CREATIVE / WILD & EXPERIENCED BASS PLAYER - FRETLESS 6 STRING. From Odd time signatures, microtones, polymetrics, Dissonance, Jazz, Groove, Prog.. I've got you covered using a blend of tools from various genres to bring real life to your music. Im best suited for: all types of metal (especially experimental), prog , jazz, funk, blues.
Ready for a UNIQUE lift to your music?
I've been playing music since 1999. Currently specialising in 6 string Fretless Bass. I am experienced in a variety of genres but live I prefer to play metal that has experimental, dissonant, odd timings with a solid groove foundation. I enjoy music that is not completely very straight forward and thus has experimental or "thinking" elements to it.I Ive spent many years studying jazz musical theory , microtonal music and more. I specifically explored many sub genres of jazz which I bring that all back into my writing to create a new palette of tones and colours, which I find works well.
Highly experienced in dissonant mathcore
I play bass using a unique 5 finger technique i developed that blends: Pami classical fingerpicking, wes Montgomery thumb technique and Charlie hunter style hybrid compound finger picking style. I can read sheet music , and can easily figure out virtually anything by ear, so I never use tabs.
Experienced with micro tonal music, I use EDO 41 temperament and can bring in Arabic / middle eastern Maqam flavours if you desire.
I'm super malleable and bring unique ideas to the table! Expect me to mash together my experience in all these genres to bring some serious life to your project
@Bassmania84 on youtube for playing demos - all figured out by ear and played RAW through an actual Amp.
Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.
Interview with Talal
Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?
A: The Hot Potatoes my personal jazz project which played live in Toronto - I played the hybrid guitar which had 3 bass strings and 5 guitar strings and outputs to a bass and guitar amp. I played bass and guitar at once in counterpoint and it was challenging and a lot of fun. But I have fallen in love with fretless much more now :)
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: Pop tunes, Death metal songs for 3 projects, Jazz, and hopefully your project!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Im a bit newer here and look forward to growing my network
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: both - depends on situation
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: satisfaction beyond surface level and that I will elevate your music beyond expectations.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: meeting all sorts of people and playing in a variety of genres
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: If their song is within my skill set - and the answer is most likely going to be yes!
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: That I am just a "metal guy" - far from the truth!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Questions relating to vision and expecations are usually common. I like to ensure I come to your world the way you need me to.
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: expect unique ideas and for me to come forward. I dont use the bass in a traditional way and expand on it greatly.
Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?
A: 2 fretless basses of mine, 3 packs of strings. I am simple .
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: Ive been playing music for over 25 years . I am also a registered medical herbalist in practice.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: imagine throwing heavy metal, experimentalism, jazz, prog, rock, pop and blues into a blender while adding an icing of world music.
Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?
A: Gorguts, Kamasi Washington, Herbie Hancock, - too many to list!! Because i love playing live music!
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: keep it simple!
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Experimental metal, jazz, pop, funk, blues, classical - everything really
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Strong ear training , and ability to physically play almost anything
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Creativity, Chops, Unique ideas , Finesse and a great tone!
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: i listen to your needs, come up with a battle plan and deliver the goods accordingly. I have a lot of revisions allowed because 1) im confident I can deliver your exact vision 2) you matter and so I leave a big cushion to make sure we achieve the exact goal.
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: Monster 24 core computer , with 64 gegs ram DDR5 Reaper Quantum 2626 thunderbolt interface - I record at 1.1 ms latency
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: METAL INFLUENCES: meshuggah (older stuff) , dillinger escape plan, gorguts, martyr,Kobong, Neuma, Ad Nauseum, demilich, sarmat, imperial triumphant, cynic, mr bungle, fantomas, cryptopsy (old stuff), Negativa, tony danza tapdance extravaganza, ephel duath, into the moat, Akercocke, Porcupine tree, Cannibal Corpse, Blotted science, cephalic carnage, Psyopus, ion dissonance, dodecahedron, Unexpect, deathspell omega, defeated sanity, Anachronism .... tons more im forgetting.. OTHER CRITICAL INFLUENCES: Ben monder, Sharay Reed, james brown, miles davis, john coltrane, eric dolphy,Charles Mingus, Allan holdsworth, King crimson, herb ellis, barney kessel, Kamasi washington, herbie hancock, chick corea, charlie hunter, dave holland, michael manring, alex skolnick, primus, Pat martino, jon scofield, bill frisell, Jaco pastorius, Frank Gambale, Joe Zawinull, wayne shorter, ben monder, Gary willis, Tony levine, Steve bailey, Victor Wooten, Alex Webster, Junior Braguinha, virgil donati, Mike Patton, and lots more ..
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: tracking fretless bass for clients who usually want me to add my creative input to help lift the song
I was the Bass player in this production
- Bass FretlessAverage price - $100 per song
- Bass ElectricAverage price - $100 per song
10 revisions, 3-7 days turnaround depending on complexity and length. I dont like to put arbitrary limits on song length, but if its fairly long and needs more time I will communicate this early on.
- Clement custom fretless bass's
