Joe Dart Talks Bass Philosophy and the Benefits of High Action

40 snips

Jan 24, 2024

Join Cory Wong and Joe Dart as they discuss developing a signature bass sound, high action bass playing, and the value of intention in every note. Dart emphasizes playing with different musicians, shares practice tips, and reflects on the influence of iconic bassists like Flea. They also touch on the impact of social media on music, Dart's grandfather's musical legacy, and the importance of simplicity in bass gear.

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ANECDOTE

Finding Bass Voice Through Melody

Joe Dart developed his bass voice inspired by melodic players like Flea who sound like they're singing a part within the song.
He plays with intention, treating every note as if it could be his last.

ANECDOTE

High Action Bass Builds Strength

Joe Dart's first bass had ridiculously high action, which built his hand strength and stamina playing bass.
He maintains high action for its impact on his aggressive, slapping playing style.

ADVICE

Practice by Playing Music

Focus your practice on playing parts and playing with others rather than isolated exercises.
Playing with many musicians and jamming in ensembles builds practical skill and musicality.

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This time on Wong Notes, Cory is joined by his Vulfpeck and Fearless Flyers copilot Joe Dart. Wong doesn’t waste any time, diving in by asking Dart, by now renowned as a modern bass wizard with flawless fundamentals, how he developed he signature “voice” on the bass. As Dart explains, it came from listening to players who had their own distinct “voice,” who sound like “they’re singing a part within the song,” he says. These “philosophers of the low-end,” like Flea, imprinted the value of total intention and feeling in every note, as if any single one could be your last.

Dart throws it back to his first bass—a Samick—and remembers how it’s ridiculously high action was like weight training for the rest of his career. He still likes his strings suspended up higher than most, which allows his “brute force” slapping. Wong and Dart trade notes on practice regimes, and Dart offers advice for young players: Learn your scales, sure, but most importantly, “play with as many different people as you can.” Plus, Dart breaks down his differing approaches to instrumental and vocal tracks.

Later on, the bandmates ponder the mental trap of the social media comparison game, and wonder at how algorithms impact which music rises to the top of the heap. What does Dart hope to remembered for? With any luck, he’ll have works as iconic as his grandfather’s, Israel Baker, whose violin playing you’ll recognize not just from collabs with Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, but some of the most famous film scores and TV show theme songs.

Listen to the full episode here: https://bit.ly/WongNotes

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Visit Joe Dart:

Hit us up: wongnotes@premierguitar.com

Visit Cory: https://www.corywongmusic.com

Visit Premier Guitar: http://premierguitar.com

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Produced by Jason Shadrick and Cory Wong

Additional Editing by Shawn Persinger

Presented by DistroKid