What makes or defines a bassist?

[brian4xp]

I thought about posting this under the Bassist section, but that seems to be about individual bassists.

In another thread on Elecrtic bass or bass guitar? (sic) there was this quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzdogg

I seem to recoil and frown reflexively when I'm referred to as a bass guitar player, probably because I double on upright and electric and think of myself as a bassist - not a guitarist.

Our band's leader says one of the reasons he likes playing with me is because "you definitely don't think like a guitar player, you approach songs from the perspective of an upright bassist who also happens to play an electric five-string."

What does this mean to approach songs from the perspective of a bassist? What is "thinking like a guitar player" vs. thinking like a bass player.

As someone new to llearning to play bass but who:

a) Many many years ago on a class trip, drumming along on the seat along with my friend next to me to music from a boombox someone brought on the bus and my friend said "You would make a great bass player. (don't know if he meant bass drum or bass in general, based on the beat I was doing)

b) Have long appreciated the sound of a bassline and wanted to learn how to do that (Geddy Lee rules!)

I just want to get some perspectives on this from whoever cares to comment.

[DudeistMonk]

This is a great question and a really hard one to answer, one I struggled with for a long time, I get it now and I'll do my best to explain via comparison...

A guitar line is up front, in your face, a guitarist (much like a horn player, sax player or vocalist) believes you should hear him first and foremost and everything else is to make him sound better (okay maybe that is a little harsh but its kinda true) and that is often times how it should be. A bass player is content in the background being heard on a subconscious level, where he has control more over the song as a whole than the soloist does. The guitarist is like an actor and the bass player is like the director.

A bass line is something you feel, it makes you want to tap your feet, move your hips and dance around, it fits with the rhythm, complements it, adds to it, it serves as the trail which everyone else walks on (or the rails of the train, if you like that analogy).A guitar line makes you want to sing it, its melodic in nature, flowing and free, he goes off on tangents and comes back to the song.

Bass defines the feel of the band as a whole, your drummer keeps time and tempo but your deciding to a large extent (in correlation with the drummer) what the bands sound is going to be. Throw a punk line into jazz song or visa versa and listen to what happens. A guitarist can only work with what you give him, your are essentially the liaison between him and the drummer.

There isn't room for crazy wankery in a bass line, when the best bassists play crazy lines there is always a strong emphasis on a certain beat in there holding it together, placing the line in context to the drums, fulfilling the roll of a bassist.

A bass player tends to play the root note first in a given bar, which immediately tells everyone where the song is, then he proceeds to show them where its going by leading the way to the next chord. A guitarist (correct me if I'm wrong on this one) could care less what note he plays when as long as he is in key.

There is a difference in where a bassist places his emphisis and where a guitarist does. A guitarist will bend out some note all crazy and hold it then play some run or lick and bend out or whammy another note. A bassist places his emphisis throughout the line in key spots, its his job to mark these places so that everyone else knows where they are in the song.

In short the bass player holds it all together so that the guitarist/vocalist can do his thing, and that is why when the bass takes a solo nobody accompanies, because the bassist is no longer around to do that job.

[Bass Mule]

I just assumed the bass player was the one with the big bottom.

[bassteban]

It's really all in the wardrobe.

[E2daGGurl]

Playing the bass.

[StyleOverShow]

Originally Posted by DudeistMonk

A guitar line is up front, in your face, a guitarist (much like a horn player, sax player or vocalist) believes you should hear him first and foremost ...A bass player is content in the background.

While I think it a bit harsh to our guitard friends to call it 'in your face' style for all, I do believe that there are layers in a band. Hence the rhythm section is a major component of any band.
The banding of the drums and bass with whoever. KB or guitar, usually comprises the unit.

Nat Gangursky, my first bass teacher said of bass playing: it sets the mood rhythmically that the drums establish; and leads the listener through the chord changes. It is a pretty good guideline for an approach to bass.

Finally, the electric bass is a close cousin to the guitar and we would all do well to respect that relationship. I find many 'current' groups have bass players that essentially are running the same lines as the guitarist.

[E2daGGurl]

I like what you posted, StyleOverShow.

I consider myself part of the rhythm section, and am benefited by previous experience playing bari saxophone and bassoon - so the essential nature of the low end has interested me for a long time.

[aus_bass]

Bass player = the glue that holds the band together.

[Nyarlathotep]

Originally Posted by E2daGGurl

Playing the bass.

+1

Nothing more, nothing less

[Roadman]

DudeistMonk,
It is indeed a hard question to answer, but you did as great a job as I’ve ever heard. Well done.
The only thing I would like to add is …. Nope, you got it.

[Emmaemme]

Originally Posted by Bass Mule

I just assumed the bass player was the one with the big bottom.

That ripped me in half. Thanks.

[gmarcus]

The bass and drums are the car. The bass player is also driving the car. The guitar player and vocalist are jumping up and down on the seat trying to get everyone's attention.......sometimes the car is cool enough to get a few looks by its self.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by StyleOverShow

...I do believe that there are layers in a band. Hence the rhythm section is a major component of any band.
The banding of the drums and bass with whoever. KB or guitar, usually comprises the unit.

I agree...the layering of the rhythm section was a huge part of 'the Motown Sound'. Each 'part' comprises the whole.

I find many 'current' groups have bass players that essentially are running the same lines as the guitarist.

Has the role of the bass in 'current groups' been dumbed down?

[El Bajo]

To compare it to sex...we would be the lube.

[dvh]

Lube!? We are the motion, man!

[onlyclave]

What makes or defines a bassist? Bitchin' Hair!