WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.350 Translation & Subtitles: thoseguiltyeyes | scandal-heaven.com 00:00:05.970 --> 00:00:08.320 Hello, I'm SCANDAL's vocalist HARUNA. 00:00:08.376 --> 00:00:09.863 I'm bassist TOMOMI. 00:00:10.136 --> 00:00:16.374 "Start Your Journey!" is about conveying the appeal of guitars to those considering taking it up. 00:00:16.565 --> 00:00:21.725 MAMI and I talked about guitars, 00:00:21.858 --> 00:00:25.659 and this time TOMOMI is here. 00:00:25.811 --> 00:00:29.194 -Thanks for having us! -Nice to meet you! 00:00:29.313 --> 00:00:36.593 So, in this video we'll be talking about the electric bass. 00:00:36.788 --> 00:00:42.724 Let's begin with what the bass is in the first place. 00:00:42.829 --> 00:00:46.199 How would you answer if you were asked what the bass is? 00:00:46.269 --> 00:00:52.601 The bass looks pretty similar to a guitar, 00:00:52.601 --> 00:00:56.601 but if you look closely, you'll see that the number of strings are different. 00:00:56.917 --> 00:01:01.197 The guitar has six strings while the bass only has four. 00:01:01.272 --> 00:01:02.898 Also, its thickness is different. 00:01:03.308 --> 00:01:04.878 The guitar is on the thin side. 00:01:04.878 --> 00:01:09.483 The bass is thicker, so it produces a low sound. 00:01:09.827 --> 00:01:14.288 Also, it plays a different role in bands. 00:01:14.467 --> 00:01:19.065 The guitar essentially plays the melody, 00:01:19.342 --> 00:01:22.372 and the bass plays chords 00:01:22.372 --> 00:01:30.202 while playing the rhythm together with the drums as part of the rhythm section. 00:01:30.425 --> 00:01:34.351 Those are the differences between the guitar and bass. 00:01:34.620 --> 00:01:40.320 It says, "Which would you recommend for beginners, the guitar or the bass?" 00:01:40.586 --> 00:01:42.676 Eh, which one? 00:01:42.901 --> 00:01:45.291 But there are those who have done both. 00:01:45.291 --> 00:01:52.431 In the very beginning when I was told by our dance school staff to try playing an instrument, 00:01:52.431 --> 00:01:54.551 the guitar was the instrument I thought of, 00:01:54.571 --> 00:01:56.934 so I first started playing the guitar. 00:01:57.326 --> 00:02:03.223 Memorizing chords is the first huge step, right? 00:02:03.423 --> 00:02:09.697 Compared to the guitar, you play more single notes on the bass rather than chords. 00:02:10.092 --> 00:02:15.146 That's why the bass is better for those who might give up on the first day. 00:02:16.032 --> 00:02:17.372 The first day, that is. 00:02:17.372 --> 00:02:19.592 Meaning that they're able to produce sounds. 00:02:19.857 --> 00:02:21.873 After a week, 00:02:22.054 --> 00:02:26.824 you're like, "What should I do when practicing bass?" 00:02:26.935 --> 00:02:30.015 You're primarily playing single notes when you practice solo, 00:02:30.015 --> 00:02:33.054 and at first when you're playing, it's going to be like, "Du du du du du du," 00:02:33.266 --> 00:02:35.526 which is going to seem so boring. 00:02:35.613 --> 00:02:38.156 When you're practicing alone, that is. 00:02:38.278 --> 00:02:45.718 But on guitar, you're able to play a song after only memorizing three chords or so. 00:02:45.912 --> 00:02:48.653 You can sing and play from the start. 00:02:48.794 --> 00:02:50.104 That is a lot of fun. 00:02:50.222 --> 00:02:54.222 That's why it's hard to recommend one over the other, 00:02:54.266 --> 00:02:57.861 but there is a difference between the first day and the first week. 00:02:58.707 --> 00:02:59.665 That's true. 00:02:59.850 --> 00:03:03.230 What do you think is cool about each instrument? 00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:08.639 Everything is cool about the guitar. 00:03:09.053 --> 00:03:11.591 To put it simply, guitar solos. 00:03:11.806 --> 00:03:14.706 It's like they're the star in the band. 00:03:14.786 --> 00:03:17.269 That's something you admire. 00:03:17.838 --> 00:03:21.288 It really stands out during concerts, 00:03:22.023 --> 00:03:25.163 and it definitely feels great to play a solo while on top of a platform. 00:03:25.213 --> 00:03:27.628 It does. You think it's really cool. 00:03:28.183 --> 00:03:33.703 But respectively, the bass provides powerful support. 00:03:33.862 --> 00:03:38.111 At first glance it seems a little inconspicuous, 00:03:38.230 --> 00:03:45.324 but it's the bassist who supports the band's foundation. 00:03:45.697 --> 00:03:48.968 That's what I think is cool. 00:03:49.182 --> 00:03:50.145 That's true. 00:03:50.145 --> 00:03:55.242 I never heard the sound of the bass before I was in the band. 00:03:55.337 --> 00:03:57.582 -You never consciously heard it, you mean? -Right. 00:03:58.115 --> 00:04:00.725 I would focus on the vocals. 00:04:00.766 --> 00:04:04.866 But after I took up the bass, I started hearing the sound of bass, 00:04:05.202 --> 00:04:09.942 and when I realized how it sounds when there is and isn't a bass, 00:04:09.942 --> 00:04:13.065 I was like, "Ah, the bass is wonderful." 00:04:13.967 --> 00:04:19.588 I think the job of the bass is to carry the song's groove. 00:04:19.885 --> 00:04:23.795 I think that's really cool. 00:04:24.187 --> 00:04:26.637 Like the guitar, 00:04:26.715 --> 00:04:31.207 there's also an acoustic version of the bass that produces sound without needing an amp, 00:04:31.492 --> 00:04:35.492 and an electric version that can plug into an amp to make loud sounds. 00:04:35.492 --> 00:04:37.722 Those are the two types. 00:04:37.911 --> 00:04:41.610 -The one you brought today is an electric bass. -Right. 00:04:41.813 --> 00:04:44.466 It's my signature model. 00:04:44.884 --> 00:04:48.048 It's a Precision Bass. 00:04:48.390 --> 00:04:51.559 It's a bit complicated to explain, 00:04:51.641 --> 00:04:54.371 but although it's a Precision Bass, 00:04:54.371 --> 00:04:59.597 I customized the neck to have one meant for a Jazz Bass. 00:04:59.707 --> 00:05:03.985 The one for the Jazz Bass is 4mm thinner than the Precision Bass one. 00:05:04.246 --> 00:05:08.197 My hands aren't very big so it's easier for me to grip. 00:05:08.435 --> 00:05:14.683 Also, the edges were cut to make it easier to hold. 00:05:14.830 --> 00:05:19.338 That's what I most particular about. 00:05:19.593 --> 00:05:20.313 I see. 00:05:20.399 --> 00:05:27.419 So this customization might be highly recommended for people who are watching this video. 00:05:27.446 --> 00:05:29.436 I totally recommend it. 00:05:29.789 --> 00:05:32.223 Isn't it adorable? 00:05:33.776 --> 00:05:34.728 It is. 00:05:36.069 --> 00:05:44.105 My Precision Bass has two knobs here. 00:05:44.902 --> 00:05:49.122 It's very simple and only has the volume and tone knobs. 00:05:49.466 --> 00:05:53.931 You can make it louder, make it softer, and change the tone. 00:05:54.362 --> 00:05:57.892 It's a very simple build with only those two knobs. 00:05:58.104 --> 00:06:05.992 Something special about my signature model is the neck and how it's a little thicker here. 00:06:06.119 --> 00:06:09.029 -That's why it makes a powerful sound. -I see. 00:06:09.075 --> 00:06:14.085 It produces a solid, low-pitched sound. 00:06:14.144 --> 00:06:20.624 That's why it's easy to convey the playing habits of the person playing it. 00:06:21.463 --> 00:06:24.975 If someone talented plays it, they'll be like, "Wow, what is this sound!?" 00:06:26.769 --> 00:06:30.408 That's also one of its merits. 00:06:30.668 --> 00:06:33.208 [The Precision Bass] came out [before the Jazz Bass]. 00:06:33.657 --> 00:06:37.034 That's right; it came out in 1951. 00:06:37.712 --> 00:06:45.238 Fender made the world's first electric bass, which is this model here. 00:06:45.422 --> 00:06:49.082 1951 is the same year the Telecaster [guitar] came out. 00:06:49.178 --> 00:06:51.662 It's a legendary year! 00:06:52.935 --> 00:06:58.008 How exactly is it different from the Jazz Bass? 00:06:58.466 --> 00:07:02.296 The Precision Bass looks a little like a Telecaster. 00:07:02.296 --> 00:07:03.966 Ah, I see. Maybe so. 00:07:04.277 --> 00:07:08.057 The Jazz Bass is asymmetrical in shape, 00:07:08.181 --> 00:07:11.144 and is also said to be easy to play. 00:07:11.262 --> 00:07:15.482 The Jazz Bass is easy to play. 00:07:15.521 --> 00:07:21.691 As explained earlier, the neck is 4mm thinner, 00:07:21.971 --> 00:07:25.311 which makes it easy for women with small hands to play. 00:07:25.446 --> 00:07:31.778 Also, the pickups, which act as a microphone, are long and slender. 00:07:31.912 --> 00:07:37.536 The pickups on the Jazz Bass are long and slender and are positioned differently than on my bass here. 00:07:37.682 --> 00:07:41.172 That's why it's easy to make delicate sounds. 00:07:41.276 --> 00:07:43.966 The widths here are a little different, 00:07:43.966 --> 00:07:48.330 and there are more knobs too. 00:07:48.492 --> 00:07:55.051 That's why you can make slightly more refined sounds with the bass itself. 00:07:55.354 --> 00:07:59.354 Although it's a "Jazz Bass," it's not used for jazz lines. 00:07:59.354 --> 00:08:02.374 That's right. It's an all-rounder. 00:08:02.374 --> 00:08:06.464 It's a bass that can be used in many different settings. 00:08:06.991 --> 00:08:09.621 Shall we get to playing it now? 00:08:10.682 --> 00:08:14.502 -You can also play the bass with a pick... -You can. 00:08:14.589 --> 00:08:16.859 -And you can also play with your fingers. -You can do that too. 00:08:16.956 --> 00:08:19.514 I often use my fingers. 00:08:19.799 --> 00:08:23.165 I use my pointer and middle finger to do so. 00:08:23.387 --> 00:08:26.602 I put my thumb on this pickup and... 00:08:29.413 --> 00:08:32.663 It's called two-finger playing. 00:08:32.699 --> 00:08:37.320 This is the style I usually use. 00:08:37.525 --> 00:08:39.569 There are times I use a pick, 00:08:39.716 --> 00:08:42.536 and those are when we play punkish songs. 00:08:42.686 --> 00:08:49.287 Playing with a pick gives it a more crisper sound and it sounds cool. 00:08:49.328 --> 00:08:52.910 I think it's easier to convey nuances with your fingers 00:08:52.910 --> 00:08:58.973 because the sound changes a bit depending on how you touch the strings. 00:08:59.980 --> 00:09:03.240 Are there other playing styles aside from the two-finger one? 00:09:03.268 --> 00:09:04.948 Aside from that, there's one like... 00:09:07.128 --> 00:09:12.622 There's also a slap style where you pull on the strings. 00:09:12.861 --> 00:09:15.936 There are many ways to play the bass. 00:09:16.724 --> 00:09:20.214 -Slapping is cool. -It is. 00:09:20.214 --> 00:09:24.624 You can also do a bass solo. which is similar to a guitar solo, 00:09:24.624 --> 00:09:29.514 and I think there are a lot of people who slap the bass when they do so. 00:09:29.514 --> 00:09:30.437 I see. 00:09:30.691 --> 00:09:34.287 Now we'll be playing together. 00:09:34.648 --> 00:09:39.744 We'll be playing our song "Mabataki." 00:09:40.001 --> 00:09:46.235 First, you'll play a little bit of the phrase you play on bass. 00:10:05.214 --> 00:10:10.163 And on top of that phrase I play this-- 00:10:10.163 --> 00:10:12.077 This is kind of awkward! 00:10:13.616 --> 00:10:23.581 On top of that, I'll be using my Tele to play in the "palm mute" style. 00:10:31.645 --> 00:10:37.773 That's the tone I'll be matching her playing with. 00:10:38.383 --> 00:10:40.587 -I'm nervous. -You are? 00:10:41.809 --> 00:10:43.106 -It feels awkward. -It does. 00:10:43.957 --> 00:10:45.735 Okay, let's go. 00:11:51.601 --> 00:11:52.837 And there you have it. 00:11:54.154 --> 00:12:00.971 TOMO, what did you consider when buying your first bass? 00:12:01.149 --> 00:12:05.529 I didn't know anything about musical instruments at first, 00:12:05.592 --> 00:12:08.381 so I went to an instrument shop and asked the staff, 00:12:08.586 --> 00:12:13.362 "I'm starting bass as of today. What should I get?" 00:12:13.550 --> 00:12:17.550 They recommended a beginner's set that included everything. 00:12:17.598 --> 00:12:21.438 It came with things like a bass and a tuner. 00:12:21.489 --> 00:12:26.479 The set cost around 10,000 yen (~$100 USD). 00:12:26.598 --> 00:12:31.465 But the bass was really small and the neck was thin. 00:12:32.174 --> 00:12:36.073 I think it was easy to play when we first started out. 00:12:36.350 --> 00:12:37.570 Did you consider the color? 00:12:37.570 --> 00:12:43.691 I wasn't that concerned about it then. 00:12:43.907 --> 00:12:47.907 The one I got had a sunburst finish on it. 00:12:48.058 --> 00:12:51.343 I chose one that looked cool. 00:12:51.458 --> 00:13:00.328 Earlier, you talked about the difference between day one of playing the bass and one week later. 00:13:00.471 --> 00:13:05.320 You realize more and more how difficult it is. 00:13:05.645 --> 00:13:08.960 Ways to keep going, 00:13:09.146 --> 00:13:12.187 or tips to improve... 00:13:12.553 --> 00:13:14.557 How do you put those into use? 00:13:14.634 --> 00:13:16.964 I wonder. 00:13:16.964 --> 00:13:24.797 Compared to when I first started out, I think there are now many things that can help one improve. 00:13:24.828 --> 00:13:31.095 Like, there are lots of videos of people playing on YouTube. 00:13:32.276 --> 00:13:37.255 Conversely, you could try matching with those videos. 00:13:37.506 --> 00:13:39.868 There are so many things that you can do, 00:13:40.844 --> 00:13:46.914 so I wonder if being interested in something is the biggest way you can improve. 00:13:47.014 --> 00:13:49.544 You can like the way people play, 00:13:49.572 --> 00:13:52.915 or maybe you want to try playing a phrase in a song. 00:13:53.065 --> 00:14:00.675 Find various things you like and incorporate them, 00:14:00.844 --> 00:14:02.597 or challenge yourself to doing them. 00:14:02.597 --> 00:14:05.587 I think that's important. 00:14:05.701 --> 00:14:09.610 It's easier to do these things now than it used to be. 00:14:10.276 --> 00:14:12.613 -I think this is a great era we're in. I agree. 00:14:12.784 --> 00:14:20.719 -Right now, I think there are better environments in which to practice alone. -I think so. 00:14:20.990 --> 00:14:29.155 In the beginning for us, we divided each part. 00:14:29.482 --> 00:14:32.046 Like, the guitar plays this phrase, 00:14:32.046 --> 00:14:33.552 the drums are like this, etc. 00:14:33.552 --> 00:14:35.972 We did it together, so it was a lot of fun. 00:14:36.025 --> 00:14:40.529 -MAMI had said that it probably would have been hard if we each had to go at it alone. -I think so too. 00:14:40.768 --> 00:14:43.531 It's really boring playing bass by yourself. 00:14:44.658 --> 00:14:46.562 Depending on how you think of it, 00:14:46.662 --> 00:14:48.327 and depending on the song you're playing. 00:14:48.452 --> 00:14:50.672 you might be playing the same sounds over and over again. 00:14:50.672 --> 00:14:52.760 Since it's a rhythm instrument, 00:14:53.298 --> 00:15:00.171 you're just matching it with a metronome and practicing the same notes. 00:15:00.291 --> 00:15:03.420 It doesn't stack up like that. 00:15:03.693 --> 00:15:06.124 -It's all about patience. -That's true. 00:15:06.260 --> 00:15:11.800 -That's why a strength is having other band members. -It definitely seems like it. 00:15:11.877 --> 00:15:14.737 Doing it yourself is one thing, 00:15:14.737 --> 00:15:19.060 but it's so cool when you do it with a band. 00:15:19.443 --> 00:15:22.321 -Being in a band is fun! -It is! 00:15:23.062 --> 00:15:27.602 There are many different ways to enjoy playing instruments. 00:15:27.694 --> 00:15:30.224 You can do things like play with a friend, 00:15:30.224 --> 00:15:34.525 or practice hard while watching videos online. 00:15:34.791 --> 00:15:38.689 We recommend both of them. 00:15:39.758 --> 00:15:43.048 I'm sure there are still a lot of things we want to talk about, 00:15:43.134 --> 00:15:45.916 so is it okay to invite you back next time? 00:15:45.916 --> 00:15:47.544 Thank you very much. 00:15:47.786 --> 00:15:49.811 Actually, in the next video, 00:15:49.924 --> 00:15:56.061 MAMI will also be appearing as well as our drummer RINA, 00:15:56.132 --> 00:15:59.522 which means that all of the members of SCANDAL will be appearing. 00:15:59.623 --> 00:16:06.323 So far we've talked about guitars and basses in detail. 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:17.816 In the next video we'll be telling you what kind of ensemble a band becomes after getting together. 00:16:17.973 --> 00:16:23.833 This has been "Start Your Journey!" with SCANDAL's vocalist HARUNA and bassist TOMOMI. 00:16:24.378 --> 00:16:25.545 Bye bye!