As a bass player do you notice themovement of the people listening?

[LowBass]

I do not know about anyone else but when I play,I try tolook and see if the people are moving to the beat.If I do not see that I know the groove is no good.From what I found doing this.I notice more people like octave type grooves and steady one note grooves with blue and pentatonic scale movement.
If you notice things like this when you play,post your findings. Lets if this varies from church to church or even region.
Thanks and may, God Bless Everyone

[jeremyr]

I just started noticing/paying attention to this. 

When I put a bounce on a steady note people tend to LOVE the feel.  Like if i'm suppoe to just play a C  if I bounce between the 1 and the 5 (c-g) with some feel to it when approriate (which is really hard to say when its appropriate..lol)  I notie that people start bobbing the head.  Now of course you have to "feel" the bounce, but get on time w/ your drummer and it's a wrap.

This past sabbath we were playing "O how i love Jesus" and the whole church got so into it that we played it for about 5 minutes.  I thought we were gonna end and people just kept looking at me like lets keep this thing going.

Play whats in your heart and you'll notive them bob more and more.  I can't really explain what "play from your heart" means, as I'm slowly learning what it means. Its' hard to describe the prhrasing you put on certain notes and the timing  via typing. 

I can sum it up with this.  If I'm playing some thats making me bob and move then 99% of the time the congregation is doing the same.
That's how I can sort of judge it...lol

[dhagler]

Heads bobbin', feet tappin', people watching YOU.  All these are signs that they are keyed into what you are doing.  All in all, you just have to feel it.  If you're feeling it, they will too.

[Mysteryman]

More people get into the music when you got a good pocket. It also depended on if service is hyped starting out.

[DWBass]

More people get into the music when you've got a good pocket. It also depends on if service is hyped starting out.

I totally agree with this! I find, many times, I'm really fighting with the drummer trying to establish a pocket! If a good pocket is happening, folks can't help but get their bodies moving!

[ddwilkins]

I notice the movement regardless if I'm on the drums, bass, keys, organ it doesn't matter.  I read their body language and it helps me understand what I need to do to help them feel and get into to spirit.  I read for signs of people putting fingers in their ears which lets me know that we may be to loud, I look for their body language to let me know if the song is actually grooving and moving them.  I watch for everything.

[LowBass]

I notice smething else in myself lately I've been playing more riff out of pocket than I use to. Something comes over me and I play portions of riffs more now in between than I use to. Maybe I'm growing or something, but I have to focus more on not doing that now. Other words I'm doing little test runs more and more when I play

[bradleymoorer]

It is good to get out of the pocket EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE! As long as it is not at a key vocal point in the song, and does not interfere with the groove. And always ALWAYS remember to get right back in the pocket. People should not notice until it is too late, they should asked themselves "what was that, I like that". I like it when Church is over and everyone is starting to leave and I simply start a bass line, then in comes the drummer, and the piano on top, then a nice little guitar riff. All of a sudden the people who were leaving stop to bop there heads and look to see what is going on.

[Torch7]

Not to try and sound hyper spiritual, but I try and phase everyone out, during worship service.  I try and focus on the fact that God is in the place, and inside of me communing with my spirit.  I then listen to feel the pulse of the song.  I keep glancing at the head musician, to see if he is giving signals.  The congregation sometimes (depending on where you are at, can be a hinderance.)  Some of the most awesome experiences I have with playing has happened during Friday Night rehearsal, when the musicians and singers, were totally focused totally on God, some of these experiences have carried over to Sunday Morning.

That said, this is just me, not meaning to cause ripples or waves, but as worship leaders, the people are supposed to react to us, not visa versa. So if our focus is playing unto God, no matter what notes, progressions, or riffs, we run.  The Spirit of God, will lead the people into worship.

Peace all.

[bassthumpa]

I too think it's essential to remain prayful at all times so that you stay in tune with GOD first and foremost... then get the pocket right with the drummer, stay attentive to your lead musician and director, and work from there to keep the groove tight and kickin'.

That said, I don't think anyone here is saying that they'd take a lead from the reaction of the congregation to determine their playing.  It's not a bad thing keep a peripheral view/feel for the atmosphere of the congregation... just as long as you keep first things first.  Just my $0.02.

[Torch7]

Again, not trying to cast stones into the lake.

For me, using the congregation as a barometer, causes me to take lose my focus.  It could just be a me thing.