Things I Learned Watching Norm Stockton Play for Lincoln Brewster

Last weekend I went to see Lincoln Brewster perform at Willow Creek outside of Chicago.  I went because Norm Stockton plays bass for him, and Norm is my friend.

If you don't know Norm Stockton, he is a monster bass player.  Just great.  He has 3 cd's out, 2 solo, as well as producing and playing on his wife's.  He has also created a series of instructional videos that have been big sellers for years.  Go to his website:  http://normstockton.com.  I have 2 of his cd's.  I have a t-shirt he was selling at one time (still get comments).  He has slept in my house.

Anyway, go there and listen to some of the songs on his cd's.  He's slapping, chording, generally puling impossible music out of his instrument.

Now if you don't know Lincoln Brewster, he is a Christian praise music artist.  He is praise director at his (mega) church.  He is a great guitarist.  He has played for national artists, most notably Steve Perry (post-Journey).  Check him out at:  http://lincolnbrewster.com/.  He plays to huge audiences at huge Christian events.  Look at the photos on his website.  These are stadiums.

A word about Christian praise music.  It was made to be sung.  By a congregation.  In general, it does not have overly complex words, nor overly complex music.  Many of Lincoln's songs are in regular rotation in churches around the nation, played by regular Joes with varying degrees of talent who only play on weekends.  Praise music shouldn't be too hard to sing or play because regular Joes (and Joans) have to sing and play it.  And the purpose of praise music is to raise up God, not spotlight a musician.

Since Lincoln was at a church and much of his work is praise music, he was there to play praise music.  And praise we did.  So as I sat there (stood, actually) watching my monster-bass-playing friend playing music that our regular Joe (or Joan) is playing every week, I learned a few things.  I think they're important.  I think I learned something from him.

1.  Just because you can play rings around just about anyone in the free world doesn't mean you have to show it 
Norm played what needed to be played.  He supported the song.  There was no reason to show off the latest impossible chording in this setting and he didn't.  If I didn't know him, I would not expect the caliber of musicianship I hear on his cd's.  The music was great and people sang along and he just supported that.

2.  If you are a hired gun, you're there to support the hirer
Lincoln is a great guitarist.  And he showed it.  I believe people were there to hear him be a great guitarist.  He soloed on most if not all songs,  He was the center of attention and deserved to be.  He wrote the songs.  He put the band together.  Norm just supported him.  He didn't get the spotlight and he didn't need it.  He played his lines, he sang his back ups.  He engaged the audience in praise of God.  He did what he was hired to do and he did it well.  I know him pretty well and I assume he did it without complaint.

3.  Driving eighth notes drive emotion, no matter what the music
There was one song - I can't remember which - that had a driving 8th note beat.  The first thing I thought was "this is Norm Stockton and he's playing a driving 8th note.  He can slap and pluck and chord like a beast and he's playing 8th notes."  The second thing was less thought than emotion.  Driving 8ths just push a song.  You HAVE to pay attention!  Your body demands it.  This works in praise music to move a congregation into praising God.  It works in songs designed to get the chicks in bed because it drives emotion.  It works in anthems.  It works in protest songs.  It works in patriotic songs.  If you want to get your point across, drive a driving 8th note beat.  And, as a bassplayer, if you're asked to play a driving 8th note, play it with everything you've got.  Don't complain because that's all you get and the guitarist gets the cool stuff.  The cool stuff doesn't get the chick in bed with the guitarist.  The driving 8th note bass line gets the chick in bed with the guitarist.

4.  You got a free hand?  Use it!
In general playing bass, you play all through the song.  There's usually not much of a break.  But when you get a break - say you are playing an open note, or during a drum break - use it!  Raise your hand!  Pump your fist!  Clap!  Audiences/congregations respond to this.  Raise up your hand to God.  Raise up your fist to express your rage.  Flash a peace sign.  People notice!  That's what gets them involved in the music.  Sure the screaming guitar solo that melts everybody's face is what they think they're there for, but a screaming guitar solo that melts faces while other members of the band are clapping or gesturing REALLY gets an audience going.  Use those hands!

I tried some of these techniques during the Brother Tim show on Sunday.  I didn't complain about playing 8th notes or feel underutilyzed when I had to.  I drove that song!  I supported the other players.  And I raised my hand.  Thrust my fist into the air!  Raised my hand!  Started the audience clapping.  Finished singing a song with hand in air signifying victory.  And the audience responded.  We got a great reception.

I am not now, nor will I ever be a Norm Stockton solo performer/monster bass player.  I don't really aspire to be.  I'm in a band and I'm having the time of my life playing.  But what Norm did for me last weekend is opened my eyes as a regular Joe bassplayer.

Thanks Norm.

And everyone, go buy lots of his stuff.  He really is a monster!