Originally Posted by Mike Dunbar
Hey Magne,

Very good. In music, it's really all about the "whole." Only other bass players will listen only to the bass player.

I would expound on your rule. Yes, keep it as simple as possible...within the genre. If you are writing bebop or fusion jazz, you don't want to write all half notes. If you are writing dixieland jazz it won't be a solo instrumental. The trick is, to keep it in a range. "Less is more" is gone with the Bauhaus school of architecture. The truth is: less is less, more is more, too much is too much, and not enough is not enough.

Mike


Actually, that's one thing I've learned in science. The best theories are the most simple ones! There's nothing as practical as a simple theory, they say (I agree) :-)

As a songwriter who writes, records and produce everything of my own stuff (except for vocals once in a while), it is really satisfying to lay down a root-fifth bass line once in a while. As a guitar player it is also good practice of humble disciplin, and an excersise in channeling energy through simple structure and focus more on things like technique.