SPIRITS
IN THE BASS
Joseph Patrick Moore Shares With Zora
| Bassist/Composer
Joseph Patrick Moore’s life journey has
been consumed by pursuing the sounds, colors and
rhythms of music. He started with alto saxophone
in the fourth grade, switched to drums in the
eight grade and finally found his voice through
the bass, in his high school years and beyond.
His fascination with music and his chosen instrument
led me to contact him about the bass, its sensual
appeal and to talk about his recording of “Alone
Together.” |
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“I
loved the low rumble and thunder of the bass and I
was immediately attracted to the tones and frequencies
of this instrument.” Joseph Patrick Moore |
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| For
both the Double Bass and Electric Bass Guitar,
the role of both is to provide a foundation for
accompanying instrumentation, while occasionally
being featured as a solo instrument. The bass
is in part responsible for music’s steady
pulse and is used in most styles and genres of
music. |
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Joseph
Patrick Moore Shares With Zora:
As a composer, I tend to write tunes that are instrumental
in nature. When you don’t have lyrics conveying
your message, it’s challenging to tell a story
without saying a word. For me, instrumental music should
express that which cannot be spoken. Sometimes I write
from the bass, other times I write from the piano or
occasionally I will write without an instrument in my
hand. With most of my music, I try to convey a mood
or set the scene for the listener. The bass can be a
very powerful force in dictating the mood and emotion
of a song.
Composing
instrumental music that features the bass throughout
can have its own set of challenges. This became evident
when I embarked on my third CD journey titled, “Alone
Together” (released on Root Cellar Records-2002).
My first two CD’s featured many instruments,
musicians, and friends. However on the recording of
this particular project, I wanted to try a new approach.
I wanted to release a solo bass CD featuring nothing
but the bass. I wanted to try to explore the possibilities
of the instrument-- combining the Contrabass, the
Fretless Bass and the Electric Bass--both bowed and
plucked. I composed solo, duo and trio songs. One
of the most challenging aspects in creating this CD
was how the low frequencies would sometimes cancel
each other out. I refer to this as “Spirits
in the Bass.” I had to really use my imagination
and explore the possibilities and range of each instrument.
It forced me to think differently about the “role”
of the instrument. It proved to be both therapeutic
and liberating.
Regardless
of what instruments are used in the music creation
process, music should be created with the hands of
love, the ears of perception, the heart of passion,
and the spirit of inhibition. When this is achieved,
music can help stimulate and arouse ones spirit and
invigorate the senses It can open that door to the
enchanted land. This is something I always try to
be aware of and strive to do with my music.
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| Recording
and Touring Artist Joseph Patrick Moore,
currently resides in the Atlanta, GA area.
He is an active performer, educator and
he is currently completing his 4th CD with
his group scheduled for release in August
2003. |
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