Bass, a unique instrument.

[Jpeachbass]

In my observation a lot of cats don't realize what a outstanding an unique instrument the electric bass is. Of corse the main function of it is to play bass lines. But if you dive deeper, it is capable of doing almost anything. Being first invented in the 30's then redesigned in the 50,s the electric bass is only 80 something years old. And only heavily used for a about 60 years. But it has developed more techniques than almost any instrument and the list is still growing. With cats like Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, Steve Bailey and various others adding to the instrument's presence and capabilities. If you think about it, it can play bass lines in the correct octave with more than 6 different techniques all producing a different tone. And also play melodies, comp and solo. Even play piano pieces by tapping. All without adding synthesis or effects. And yes one could say keys can do this but not with out patches, effects and or samples. And one could also say that guitar is capable, but yet again not without outboard processing to gain the lower registers. The only instrument thats is an equal is the Double bass. Also the cello gets close but its register only hits a c2 where as bass hits a E1 or B0 On a 5 string. What are your thoughts? Do you think bass lines are enough or should we push to go farther? Silly question but lets se what happens.

[dalconthenovice]

it was this observation that first drove me to be a bass player in the first place

[SMILEYSIXX]

Bass really can do anything and I for one am always pushing what I can do. I play a decent amount of metal and the standard in that genre is to keep rhythm on the root note, which is what bass is "supposed" to do, but really, how fun is that? You can do anything on a bass you can do on another instrument. Add in some effects and bass becomes everything around you and more. It's like the god of the music world.

[5string5fingers]

One thing I think is great about bass,and bass players in general. Is we all seem to have an intimacy with our instruments. I think it may have to deal with the majority of us playing with our hands. The skin to metal and wood contact makes us more apart of our instrument,and our role makes us more apart of our music when we play. To many youtube videos have I seen of what I called "guitar robots". Guys who are amazing players but have 0 feel in what they're playing. They're just playing tones of notes in a very sterile mechanical way. You don't see that too often with bassists.

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by Jpeachbass

What are your thoughts? Do you think bass lines are enough or should we push to go farther?

I love bass, but have to disagree with much of your post. any instrument can "do anything" musically speaking, once you factor its range and voicing capabilities. The variety of technique and application on electric bass is by no means unique. Just as many ways to blow a horn or bow a violin. It's just that in the later case the techniques have been around for centuries and nobody sees them as novel. Synthesizers are even 'younger' and can do way more in terms of timbre...

It's true that there is a 'traditional' role for the instrument, and many players have gained notoriety for pushing beyond this role. but I honestly don't think the 'traditional limits' are a case of people failing to realize how outstanding and unique an electric bass is: It's a case of using the bass in an ensemble where much of it's "outstanding and unique" functions are already occupied niches, by pianos, guitars , percussion...etc.

There is an appropriate situation for pushing it farther and I'd never dissuade anyone from begin creative, as long as its not at the cost of the fundamental/traditional skills. Fact is for most music, most often, yes bass lines are enough. Even within the "traditional" role there is ample room for innovation.

[EatADeadGoat]

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

Bass really can do anything and I for one am always pushing what I can do. I play a decent amount of metal and the standard in that genre is to keep rhythm on the root note, which is what bass is "supposed" to do, but really, how fun is that? You can do anything on a bass you can do on another instrument. Add in some effects and bass becomes everything around you and more. It's like the god of the music world.

Not really. In my band half the time I follow the guitars if they have a killer crushing rhythym or if the music calls for it, the other half of the time I play a rhythym that locks more with the drummer. I also add little fills and things of that nature, just so I can let people know I'm actually plugged in.

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by mambo4

I love bass, but have to disagree with much of your post. any instrument can "do anything" musically speaking, once you factor its range and voicing capabilities. The variety of technique and application on electric bass is by no means unique. Just as many ways to blow a horn or bow a violin. It's just that in the later case the techniques have been around for centuries and nobody sees them as novel. Synthesizers are even 'younger' and can do way more in terms of timbre...

It's true that there is a 'traditional' role for the instrument, and many players have gained notoriety for pushing beyond this role. but I honestly don't think the 'traditional limits' are a case of people failing to realize how outstanding and unique an electric bass is: It's a case of using the bass in an ensemble where much of it's "outstanding and unique" functions are already occupied niches, by pianos, guitars , percussion...etc.

There is an appropriate situation for pushing it farther and I'd never dissuade anyone from begin creative, as long as its not at the cost of the fundamental/traditional skills. Fact is for most music, most often, yes bass lines are enough. Even within the "traditional" role there is ample room for innovation.

Quoted for emphasis. As much as I love bass guitar, compared to other instruments - particularly the violin and other instruments that have a longer history in music - it is nothing special. The only reason it seems that way is because it's new; also, most people see it as having only one real role in an ensemble (playing bass lines, simple or complex) and anything that expands out of that role is taken with surprise.

[plangentmusic]

I've always felt the bass was underutilized. But Bach didn't think so!

The one thing I disagree with is that the bass can be "all things." I use a little tapping, and slapping is cool once in a while and a little bass break now and then works well, but in general, those techniques grow tiresome if overused.

And I know a lot of guys are going to hate me for saying it, but, I don;t think it's a great instrument to solo on. (UNless your name id Jeff Berlin). On my CD I feature the bass in a lead role, but there are no bass solos. And I played a few! But honestly, whatever I did sounded better on guitar. (Sorry).

Then again, the bass can do so much more throughout a song than a guitar.

Hey, John Paul Jones, Steve Harris, Chris Squire, McCartney, James Jamerson, Gary Thain, Rocco Prestia -- all greats. They hardly ever ever soloed. They didn't have to.

[Jpeachbass]

Originally Posted by mambo4

I love bass, but have to disagree with much of your post. any instrument can "do anything" musically speaking, once you factor its range and voicing capabilities. The variety of technique and application on electric bass is by no means unique. Just as many ways to blow a horn or bow a violin. It's just that in the later case the techniques have been around for centuries and nobody sees them as novel. Synthesizers are even 'younger' and can do way more in terms of timbre...

It's true that there is a 'traditional' role for the instrument, and many players have gained notoriety for pushing beyond this role. but I honestly don't think the 'traditional limits' are a case of people failing to realize how outstanding and unique an electric bass is: It's a case of using the bass in an ensemble where much of it's "outstanding and unique" functions are already occupied niches, by pianos, guitars , percussion...etc.

There is an appropriate situation for pushing it farther and I'd never dissuade anyone from begin creative, as long as its not at the cost of the fundamental/traditional skills. Fact is for most music, most often, yes bass lines are enough. Even within the "traditional" role there is ample room for innovation.

Nice thoughts. Synth does that through synthesis or samples, Not through natural tone production.

[mambo4]

Originally Posted by Jpeachbass

Nice thoughts. Synth does that through synthesis or samples, Not through natural tone production.

True, until you get to the pickups ...
unplug both and they're pretty close

Not trying to perpetuate an argument here, tho: It's true the timbral range of an electric bass is rather "underutilized" in typical settings. But the reasons go beyond ignorance of its capacity.

[Jpeachbass]

Originally Posted by mambo4

True, until you get to the pickups ...
unplug both and they're pretty close

Not trying to perpetuate an argument here, tho: It's true the timbral range of an electric bass is rather "underutilized" in typical settings. But the reasons go beyond ignorance of its capacity.

Correct. And I wasn't trying to argue. Sorry if it came of that way.

[NWB]

Without going into the application aspects too much, the electric bass just sounds sooo cool.

What's really remarkable to me is what happens to a piece of music when you add in the electric bass. It's like another dimension has been added, even if it's a traditional bass line.

The right bass groove can really light up an otherwise dull tune.

[CameronPutnam]

As a "new" bass player I still am amazed whenever I pick up my bass. Everytime I pluck a string my heart thumps along, and on sustains I feel the vibration of the air and the pulse of the song. Right now my skills limit me to holding the root and dropping in the occasional fill. But I want to do so much more. A song is good until the bass comes in..... then its beautiful. At least IMO

[Mr wiggl3s]

Heavily used for 60 years? I think most people consider Entwistle to be one of the first bassists to play the bass as an independent instrument. That was 50 years ago though.

[007 Bassist]

Originally Posted by CameronPutnam

As a "new" bass player I still am amazed whenever I pick up my bass. Everytime I pluck a string my heart thumps along, and on sustains I feel the vibration of the air and the pulse of the song. Right now my skills limit me to holding the root and dropping in the occasional fill. But I want to do so much more. A song is good until the bass comes in..... then its beautiful. At least IMO

I Straight up agree with your end remark!!

[AcidFripp]

It really is a great instrument... man, you're so right.
So versatile, but only if you want it to be!

[Mayers]

I must say that Bass is capable of anything like any other instrument but I'm kind of sick of traditionnal role.

Many player here never took music class or anything so many player only play what the radio play. So of course they will only play very basic bass line.

I think any instrument is limited by the player abilities and in what kind of music they want to play.

[AcidFripp]

Originally Posted by Mayers

I must say that Bass is capable of anything like any other instrument but I'm kind of sick of traditionnal role.

Well, look at it this way: there's a time and place for everything. Yes, when I'm playing genres like Post-Avant-Jazzcore I wouldn't play root notes over and over again. But if I'm playing something like a simple Blues song, I wouldn't try to force an Avant-Garde-like bassline into it because it wouldn't fit.