or so ha! Nothing wrong with sponge and flat wounds. One of the main attractions of Scott’s playing is the versatility. And if the music was killing? What’s the problem? Holding down Bass is as much about doing what the music demands and sometimes that’s a simpler thing.

[@joeclark149]

I guess I’m saying the demands of the music are more important than the demands of an audience.

[@joeclark149]

But what a great way to react and take on board that reaction Scott, taking it on board in such a positive way.

[@Smithbergerphoto]

Marquis Miller talk a lot about sticking with his sound like a brand that he leaned on early on to establish himself as a player.

[@dominiclehoux1906]

I wonder if you could get John Myung ? perhaps Roger Glover?

[@TheWoollyMammoth]

Vincen Garcia is 🔥 Also finally please get Carol Kaye !!!

[@pumpichank]

Subbing the drummer is the worst! Even a great drummer doesn’t have all the nuances, tempos, intros, breaks, subtle hits, etc. that your regular drummer has. For me as a bass player, it turns the gig from fun to work. All that to say the drummer is the real heart of the band.

[@flaxholmelis5996]

I wonder whether a comment about your style, although well intentioned, makes you feel limited to a genre. I suppose you do need to be aware though of what the paying public are going to expect to hear. As for a 'Bass Retreat' - it would be amazing. So fed up with my guitarist band mate going off on guitar workshops and there just not being a bass equivalent in the UK. Loving the podcasts guys - thank you!

[@dannygold2882]

I need to know how cold it is in Ian’s studio. Do we need to buy him a space heater? I’d be sweating in that hoodie.

[@Daniel-on-bass]

Bring back David Ellefson please, and also thinking about LaRue, Sheehan, Mendel, Duff to name a few, we need more (classic) Rock and Metal @ SBL. And I also would be interested in Mariusz Duda, a unique aproach to bass and singing while doing it.

[@martinheath5947]

How about former Prince bassist Brown Mark, he's a funky dude with a unique bass style and very entertaining delivery

[@francoisbergeron2155]

Give Frank Brunot a shout! A course from him would be amazing

[@johnnycroy]

Need to work with Nicole Row. (Sideman) or Kinga Glyk (Artist)

[@KyleS.1987]

I would love to see Ryan Madora on SBL. She's a pro with a real gift for teaching.

[@squaremug]

I'd love to see Joe Dart do a course/masterclass on SBL.

[@ethanlocke3604]

Something with Elon JD from The Johnathan Scales Fourchestra or more stuff with Moto Fukushima or Felix pastorius would be really sick. Id also love to see a course with Bubby Lewis. As far as gospel cats, Justin Raines or Deric Bennet would be great

[@joeclark149]

Ozrics with a mention!

[@joeclark149]

Kick Muck would be worth a look.

[@brandonmarti4476]

Bass player Kelsey Gonzalez!!! Get him!!! Lol

[@pine3737]

You don't go where that person works and tell him/she which broom to use at their job!

[@KalleSpieltBass247]

For Gospel definitely check out Justin Raines from Israel and the new breed. Killer bass player!

[@mrjmcrowson]

Would love to see an interview with Davie 504. Would love to see an interview with Les Claypool!

[@timothydunn5227]

Would Dave Holland want to make an SBL appearance?

[@gimmeagig]

I'm sure you already know about Junior Braguinha. He's from Brazil As you know the best bass players in the world are from there. I don't know if he speaks English. He plays everything from Steps Ahead type of Jazz to Brazilian type of Funk. He is Jawdroppingly ( is that a word?) good. Check him out. Congratulations on the new headquarters You guys are making a real difference in the world.

[@OsmarOliveira]

Fernando Rosa and brazilian music!

[@marksellers2939]

The proof of the pudding is in the eating 😉

[@spacewalker72069]

@ian "O" and "P" could both be Oscar Peterson!

[@davidhwang6442]

Live SBL 🤘🏼

[@bassapace]

wait....... Ian was the lead singer of a band? 🤯🤯🤯

[@ubermenschstream6765]

spencer prewett course please

[@JHBarrett]

Paul Turner

[@JHBarrett]

Jack Daley

[@MrBassPlayer]

Les Claypool !!!!!

[@eduluke2010]

SBL Clinic in UK = I'm in.

[@OlavSchneider]

O like in Orion?