Gord Sinclair's Tips for Aspiring Bass Players (of The Tragically Hip)

I’ve been asked a lot over the years about when I first started playing the bass and if I have any tips for aspiring players to learn the instrument. The first part is easy. Way back in the mid 70’s, when I was in high school, Bobby came over one day to show off the brown Fender Strat his folks had just bought him. He announced that he was starting a rock band and that I was to be the bass player. That weekend I went to Tremblay’s Music on Princess Street in Kingston and bought a Univox Bass, a Traynor bass amp and I was underway. Drafted, and willingly so.

The learning part is a little more challenging. Playing any instrument is a life long pursuit and well worthwhile. I worked on the bass my entire career and I feel like I am still learning now. Being in a band is the best way to learn the instrument and more importantly to learn how to listen to your fellow musicians. As a bass player I was fortunate to play with as great a drummer as Johnny Fay my whole musical life.

If you’re just getting into the bass there are two great records you should get to help you turn on to the nuances of the instrument. The first is John Mayall & the Blues Brothers with Eric Clapton from 1966. Bass player John McVie and drummer Hugh Flint create a rhythm pocket that is hard to beat and incredibly instructive. McVie plays off the drums perfectly, bridging the gap between the beat and the melody like a great bass player should. Sometimes re-enforcing the melodic riff, sometimes simply holding down the fort with his solid, understated playing. McVie is the foundation of every song, allowing Clapton and Mayall the spotlight. There are great walking blues bass lines throughout and if you play along to the tunes as you listen you’ll be well underway in figuring out what the bass is all about. Taste and subtlety.

The second album is the Meters Look-Ka Py Py from 1969. If you listen to what bassist George Porter is laying down you won’t be long learning how to groove. Drummer Zigaboo Modeliste is a master of funk and Porter’s bass lines intertwine perfectly with what he is laying down. Sometimes in sync, more often finding and filling the holes left by his bandmates, George Porter is all feel, hypnotically rifftastic and groovy; always in the pocket.

The bass player is there to serve the song and give it feel; to bridge the musical gaps between bandmates and give them a solid, steady groove.
– GS

[rulinghabs]

Your bass in Grace Too still moves me today.

[colins]

one of the greatest bass players of all time!

[josephtaylor]

I had the good fortune of meeting Mr. Sinclair after a 'Hip show in Washington DC back in '96. He was so kind and generous with his time and very down to earth to chat with a fan from Canada like me. Thank you Mr. Sinclair.🇨🇦

[brandonsummers]

Damn two super great albums! I appreciate this

[erasmusherzen]

Always loved Gord's playing - stellar player

[heathertree]

Love hearing the stories and the recommendations!❤

[StevenMichels]

Those are some great (and unexpected) references. The Hip forever!

[Brad-rq]

So cool. What bass line stands out as one that has some feel and Bobcaygeon came to mind so I found my favorite YouTube guy to learn it off. Constantine Isslamow, who is also from Ontario. and then your tip video was in my feed. Thanks so much for being part of so many inspirations. You go down as a player who can add that magic touch. Thanks for posting this, dude.

[MikeyLovesLife]

I love your band and your bass playing and like so many others I miss Gordon Downie. (RIP)
The live set from Austin in 2006 has your bass agressive in the mix. (Live At Austin City Limits Music Festival)
I listen to it often!
When I got my first bass in '78 it was because my guitar player friend said "we'll never find a bass player, everyone plays guitar."
It's kind of true. I got my first bass so we could get our band up and running. It was a Cortley P bass copy
with a weak single coil pickup. I later cut the body into a teardrop shape to emulate Geddy Lee's teardrop bass.
We never met but I had the honor of being in an opening band for you in El Paso, TX in the early 90's...

[EasyThere]

How did you come up with the riff for Grace too? Iconic bass line sir.

[Ehdubs]

So your saying day for night was your idea?
Thanks for sharing!