Home › Forums › Active Melody Member Challenge Response Submissions › Aug 2024 Challenge – Sunjamr Steve
- This topic has 30 replies, 31 voices, and was last updated 1 week, 1 day ago by Scott M.
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September 6, 2024 at 3:33 pm #377115
I mentioned earlier in the year that I had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and was starting on the treatment protocol. So far it’s been working well, and I’ve just had my 3rd surgery/biopsy. Even though it’s looking pretty good for me, it’s still kind of hard to focus on my guitar career. But I’m feeling more and more motivated every day, and I reckon my creativity is beginning to return. Well, not so much in this video, but soon.
Sunjamr Steve
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September 6, 2024 at 3:44 pm #377124
That’s interesting, because I was also considering a bass line. All too often, it’s the bass line that’s driving a song forward and makes it memorable. Billy Jean from Michael Jackson comes to mind.
Anyway, nice video of yours. And good to hear that your health is coming back. -
September 6, 2024 at 6:25 pm #377177
Hi Steve, great video! You made the process of creation very interesting to watch… and the music you produced was pretty catchy too! I liked it!
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September 6, 2024 at 8:13 pm #377209
I love the way you think outside the box and explain it so well. It was an excellent submission. Glad to hear your health is improving.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
September 6, 2024 at 8:25 pm #377215
Some nice hooks in your bass playing Steve!
Good examples of bass leads repeating through out a song !
May you continue to heal quickly 🙏🎶🎵Don P
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September 6, 2024 at 11:51 pm #377267
You’re right, when I listen to reggae, the bass line is the hook most of the time.
What impresses me is how the reggae bass player can go out of timing and go right back in.
Well done Steve.AndréM
AndréM
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September 7, 2024 at 1:05 am #377297
Your video are always very enjoyable to watch and to listen to, and instructive at the same time, Steve!
And they very often make me want to buy a bass and learn to play it (one day, may be)!Great, ear-capturing bass lines on your reggae groove! Really enjoyable and inspiring!
Guido
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September 7, 2024 at 1:12 am #377299
Yes, bass players are indeed often totally underestimated. Your excellent examples show very clearly how distinctive bass lines make a piece interesting. As examples I can think of the bass solo on “my Generation” by the Who, or the riff on “keep on running” by the Spencer Davies Group, or the brilliant bass runs by Paul McCartney, but also by Bill Wyman in the early bluesy Rolling Stones. Thank you for this enlightening contribution.
Dieter
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September 7, 2024 at 2:21 am #377310
First of all, I‘m happy to hear that your treatment works out so positive, Steve. I keep my fingers crossed that it goes on this way.
i like your approach to concentrate on the bass for this challenge. And again you present it in a very interesting, educational and entertaining way. Lots of takeaways in your contribution.Take the chance to meet your AM friends on Zoom
The next Meetup will be on October 12, 2024Look here for more information:
https://www.activemelody.com/forums/topic/zoom-meetup-for-all-activemelody-members-on-october-12/I look forward to meet you.
Manfred -
September 7, 2024 at 7:27 am #377337
Steve
Love the groove. It is very catchy and grabbing. The rhythm guitar slap adds tones of texture. Great stuff. here. Good luck with the treatments and here is to your health! Prayers to you.JH
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September 7, 2024 at 8:46 am #377356
First off, Steve, best hopes and wishes for you and your family’s journey through this awful disease.
From Fiona & Myself ♥️♥️I totally agree with you about the Bass sometimes carrying or driving the song. And yes, particularly in Reggae music. In my 20’s, I was very into more ‘hard core’ Reggae music – the likes of Yellowman, Dillinger, Clint Eastwood & General Saint, Eek-A-Mouse. I recall this type of music being dismissed by friends and colleagues, and regarded as purely ‘Rasta’ music. But I never felt out of place when I went to their gigs at “Dingwalls”, in Camden, London.
Their music would often drop everything apart from the Bass & Drum, before the rest of the band would come back in again. Some really accomplished musicians. 👍🎶😎
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September 7, 2024 at 9:24 am #377368
Great post Steve!! The Bass is relevant in many songs, such as “Papa Was a Rolling stone” by the Temptations. A great bass line to start that song!! Glad to see you are starting to feel better!!The Forum wouldn’t be the same without your input, and very interesting posts!!
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September 7, 2024 at 9:30 am #377370
Thank you for introducing the bass to the challenge. Great rendition. I always looking forward to your interesting and entertaining posts. Glad that you recover. Alles Gute !!!
Werner
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September 7, 2024 at 11:44 am #377400
As usual you put an interesting (and very valid) slant on things, Steve. It was clever the way you built up to the final part, which was so catchy. I think (in the UK, at least) that it wasn’t until the early 1960s that the bass became more noticeable in popular music. It seemed to start with Jet Harris in the Shadows, before the Stones, Beatles and Animals came on stream. Best wishes for continuing improvement in your health.
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September 7, 2024 at 11:58 am #377407
That’s some mighty fine bass hook noodling. A great bass line has a melody of its own, which I hear here. Great time too! Masterclass!
Love those little Bronco basses too 🙂
Best of luck on your treatment and recovery 🙏❤️
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September 7, 2024 at 1:57 pm #377436
You’re going to get me hooked on bass. This was an inspiring little bit of encouragement.
As for using one to play the hook, I’m sure Leland Sklar would agree. His work on the bass is legendary. -
September 7, 2024 at 2:49 pm #377442
Great presentation, Steve. You have a knack for simplifying things and making it look so easy, when in fact, it’s not. That’s a catchy little bass melody with a genuine reggae sound that you came up with. Sounds great!
So glad to hear you’re on the road to recovery.
Larry -
September 7, 2024 at 3:20 pm #377450
Some slick bass lines, Sunjamr. Nice presentation as always. Great to hear your feeling better.
James
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September 7, 2024 at 5:30 pm #377475
That’s a cool way of thinking about it Steve. I hope to hear this pumping from the Conch salad stand next time I’m in the Bahamas.
Glad your treatments are going well, keep fighting!
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September 7, 2024 at 9:28 pm #377531
Glad to hear you’re doing well, Steve. I don’t think you ever lost your creativity. Interesting idea. I guess the simple reggae guitar parts really call for a more complex bass line. Loved the bass lines you came up with.
John -
September 8, 2024 at 1:24 am #377562
Hey Steve.
Couldn’t agree more.
I hear rhythm and bass in my head far, far more than any lead or solos.
To your submission – this is exactly what these challenges are about and you’ve created something great.
I mean you’ve explained what the concept is and how you are approaching things and it’s very interesting.
You would do well making YouTube lessons on this stuff.
Liam.
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. “
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September 8, 2024 at 2:48 am #377584
I was definitely hooked by your bass line! Sending you healing vibes – we need you!
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September 8, 2024 at 3:21 am #377599
Hi Steve, first – I’m sorry to hear of your health issues this year and I am sending my very best wishes for complete recovery to you. I enjoyed youir treatment of this challenge – regae absolutely lends itself as a subject when thinking of hooks – the bass does, as you illustrate – plus of course the hypnotic percussion too. Great stuff. See yu next time.
Gary
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September 8, 2024 at 7:59 am #377677
That’s a very interesting and informative approach, I like the way you built that riff starting simple and then ending up with something very catchy , I think the bass is so often overlooked but in truth it’s the foundation of a lot of music , like you said reggae is a good example.
All the best with your ongoing treatment, glad it’s looking positive.
Martin
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September 8, 2024 at 8:31 am #377687
Steve, I like seeing you use the bass and how it works and your observations on it. Plus the practical of building the levels in the riff you demonstrated. One interesting video. The bass gives flavour to so many songs eg Police ‘Walking on the Moon’ and MJ’s ‘Beat It’ which has already been mentioned where the riff is the bass. Steve, keep saying that ‘it’s pretty good for me’ as it will be. Words have power.
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September 8, 2024 at 10:29 am #377751
Very interesting presentation, Steve. Great idea to use reggae to explain your thoughts on hooks and riffs!
I am glad to hear the treatment goes well! My best wishes! Stay tuned!
Bluesige Grüße
Juxi -
September 8, 2024 at 10:00 pm #377928
As informative and fun to watch as always, Steve! No surprise you went down the bass line 😉 I often go outside the box when I feel a bit uninspired. I played the video with my speakers on and it sounded great! Did you use any compression, EQ, anything? When it comes to bass tone modulation I am completely clueless.
Anyway, I enjoyed listening to the riff modifications, reggae is always so fun to play! It made me wish I had more time to dedicate to bass practice.
Also, so glad to hear things are going in the right direction health-wise! You look good and I admire your strength and the ability to still give your passion some time. It obviously must be so hard! I know because a simple cold can easily throw me off balance and kill my inspiration. Hope a full recovery is in your near future! 💕💪💕
🎸JoLa
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September 9, 2024 at 4:56 am #377962
Hi Steve, so glad about the positive news coming regards your health. Positive thoughts are so powerful as Swami Sivananda tells us.
Great too, that you’re flying the flag for bass players. I’ve still got my Hofner, from many many decades ago… -
September 9, 2024 at 8:18 pm #378037
Congrats Steve on your rockin’ recovery and music! I think your creativity can’t be suppressed even when you’re “takin’ care of business”. And for sure your bass lines sounded sweet. I also love the low frequency zone and have 3 bass guitars. It’s been a while but you inspire me to play some bass again. Thanks🙏🏻. Tom
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September 10, 2024 at 4:36 am #378050
Steve, your posts should come right after the challenge is issued by Brian. The lesson was right on target. I like what you did with the bass line. Really nice perspective on a hook.
Glad treatment is going well for you. Cheers. Pap
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September 10, 2024 at 3:59 pm #378123
Excellent idea and presentation, some tasty hook lines in there, lots of possibilities to shape the groove
Great stuff Steve.
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