Joseph Patrick Moore – A Decade of Dedication

Welcome back to the Tidewater Interview Series! Today we're going to talk with a bassist/composure who's been on the scene doing his own thing for quite a long time – Joseph Patrick Moore!



TBE: Hey Man! Congratulations on the release of "Decade"! How does it feel to have be releasing your own compositions, and leading your band, for the past 10 years?

JPM: Thank you Brent. Well, it hasn't always been easy, but it's been worth the sacrifice.



TBE: Let's get a little of your personal history, and tell our readers what brought you to the bass.

JPM: I'm a product of music education and music in the schools programs. I started playing alto saxophone at an early age, switched to drums in the marching band and finally found my home on the bass in the midst of high school.

TBE: Over the years, you've stayed true to your musical direction! Cool! Talk with us about your musical vision and where you're hoping your compositions will take you over the next foreseeable future?

JPM: I strive to follow the beat of my own drum and share my music with those that want to tune in. I'm not worried about the latest polls or who's the bass flavor of the month. I want to make beautiful music, period. Hopefully as the years roll on, I'll build a body of work that can touch people and something that I can be proud of.

TBE: We share a musical acquaintance in bassist Adam Nitti, and he also appears on one of the tunes from "Decade". Do you often work with other bassists (live or in studio)?

JPM: Adam Nitti agreed to appear and play electric bass on "Herbie" - which I wrote for Herbie Hancock. However, I've not worked in a traditional group with an added bassist per say. In the future, I would like to explore playing with other bassists, as I've seen Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller both do this and it is very effective. For some reason, most of my friends tend to be bass players and drummers.

TBE: I relate! On that subject… you multi-track yourself on many of your tunes. Would you talk with our readers about the benefits of doing that?

JPM: You can quickly learn what your strengths and weaknesses are and that also forces you to focus on the range of your instrument. In addition, it reinforces a basic songwriting technique of the melody on top, bass on bottom, harmony in the middle. If not, it becomes a cluster and a mess sonically.

TBE: Agreed. Do you do any sideman work in addition to your busy career?

JPM: Over the years I've stayed busy as a sideman with various artists, tours, and recording projects. Thus, it has forced me to become an "acrobat" - creating a balancing act of leader/sideman. There are many great musicians and artists that I would like to work with and all options are on the table always. However, at the moment, I'm concentrating and working on my own music.

TBE: How would you suggest any aspiring reader of this column get into composition?

JPM: Without over thinking your question, three things come to mind…
1. Listen.
2. Create by imitation.
3. Check out a great book on orchestration and arranging by Henry Mancini, titled "Sounds and Scores" (Oxford University Press).

TBE: What's in your iPod these days?

JPM: I currently have over 30 gigs stuffed in that amazing little machine! Your question prompts me to tell your readers about a radio show that we created on Live365.com. This station was originally created to share my music. However, just recently, we decided to change the direction of the program by including "What's On My iPod" into the show. Listeners can get a feel for some of the music I'm listening to by checking out that show. In addition, we've set up a "live record button" which allows me to pop in on occasion and give an impromptu jam. See this site at: http://www.live365.com/stations/jpm1313

TBE: That sounds really cool! Let's take a moment and talk about how you get your ideas "down" – better put, what medium do you use to record your music, and also, how do you compose (pen & ink, computer software, hard disc recorder, etc)?

JPM: For me, the general rule of composing is: "there is no rule". Inspiration can hit at any moment and I might be motivated by a word someone says or moved by something I see or hear. Generally, I write from either the bass or the piano. Sometimes I come up with a groove or a general sense, or vibe, of the direction of the song and follow my heart and ears. I'm currently using Apple Desktop/Laptop computers, Logic 7, Brent Avril Preamp, RME Fireface 800 interface and many Virtual Instruments/synths.

TBE: Naturally – as this is a bass mag – we can't escape the "gear/stable" question. What are you playing these days, and how are those pieces helping you quell the never-ending quest for tone?

JPM: I believe I've finally found what works for me, and what I feel comfortable playing. It has been a long road of searching and spending a lot of time, energy and money to get what I've been hearing in my head. I'm currently using Pedulla custom MVP-5 string fretted and fretless basses, Kohler Czech Double Bass. I'm using a Walter Woods preamp and Bergantino bass cabinets. I've also got an echoplex/looper, Boss Octave pedal and a few other toys.



TBE: Along with the previous question… tell us about your acoustic contra bass, and give us any advice you can about finding the "right upright".

JPM: Well, to be honest… this is the one piece of gear I'm still searching for. The current upright bass works and I'm getting the best sound I can get out of this particular model. However, I'm currently in the market and searching for an upright that has a bigger sound, preferably an older instrument. My advice is know what you want out of your instrument before you start playing a myriad of basses. Have and understand the "sound/tone" of another bassist that you admire, you know, "Whom would I model my tone to sound like?" Have this ideal sound in your head so you can identify that tone and feel when you put your hands on that right upright.



TBE: Define "communication" – within both musical and intimate relationships, and how that helps build a solid foundation for one's life – and how important having a solid foundation is to you.

JPM: Communication doesn't always mean talk... For me, Listening is more important than talking. There's an old proverb that say's "A fool chatters… the wise man listens". This applies to music as much as it does interacting with human beings in our everyday walk of life. Having a solid foundation in one's own personal and musical life is essential in order to evolve. Learning the art of communication is the skeleton key to unlocking many doors.

TBE: How do you balance composing with practice-time? Also, what are you practicing these days?

JPM: We've often heard the old cliché, "you can't force a song". While in theory I agree with this… I also believe you have to work at, and nurture, your composing skills just as you would anything else in music and life. My current practice sessions consist of a slap bass technique I'm trying to work out...

TBE: I've gotta ask this… Where do you get your hats?!?! (Editor note: I collect hats) Man, I love the hats! One of the selfish reasons I wanted to talk with you is because I also really dig hats! Seriously, how do you give back to our wonderful bass community (teaching, charities, etc) – and how important is that to you?

JPM: I love hats also. When I don't wear one, I feel naked. Hats give off a sense of attitude and I dig that. I also wear hats because I'm going bald… Or, did the hats make me go bald? (Laughter)

I believe in giving back in whatever capacity that I'm able. God and the Universe have given all of us our own unique set of desires and gifts. The price and trade off for these gifts, is to uplift people with your voice and these gifts.
In addition, I would go a step further and first say to uplift people with heart, words, and actions. I believe the secret to being a great musician/composer is first learning and mastering the art of being a great person. I'm constantly struggling with this and I'm never satisfied with things that I do or the way I may treat someone. However, the good news is I know and understand this. I understand, in the end, the only thing that really matters is how you served others and not yourself.

TBE: Any closing thoughts for our readers?

JPM: Thank you Brent. I really appreciate what you are doing through these interviews. I also admire your sense of humor and your outgoing personality. In closing, I would say the quote for the day would be, "uplift people with your talents and gifts… whatever those may be. Don't let others dictated what your future movie is all about!" Follow your heart and trust and serve something higher than yourself.

Thanks Joseph! This is one of the coolest gigs in all of music… I get to talk with great people, AND make friends with fellow players. Alright guys go to www.josephpatrickmoore.com and check out "Decade".