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.