Beyond the Bottom End: Brian Bromberg on Tone, Taste, and Total Musicianship

Brian Bromberg's Bass Philosophy

Aditya Veera host of the award winning podcast Stalwarts of Music interviewied Brian Bromberg. They discussed Brian's approach to bass playing, where he emphasized the dual role of providing a foundational base and playing melodically. Brian explained that while bass is the core of music, he often plays multiple bass parts with different tunings to create unique sounds. He also shared that his view on what makes a great bassline has evolved over time, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and appropriateness for the music.

Intuitive Music Composition and Voicing

He discussed his creative process in music, emphasizing the intuitive and experimental nature of composition. He explained how he thinks about register and voicing in music, comparing it to a building with windows, each instrument having its own space. He shared his experience working on a Jimi Hendrix tribute album, where he overdubbed multiple bass parts to create a full band sound without clashing. He stressed the importance of giving each instrument its own space in the mix to maintain musicality.

Balancing Individualism in Jazz Production

He discussed the differences between being a producer and a musician, particularly in jazz, where individual musicianship is highly valued but can lead to a myopic focus. He emphasized the importance of thinking 360 degrees in production, balancing and giving space to each instrument, and viewing music as a whole rather than focusing on individual parts. He also shared his perspective on virtuosity, highlighting the value of technical skill while emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration with other musicians, which he believes is often overlooked in today's digital age.

Balancing Technique and Musicality

He expressed concerns about modern musicians who focus excessively on technical skills at the expense of broader musical experience. He noted that while young virtuosos are incredibly talented, they often lack the versatility and social skills needed for professional music careers. He emphasized the importance of playing with others, reading chord changes, and understanding music theory, contrasting this with the isolated practice common today. He suggested that musicians should focus on being complete artists rather than just technical experts.

Musical Sound from Body and Fingers

He discussed the concept of sound in music, emphasizing that 99% of a musician's tone comes from their body and fingers rather than their equipment. He explained that while equipment can enhance performance, a musician's sound is primarily determined by their relationship with their instrument and their technique. He shared his personal experience with instrument setup, highlighting the importance of comfort and ease of playability, and described his signature bass model from Kiesel that he designed with these principles in mind.

Bass Playing and Musical Exploration

He discussed his approach to playing both electric and acoustic bass, emphasizing the importance of comfort and setup to enable joyful and efficient playing. He explained his preference for customizing instruments to suit his style and mentioned his experience with modern pickup technology while maintaining a traditional sound when recording. He also shared his musical journey, highlighting his love for diverse genres and his decision not to limit himself to a single style or instrument, as he enjoys exploring various musical expressions.

Adapting Bass Playing for Enjoyment

He discussed his approach to music and bass playing, emphasizing his love for both traditional jazz and contemporary/funky styles. He explained that he plays music for personal enjoyment rather than proving anything to others, and he has adapted his playing technique and instrument setup to accommodate his health issues while maintaining a high level of musicianship. He also shared his method for recording multiple bass parts without clashing frequencies, involving careful placement of different instruments in distinct registers.

Jaco Pastorius Tribute and Jazz Journey

He discussed his musical journey, emphasizing the importance of finding one's own voice and not judging others for their unique styles. He shared insights into his process of reharmonizing Chicago's Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? and creating a tribute album to Jaco Pastorius, which he approached with his own artistic perspective rather than trying to emulate the original artist. Brian also spoke about his upcoming performance at the NCPA Jazz Festival in India, where he will play with a traditional jazz quintet, combining both acoustic and electric bass.

Link to the interview - Watch Now on YouTube