What People Want in Their Bass Player - Episode 1

[Intenzity]

Hey all,

Over at http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com I have started asking non-bass playing musicians what it is they want from a bass player in their band. I have picked a few guys that have done some playing to say the least, and have also had the opportunity to play with a lot of different bass players, and I also tried to find guys that have put their own bands together so they have picked specific bass players. These are the guys that hire bass players, so it might behoove us to listen to 'em.

First up: Jake Hertzog.

Jake was 20 when he was invited to play his composition on stage at the Montreux Jazz festival, the youngest guitar player they ever invited. His latest CD, "Patterns" is up for a Grammy and he currently tours with a trio that has Harvey S on bass.

So what does a guy like that want in a bass player? Sixteenth note triplet slap licks? Two handed chord tapping accompaniment during his solo?

Well, take a gander over and read for yourself, he was nice enough to elaborate on exactly what it is he wants in a bass player.

http://bassoridiculoso.blogspot.com/...ss-player.html

So if you are wondering "Am I practicing the stuff that is gonna actually get me a gig?" you might want to read what people like Jake listen for when they think about bass players.

The next episode will feature what the guy who spent the summer touring with Pino Palladino and playing solos over his bass lines every night thinks a good bass player is.

[Mayers]

Well, ok, in the "role" everyone want us to be it is ok but well ... I don't get why you would want to always be the one with the easiest thing on the world while the drum play very busy and the guitar have the big spot light ???

I think I play the wrong stereotype

[BrandonBass]

jake's bassplayer is sick

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by Mayers

Well, ok, in the "role" everyone want us to be it is ok but well ... I don't get why you would want to always be the one with the easiest thing on the world while the drum play very busy and the guitar have the big spot light ???

I think I play the wrong stereotype

Because it's NOT easy. Keeping the style, keeping the pocket, letting other shine and being original to boot is very difficult. Helping others be strong so you can be a part a strong group is a definate musical skill and a mindset.

You have to always be thinking that paying the bills with your musical skills for a lifetime is better than trading in your talent for the (supposed) 15 minutes of fame.

Or... are you playing the music, or just playing your bass?

[Beersurgeon]

Cool article and blog. Thanks for the info. I think it's a good idea to get the thoughts of non-bass musicians on what they think makes a bassist. I feel that our role is what Jake described and his bassist is very good!!

[stratovani]

I like the last thing he says about Time: "So become master pocket, and it will put money in your pocket ;-)".

[Drifta]

Great read. Thank you.

[Dondabass]

BassChuck, that is the best quote that I have seen in a long time:
"are you playing the music, or just playing your bass?"

Well said!

[hennessybass]

Originally Posted by Mayers

I don't get why you would want to always be the one with the easiest thing on the world while the drum play very busy and the guitar have the big spot light ???

I think I play the wrong stereotype

Charles Mingus (a pretty good bass player) said this...

"Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity."

[neurotictim]

When I read the title of the thread, I thought I'd be funny and post "a knife" and leave it at that.

Now I still think it's funny, but cool blog and useful info too.

[Chris K]

Guess no one will underestimate the qualities of the bass player in the video. I'm sure nobody's telling a guy like him what to play.

Nobody's telling ME what to play either , but kind suggestions are taken into consideration

A bit of pride is all you need to play bass.

[bass12]

Great idea for a blog - reminds me of the articles they sometimes used to have in Bass Player asking drummers what they most valued in a bassist. Something else to add (and this goes for all musicians) is how easy you are to work and hang with in general. Getting the job done on stage is an essential part of the gig, but how you interact with your fellow musicians off stage is often just as important. If you want a call-back make yourself easy to be around.

[Fergie Fulton]

Great post some of which i agree with and some i don't especially about soloist as that is a different skill set and thought process, but that is because playing situations and cultures vary around the world. What say a bass does in Latin music is obvious to a Latin player and is simple to do, but may sound over the top to a player that does not understand the worth of it in Latin music.

For me what i see around are players that can or cannot identify what a song needs or wants in any given situation.
The cannot see the worth in playing certain lines or styles.

Yes you can be a solo players or an accompanist but in each area you have to identify what is needed and wanted.

When i'm a session player the easiest jobs i get are when players tell me what the want either live or in the studio. Sheet music is by far the easiest as you just play what is in front of you.... you take what they want and give it to them.
Then you have those that tell you what they want and leave it to you to interpret it. This may be chord sheets or again sheets music but you can add a bit of yourself.
Then there are those that have no idea what they want from the bass.... what ever reason it may be.
They want your input.
From this situation it can be trial and error for hours or days till it is either
1/has them happy
2/has the not happy
3/you are released with nothing down
4/the original idea has become lost.
5/the original idea has changed into something else beyond the original concept.

These are all real situations, and have applied to studios in recording and rehearsals for going out live to tour. The ones that are easiest to do are the one in which you understand the worth of what is required and, this is a big and, you are prepared to do it.

That is harder than many may think, to do what is required rather than what you can do.
This may seem obvious even simple, but it requires discipline and the sure knowledge that you are safe and confident in your own abilities to do it and not feel the need to "prove your worth".
In life this is when something happens and you knew the consequences of what was going to happen, but you did it anyway only to say to yourself "why did i do that.. i knew that was going to happen".
For me what others want from a bass player is someone who can hear and play their music for what its worth to the music, not the player abilities.
That's why when ever you watch a top player it is effortless because they are so far inside their ability the music shines through

[Mayers]

Originally Posted by BassChuck

Because it's NOT easy. Keeping the style, keeping the pocket, letting other shine and being original to boot is very difficult. Helping others be strong so you can be a part a strong group is a definate musical skill and a mindset.

You have to always be thinking that paying the bills with your musical skills for a lifetime is better than trading in your talent for the (supposed) 15 minutes of fame.

Or... are you playing the music, or just playing your bass?

Well I can do that "be the pocket player". But I just find it very unsatisfaying in the long run because the bass can be so much more than just the traditional role.

I never did gig because I needed money or have the idea that I should make money by playing. I play music because I like it and I like the quest of becoming always better.

I play music, I'm not a bass players, I'm a musician. I played piano piece, classical guitar and cello on the bass, not just traditionnal bass or upright bass on it.

Like Mr Manring who said this isn't him to bang low E all night long.

[bassguitar808]

playing in the pocket is great

until your drummer drifts and the pocket rips

we need a companion thread

what bass players want in their guitarists/drummers/singers
(but i guess that's what this site is for ;D )

[4-stringB]

I am the above type of player. Don't need the spotlight, just want to anchor the outfit and keep time/control with the wildass drummer we have. I was invited to audition with a harp/blues band that previously had a wild shredder type kid with an SVT and crazy chops, I mean insane! I kept my head down and ran like hell...Don't want to try to followup an act like that...Ya'know??

[Rudreax]

We all have our opinions. To me, a good bass player is also a good musician; while obviously it's great to be able to sit in the mix and stay unnoticed, that only makes you a bass player in that it's a set established role. The best of the best can do this AS WELL AS come to spotlight and not sound like crap. They can fulfill a multitude of roles in music and know how to not mix them all up.

[bThumper38]

I've mostly played in my own bands, so I've never gotten fired for being a ferocious player, but I do agree that there's a time and a place for that, most likely your bedroom late at night. I personally dig the guy that doesn't have to wear his chops on his sleeve all night long. I still enjoy listening to all the pioneers of bass, but most of the time I find myself just enjoying a well written song with a tasty pocket bass line.

[JTE]

This is cool. I've always thought it'd be cool see what Miles, or Sting, or Clapton, or Merle Haggard, or Chaka Kahn wants in a bass player. Hear it from them. Whether you aspire to be that kind of bassist is beside the point. It's hearing what other musicians want in a bassist. And the same as we sit around on TB talking about what we expect from a guitarist (ears, knows how to EQ so they don't clutter up our range, can play rhythm with a groove) or a keyboard player (knows how to leave the left hand hanging at the side if needed, etc.), it only makes sense in a band to understand what others are expecting.

John

[Intenzity]

Originally Posted by JTE

This is cool. I've always thought it'd be cool see what Miles, or Sting, or Clapton, or Merle Haggard, or Chaka Kahn wants in a bass player. Hear it from them.

If you have Mr. Clapton's email address, let me know. Happy to ask him on behalf of TalkBass

Chaka too, if you know her email, pass it along.

I have a few emails out to some guys whose opinion on this matter I really respect, so as soon as I get an answer from one of 'em (musicians!) I will update this with another episode.