Fifth groove - Funk & playing as a unit

Music Lesson: Exploring the Meters

Introduction

"Have a quick look at something. Something kind of leading on from that. Yeah, have a quick look at. So another band heavily associated with New Orleans, I'm sure you've all heard of, is the Meters."

The Meters Tune

"We thought that maybe having a look at a Meters tune would be a natural kind of progression from this sound of the blues and these ideas and sensibilities that these things all share. So let's just play it and then we'll talk about it."

The Importance of Unity

"This is very much a band that's an example of people as a unit. You know, you're not wanting to derive off the path too much because the balance goes out very quickly if you start."

Playing "Just Kiss My Baby"

"Actually, let's play it first and then see. Yeah, we've made a good example, you guys."

Lyrics Excerpt

"Bonnie don't mean a thing to me now. 'Cause I just kissed my baby. Feel so good, so good inside. 'Cause I just kissed my baby. And I'm taking that girl out. All right. 'Cause I just kissed my baby. Yeah, yeah, we're here. I know we can't go around. Just kiss my baby. 'Cause I just kissed my baby. Get it out."

Personal Reflections on Playing

"So, you know, what we're saying there about me personally... because I love, like, things like Tower of Power and all that sort of stuff, it's really tempting for me. And actually, all these guys who know me, it's been good for me playing this thing."

Tendency to Overplay

"I've got a tendency to really get a bit too busy on the electric bass, mainly because I lack taste. I find it really difficult to just be... you know, or whatever. I want to be filling it in. But if I start to do that, everything just goes out of kilt."

Listening and Space in Music

"And it's the same with the JB's and all that sort of stuff. Sly and Betty Davis and Graham Central Station and any Bill Grate sort of funk band, they just sit space on a groove."

The Lesson of Space

"Yeah. Because the drums are doing so much still, aren't they? I mean, let's just do that groove again. And maybe like... let's just all just, you know, if it was like a bit of free for you, like, okay, we're gonna do 'Just Kiss My Baby,' but let's just jam it, you know, we'll see."

The Importance of "Not Playing"

"Personally, I think the thing that took me longest as a bass player was understanding when not to play. It's just so important, whatever you're doing, even if you're on the guitar."

Confidence in Space

"Sometimes it's a confidence thing as well, knowing that if you're not playing, it's not because you can't or you don't know what's going on; it's because you've chosen not to play at that point because you think the music will benefit from some more space."

The Role of Solos

"On the more traditional sort of New Orleans stuff, I noticed a lot with things like the Trello Preservation Band. Yes, it's good to keep that space, but quite often they end up doing solos, and then everyone ends up doing solos on top of each other."

Balancing Roles

"Are you talking more brass in particular? A lot of the times it's brass, but I've heard it with bands such as yourselves too."

Conclusion

"Well, it's funny you say that because that tune itself has that anyway, because we got boom, boom and it has that balance. That's why it's so effective. That's how all the parts are really working."

Final Thoughts and Break

"Let's have a little break for 10, 15 minutes. If you guys have got any questions, run up and talk to us. Then we'll come back together, and if anyone fancies getting up on stage and having a play, we'll have a little master class with you guys. Thank you."