Marcus Miller on Gospel musicians

[DWBass]

I just got my new Bass Player magazine and Marcus has a quick statement regarding the musicians. Maybe some of the young folks will respect a guy like Marcus' opinion! I won't post it here. Just read it on your own when you get a chance.

Just wanted to give a heads up.

[Torch7]

I just got my new Bass Player magazine and Marcus has a quick statement regarding the musicians. Maybe some of the young folks will respect a guy like Marcus' opinion! I won't post it here. Just read it on your own when you get a chance.

Just wanted to give a heads up.

I don't subscribe... what did he say... too busy or something like that?

[DWBass]

I don't subscribe... what did he say... too busy or something like that?

Something like that!

[Torch7]

Guess I will have to run by the music shop and thumb through it... cause they don't have the story online.

[uriahsmusic]

......Remember...it's just an opinion.  Marcus Millers world is entirely different from the world he commented on.  Not that I dissagree.....but you cant just come playing the way you play and think it's gunna work. (no matter who you are) You have to dig deep and make it happen.

[ssabass]

 Marcus said, that gospel was a great breeding ground, because it's one of the only places where musicians can open up without worrying about commercial format restrictions. As a result, new styles have emerged, that people are embracing. He said that, their are some great bassist out there, starting with the amazing Andrew Gouche & (Gouche) can play the heck out of the instrument. Then he goes on to say that, the only thing that he would like to see from some of the gospel bands at time, is to give a little more love to the vocalists. He says when he was coming up, if he was to overplay behind a singer, he would get his but kicked. He also gives props to some young & upcoming bassist, Brandon Rose, Joshua Crumbly & Dwayne Thomas,  ages 15, 16 & 17 respectively. I think one of these cats is that young brotha that plays lefty, upside down. It's a good article.

[yogooch]

Ok Listen, I've seen time and time again certain people on this site negatively critiquing my playing. I try to ignore the negativity for the most part, but there seem be some people who make it their mission to speak badly about me, and I'm sick of it. First of all, let me say this, I've played on more records than any other MUSICIAN in Gospel (Check your history) , Starting in 1976 with Rev James Cleveland! When I started out there were no well known bassists in Gospel music, there were no precedents, no rules of how to play gospel on bass, because most churches didn't even want bass guitar, they thought the the only bass they needed was the organist bass pedals! I had to fight to convince people that the bass was a viable instrument in church. I was touring and recording long before the internet came along, so a lot of you only know about my work since that time. I've always followed my own path, I never tried to be or sound like anyone else. I really think you should check my resume a little more thoroughly before you decide what kind of player I am! Go to allmusic.com, type my name in, I know you know how to spell it, you'll get a PARTIAL list of my work. Spend a little more time perfecting YOUR craft, a little less posting, and a little more playing. Lastly, I LOVE Marcus Miller, He's one of my all time favorites, and a great guy,  but Marcus don't play Gospel! You ask my opinion about a jazz musicians, I can't give an informed opinion, because I don't play jazz. You that always speak negatively about me (On this site and Talkbass.com), Guys that started out playing R&B and got a gig at some church and are new to THIS music, learn a little more about me before you open your mouths, Peace

[DWBass]

Gooch, this was not directed at you although I admit I have voiced my opinion of your playing previously. That's my hangup and I need to get over it. Didn't mean to offend. I was merely relaying another player's opinion through his observations. I thought it was interesting to read a well known players opinion. You are a great player, better than I'll ever be! I truly respect your resume (which I have researched in the past). Again, this was not directed at you!

[Fingers!]

Ok Listen, I've seen time and time again certain people on this site negatively critiquing my playing. I try to ignore the negativity for the most part, but there seem be some people who make it their mission to speak badly about me, and I'm sick of it. First of all, let me say this, I've played on more records than any other MUSICIAN in Gospel (Check your history) , Starting in 1976 with Rev James Cleveland! When I started out there were no well known bassists in Gospel music, there were no precedents, no rules of how to play gospel on bass, because most churches didn't even want bass guitar, they thought the the only bass they needed was the organist bass pedals! I had to fight to convince people that the bass was a viable instrument in church. I was touring and recording long before the internet came along, so a lot of you only know about my work since that time. I've always followed my own path, I never tried to be or sound like anyone else. I really think you should check my resume a little more thoroughly before you decide what kind of player I am! Go to allmusic.com, type my name in, I know you know how to spell it, you'll get a PARTIAL list of my work. Spend a little more time perfecting YOUR craft, a little less posting, and a little more playing. Lastly, I LOVE Marcus Miller, He's one of my all time favorites, and a great guy,  but Marcus don't play Gospel! You ask my opinion about a jazz musicians, I can't give an informed opinion, because I don't play jazz. You that always speak negatively about me (On this site and Talkbass.com), Guys that started out playing R&B and got a gig at some church and are new to THIS music, learn a little more about me before you open your mouths, Peace

All I know is that they MAKE me try to play your music in church and I'm scared of it.  It would MANY years down the road before I can come close to critique your music, much less play it.

[browntree]

Excuse my ignorance, but I don't understand why folk got mad?  Again excuse my ignorance, but who's yogooch?

Browntree

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. I Chronicles 15:16

[browntree]

Ok, I found out yogooch's real name... never mind...

Browntree

And David spake to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding, by lifting up the voice with joy. I Chronicles 15:16

[MrSteve]

Yeah, "overplaying" is definitely a loaded term and it's a judgement that's solely in the eye of the beholder. In fact, I really don't like the term overplaying because it implies that there's something negative about stretching out and trying to fill up a song with inventive playing. Some of my favorite basslines are, by some standards, completely overplayed. People on this very board have accused James Jamerson of overplaying, but no one can deny that he's the foundation of so much of what we do. Players like Gooch can make it work just as well in the gospel world. Basically "overplaying" is just a critical label for a style of bass playing that can be done well and, when it is done well, never fails to impress other musicians.

I think the problem with overplaying is that so many intermediate and advanced players use it in immaturity merely to show off their technique and not in service of the song. I think that's the important point of what Marcus Millier is saying; that if we're playing so much that it distracts from the lyric, then we're not really serving the song.

[BassMan2000]

I played Quartet Music for years, but one day I realize  Quartet music locked me into one style of playing, there is only so  much you can do with 1-5  1-6-2-5-1 progression. I wanted to extend my style so I started learning different scales and modes and appregios. one day my wife played Hidden Beach Unwrapped Allstars CD and I moded my practice after Mr Gouche. 

My brother is a Jazz guitarist and one Jam at church all the time.  I only play Praise and Worshipped, because of the room to explorer.

[BassbyGrace]

Lastly, I LOVE Marcus Miller, He's one of my all time favorites, and a great guy,  but Marcus don't play Gospel!

My sentiments exactly.  Thats the first thing I thought when I read the article.  I think if you dont follow a genre that closely, you may not understand or feel where the music is.  Thats the reason I laugh at alot of comments (esp. on TB) about choice of basses, amps, and comments on genre.  For example alot of ppl on TB WORSHIP the P bass, but for us on the gospel front, we know that a P bass aint really happening for modern gospel.  Its a matter of being up with the genre.

OT, I saw Marcus in concert last week in Annapolis, MD.  I'll keep my comments to myself.

[hands5]

I say Play how U Play and be thankful that God has blessed us with the skills to play. It's all good .
                                                                   
                                                     peace

[DWBass]

I say Play how U Play and be thankful that God has blessed us with the skills to play. It's all good .
                                                                   
                                                     peace

No doubt. Didn't mean to stir up the masses. I just thought folks would think it interesting to hear a 'veteran pro's' thoughts. I made my thoughts known a long time ago and have left it alone. I'm sorry Gooch feels singled out as I didn't even have him in my thoughts when I posted this thread. I apologize to all I've offended who have adopted the style of playing. I do feel the playing is excellent and it sounds really good. No doubt you all are great players. A lot better than I will ever be. I defend myself by saying I'm old school and still play by 'old school' standards. That includes Gospel and R&B/Pop music. I grew up in the church. My stepfather is a Methodist Minister and my mother is a Diaconal Minister so my experience is church music first albeit traditional hymns. No modern music or instruments have been adopted by a good majority of the Methodist churches. Things are changing though. I'm not new to the game. I actually like 99% of the musicality of the genre. Not a big fan of the hip hop style gospel though and that is probably the 1%. You young players (and older cats.....Gooch) amaze me everyday! I would never want you all to ever stop doing what you do. Just to see and hear young people playing and enjoying themselves giving back the gifts that have been bestowed upon them is pure joy!

As for myself, I am human (as we all are) and am still a work in progress. So keep doing what y'all do and play for him!

Be blessed.

[THE THIRD]

Alot of people do thing great or feel that they are great cause people tell them and expect people to bow down. Alot of things people think is good mostly is over hyped. There is a few gospel songs that you grab on to and say yeah I like that! But in gospel its alot of hype. I feel DW Bass The tradational will out last the busy stuff. Alot of regular listeners dont care about the musicians.They care about the song.

[DWBass]

Alot of people do thing great or feel that they are great cause people tell them and expect people to bow down. Alot of things people think is good mostly is over hyped. There is a few gospel songs that you grab on to and say yeah I like that! But in gospel its alot of hype. I feel DW Bass The tradational will out last the busy stuff. Alot of regular listeners dont care about the musicians.They care about the song.

I wouldn't want the musicians to not be cared about. They are just as important as the vocalists. as long as they are all singing and playing with the spirit, I'm happy!

[THE THIRD]

No I not saying that at all ! What I am saying lets say Gouche who happen to be on of my tops low end players. Lets take  Mary Mary Thank you for example Gouche plays on he simply murders that and me and my dad was listening to it and iwas going crazy over how he was killing and my dad was looking at me like son are you all right. And then the regular version comes on at the end of the song and my dad is going crazy and I was like dad are you alright everyonesdifferent cuz!

[LowBass]

I just got my new Bass Player magazine and Marcus has a quick statement regarding the musicians. Maybe some of the young folks will respect a guy like Marcus' opinion! I won't post it here. Just read it on your own when you get a chance.

Just wanted to give a heads up.

What did dWbass say about Gooch? Did I miss something? Miller can say what he like about Gospel musicians. Gospel music can be hard to play at time mostly doing Pray And Worship. For as Gooch, I think his problem is with someone else and not DWbass.

He just took this time to throw a cheap shoot at Dwbass for no reason. Sure,Gooch did this and Gooch did that. But who inside this forum have helped so many here Dwbass or Gooch.
I'll tell you who, DWBASS..And Gooch what have you done to help anyone inside of this forum?
YOu need us man we don't need you. Only time I ever see your post here inside of this forum is to brag or vent.
I am a Christain and will not roll over for wrong from anyone,Gooch you're wrong and little selfish with your skill when it comes to helping people here at LGM.

Oh by the way after Church 3 week ago I ran across a gas station worker. That can cut any of these well known Bass players head in Memphis, another unknown gifted player.