Doubling on Keys...

Lex

Lex

Warwick Endorser
Joined
Jan 24, 2006
Messages
2,493
Reaction score
12
Hey guys

Just wanted to know how many of you double on keyboard bass.

The more and more work I am doing in the R&B/Hip Hop/Soul arena, the more I find that keyboard doubling will be to my advantage.

Thoughts?

Lex
 
Lex said:
Hey guys

Just wanted to know how many of you double on keyboard bass.

The more and more work I am doing in the R&B/Hip Hop/Soul arena, the more I find that keyboard doubling will be to my advantage.

Thoughts?

Lex
Click to expand...

Well, I haven't been in a situation that has required this of me, but I do listen a lot to Stevie, which frequently uses programmed basslines on keyboards. I read in an interview that Nathan Watts plays the lines live on keyboard.

I played a bit of piano before I started playing bass, so I have the proper theory behind how to play lines if I had to. I've been playing along to Stevie's records too.

I'd recommend taking a few lessons in piano, to get the basics.

However, with the right modulation effect, you can achieve the most basic/frequently used bass synth sounds without having to learn to play the piano.
 
Lex - how many hands do you have?....or is this your secret - you actually have four hands and six feet?

Don't know if I could actually play bass and keyboards at the same time :wink:

G
 
LOL

Didn't mean playing at the same time... I mean, playing some tracks or parts on the keyboard...
 
Lex said:
LOL

Didn't mean playing at the same time... I mean, playing some tracks or parts on the keyboard...
Click to expand...

It's about as useful as doing backing vocals. I see/know more and more bassplayers who're doing it live. We have piano lessons in school so it's a natural thing for me to get involved in if ever needed :)

I'd go for it.
 
Seems like a great idea: the more things you can do the better!
I'm getting a keyboard soon to learn playing
 
Yeah, i've got my midi keyboard setup, but thinking of getting a MOOG Little Phatty Stage II....
 
hey lex,

i am a doubler. i find that most road gigs these days require you to be. i have a few friends that are in the LA scene and doing major tours as well and the concensus is about 70/30 leaning toward key bass. a buddy of mine that played with usher never picked up a bass the whole show though he is a phenominal bassist.

i think it just depends what kind(s) of music you play. in jazz, for instance, you probably won't play key bass as much as in pop/r&b music. you probably won't find it as much in rock either because it wasn't recorded that way.

i think if you are pursuing the big gigs, anything you have over the other guys that are auditioning the better for you.

see ya
 
Ben

Thanks very much for the response. Very interesting indeed. I've found that in the NYC funk/r&b/hip hop scene (so far) I have gotten by with electric bass alone. As you say though, its worth expanding my abilities and getting one over my competition.

Thanks very much for sharing your advice and experience.

Lex
 
not for my metal band obviously :lol: but sounds like a good asset
 
Well sons, I bit the bullet and bought the following:




It should arrive tomorrow... will have reviews next week.

Tried it out at guitar center and was impressed... it sounds PHAT (as the name suggests)...
 
Lex said:
Well sons, I bit the bullet and bought the following:




It should arrive tomorrow... will have reviews next week.

Tried it out at guitar center and was impressed... it sounds PHAT (as the name suggests)...
Click to expand...
Congrats! You can't really go wrong with a MOOG as a synthesizer!
 
How about one of those awesome rolnad midi pickups on one of your basses as an alternative?

I've never used one on bass, but my brother (who plays guitar/guitar synth in Tv IV Dogs) has one, and it sounds amazing.

Not sure if this would be in any way equivalent?
 
Well... I thought about that, but its really a different thing.

The MIDI pickup would let my bass trigger sounds... whereas the Little Phatty is used to GENERATE sounds. It also can act as a MIDI trigger and an 'effects filter' for my bass (it has an instrument input).

I could use a MIDI pickup to trigger the Phatty... but that kind of defeats the point :)

Plus there's certain effects (like note bending / pitch shifting / envelope control) that you can only do with the keyboard interface

Cheers

Lex
 
Only people from Ireland does that kind of stuff. They keep on Dublin and Dublin and Dublin...

Baa Baa .... Kschhhhhh

Sorry :oops:
 
LOL!


The Moog arrived on Friday... it's SOOOOO much fun.
 
:O can't wait for some sound clips, even though i suck at keys i love messing with synths.

on the doubling on keys....i don't but i've built up a semi synth effects board with a korg G5+ some other effects...that gets some phat synth bass!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top