Gospelbasslines: How long have you been playing bass guitar?
John King: About 25 plus years, since the age of 11 or 12.
Gospelbasslines: How long professionally? What made you know your were ready to step into the professional arena as a bassist?
John King: At the age of 15 I was introduced to playing professionally in high school. Then I had the opportunity of performing with my high school band directors band Images & Infiniti. So I never really weighed whether or not I was ready to play professionally or not. I was given an opportunity and I accepted it, I embraced it, and learned much from it.
Gospelbasslines: Lot’s of bass players gradually make their way to bass guitar, did you play any instruments prior?
John King: First, I was introduced to the piano. I had brief affair with the trumpet. I had a serious relationship with drums. And then I met the bass guitar, that’s where my focus has been since..
Gospelbasslines: Who has influenced your playing style the most? Why?
John King: I have had numerous of influences, making this a hard question to answer. However, I would say early on it was definitely Stanley Clark. Stanley was doing it all, great upright chops and crazy electric bass skills.
Gospelbasslines: Can you remember any particular concept or element of playing that gave you problems in your maturation process?
John King: Many. I have struggled with how to improve a technique, play a little faster, smoother, cleaner and or etc. Grant it, some problems I had then are not a problem today but in some ways, are issues that I continue to improve upon today. So with every obstacle, concept or element I conquered there’s maintenance and yet another hurdle or obstacle. What I’m getting at is, being a better or a great musician, I think, is a life long maturation process, where with every concept or element conquered there is still work to be done.
Gospelbasslines: Was there ever a time, you wanted to give up?
John King: Sure, there have been times when I wanted to throw in the towel and there will probably be others. But I’m glad to say, I’m yet holding on.
Gospelbasslines: Are there any technical aspects, or exercises you can give to those starting out, that are tangible enough to help them grow as a musician?
John King: Play with all of your fingers on the fret board. Always alternate fingers in the right. Be sure not to hold the bass with your left hand when playing. Find a comfortable position for holding your bass when going from finger to slap style. Expose you ear to as much music as possible. Listen and practice.
Gospelbasslines: Have you had any, Southwestern Airlines, “Wanna Get-away” Moments, as a musician?
John King: I’ve had other get-away moments but this one is the standout. I had a fall off stage during a performance. Fortunately, I was all good. Even though a lot of people saw me fall including the drummer, no one else in the band knew I had fallen. I was behind the other players and I never stopped playing. I was down but not out. I didn’t worry about getting up, I just continued to play and one by one my band mates noticed I wasn’t there, and when they did, all they saw was the bottom of my left foot still on the stage. Could have been worse.
Gospelbasslines: What gear do you own?
John King: Ken Smith 5 string, a pair of Auilar 12″ cabs and an Eden World Traveler Amp.
Gospelbasslines: What has been most beneficial to your growth as a bass player?
John King: First, a great family of musicians and lovers of music. To that I will add … being blessed to have been around some of our areas best. Which allowed me to grow musically in an atmosphere of respect, appreciation and understanding of what power and influence music has and is. This didn’t mean I always got to play but it gave me the privilege of participating form the inside. You knowﾅup close right in the heart of the action where I was humbled and learned to humble myself to the schooling I was being exposed to.
Gospelbasslines: If you were stranded on a dessert island, and could have 1 song, what would that song be and why?
John King: A Word Form The Lord by Thomas Whitfield.
Gospelbasslines: Has God given you any vision or direction on what he wants you to do as a musician?
John King: Share and be a better example…with I’m sure more to come.
Gospelbasslines: Let us know what’s coming up for John King
John King: There’s nothing major I would like to pub right now. However, I would like to thank you for this opportunity and also thank James Ross for introducing us. Be sure to check out my group Good 4 The Soul at www.good4thesoul.net & www.myspace.com/g4ts. You can also check out my personal page at www.myspace.com/johnpking, my artist page www.myspace.com/johnpking1 and my Fanreach at www.reverbnation.com/johnking.
Shawn, thanks again for allowing me this opportunity. I really appreciate it and look forward to staying up. I have also included a banner code that I would like to add following the interview that will direct people to my reverbnation site where I will posting my music. If you have any problems with it you can also get it directly from my Reverbnation site.
]]>Sean Byrd: Actually, the first instrument I learned to play was the piano. I started taking piano lessons when I was 8 years old, along with my elementary school music class. It was my introduction to reading and understanding music.
I have always been around music and musicians. My parents play instruments. Well, My dad still plays trumpet and my mom plays a little piano and played the clarinet when she was a child.
I also heard a lot of music at church. So, I was really introduced to the musical sounds of many instruments from day 1. Although I learned piano first, I really only knew how to read the music. I would try to pick out songs and chords or melodies but I wasn’t getting too far, as soon as I wanted to.
At 11, I started playing the alto saxophone in my middle school band. This was the first instrument in which I was experiencing fast success in comparison to many failed attempts such as the drums and my slow piano progress.
GospelbassLines: So when did you pick up the bass?
Sean Byrd: I didn’t start playing the bass until I was in high school. I had actually even worked on the guitar before the bass. Let’s just say that I was interested in many instruments but I was waiting for the one that would really capture me. I was content with the saxophone. I did well playing it but apparently it wasn’t the instrument that was going to convince me to pursue music as a career because it was just a hobby for me for years.
GospelbassLines: So what lead up to playing the bass?
Sean Byrd: One day while playing at my grandparent’s house with my little cousins, we were looking under a bed upstairs in a guest room or decoration room, as my grandmother would call it, and I found a dusty case and opened it up. It was an old bass guitar that belonged to one of my uncles. He bought it when he was stationed in Germany. He never got around to learning how to play it so he left it at my grandparent’s house. This discovery changed my musical life and not only so but changed my life entirely. I called him while he was stationed in Hawaii and asked him if I could take it home and learn how to play it. He agreed and the rest is history.
GospelbassLines: How did it change your life?
Sean Byrd: I lived and slept with that bass. It consumed countless hours of my day. All I did was practice the bass. It was extremely difficult at first. I couldn’t even play one string without making the other ones ring. I didn’t know how to use my hands to play it at all. I started watching the bass player at my church, Donnie Riles, while I was in the choir pretending to sing. [laughs] I tried every week to memorize what his fingers looked like when he would play. Eventually I started figuring out the notes and started seeing repeated patterns on the fret board. It was a slow but progressive process.
GospelbassLines: What was the pivotal point from the early frustration?
Sean Byrd: One Sunday evening, my grandmother, MeMe is how everyone referred to her, told me to pray and ask God to show me how to play and to anoint me to play. I did just what she said. She was not only my grandmother but she was my pastor.
She would sing songs for me when she came to our house so I could try to hear and follow. The problem I had was that I was used to playing the sax so I would start trying to play the melody. I had to learn how to hear the harmony and chord progression and also hear the rhythms. It was very challenging for me at that time. I was about 14 or 15 years old at the time. I started to practice a lot more and pray even more. About 6 months later I was filling in during church services. I wasn’t doing anything fancy, just getting by, but I was learning a lot real fast. God truly blessed me. I believe it was due to prayer and dedication that he not gifted me because that comes before birth but he anointed me to understand music.
GospelbassLines: Do you have any advice for our readers that will assist them in hearing, the harmony and chord progressions you referred to?
Sean Byrd: Memorizing note relationship is good and it’s not very difficult. If you take a major scale for example, and listen to how all 7 notes (notes 1 and 8 are the same note 1 octave apart) sound in relation to the tonic or root, you will start to memorize intervals. Try this in the key of C. C=1, D=2, E=3 etc. Memorizing common progressions is also good for example, 2- 5-1; 6-2-5-1; 3-6-2-5-1; 7-3-6-2-5-1. If you notice, the distance from each note to the next is what we call in theory, a 4th.
GospelbassLines: I’ve heard a bass player who you’ve influenced say, Learn your pentatonic scales. Once a person learns the pentatonic scales, how does that knowledge transfer to playing gospel/worship music?
Sean Byrd: Understanding the concept of the pentatonic (5 tone) scale gives you a basic foundation for improvising. In a major key, the pentatonic would be 1-2-3-5-6. You will notice that playing the same notes but starting on the 6, will give you the relative minor pentatonic. Ex. C major and A minor.
GospelbassLines: You mentioned Donnie Riles has been influential in your bass playing. Are there any other musicians who influence your style? how?
Sean Byrd: There are too many musicians to name. Everything that produces sound can be and inspiration and stimulate you to try and duplicate it or respond to it through your instrument. Ex. Guitarist can imitate motorcycle sounds and chainsaw sounds with distortion pedals. LOL! I think that’s cool.
GospelbassLines: If you were stranded on a desert Island, and you could only take one song, what would it be and why?
Sean Byrd: I would probably write it on my way to the island. It would go like this I know I’m not about to be stranded on this island I know I’m not about to be stranded on this I just got stranded on an island. LOL! Why I want my last song to be the truth! LOL!
GospelbassLines: Who is in heavy rotation in your CD player right now?
Sean Byrd: I love praise and worship music. I also like good instrumental music. I really dig XM Radio. I can’t name any specific favorites.
GospelbassLines: What gear do you own? Basses, Amps, Strings etc.
Sean Byrd: I am somewhat of a collector. I have a Ken Smith custom bass, a KSD, a Washburn and others. I am currently using 2 4×10 Eden cabs. I have a SWR head. Im using Smith strings on my Smith basses.
GospelbassLines: What would you consider to be some of the most important technical aspect to playing the bass? Reasons?
Sean Byrd: Break bad habits early. Practicing with a metronome is good. Proper fingering and finger placement is important. Learning the fret board is also important.
GospelbassLines: You took theory in college?
Sean Byrd: When I was in college music theory came easy to me. Learning other instruments made so much sense. I could start to see how they were all related. I thank God and give him all the glory. Yes I would practice for hours and hours but I truly believe that if you pray and believe, God will do more than you ever expected.
GospelbassLines: What has been most beneficial to your growth as a musician?
Sean Byrd: Prayer and worship has been the most beneficial factor in my growth to this point. I’ve gotten back to praying and worshiping God more so that I can continue to grow in him. In return, he always increases my understanding of himself and the things he has created, like music.
GospelbassLines: Do you have any technical factors you can add to that? (to the previous question)
Sean Byrd: Be persistent in practice. Be disciplined and play with faith. If you believe you are able, you will be.
GospelbassLines: Also add anything else you would like to see on the interview. Plug your album, any groups you are in… if you wanna talk about people you have played on the same stage with, go right ahead.
Sean Byrd: Thanks again for doing this.
Sean is a very talented professional musician, music director, educator, producer and minster of the Gospel. His ability to play multiple instruments is phenominal, yet he remains humble and given to the Lord. You can find out more about Sean Byrd at http://www.myspace.com/seanbyrdmusic
]]>Gospelbasslines: Tell us about your Discography, and gigs you have played on.
Derrick Hearne: I have played for a lot of artists. Some you may have heard of and others you may not. My recordings are a lot in number but the most notables would have to be Ricky Dillard’s (no Limit, Unplugged, The 7th Episode). As far as gigs…wow. I have played (or had the opportunity to play) with a lot of the “well known” artists from Jay Moss to Kurt Carr, etc. My list of gigs may not be as long as others but understand, that is clearly by choice and I am very content with it. I remember the days when the “Tommies” were really hot. They would have the same band that totally defined their sound. You never hardly saw those musicians, in that era, playing all the time with everybody. I wanted to do that with the ministry I am with.
Gospelbasslines: How long have you been playing bass guitar?
Derrick Hearne: I have been playing bass for 19 years now (14 years professionally)
Gospelbasslines: Did you musical journey start with the bass guitar, or did you start out on another instrument?
Derrick Hearne: I actually, like most musicians, started on the drums. Unfortunately for me, our church at the time had a slew of drummers already and my PT [playing time] was very limited. My cousin Jayson, who is my right arm to this day, was the first in our age range to take the step to another instrument which was the organ. This lead me to think, “If I played bass, we’d have a full band over here”. In high school I did play a little of trumpet but for some reason I liked the bass so much more. I will never forget when our marching band entered the city jamboree and the people saw we had a bass player on the field with real drums and keyboard doing radio songs! It was amazing!
Gospelbasslines: Who has influenced your playing style the most? Why?
Derrick Hearne: I actually have 3 people who influenced me the most Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius. I am a prodigy of all three! Each of their styles can be incorporated in gospel in so many ways. I am sure that people who have really heard me would agree. Marcus’ style is for the more funkier stuff and so is Jaco’s in a different way but Victor, I usually bring that out for soloing. I really didn’t get into these guys until late 2002. I had a style but I felt like my threshold had reached. All I listened to was gospel and no offense to no one but I was doing at 15 years old what some of the “top” bass players in the gospel industry are doing now. I wasn’t growing. I wanted to start a whole new thing. My friend Kevin Randolph (No Limit), who along with a couple of others has to be the most gifted keyboard players I have ever met, turned me on to jazz and since then, it was new and fresh. No one I knew at the time was doing it this way, some couldn’t.
Gospelbasslines: What aspect of listening to Jazz, caused your playing to move to the next level?
Derrick Hearne: Well understand that I grew up on gospel. That’s all I was ever allowed to listen to as a child. I didn’t even know who Earth Wind and Fire was until I was 18. Ain’t that a mess? I guess you can say I was “closed in a box”. A friend of mine, Kevin Randolph (New G, Mary Mary, Ramsey Lewis) actually turned me on to Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, etc. It opened my mind up to a whole new world of bass playing. I mean the scales, the approaches, and the overall execution was something I wanted to be able to do. I mean I listened to my fair share of “smooth” jazz but FUSION, it’s a totally different beast.
Gospelbasslines: Can you remember any particular concept or element of playing that gave you problems in your maturation process?
Derrick Hearne: Fingering believe it or not. Though I was learning Jaco’s technique, I was never as fluid as I wanted to be. I had slapping down to the point where I was getting comfortable but fingering, it was hard for me because I never really got into it. I grew up listening to Andrew Gouche’, Steve Huff, Joel Smith and on the albums I had they were slapping even on ballads! (LA Mass “Love Lifted Me”) Needless to say, the whole element of walking, let alone the tone Jaco has, was a beast to conquer.
Gospelbasslines: How did you overcome the issue with fingering?
Derrick Hearne: Actually I practiced a lot of scales over and over. First slowly and then I noticed my dexterity and speed increased over some time. I still practice on getting faster because doing 16th notes in “shout” music is a killer!
Gospelbasslines: Share with our readers, how you approach playing in a gospel/worship environment, from a spiritual standpoint.
Derrick Hearne: I pray before EVERY service, concert, session, gig, rehearsal, etc. Even if it’s a simple, “Thank you Lord for another opportunity to minister.” I can’t understand how some musicians walk out on prayer, praise and worship, spoken word. I have actually been in musicals where there were a host of musicians and no one wanted to play in praise and worship. It was just me on the bass. No drummer. No organist. No pianist. The praise leader started singing anyway and FINALLY they made there way up there to play. I sometimes hate to play at musicals because when somebody does a “riff” you hear hollering, screaming, and yelling. Yet these same people are quiet as church mice when someone says,”Let’s worship the Lord with the fruit of our lips.” {perplexed} I take my walk seriously and I give my all every time I play whether it’s at a packed house or not, a big church or a store front, paid or unpaid. God was generous enough to bless us with this gift! We should NOT take it for granted. I honestly couldn’t care less if I’m everyone’s favorite bass player, as long as God is pleased! (End of message) The doors of the church are now open..lol!
Gospelbasslines: What would you tell a musician wanting to get into the industry?
Derrick Hearne: If you want to do it because you love gospel and ministering then great! If you are in it to make money…ummm..no. I am not saying you couldn’t make a decent living doing it but it is a “hustle”. I didn’t want to have to be gone all the time so I have other things I do and I am in school to get a degree in software engineering. If this is what you want to do then….but for me it was not feasible. As far as getting into the industry, I have found in my life that God indeed honors faithfulness. I tell everyone to be faithful to your church first and and whatever ministry you are a part of secondly. I didn’t get my opportunity by playing with everybody under the sun. It was by playing with a group that was faithful to from the beginning. Understand that everything works in God’s time and if He feels that you are not ready, then you are NOT. Sometimes it could be that the group you are with was predestined by God was meant to be the next “Tye Tribbett and GA”. Having said that let me add that on top of these you should make a press package for yourself (Videos, Audio, resume, etc.) This way when you blessed to be in company of some artists you can then at least have a shot. Also it is always good to network with other musicians because sometimes they can help you get where you are trying to go.
Gospelbasslines: If you were stranded on a dessert island, and could have 1 song, what would that song be and why?
Derrick Hearne: I would have to say “Latter Rain” by Myron Butler. It just ministers to me in so many ways both lyrically and musically. It’s almost like they were talking directly to me!
Gospelbasslines: Who is in heavy rotation in you CD player right now?
Derrick Hearne: Because I produce and engineer my ears are usually fried a lot..lol But when do I listen to music the gospel albums I reach for first are… Myron Butler and Levi Tye Tribbet “Life” Kevin Vasser “So Glad”
Gospelbasslines: What Basses do you play, Strings you use, Amps, Cabs, and if you use any effects or pre-amps, etc.
Derrick Hearne: I have 8 basses. I could never get around to getting an endorsement. Maybe I should one day….
Fender Deluxe Jazz Basses (4&5 string)
4 string Music Man
6 string Ibanez (EMG electronics)
5 string Warrick Corvette
5 string fret less (Peavey)
5 string Peavey Millenium. (I like the sound of Peavey basses, the active ones anyway.)
8 string (No name Company) I’m decking it out with Bartolini electronics and pickups, a new bridge, etc.
I use DR strings with D’Addario as a backup
Gospelbasslines: Are there any technical aspect, or exercises you can give to those starting out, that are tangible enough to help them grow as a musician?
Derrick Hearne: I can honestly say what has helped me the most is developing my ear. I never ever had a real lesson. My teachers were ALL what I like to call INDIRECT PROFESSORS. They were teaching me and didn’t even know it. I would say as advice is to find a bass player that you admire and BUY the cd’s that they play on. This way you shouldn’t get bored listening to it repeatedly. Eventually you should be able to at least hum the bass line..believe it or not you are have way there because from here with time you will be able to translate what you hum to your instrument. Once I was able to hear something and then play it exactly like I heard it, everything came quickly from there. Learning notes are valuable but if you have a good ear as well, you will constantly get called for gigs.
Gospelbasslines: Are there any upcoming projects, or links you want to promote?
Derrick Hearne: I actually produce as well and right now I have been in the studio working on some upcoming projects. I am trying to get them done before the TOUR RUSH. I will start posting them on my Myspace page real soon.
Special Thanks to Derrick Hearne for taking time to speak with Gospelbasslines.com. It was indeed a pleasure to speak to such a gifted musician who is willing to share his lifes experience. To find out more about Derrick Hearne, be sure to visit him at His Myspace Page.
]]>
Gospel Bass Lines: Do you play yourself? If so, what has been the most influential aspect of developing your playing style?
Tim Cloonan: I do play, but not bass. I’m a guitar player (uh oh!) but ultimately decided to build basses because there is a huge number of extremely talented bass players in my area and no one around who could really help them out. Guitar techs generally do a very poor job of setting up and properly maintaining basses, so it seemed like a good gap to fill.
As a player, I started at a very early age and ended up getting a degree from Temple University in Jazz Performance for guitar. For me, the most influential aspect of developing my own style was listening to music. Plain and simple. After awhile I outgrew a need to categorize and judge players, I realized everyone had different strengths and weaknesses and I appreciate what the greats bring to the game.
Gospel Bass Lines: Do you have any advise you can offer bass players starting out?
Tim Cloonan: There are two things which stand out to me as being important. The first thing is something a professor in college explained to me: never forget that being a musician is physical. Your fingers will hurt, and your dexterity and coordination will be challenged. Playing music isnﾒt entirely a head game, you need to build a physical tolerance to what ever instrument you play and understand it takes time to build things up. The second thing (perhaps the most important) is that playing music is supposed to be fun!
Gospel Bass Lines: From the inception of CallowHillTM you decided to design with the Bassist coming out of the Black gospel tradition. You stated on your site, that if this tradition were a town, then you arent even on the same planet. What are some characteristics that define the players coming out of the Black Gospel Tradition, for you?
Tim Cloonan: From my perspective, the principal characteristic (which isn’t exclusive to players coming out of this tradition but is often lacking in players coming from other backgrounds) is aural tradition. In other words, the musicians learn the way any musician should learn, by using their ears. Players who learn other forms, be it Rock, Jazz, Blues, whatever, often get lessons and practice but never really PLAY. Most of the players I know coming out of the Black Gospel bag learned in much the same way, but then had to get their chops busted and think on the fly in front of an audience a couple times a week at a very early age. If you’re in this situation and the organist decides to throw some curve balls, the bass player has to be on their game and adapt. Having played with more bass players form the aforementioned tradition, I’ve tried numerous times to derail them on gigs and sessions just to be a wiseguy and have had very limited success!
Gospel Bass Lines: You spent over ten years repairing basses for players coming out of the Black Gospel genre, what were some of the issues that the players would ask you for assistance in correcting?
Tim Cloonan: The main thing is WEIGHT. As a repair tech there really is never anything I can do about it, but most guys who have to perform for 4+ hours at a time don’t like it when they have a neck-heavy cinder block tied around their neck the whole time. The other issue is getting a full spectrum sound with the controls set flat. Many Gospel players go through a phase where they like to boost the lows and highs and cut all the mids. Eventually, they realize that particular eq curve has no definition to the audience’s ears and straighten the curve. When that happens, the question that comes up is, “What pickups and preamps will provide a great full sound with minimal tweaking, and without background noise?” The other thing is setting the basses up so they play easily without excessive fret buzz.
Gospel Bass Lines: You’ve worked with a very talented array of musicians, in developing your instruments. What’s the most common thing this all-star cast of musicians like about CallowHillTM basses?
Tim Cloonan: The thing that most players of my instruments tend to like is light weight, no deadspots, versatility, ease of playability, a very thick, raw tonality, and super definition in the low B strings (or Bb in Maurice’s case) The other feature they like is reliability. If the battery dies you just pull up on the passive tone knob and the bass is still going strong, and all of the wiring is executed with solid silver Teflon coated audiophile grade wire so there’s never any risk of a bad solder joint. I guess overall they like that I confronted and solved every complaint they ever had, and improved everything they always loved to begin with.
Gospel Bass Lines: What is meant by “no deadspots”?
Tim Cloonan: Deadspots are areas on the neck (sometimes referred to as wolf-tones) which sound quieter in comparison to other notes . Also, you can have notes which are extremely lively and more sensitive to touch. Session players focus on this and most players prefer instruments with minimal deadspots because itﾒs easier to record.
Gospel Bass Lines: Back to the talented musicians. I have heard up and coming bassist ask, “what does it take to get endorsed, by a Bass company” Being a builder of quality instruments, can you offer any insight as to what you look for in Musicians to work with?
Tim Cloonan: Personally, I can’t stand endorsements. I work extremely long hours, and the components in my instruments are more expensive than many of my competitors so my “profit margin” is tiny. Many of us in the bass building trade joke that we make under $10.00 an hour – but for many of us this is true. My standpoint is that if a player wants an instrument they will endorse it by BUYING it. The musicians who helped me develop my line were picked by me, and they don’t function as endorsers in the traditional sense, but rather they are my R&D department. They request models, we design them together, I build them, and they take them out and test them in multiple environments in an effort to determine if they make the cut. If I’m given a green light, it becomes available to the public as an offering from the company.
In a nutshell, my take on endorsements is that large companies NEED endorsers to lend credibility to poorly constructed mass production instruments so that kids can go the local Guitar Center and purchase said instruments with their parent’s money! I’m not a large company, and have no wish to become one.
Gospel Bass Lines: What aspects led to the selection of your R&D players?
Tim Cloonan: For me, it was about stepping back and asking myself who has a unique voice and who has something to contribute to take things a step further. I looked at their style, touch, and taste in gear and then went from there.
Gospel Bass Lines: Many of the visitors to Gospelbasslines.com, are starting out and looking to identify their sound. I get questions about amps and basses, my response is usually don’t go broke, trying to get gear, you can’t afford. Do you have any advise to assist players who have budget instruments and equipment to help them find good tone with what they have, or in making the decision of what to purchase?
Tim Cloonan: I think most players put way too much emphasis on gear and image. A majority of the players I deal with who play high end basses (regardless of what kind of music they play) want people to “oooh” and “aaah” when they bust their instruments out of the case. Come play time, most of them simply can’t hang. It sounds brutal, but I see it all the time. When a heavy hitter like Derrick Hodge picks up something I do he’s tuned into what makes it good and appreciates all the detail work and care that goes into the construction, but if I were to hand him a $75.00 Walmart special bass he’d make it sound just as good. Players get “brandalized” all the time. They see a player they like using a particular brand, and they develop an odd allegiance to that brand. The players that sound the best will do so on anything because they took the time to develop a touch on their instrument. They understand that differences in pressure on each hand will yield different tonal results, they know how to shape lines dynamically, they know where in front of the bridge to play with their right hand, and they do all these things and more intuitively because they took the time to figure it out. My advice on buying gear is to try stuff out, buy what you like and understand that a $3000.00 bass isn’t necessarily 10x better than a $300.00 one. Develop a touch, learn the strong points and weak points of what you have, and make it work.
Gospel Bass Lines: That’s great insight.
Gospel Bass Lines: For those who want to get the process started of getting a CallowHill TMbass, how can they get more information about which style of Bass best fits the needs of the type of Gospel Music they primarily play?
Tim Cloonan: It’s pretty easy, they can email me through the website or just call. I’m not a custom shop in that the models I offer were painstakingly developed and are what they are for a reason. I make what I make, but I do offer a lot of options and I’m happy to discuss ideas with players. If I’m not willing to incorporate certain features or if my pricing isn’t quite right, I’m always happy to recommend other builders for players to check out as well.
You can find Callowhill Guitars online at http://www.callowhill.net.
]]>Gospelbasslines: How Long have you been playing?
Al Kelly: I have been playing for around 7 years
Gospelbasslines: Is bass the first instrument that you have played?
Al Kelly: Before I picked up the bass I played the drums, piano, and alto sax.
Gospelbasslines: When was the Eureka moment in your playing, and the light just went off?
Al Kelly: I guess it would have been when I first got my bass. Before I got my bass when I listened to the instrument it seemed like a simple concept of one note lines put over a beat. So when I finally got my bass playing seemed so natural. I started playing at my church the week after I got my bass.
Gospelbasslines: You must have, already had a pretty solid ear. Is there any advise you can give, about training your ear?
Al Kelly: I think the main thing that helps me is just listening to a wide variety of gospel music. One of the first things you learn when you start gospel bass is that most gospel songs are just patterns and changes and the more you know the easier it is to identify bass lines.
Gospelbasslines: You have great control, and speed in your playing. How do you practice?
Al Kelly: The exercises I use are from Anthony Vitti’s accelerate you bass playing by berklee press. They helped me make more distinguished notes and gain control over my speed.
Gospelbasslines: Any particular type of excercises?
Al Kelly: I usually just practice random songs I have on my computer. I rarely practice techniques but at least once every two weeks I break out the metronome and do like an hour of exercises. I also often just use a metronome and groove along with the beat. It has helped me a lot with my creativity.
Gospelbasslines: Many people have seen you on YOUTUBE, the videos are amazing. Who are some players that you look at and admire there style, and how do they influence your playing?
Al Kelly: Some players who I admire are of course Tim Williams, Justin Raines, Dale Black, Terrance Palmer, Maurice Fitzgerald, Daryl Freeman, Dwayne Wright, Fred Hammond, Damian Erskine, Tommy Brown, etc. When I first started playing there where two main bassist that inspired me. One was Bro King that plays at Galilee Baptist in Lawton, Ok. He was so seasoned on the bass and played with so much emotion. The other one was a young man from Mt Zion Baptist in Wichita, KS I never knew his name. He used to do things with a bass that I could believe. I would practice for hours after hearing these guys play.
Gospelbasslines: If you were stranded on a dessert island, and could have 1 song, what would that song be and why?
Al Kelly: I am not sure if who composed it but a jazz inspired instrumental of we fall down. Its is one of my favorite songs
Gospelbasslines: What gear do you play through? (Bass, pre-amp, rig, etc.)
Al Kelly: I play a Rogue LX-406pro 6 string into a Behringer V-amp Pro Preamp, into a Behringer EP2500 Power Amp, into a Custom 2×10 and a Custom 4×10 both with Madison Knight Speakers rated at 250rms and 500 max a piece.
Gospelbasslines: You definitely, are a testimony, to its the musician not the instrument, and I know your gear is not the High end of the spectrum as far as pricing goes, but do you have a wish list of what you want to eventually purchase? If so, what would it be?
Al Kelly: I am pretty satisfied as far as gear goes but If had to upgrade I would probably get a MTD Z6 bass into a BBE BMax SS Preamp. I kind of want to try out a Conklin 7 string.
Gospelbasslines: Is there any advise that you would share from your experience to those just starting out with the Bass? To those who have been playing for a while, and want to grow.
Al Kelly: My advice to all bassist would be to find some artist with bass players that you like and study them. I learn the majority of what I know by doing this.
Gospelbasslines: What has been the greatest advise you received, concerning bass playing?
Al Kelly: “If I want to be a great bass player … I need to listen to bass players, If I want to be a great musician, I need to listen to all of music,” Victor L. Wooten
Al is currently attending Grambling State University, where he is majoring in Electronic Engineering Technology. He plays for First Baptist while at home and Miracle Temple COGIC while at school occasionally stepping in with a couple of choirs when called upon. You can locate Al on the web at: http://www.myspace.com/darkknightofbass
]]>Gospel Bass Lines: I see that you played instruments prior to the bass guitar what made the bass your primary stop?
Dale Black: I started playing the clarinet in 3rd grade. My dad bought it for me and I actually fell in love with it. Now that I look back Ii think Ii would have loved any thing my dad gave me, I just wanted to play music. I learned things like reading playing the clarinet but went in search of another instrument after playing it extensively throughout my early elementary school years. Its funny how I started playing the bass because it was kind of an accident. In 4th grade I had the option to play in orchestra and I signed up for the cello because I had always loved the sound. I later learned, the school was out of cellos and all that was left was the upright bass. I remember instantly falling in love with the mammoth beast, with its deep tone and huge stature. The rest is history! A few years later I was playing it in a talent show at church and the Minister of Music at my church thought I should play bass guitar. He sat me down with a guy named Edwin Livingston who is now a world class bassist. He played a 5 minute slap solo. I couldn’t believe it! The power and sound of the instrument was exiting.
Gospel Bass Lines: You have been playing for over 15 years, was there any particular point in your playing where you felt you got over the biggest hump, as far as learning the craft?
Dale Black: I think that would be learning jazz and theory. learning to read and play the heads, chords, as well as the bass part to so many jazz standards from Coltrane to Mingus. That meant learning my modes and relearning the treble clef. It was hard at first. I was in my first year of college at Wichita State University and a local jazz guitarist asked me,”Do you know Donna Lee by Charlie Parker”. I said, “Kinda”, having played a version of it in high school. He sat me down and said, “Solo over it”. He started playing chords and I couldn’t hear what to play over them. Having heard that I was all that, I was humbled at that point, because he told me I couldn’t play! “Man learn all of your chords and scales in all keys and work on your jazz”, he said! I took his advise. So I went to the wood shed and taught myself music theory, learning the bass all over essentially. 6 years later here we are. It was crazy and I felt like giving up at times but it was well worth it now that I look back.
Gospel Bass Lines: Who influenced your playing style the most? Why? How do you implement that influence into your playing.
Dale Black: I was into Stanley Clarke really hard for a good part of my early bass years. You can probably sometimes still hear that influence in my playing although life experiences new influences and maturity have made me the bassist I am today. Which is a mix of alot of people bassist or not. I think that its better to listen to people that do not play your instrument. I’ve been influenced by sax players and pianist as well as drummers. I sometimes challenge myself saying if he can do that on piano or drums or whatever why cant I do it on bass?
Gospel Bass Lines: You also teach? What do you want “Most” to get your students to learn? How do you go about that?
Dale Black: I start them off by learning their fingerboard and scales. The first month for most students is the hardest because all I do is teach scales. It usually shows who is for real and who just wants to learn how to play for other nonmusical reasons. I mean its the same with piano. Your teacher is gonna start you of with learning notes and scales. Its important to have atleast a basic knowledge of this on bass in my opinion. Other than that I show them proper technique as far as how to hold the bass so that your not fighting against the bass. Warming up and stretches are important because it keeps carpal tunnel and tendonitis at bay
Gospel Bass Lines: If you were stranded on a dessert island, and could have 1 song, what would that song be and why?
Dale Black: That’s a hard one. It would probably be ….. man that’s really hard. One song would get old to me real quick no matter what it is ha! I’m a sucker for ballads so it would probably be some Nat King Cole maybe “Unforgettable”.
Gospel Bass Lines: You mentioned that God has blessed you with the gift to play and heal others. When did you realize that this was what God had given you?
Dale Black: Where I am from being a musician is not looked at as a livelihood. As a matter of fact, it is discouraged in a lot of ways. So growing up knowing how much I loved music I was always pressured into pursuing other more normal careers. Sometimes the money was good but I wasn’t happy. Having a God given talent but working at Chuck E Cheese sweeping floors while my bass hasn’t been touched for weeks due to my hectic work schedule and my manager tripping with me made me really re look things. It took me going through this and maturing spiritually and being closer to Him to really realize that this is more than something I liked doing. It was a calling. It is a gift straight from the Creator. When you see people worshipping God in church to the music your healing. Even listening to music in your kitchen has healing properties. Man music powerful! My intentions when I play both in church and out is to draw people closer to God inspire people to be positive, follow their dreams and love one another.
Gospel Bass Lines: In closing, can you give the players in the church/worship setting some encouragement or advise to keep them going?
Dale Black: Stay encouraged keep practicing. From the aspiring touring musician to the guy who just plays at church on the weekends. The more you practice the better you’ll be i grantee it! Although I preach theory You don’t have to learn theory and reading and all that to be a good musician. Some of the best have admitted to not knowing this stuff. So its not required but its the path I chose and I know it will help you alot, it helped me. Remember who your playing for, It’s okay to show off but there’s a time for everything. Chops and licks are cool but its the music that’s gonna save people and that’s our main goal as musicians right?
Gospel Bass Lines: What Basses do you play (I have seen your Lakland), Strings you use, Amps, Cabs, and if you use any effects or pre-amps, etc.
Dale Black: Lakland With DR High beams. A acquaintance of mine Jackie Clark who is endorsed by Ebs turned me onto their gear and ive been in love ever since. EBS HD-350 Head and Evolution Cabinets. I dont use effects other than the occasional wah pedal.
Dale Black is on the Latest GMWA CD to be released this summer, as well as GMWA Live in Kansas City 2004. Dale is also working on his album, that is slated for being out next spring. You can find Mr. Black on Myspace.com/bassicblack, check there for updates.
Join me in congratulating Dale!
Since the time of this interview Dale is now officially endorsed by Lakland basses.
]]>