Tom Petty and Mudcrutch

[sloop_john_b]

On a tune like this with a downright Appalachian vibe, any bass player who goes beyond mostly root-V is overplaying IMO. Tom's part is perfect for the song here.

I didn't see any technique problems either?

[studiotwosession]

I've learned not to question JB's bass calls. TP played bass in the Sundowners, Mudcruch and the Wilburys, not to mentioned backing Twilly and such on four string. That's a lot more bands he's played bass in vs. bands he hasn't played bass in.

[JakeK]

Tom loves playing bass as much as he loves playing guitar, but I personally think he's better at guitar.

I think he plays bass better than I do for sure!

[deaconblues]

Good to see Tom playing at all...usually when he's playing guitar it seems like he's either turned down way low or just isn't bothering.

[firstbassman]

John, absolutely. Shady Grove certainly does not call for any pyrotechnics.
Root-fifth suffices. But he was barely even going that far.
A little walk-up now and then wouldn’t kill him. Or a little hiccup in his gitty-up.
I’m not looking for flash. Just a little flavor.

And the technique I was referring to was the holding the bass up with his hand and playing with his thumb. It just looks like all those TV shows and movies cliches where they put the worst young little kid and have them play bass that’s as big as they are. That’s all.

[aceonbass]

Depending on what's required of me, I sometimes play with my thumb too. I've noticed many bassists over the years do the same, although not so much in this round-wound-play-with-a-pick world we live in. Besides, John Hall plays with his thumb too. So there!

[jimk]

On a tune like this with a downright Appalachian vibe, any bass player who goes beyond mostly root-V is overplaying IMO. Tom's part is perfect for the song here.

I didn't see any technique problems either?

Gotta agree here. In folk music, sometimes it's best to keep things simple.

JimK

[nattiep]

I played with my tumb for about a year because I didn't have a pick. The problem in question here was holding the bass with the rest of the hand. Like any little kid or someone picking up a bass or guitar for the first time. Just looks silly.

[firstbassman]

The problem in question here was holding the bass with the rest of the hand. Like any little kid or someone picking up a bass or guitar for the first time. Just looks silly.

Exactly. Thank you.

[JakeK]

John Entwistle played "Who Are You" with his thumb

[nattiep]

We're not talking about that. I still play with my thumb occasionally. John isn't honding the bottom the the bass like a beginner.

[tennis_nick]

We're not talking about that. I still play with my thumb occasionally. John isn't honding the bottom the the bass like a beginner.

Well... he's not really holding the bass with his fingers... they're just spread out around the bottom of the body.

Hendrix played with bad left hand technique, does that make him any less musical?

[aceonbass]

I don't get it. We can't get political, or religious, too far left or right, but we can debate Tom Petty's bass technique ad infinitum? I mean, really, what's the point? He's a professional musician with nothing to prove to anyone, who's put out a very cool record with old friends. Is it just that someone here thinks he could have done a better job? Well I doubt it. Most players who critisize other players abilities tend to be chronic over players to begin with. Now let's hear some more positive comments on this new group or move on.

[tennis_nick]

wow, I really think that post could have been improved using any of the following suggestions...

For what it's worth, I agree wih you! you can play the damn thing with your feet and beer gut, if it sounds good, I don't care.

[rickenbrother]

I don't see anything wrong with Tom's thumb technique. If I was playing that bass and decided to go with a thumping thumb sound on a song, I'd probably hold it the same way he is.