I've been wondering something for a long time: what does it mean to "play with the guitars", as opposed to "playing with the drums"? For instance, Lars Ulrich has said that Jason "played with the guitars", while Rob "plays with the drums". I can detect a big stylistic difference between these two bass players - and Rob's ability to be "in the pocket" is godly - but I'm just wondering what it MEANS to "play with the guitars". Figure it's a good skill I should learn, if I don't have it yet...lol

I assume it just means to follow them as you would follow the drums.

Maybe I'm just obtuse, or I'm overthinking this, but that doesn't help me much. Let me give an example: some bass players are really into "groove" - think Jack Bruce, JPJ, Rob Trujillo (as I mentioned before). Others - especially in punk, it seems - go all over the place and jump out more, do more countermelodies, etc. I'm making a real leap here, but if I'm not wrong, the latter folks "play with the guitars" more; one COULD say they're less "in the pocket", though I'm not sure that would be right.

I suppose, at heart, I'm wondering how to develop a style of playing more akin to the latter folks...

Thanks
Ariel

When I hear that I think that he's trying to play along with the rhythm guitar rather than locking in with the kick. The guitar would probably play straight eighth notes where the kick drum would probably hit on every other beat, 1 and 3, maybe a double hit on the 3rd beat. I know that Metallica is known for hard driving guitars and lots of crunch in their tone, at least on their older stuff, (And Justice For All and earlier.) Lars may not be hitting on every pick stroke that James and Kirk play, maybe just keeping time in certain spots and laying down the foundation. Jason is probably trying to keep up with James and Kirk. Rob probably just holds the fort down with Lars. That's my interpretation anyways.

Right. Thanks.