How to Play Behind The Beat (no-bs examples for bassists & drummers)

In today’s new video Ian Allison and drummer Steve Goold walk you through some ideas and exercises that will help level up your sense of playing ‘in the pocket’. To a beginner, this concept might have you scratching your head, but how many experienced bass players really know what it means?

In this lesson you’re going to learn:
- What it means to play in the pocket.
- How it works.
- How to play ahead of the beat.
- How to play behind.
- Why every audience loves a back beat.
- And much more!

As always, see you in the shed…

Scott :)

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[samba]

Ian is a great addition to the team, one of the best teachers you’ve had

[AlexA]

Great to hear bass player & drummer discussing this type of thing. Really informative

[CarlKennedyMusic]

One of the most valuable lessons in music and something understood by very, very few players or producers. This is another example that explains why quantizing sucks the life out of so many recordings. VERY WELL DONE GUYS!

[perpetualgrimace]

I've heard so many people talk about feel, or playing behind the beat. This is the absolute best explanation I've come across. You made it make sense.

[zzzyzzzyzzzyxxx]

What you are describing at around 7:20, re being a tad behind to let the drum transients through first is something that is often simulated in production vis a vis sidechaining a compressor on the bass track that is triggered by the kick. The effect is to lower the volume of the bass at the instant of the kick transient and then let the bass volume bloom back up as the compressor releases.
I really enjoyed this video and have shared it with a few friends who have asked me to explain 'the pocket' and playing behind or on top. Thanks!

[walkerjohnclark]

This is the best discussion I've ever heard on the nuances of feel or groove in contemporary music.

[kingkongkungkwang]

Everything about this video is confusing. The bassist looks like Scott, but the drummer sounds like Scott with American accent.

[Phlizz]

Ian is just great, it’s obvious that he’s an absolut genius on bass, still he breaks down the content in simple empathic explanations. always aware of the viewer/student.

[jdmarino]

Love Ian's energy and ability to articulate technique. Adding Steve makes it better because of the drummer's perspective, but also because the 2 have a conversation. And we get to watch.

[dave-d]

Excellent discussion. Like Flea said, "put the bass note in the middle of the drum beat". Easy to say. Years of work to hear and implement. Real value info right here. Thanks guys.

[JB]

Love this actual discussion between a drummer and bass player. A lot of drummers I played with who had the “there’s only one way to groove, I know it and you don’t” attitude, which basically kills music, in my opinion. I played with a lot more drummers who didn’t need to say anything; 4 bars in and we both knew what’s up. Play with the musicians on stage, not some weird ideal.

[ReallyDudeYouGottaHearThis]

This is great. No one ever discusses this topic. It effects the feel and sound of the band So much. Especially if someone is on top of the beat and pushing things ahead. I play with a ton of drummers who always speed up by the end of the song and you can’t pull them back. Also big band horns are always doing big hits on the back side of the beat. It just feels right.

[TheBoboMaker]

As a rhythmically challenged guitarist I'm just happy to be somewhere close to the beat.😂
Thanks for the demonstration guys. Gave me something to shoot for.

[bobdoyle]

I've struggled with this concept. Now I think I get it. When he said it's like my note (bass) grows out of your note (drums). Light bulb moment.

[normg]

Ian is a great guy to step in for ya, Scott. He has the same very amiable personality and passion not only for the bass, but also for sharing what he know as you do. I really like him and look forward to more videos. You, ve got a winner here. I must say that the same goes for the drummer. You seem to pick your folks very carefully and with good success. Keep it up, buddy!. Love it!

[MLing-qx]

this has got to be the best course I've seen from this channel. What these guys are teaching me makes me want to join just to watch this course

[mingusfan]

I could absolutely listen to Ian and Steve talk and jam all day!

[georgecovetskie]

SO True ! I been playing bass since 1975 and out of all the things anyone ever showed me that improved my bass playing was exactly that ! Once I noticed this in the tunes I was learning, I was hooked! I found the behind the sceen sercret. I also noiticed how much it impacts the sound and feel of the tune. Bands and other musicians started noticing the difference in my playing and started calling me more for gigs.
Even today, If I go listen to a band and the players, I notice how many bass players just Hit the bass from begining to end and never notice what they can do to improve that little thing.
Thanks for sharing that. It was well worth it.

[BartKebab]

One of my favorite funk bands, Vulfpeck, actually has its own compressor program that it runs over Joe Dart's bass which (in addition to elevating his already amazing tone to a whole other level) also has the same effect you talk about in this video of making his notes "grow" out of the drum notes. You can hear this very well in Dean Town (obviously most of the work and tone is in Joe's fingers but I just thought it was an interesting thing to share)

[tristanshears]

This was fantastic! They don’t talk about this in music school. I think it’s just expected that people know it.