Listen to them

Here is a list of bass players whom you can listen to.

1. Abraham Laboriel
2. Anthony Jackson
   
3. Bill Dickens
4. Billy Sheehan
   
5. Brian Bomberg
6. Bootsy Collins
   
7. Chuck Rainey
   
8. Chris Squire
9. Christian McBride
10. Ed Friedland
11. Flea
12. Francis Rocco Prestia
    
13. Gary Grainger
14. Gary Willis
15. Geddy Lee ( Haven't hear him play)
    
16. George Porter Jr
17. Gerald Veasley
18. Jaco Pastorius
19. James Jamerson (I haven't hear him play but he is a legend)
20. Jeff Berlin
    
21. Jimmy Haslip
22. Jimmy Johnson
    
23. John Entwistle
24. John Patitucci
25. Larry Graham
26. Louis Johnson
27. Marcus Miller
28. Mark King
29. Michael Anthony
    
30. Michael Manring
    
31. Nathan East
32. Noel Redding (Haven't hear him play)
33. Norm Stockton
    
34. Oteil Burbridge
35. Paul McCartney
36. Richard Bona
    
37. Stanley Clarke
38. Steve Bailey
    
39. Steve Harris (Haven't hear him play)
    
40. Sting
    
41. Stu Hamm
42. Tetsuo Sakurai
43. Verdine White
    
44. Victor Bailey
    
45. Victor Lemonte Wooten
46. Will Lee

That's all for now. There are too many good bass players in the world. Don't stop listening

In The Pocket

We often ask ourselves (at least for me), how come a season player sounds more groovy when playing the exact same notes than that of an amatuer player.
Beside knowing how to accent certain notes and playing ghost notes to add some feel, the main reason is TIMING.

Top priority for a bass player in any genre of music is keeping time. Sorry it is not just the drummer's job but it is everybody's job to keep time in a band.
For the groove to be happening, the band have to play together.

I was demonstrating to a friend recently, playing the blue scales. With the metronome clicking, the groove is there. You can feel the music as the 12 bars flow through smoothly.
I also showed him that playing funk do not mean you have to slap. It's the timing.

For bass player, we have to locked in with the drummer. When both can play together, it will formed a solid rhythm section.

For examples of people playing in the pocket, please listen to Rocco Prestia, Victor Wooten, Abraham Laboriel and etc.

If you can sound groovy on a metronome, you will sound even better on a drum machine. If you don't have any tool to keep time, either buy one or use the online metronome.
Remember, the tool will not lie. If you can't groove, the problem is with you not the machine.

Rock Music Can Boosts Our Brain Power

I read an article recently that claim that listening to rock music can boost our brain power.

Researchers believe that rock-based songs by Flea, Noel Redding and etc can help improve concentration and boosts memory.

Recent studies suggested that by listening to classical music, it can improve your intelligence, especially material by Mozart.

As group of volunteers were asked to listen to Beethoven's 2nd symphony and a piece by Steve Vai. While the classical music improved the concentration and memory of both groups, there is also a significant effect of the rock fans.

To read the full article : http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2340869,00.html

Personally I prefer more Jazzy stuff and I think it will also boost my brain :)