providing a solid groove without overplaying ...
There seems to be a current trend with Gospel musicians (mostly drummers & bassists) who tend to overplay a bit and who like to show off their chops
... a disciplined musician, in that they have learned what makes the music Groove. A pocket player can also hear when and when not to stick a lick in the mix
i think some organists should understand the concept of pocket playing too then, as u guys explained it, because some of them be overplaying as well, as if they were playing an instrumental solo with a huge bright spotlight shining on them in front of a packed stadium. LOL.
I love the pocket. i can stay there all day. i heard/read somewhere that as a bass player your drummer is supposed to be like ur best friend. that way ya'll know each other. you can pick up what he's doing and he can pick up what you're doing. a lot of times when somethings going on during service where the music is playing but not a particular song, i usually just listen to what he's playing and lock on to that, and we get a groove going that just cant be denied.
however there are times that i force myself to play out of the pocket so i can work on my musical phrasing, because there's not many things as frustrating is when you hear the perfect spot to play something and you dont know what to play or cant because you havent conditioned yourself to do so.
the great bass players can groove in the pocket and play something that'll blow your mind and still be in the pocket. and after you rewind that part like 10 times and learn what was done, its so simple yet tasteful and meaningful.
