Bass Playing Style (Randy and Timothy)

[Lamorna]

When I watch Randy playing bass guitar it sometimes seems like his right hand isn't doing anything much at all as he sort of bends it over the strings from above. Can't see his fingers. His left hand is obviously active on the arm thing on the guitar (sorry don't know what that's called)

When I watch Timothy playing bass guitar I can see his right hand and fingers really moving making it far easier for me to pick out his bass line.

As a non-muso kind of person please tell me if I am right and that Timothy is far more demonstrative as a bass player?

[chaim]

I've never really paid attention, but now that you mentioned it, Randy is very gentle with his bass!

[MaryCalifornia]

I read/heard in an interview that in his early years, Timothy played it with a pick like you would play a guitar, then he switched to the fingerstyle he plays now "to have more control." I'm guessing when they were learning to sing lead while playing bass - not an easy feat - they went with what was most comfortable. You could check out videos of Sting and Paul McCartney to see how they compare to Randy and TBS. I don't know anything about music, but it looks to me like the way Timothy plays sort of helps him keep time.

[shunlvswx]

That's interesting MC. I didn't know Timothy use a pick first before he started using his fingers.

Timothy seems to be into it when he plays. He makes it looks soo easy when he's playing. I have to watch a clip of Randy playing since I don't know him that well since I'm only knew of the current lineup.

Its so rare to see bass players use a pick instead of their fingers. Paul and Sting usually use picks. Its interesting that Paul's bass kinda looks like a guitar.

I have seen bass players who do sing and play at the same time. I think its not as bad singing and plunking at the same time then it is playing the drums and singing through the whole song at the same time.

[Shadowland07]

Tim used a pick at tonights show (Banker's Life) on the song "Life's Been Good." Don't think he usually does at all.

[MaryCalifornia]

Fascinating. Thank you for taking note, Shadowland. I will look for that in LA!! Might have to go back and check out some LBG videos, if they're still up.

[chaim]

It's not that rare that bass players play with a pick.

Here's what I find weird:

Paul McCartney always played/plays with a pick, and everybody worships him.
Chris Squire almost always played/plays with a pick, and everybody worships him.
The legendary session bassist Carol Kaye played/plays with a pick, and everybody worships her.
Peter Cetera always played with a pick when he played bass, and everybody respects what he did in Chicago.

Gene Simmons always played/plays with a pick, and everybody bashes him because he does - no matter how musical his basslines are.

All these "I'm a serious musician" snobs can be rather dumb sometimes.

[chaim]

I've got it. Randy's right arm barely moves as he plays from the wrist down whereas Timothy's right arm moves a lot with forearm, elbow and upper arm guiding his playing hand. It's been fun comparing.

I haven't watched any videos while contributing to this thread, but I seem to remember that Randy's left hand doesn't move that much either. I think his fingers move from one string to another or one fret to another with as little "theatricality" as possible.

[thelastresort]

I think very broadly speaking playing bass with a pick gives you a more thunderous, attacking sound as opposed to picking, which is why the likes of Gene Simmons, Chris Squire (immense bassist, one of the best ever), Ian Hill etc do it.

Going back to what someone said about Randy looking like a spectator, I agree (not that that's a bad thing!). During the outro to the Hotel Cali video (the one with the HOTE DVD generally regarded as the music video for it) there's a long shot of the four guitarists: Glenn, Joe and Don F all absolutely going for it and then Randy just stood there a yard or so back from the rest almost motionless. It reflects on him as a person I think - he always was really timid and I think didn't realise or believe how important he was. I think though the Eagles kinda needed someone like that, especially when they went global around HC, to keep them grounded despite all the fame, drugs, money etc. I think TBS, whilst similar in a lot of ways, has a lot more of a wild side than Randy. Just looking through the F1 DVD, I could never imagine Randy doing the jumping through Dirty Laundry or running across stage to play with Joe during LITFL. I think that all kinda relates back to playing style - Randy's reflects his private, timid, shy attitude whilst TBS's is a bit more open and funky.

[shunlvswx]

Like Joe said in HOTE, Randy never knew how great he was. I think I read somewhere that he didn't like to be in the spotlight. He wanted to be in the background.

I guess I use the wrong word because most of the bass players I've seen always uses their fingers that why I said its rare to see bass players playing with a pick. I guess I should had said majority of the bass players play with their fingers.

TLR. Don't forget also the guys jumping around the stage during Funk #49.

[WalshFan88]

IMO, Randy is definitely a bit more softer in attack/picking with the bass where as Tim plays with and without a pick and is more present in stage presence. Generally speaking, of course.

Duff McKagan is another pick player.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I have to admit I had never given this a whole lot of thought before, but this is a very interesting discussion. Honestly, I don't remember seeing Tim ever play with a pic before, yet I remember seeing him throw pics to the audience. As I said, I guess I hadn't been paying very close attention. Now, here's something I'll have to add to my list of things to look for at my next show. :shock: :grin:

[moonlight74]

My 2 cents...all bass players do an amazing job in a band. The word most people use for Randy's bass style is "light on the neck" when keeping rhythm w/the drummer. From the beginning he was always known for his vocal concentration when he sang, this is the reason his eyes were usually closed when he would sing the more complex songs. Randy knew he had the gift of voice, that's why he chose singing as a career!

[Ephi82]

No sleight on Schmidt at all, but for me Meisner was an incredible, and I believe, superior player.

It's so telling when the musical output is huge, yet on stage, it looks like he isn't doing anything.

The ability of his highly evolved right hand technique allowed him to turn the gain on his Fender amp up very high, but he had complete control of the sound of the bass by barley touching the strings, to really driving the sound by aggressively plucking them for emphasis.

An early example is "Doolin Dalton".

His playing is all the more amazing by the fact that he was singing some great high harmonies as the songs went along.

[moonlight74]

No sleight on Schmidt at all, but for me Meisner was an incredible, and I believe, superior player.

It's so telling when the musical output is huge, yet on stage, it looks like he isn't doing anything.

The ability of his highly evolved right hand technique allowed him to turn the gain on his Fender amp up very high, but he had complete control of the sound of the bass by barley touching the strings, to really driving the sound by aggressively plucking them for emphasis.

An early example is "Doolin Dalton".

His playing is all the more amazing by the fact that he was singing some great high harmonies as the songs went along.

Absolutely the best statement about Meisner's technique I have ever read!

[Ephi82]

Absolutely the best statement about Meisner's technique I have ever read!

Thank you sir! It comes from trying to cop his sound and tone. (I cant even think about trying his vocals)

A lot of bass players get overlooked for their contributions on great and very popular songs.

Lots of people have no idea how important McCartney and James Jamerson were to the mega hits they played on,

(and I mean no insult by that, a lot of people were simply listening to the whole "song" in a non "musician" way)

Meisner's playing was no less important to the Eagles, In My Opinion

[The Thrill Is Never Gone]

His bass playing is very distinct on Out on the border.

[The Thrill Is Never Gone]

Randy's fingers seem very long also. Maybe that is why he makes it look to easy.

[The Thrill Is Never Gone]

Cor yes! Just listened.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LugEc-uQBME


Listen to the beginning of One of the Nights. That is Randy playing the beginning of the song. It is all bass. Then his backup singing on that song is the best.

[sad-cafe]

on the Very Best of the Eagles, the liner notes Don says Randy was hitting notes that only dogs could hear. I took that to mean he was hitting very high notes!

[chaim]

That OOTN intro is great. There's also, I believe, Bernie doing the funny slides up the neck and the staccato E minor chord on the 12th fret. A very odd guitar part indeed.
The bass lick was written by Don Felder. He mentions this in his book. 8)

[MaryCalifornia]

Over the past couple of months I looked through some OOTN videos posted on youtube from this tour to try to see Timothy playing the intro, but nobody ever has the camera on him, and I don't know if he's in a spotlight or not. Anyone who has been to the shows so far - is TBS highlighted during the OOTN intro, or is it downplayed b/c it's "Randy's bass solo"?

[MaryCalifornia]

Seems like this thread has had a lot of interest and there has been some good discussion and information.

I was wondering about the Eagles' "Rhythm Section" - you read a lot about the Eagles' harmonies, virtuoso guitar players, tight backing musicians, etc...but I have never read anything specifically about the bass player and drummer working together and how they interact to drive the music. I grew up as a big fan of the Rolling Stones, and the Charlie Watts/Bill Wyman relationship was a huge part of what made their songs recognizable and was the subject of much discussion. Does anyone have any information about Don's interaction with Randy or Timothy, musically? I'm guessing there may be a "Don's style of drumming" thread in here somewhere. I guess I'm wondering if the "rhythm section" of the Eagles is not considered a big part of their sound. The only thing I can remember reading about the drumming was sort of derogatory in "Heaven and Hell" - he plays behind the beat or something. Does Don drive the rhythm section, or does the bass player?

Chime in, musos! We could make this a new thread if there is enough interest.

[sodascouts]

That's a great question, MC. As a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, I see how the Mac makes a BIG deal about the partnership of the rhythm section (obviously - the band is named after the rhythm section lol) but you rarely hear about Don H partnering with Randy or Timothy. I'd love to hear some thoughts about this, too.

[Freypower]

I would say that my favourite Eagles track for listening to the bass/drums interplay is King Of Hollywood. There are probably others but that has always stood out for me. One Of These Nights is probably another one because the bass is so prominent in that song. But as to the actual question who drives the rhythm section, I can't answer it.

[MaryCalifornia]

[Side note: Soda, is Glenn singing NKIT in your avi??]

[Freypower]

[Side note: Soda, is Glenn singing NKIT in your avi??]

I am sure Soda won't mind if I answer; it's How Long from the CMA Awards.

[sodascouts]

That's right! He's singing the line "Everyone is out there on the loooose" with gusto. I was lucky enough to be at the CMAs in the audience that night in 2007 with Dreamer and DonFan. They brought the house down!

[thelastresort]

Another little observation. I've downloaded a fair few of the EOC Eagles videos from back in't day (1970s) and on one particular song (Outlaw Man @ Seattle '76) it might just be the lighting and the camera angle but it almost looks like Randy doesn't have a spotlight on him, when the four others do. Granted it's a different version to the original (much more guitar-orientated) so there's no bass intensity at the end, but even on the chorus ('Woman don't try to love me; don't try to understand...) he's in darkness...

The more I've thought about this the more I think Randy is probably the most reserved and timid rock band member I've ever seen!

[sodascouts]

I remember reading Randy didn't want the spotlight on him and, if he was singing lead and thus HAD to be in the spotlight, requested it not be a full-on white spotlight but rather bluish.

He seemed to have no problem being in the spotlight in earlier shows, but after the Eagles got really big in 1975 and started playing to stadiums, he apparently developed a complex.

[MaryCalifornia]

I read that same thing, Soda, and I believe it went so far as to say he would actually walk OUT of the spot, which may be what was happening in the Outlaw Man video. Poor baby, not fun for him.

[thelastresort]

I looked up this song on youtube and there was a comment that you could find the full version of this song on this message board. Anyone know where or how?

Eaglesonlinecentral.com > Downloads > Live Treats (Basically, remove the forum bit from your Internet address bar :wink:)

[DJ]

No sleight on Schmidt at all, but for me Meisner was an incredible, and I believe, superior player.

It's so telling when the musical output is huge, yet on stage, it looks like he isn't doing anything.

The ability of his highly evolved right hand technique allowed him to turn the gain on his Fender amp up very high, but he had complete control of the sound of the bass by barley touching the strings, to really driving the sound by aggressively plucking them for emphasis.

An early example is "Doolin Dalton".

His playing is all the more amazing by the fact that he was singing some great high harmonies as the songs went along.

Excellent analogy!! :thumbsup:

[WalshFan88]

There are definite differences. When I have more time to think out my reply I'll post it. :)