Playin' bass runs and singin' lead vox, is sometimes difficult, but I have three words for you: Practice, practice, practice!
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I like to practice on the bass, but I don't do it as often as I should.
I realized pretty soon that I have to do more than just play bass in the background way. So, I developed a kind of playing which only a handful of musicians accepted.
I learned to do a few tricks that other people hadn't done before. I developed that trebly bass thing a little further.
The worst words I could ever hear as a bass player was, 'Can you play the root notes?'
I don't want to wreck my voice. I love to concentrate on playing the bass and keeping it very rock-solid. If I were singing, I would have blown out my voice.
I play bass. I don't have to go out there and screech.
The golden rule for playing the bass is that's it all about feel, not just plonking away. You need to feel the sound, not using a pick or a plectrum - which has meant plenty of calluses on my fingers.
Teddy Wilson, I think, said a little while ago that it's much easier to come in and play whatever comes into your mind, without obeying any of the laws of bass line and harmony and so on.
I don't work out a lead section and practice it for a day and then lay it down. I don't do that. The first time I do something I think is expressive or really cool, that's what's actually on the recording.
It's really hard for me to sing and play bass.