thank you! This is the first really clear explanation of this that I've heard/seen, as well as the difference in the feel between "in front of" versus "right on" the beat.
This is a superb lesson on feel (beat placement), thanks. I call the "in-between eights" as "grudgingly eighths" as in a slightly hesitant "+" (swing) feel.
Great instruction with new (for me) practice tips. One thing I was taught and have used is to play a little behind the beat on the kick, especially on the one but potentially on other beats too. Bass typically has a longer decay than a kick, so the tiny delay gets the bass out of the way and emphasizes the kick drum attack. It also makes the bass sound bigger than it is on those beats. I like the idea of playing ahead of the ride, to drive the song forward without changing tempo. Not sure how playing ahead of the ride elsewhere could work in conjunction with playing behind the kick on the one, so that would be an interesting experiment. All of this depends on clear understanding and agreement between bass and drums, and both having the discipline to keep the tempo steady, not being tricked into speeding up or slowing down. I also think playing ahead or behind is best when it's very subtle; best when creating that flam feel.
Great lesson. Watched a couple of Bob's lessons and enjoyed and most importantly learned A LOT. So thank you. The topic was always a bit "vague" for me. Sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. This lesson helps to consciously hear it, feel it and work on it.
absolutely. I do say in the video that we're not trying to play behind the beat when swinging....instead this is meant to feel the '1' better - and to utilize the dragging feel in other music styles like hip-hop (don't drag when swingin!) 😊
Always with the awesome content, Mr. DeBoo. Hope we got some non bassists watching your content, because it's gold. Whatever happened to your bass podcast with Reuben Rogers? Heard that Peter and Adam are going forward with a course on rhythm. I hope they involve you and your perspectives because you are one of the few non drummers to talk about these concepts--including beat placement and macro time!
Thanks Pickinstone! Thought I might hear from you on this video 😊 The podcast with Reuben - "Upright Citizens" - is going strong! We release new episodes every Tuesday and you can find them at any podcast place (apple, spotify, transistor, etc). I do curate a weekly guided practice session over at Open Studio Pro where we talk and shed all things rhythm. Hope they bring me in too! Take care. -Bob
For sure. Listen again to the Oscar Peterson trio's 'Night Train' album. Definitely a prime example of Ray playing "on top". These exercises are great to do with drum loops of course too! Happy Practicing - Bob
Hi Bob, Great pdf! First time I watched I was a bit puzzled as you were explaining how practice ahead I was not making sense of the pdf as the behind/dragging examples are first opposite to the video presentation?
Terrific lesson Bob! Interesting to see the “center, ahead,behind” concept that is usually mentioned in a “ you’ll hear it “ (TM 🤓)way being viewed in relation to the grid . But having done that, going back to feeling it so the groove is there rather than a mechanistic approach. Finally, which metronome are you using? I hate the sound of practicality all metronome sounds. Many times the beats are also too “wide” because they are pitched computer tones. I love the finger snaps that you used. Great tone on your bass too Bob… love it, you available for some gigs in Auckland New Zealand? 😁
Thanks MJP!! Lovely comment, and yes - the idea is to get away from that mechanical concept, but practice sitting in the "cracks" of the groove. I'm using the "snaps" sound on the Time Guru app (which I love btw). I'd be thrilled to come play in NZ!!! I've always wanted to visit 😊 I'll start packing!! Best, Bob
