From vsedm@iMars.com Thu Jan 24 10:34:00 2002
Subject:Re: Hammonds and pedals - Love 'em or hate 'em

James,

I played pedals on my M-100, always played left hand bass in shows.

I prefer to play with bassists. I am a bassist and only playing bass is a
full time job, if you
want to do something interesting. I have a jazz background, where you can
developp a lot, on bass, and the sound is also really important.

Also, I heard Chester Thompson play LH/pedal bass with Tower of Power,
but I still prefer Rocco doing his grooves, which are more complete
and there's a degree of subtility that I think you cannot reach
when playing LH/pedal bass.

When on piano, I prefer to play chords with my left hand,
which allows me to add more extensions to my playing/solos.
However, I'm not used to dual manual playing, on Hammonds,
so I'll be playing bass to do something of my left hand :)

I still like to play LH bass or pedals when practicing in a small
band, and doing some standard, and I agree you have more
liberty in where you want to go, chords substitutions,
force turnarounds or add more bars to the chorus.

Both worlds are fascinating and I would play string bass and
keyboard at the same time if I could... (doing it in studio,
but live is a little bit harder).

It's not because you are playing fast that it is good...
and it's not because that you have a bassist that it
will sound good (and that's if he's not late at the gig!)

I'm still young and I guess one day, I'll choose one
of the sides!

Meanwhile, let's play music! :)

Etienne