John Myung has spent decades quietly redefining the boundaries of progressive bass playing with Dream Theater. His bass lines, a blend of rapid-fire notes in perfect harmony with his bandmates, have left audiences in awe. Recognized as possibly the most technically gifted bassist of his generation, Myung’s intricate, high-speed playing has shaped the evolution of heavy music since the ’90s.
As a founding member of Dream Theater, Myung has honed his craft, creating complex, melodic, metallic harmonies that have set new standards in the progressive rock genre. Known for his quiet, introspective nature, he lets his bass playing speak for itself—a refreshing contrast in an often opinionated bass guitar world.
What stands out most about Myung is his unwavering dedication to his craft, continually evolving as a player. Reflecting on his approach to music, he explains, “The key is to identify where you want to go musically and embrace the cool musical values from the past.” One major influence for him has been Bach, particularly his cello pieces. “Bach was one of the only guys who really understood the range of the bass. All his cello pieces fall right in the 5-string bass range,” Myung notes.
He further elaborates, “I have a whole collection of Bach’s works and interpretations. It takes me six to eight months to master one of the heavier pieces, and that’s practicing every day. For me, there’s no shortage of things to work on—just a shortage of time.”
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