In the world of music, innovation often stems from collaboration and experimentation. This was certainly the case when a session led to the creation of a unique playing technique known as Funk Fingers. The story reflects a blend of creativity, improvisation, and the occasional clash of artistic preferences, particularly between the renowned bassist and Peter Gabriel.
The tale begins in a studio session where the bassist, excited about a new piece they were working on, approached drummer Jerry Mara with a novel idea. The concept was to have Mara play the drumsticks directly on the bass strings while the bassist fingered the notes with his left hand. This collaboration was a physical interplay, with the two musicians literally close together to make the concept work. They meticulously planned each hit on the strings and spent considerable time perfecting the technique, although it required the departure of other band members and a dedicated session with the engineer to refine it.
When the record was eventually released, the bassist had high hopes of how their innovative sound would be represented. To his surprise, a synthesizer bass line had replaced their original creation, leaving only traces of their collaborative effort. This creative pivot brought a new dimension to the song but also highlighted an ongoing tug-of-war between organic and synthesized sounds.
As the band embarked on their tour, the bassist reflected on the experience of performing the piece. He aimed to replicate the special part he originally envisioned, but with Peter Gabriel busy with other elements of the performance, communication about preferences became complicated. During soundchecks, the bassist began practicing with a singular drumstick, a nod to his unyielding pursuit of that unique sound.
It was at one of these soundchecks that Peter casually suggested using two drumsticks. The bassist playfully asked his guitar technician, Andy Moore, if they could fashion something that allowed him to play with sticks on his fingers. This playful experimentation led to practical solutions: they tried different velcro grips to avoid the sticks flying off during performances. Thus, Funk Fingers were born—rubber-tipped extensions that allowed the bassist to tap into the strings while still maintaining the toughness needed to withstand the rigors of touring.
The relationship between the original synthesizer part and the Funk Fingers grew increasingly complicated. The bassist found himself caught between two worlds, often switching between the synth and bass lines in performances as he navigated Peter Gabriel’s preferences. Gabriel liked the synth sound, yet the bassist felt an inherent pull towards his crafted sound using Funk Fingers.
Despite the tension surrounding this artistic choice, the bassist expressed his admiration for the quirks of the synthesizer sound while admitting a physical and emotional disconnect with it. This creative struggle underscored a broader theme of artistic collaboration, where the varying preferences of musicians could lead to delightful yet challenging dynamics.
Furthering the narrative of collaboration, the bassist recounted a memorable moment from a 2016 joint tour with Sting. During their performances, there was a specific song where Sting, captivated by the bassist's original part, sought to play it himself. However, unversed in the Funk Fingers technique, Sting opted for his own unique approach by employing thumb slaps. Witnessing this exchange, the bassist couldn’t help but think of Gabriel, humorously contemplating how Gabriel might react to this new interpretation of the song.
The journey of Funk Fingers, from a spontaneous studio idea to a crucial aspect of the bassist's identity, reveals the beauty of musical experimentation. Over the years, the design evolved to ensure durability, incorporating clever solutions such as applying rubber dip to provide an optimal feel without sacrificing sound quality.
As this story eloquently demonstrates, the world of music is full of surprising turns—creative innovations often emerge from playful explorations and the deep relationships built through collaboration. Funk Fingers stand not just as a tool but as a testament to the rhythmic connection between musicians, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected ideas lead to remarkable outcomes in the creative process.
Part 1/8:
The Origin of Funk Fingers: A Creative Journey
In the world of music, innovation often stems from collaboration and experimentation. This was certainly the case when a session led to the creation of a unique playing technique known as Funk Fingers. The story reflects a blend of creativity, improvisation, and the occasional clash of artistic preferences, particularly between the renowned bassist and Peter Gabriel.
A Memorable Recording Session
Part 2/8:
The tale begins in a studio session where the bassist, excited about a new piece they were working on, approached drummer Jerry Mara with a novel idea. The concept was to have Mara play the drumsticks directly on the bass strings while the bassist fingered the notes with his left hand. This collaboration was a physical interplay, with the two musicians literally close together to make the concept work. They meticulously planned each hit on the strings and spent considerable time perfecting the technique, although it required the departure of other band members and a dedicated session with the engineer to refine it.
Part 3/8:
When the record was eventually released, the bassist had high hopes of how their innovative sound would be represented. To his surprise, a synthesizer bass line had replaced their original creation, leaving only traces of their collaborative effort. This creative pivot brought a new dimension to the song but also highlighted an ongoing tug-of-war between organic and synthesized sounds.
The Evolution of Funk Fingers
Part 4/8:
As the band embarked on their tour, the bassist reflected on the experience of performing the piece. He aimed to replicate the special part he originally envisioned, but with Peter Gabriel busy with other elements of the performance, communication about preferences became complicated. During soundchecks, the bassist began practicing with a singular drumstick, a nod to his unyielding pursuit of that unique sound.
Part 5/8:
It was at one of these soundchecks that Peter casually suggested using two drumsticks. The bassist playfully asked his guitar technician, Andy Moore, if they could fashion something that allowed him to play with sticks on his fingers. This playful experimentation led to practical solutions: they tried different velcro grips to avoid the sticks flying off during performances. Thus, Funk Fingers were born—rubber-tipped extensions that allowed the bassist to tap into the strings while still maintaining the toughness needed to withstand the rigors of touring.
A Complicated Relationship with Synths
Part 6/8:
The relationship between the original synthesizer part and the Funk Fingers grew increasingly complicated. The bassist found himself caught between two worlds, often switching between the synth and bass lines in performances as he navigated Peter Gabriel’s preferences. Gabriel liked the synth sound, yet the bassist felt an inherent pull towards his crafted sound using Funk Fingers.
Despite the tension surrounding this artistic choice, the bassist expressed his admiration for the quirks of the synthesizer sound while admitting a physical and emotional disconnect with it. This creative struggle underscored a broader theme of artistic collaboration, where the varying preferences of musicians could lead to delightful yet challenging dynamics.
A Shared Stage: Collaboration with Sting
Part 7/8:
Furthering the narrative of collaboration, the bassist recounted a memorable moment from a 2016 joint tour with Sting. During their performances, there was a specific song where Sting, captivated by the bassist's original part, sought to play it himself. However, unversed in the Funk Fingers technique, Sting opted for his own unique approach by employing thumb slaps. Witnessing this exchange, the bassist couldn’t help but think of Gabriel, humorously contemplating how Gabriel might react to this new interpretation of the song.
The Legacy of Funk Fingers
Part 8/8:
The journey of Funk Fingers, from a spontaneous studio idea to a crucial aspect of the bassist's identity, reveals the beauty of musical experimentation. Over the years, the design evolved to ensure durability, incorporating clever solutions such as applying rubber dip to provide an optimal feel without sacrificing sound quality.
As this story eloquently demonstrates, the world of music is full of surprising turns—creative innovations often emerge from playful explorations and the deep relationships built through collaboration. Funk Fingers stand not just as a tool but as a testament to the rhythmic connection between musicians, reminding us that sometimes the most unexpected ideas lead to remarkable outcomes in the creative process.