Here’s one approach to a contemporary gospel groove.

Audio Example 1

 

IDIOMS

RHYTHMIC:

This style of gospel frequently incorporates rhythmic anticipations or pushes, and a generally syncopated & funk-flavored approach to the groove. In the example, you’ll notice frequent occasions where the downbeat is anticipated by a 16th-note, which can give an arrangement some energy and forward-motion.

It’s interesting that many of the most earth-moving bass grooves in this genre are fundamentally based upon an 8th-note (and often even quarter-note) subdivision, while only occasionally implying a 16th-note subdivision with intermittent ghost notes, anticipations and/or fills. There’s a certain amount of attitude and phatness that can be conveyed by keeping it simple and grooving deeply.

The time feel of this particular style of gospel is generally a little on top. At slower tempos, though, it will tend to lean back. Tempos can even have an elastic quality over the course of a song...which can be really musical and emotive when the ensemble is tight.

HARMONIC:

Although the vocal melodies tend to remain reasonably diatonic, it’s very common to hear jazz harmony incorporated into the accompaniment provided by gospel instrumentalists. Chromaticism and dense chord voicings playing through progressions that incorporate much tension and release are idiomatic of this type of contemporary gospel.

As the bassist in the ensemble, however, it is generally most effective to limit excursions into harmonic “out-ness” and keep the foundation for the ensemble intact. It can be effective to add a dash of harmonic spice through one or two well-placed (and well-phrased) fills late in the tune, after things are well established (but see comments under “General” below!).

SONIC:

Solid and well-balanced slap tone with roundwound strings is idiomatic of this approach to gospel. The hi-fi slap tone sometimes doesn’t fit as well in this genre as it does in others. I will often slightly roll off the extreme highs and add a bit of the mid frequencies to make the tone a little more organic.

GENERAL:

Gospel is a label under which an incredibly diverse spectrum of sub-genres exist. It’s well worth further exploration and study. Additionally, contemporary and urban gospel grooves commonly incorporate elements from a number of other genres (funk, hip-hop, jazz, rap, etc.). We’ll discuss this sort of merging of musical styles further in our next lesson.

It’s of paramount importance when playing any style of gospel to always keep context in mind: if you’re playing in a worship service, be sensitive and actively avoid creating a sense of “hey-check-me-out”. Play for the tune, and ensure that your embellishments are helping to convey the lyric.