Gospel and R&B bassist Reggie Young (Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys) talks with fellow Epifani Artist KJ (‪@TheOddysy‬) about how he learned to play in and lead a band. And how he locks in with different kids of drummers. Let's face it, there are a million out there from stick twirlers to kick drum gazers. Finding the sweet spot and sliding into the pocket is a trick bassists learn many times over. It's all about saying the right thing-and knowing when to say nothing at all. The same is true when it comes to navigating the tricky politics of a band. Egos are everywhere, like landmines just waiting for you to put a foot in the wrong place.
It all started for Reggie back in the day when he was part of Reverend Timothy Wright's gospel band. Reggie remembers the good reverend walking softly. He'd let you know how he felt, but he didn't have to raise his voice to it.
Young learned a lot from Wright's band about music, too. Like the importance of intros. "Intros were very important," remembers Reggie. "Record execs would say 'Lemme hear your tune. Ok, lemme hear the next one." You don't always get a chance to come to the good part. So you make sure there's something to grab ahold of the listener and bring them into the song right from the get-go.
Locking with the drummer was a big part of Reggie's job. It's a bass player thing. Go figure. When he brings that up, KJ jumps in to see what made Reggie Young the groove machine he is today. "I played to a lot of records. A lot of records!" Young says. He didn't have a metronome or a drummer next door, but he did have the good sense to throw on some music and get down with the best.
It's at this point that Reggie Young shows us why he's Reggie Young. The first notes he plays aren't a bass line, but a drum groove using the strings of his signature series Fodera bass to mimic the kick, hat, and snare. From there he demonstrates the kind of simple line he'd play if the drummer was stretching out. After that it's a look and a listen to a groovier drum part with a more dynamic bass groove. It's all good stuff.
Reggie Young and KJ both play a variety of Epifani gear including the UL 901 bass amplifier and DIST2 dual-impedance bass speaker cabinets. Find out more about Epifani bass gear at www.Epifani.com
Audio/Video Production by 23b Productions
Filmed at La Bella Strings Showroom / The Guitar Shop NYC in Brooklyn, NYC
Photo by Ruddy Alcantara
Special thanks to Reggie Young, KJ, Nick Epifani, Shawn Whitely and Eric Coco.