Do You Agree With This Quote?

[Illbay]

Here's a great thesis for discussion:

If you play the right low notes and you groove, you are capable of being a bass player in virtually any musical situation. Bass players who understand these core principles enjoy a degree of mobility that is unparalleled by other instrumentalists.

A guitarist may be an ace country picker, but that won't necessarily help him on a metal gig. Likewise, a great metal guitarist may not have the tools to play jazz or bossa nova. But a bassist who has mastered the elements of bass function can play any style with just a few common-sense adjustments.

-- Ed Friedland, in "Bass Grooves - Develop Your Groove And Play Like The Pros In Any Style," Backbeat Books, 2004.

That's a pretty provocative statement. What's your opinion?

[PBass101]

I definitely agree with the statements about guitar players.

[UncleBalsamic]

It might not be absolutely true, but it's not a rediculous statement. There are lots of things that can be played on bass in any genre or style.

[Basshappi]

In general terms - yes.

I should also mention that I was Ed's student for over a year and so I understand that he is talking about bass in it's traditional role in this context. That may not be readily appearent in the statement.

[dmusic148]

Quote:
If you play the right low notes and you groove, you are capable of being a bass player in virtually any musical situation. Bass players who understand these core principles enjoy a degree of mobility that is unparalleled by other instrumentalists.

A guitarist may be an ace country picker, but that won't necessarily help him on a metal gig. Likewise, a great metal guitarist may not have the tools to play jazz or bossa nova. But a bassist who has mastered the elements of Jazz bass function can play any style with just a few common-sense adjustments.

-- Ed Friedland, in "Bass Grooves - Develop Your Groove And Play Like The Pros In Any Style," Backbeat Books, 2004.

Fixed it.

[Cyber Soda]

When it's very bare bones, I suppose you can fit in, but that has parts to do with people not really caring for bass. If bassists had a shreading reputation like the guitar, imagine the popularity and things we would be expected to do. When it all started out with upright bass, our fate was pretty much decided. We're a bridge. We bring everything together properly and give everything proper foundation. I don't even really think I've ever liked any song without a bassist, and if it didn't have a bassist, it had something to fill that position. The thing is, we could all be Pete Wentz. We really could. The difference is we, as bassists, go above and beyond that and actually write. The technicality behind the bass itself, the many ways it can be played, even the sheer fact that this is a quotation that would have to be considered shows that the bass is something that can fill many roles. I love bass because, imo, it can do anything and everything. If I need to be the bottom, sure. I'll ride 8th notes. If I can go on stage and straight solo for twenty mintues in a double thump/tap fashion with a score sheet that would be confusing to a pianist, lovely! We are everything. We are bassists. Idk, my $0.02. Feel free to disagree

[lunarpollen]

I think he overgeneralizes bass playing in that he presumes that all styles of bass guitar playing are similar enough that "a bassist who has mastered the elements of bass function can play any style with just a few common-sense adjustments"

The statement, as worded, is false. If instead it had said "many", or even "most," I would be inclined to agree. For example, there are a few styles of music where the bass guitar is important but isn't responsible for fulfilling a traditional bass role, where if it were to, it would seem out of place.

[PJSShearer]

I'd call that a great elevator pitch for the art of playing Bass - and you won't go far wrong thinking that way. I know a few Bass Players who ought to think that way!!.

[JustDavid]

I largely agree, but think the statement over-generalizes.

I think that "groove" part might not be so welcome in a Classical situation. For me, that shoots down "virtually any musical situation".

I got booted from an Olde Country cover band for what amounted to "too much groove".

[Kirkowitz]

I guess I partially agree, but "any style with just a few common-sense adjustments" may be a bit of a stretch.....I think I understand what he's trying to say- that if you're a solid bass player grounded in the function of the bass in music, it will help you get through many different kinds of gigs.
That being said.....one may know how to diagram sentences in a foreign language, but that doesn't make you fluent speaker.

[NKUSigEp]

I think it's true to a degree. In my own opinion, it all depends on what role you take on in the band vs. how good you are at grooving - if you're more of a supporting cast then you'll fit into bands that call for that. And if you're more of an out-front kind of player, then you're better off with a band who will give you that kind of freedom.

Personally, I haven't the slightest idea what "groove" is but if it's anything related to "the riff", I should be alright.

[neatobassman]

IMO, groove depends on the style of music. There is a groove for every occasion and every genre, and if you know how to find that groove in every genre, then yes.

But that's just if you want to fit in with everyone and play everything. If you wanna be exceptional or are in a band where you can do what you want, do what you want.

[The Bottom End]

I believe that accomplished Jazz bassists probably could master any other style fairly easily. On the other hand, I consider myself to be a very good rock bassist. I can also do country, metal, etc. But I don't know the first thing about jazz, and learning that style would essentially require me to unlearn everything I know and start from scratch.

So if that's the intent of the quote, then I agree.

[Illbay]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I think that "groove" part might not be so welcome in a Classical situation. For me, that shoots down "virtually any musical situation".

Hm. You don't "feel the groove" in Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik?" How about Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring?"

I used to do bluegrass with URB, and if there's any "groove" at all, the bass provides it (sorry, you can't typically "feel" a flatpicked guitar).

We used to do "Orange Blossom Special." Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, "no groove?"

[Illbay]

Bump for the night crew.

[SpamBot]

I agree with the quote, but loosely interpret groove. I'd say if you replaced "groove" with "play tastefully" in the quote, it'd be perfect. A tasteful player will always find a way to fit in, and I'd agree that Jazz players would be the most apt to adapt to any other style. Jazz itself implies so many skills and subgenres (Latin, Swing, Blues) that a proficient jazz player could be a good candidate for just about everything.

[groooooove]

i agree that bass players that have groove can fit into differnt styles easier than most other instruments, but not that you dont need to really learn a thing or two before you get a gig playing with chick corea..

[Mr wiggl3s]

Concept is there, but it's not true.

[J. Crawford]

I agree. Nathan East could pull off some Led Zeppelin just as easy as EW&F or a funk of some kind.

Same with Pino. He has mastered his art, and as worked in every genre imaginable.

[Mr wiggl3s]

Yall got to remember, there are a lot of genres out there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_subgenres