------------------------------------------------------- 1972 ------------------------------------------------------- Source: Publication Unknown, (from the Legendary Roxi Collection) Chris: From a Rare Breed (No author listed in hardcopy) Bass guitarists give all sorts of reasons for playing the instrument. Perhaps their attempts at playing six string guitar helped them to realise their sympathy with the bass structures, perhaps there was simply no one else around to play bass at one time! Chris Squire of Yes chose the instrument "because I'm quite a big lad and it seemed right for me." He had been studying musical theory at school and at 16 was preparing to take GCE 'O' level in the subject when he got his first bass. "I'd messed around on the piano some time before but the first instrument I was ever really serious about was the bass guitar. At that time the big thing around was the Beatles and I joined a local group as soon as I could." As a musical theorist Chris must have had a good idea of the part played by bass lines in music. "I had very strong feelings about bass parts even before I started learning how to play the bass guitar. There's an element of harmony as well as rhythm in a good bass part and I think many players overlook that at the beginning. "I believe that every part of music should be interesting in its own right. I've always tried to find interesting and melodic harmonies within the bass spectrum and I think it's always possible. In fact at the beginning I found it far easier to develop interesting bass patterns than I did to get the feel and drive needed in bass playing. Without doubt, the basic function of any bass player is to provide rhythm on the root notes. I agree with those who insist on this foundation, but I take it a step further and add harmonies to that." Within Yes, Chris is offered very stimulating scope. The Yes works contain involved harmonic counterpoint and Chris' view of bass playing obviously fits him perfectly for his job. "When I start learning each new Yes piece I have to take a lot of time to get it right. I always find I'm stretched by it and I think that's a good thing. Some people say that the bass is an instrument that's boring to practice on, but I think you can get great enjoyment from practising it. I practice even now. Just like a guitarist might hear a B. B. King lick and go home and run over the fingering. I hear something Charlie Mingus does and I have to practice it to get it right." Talking about Mingus, does Chris plan to learn double bass? "I'm actually learning double bass at the moment. I try to put in a few minutes on it every day. I play until my fingers get red and then I stop. Playing the double bass hasn't had any influence on my bass playing really although I do use a fretless bass on stage in one number." Most 16-year-old aspiring bass guitarists stagger through their formative years with fairly cheap instruments. Chris' first instrument was a bass in the old Futurama range and I asked him about his choice of instruments in the period when he was learning. "The Futurama was a very good guitar in its class but I saved up and bought a Rickenbacker. I've always liked them and I still play the original I bought then although I've got two more recent Rickenbackers. They just don't make them like they used to." Chris belongs to a rare breed. He's a singing bass player and from his early days as a bassman he always combined vocals and bass. "I've never been a lead vocalist although I've always sung harmonies." Just how difficult is it to concentrate on the bass part and on vocals at the same time? "That's probably the hardest thing of all. Very often the bass part and the vocal part are a complete contrast and to do both properly requires a great deal of independence. I enjoy singing a great deal and I work at getting both things right." Close Window YesInThePress.com For site comments, inquiries, corrections, or additions, contact yitp@yesservices.com