Any happy pocket/cover bassists?

[NickInMesa]

Anybody here who's just as content as I am being a pocket bassist, happy to nail pretty much any cover juuuuust fine?

Because I am

I am never going to be a virtuoso at this instrument, but being just there where I am supposed to be, doing the job just right makes me happy.

I used to despise Adam Clayton when I was younger and really into U2. Now that I have come to despise U2, I have gained much respect for a pocket bassist like him, as well as all the Michael Anthonys out there.

Note: it does not mean I like minimalistic bass lines either. It needs to be inventive and fun to play.

Who's like me?

[N.F.A.]

+1.. It's my bread and butter. I am looking to expand in times to come. Getting a fretless soon and going to learn some jazzy type stuff.

[burk48237]

I am too. Ironically I do most of my covers in church. But I love it when a Bass player creates an exciting bass line to a pop tune, and I love nailing the ones that are. Big Will Lee fan, that kinda says it all. It's kinda cool to be the glue that holds the think together.

[tycobb73]

me too...for whatever reason I don't care at all to do original music and I like keeping my lines simple so they don't walk all over the song.

[HEADLE]

Count me in. I was talking to my virtuoso bass buddy the other night and asked him how he would describe me as a bassist. After the requisit "I'm not knocking you" he said he thought I was the perfect example of a supporting bass player. Nothing flashy, the occasional grace note or passing tone, and a solid foundation for the rest of the band. Exactly what I want to be. Prety happy about that.

H

[Lady Kayri]

Heh. I'm not there yet, but my goal is to be a good, solid, competent bass player; not much in the way of flash, but capable of nailing down that groove... Working on it!

[gweimer]

I would say that I'm pretty much a pocket player, but that doesn't mean I don't get busy. The best compliment I ever got was that I wasn't as good technically as a lot of people, but I knew WHAT to play better than some of them did. I can get borderline overplaying at times, but my band hasn't complained yet.

[DeluxeRed]

We have a good selection of great tunes and I have the good fortune to be working with some wonderful performers. What's not to like? I get to recreate/enhance some of the great bass lines of all time, and, on some of the kinda generic oldies stuff, and our handful of originals, I get to express a little creativity, as well. I get to explore all types of styles and tones while listening to great singing or a screaming lead, locking-in with a tight drummer.

Sure, I'm riding on the coattails of greatness. But I think we do well by the songs and play them with some feeling, and bring people enjoyment. And get a real kick doing it, too.

[Steve]

You giving out Club #'s?

I'll join

I gave up trying to be a bass God years ago.

The first time I saw that youtube video of some 14 year old doing a perfect copy of You Can't Hold No Groove...I knew I was right.

[NickInMesa]

Originally Posted by Steve

You giving out Club #'s?

I'll join

I gave up trying to be a bass God years ago.

The first time I saw that youtube video of some 14 year old doing a perfect copy of You Can't Hold No Groove...I knew I was right.

I don't know I already created the returning bassist club and it fizzled after 2 pages

But I like what I read so far.

I keep saying I am just a pocket bassist who learns covers from tab most of the time, using my ears to make sure it got it right, and sometimes just figuring it our by ear.

Once you got it right and you get compliments from the others, saying you nailed it, then that's all you need, really.

There are days I wish I could play like the big names, but it's not my specialty, this is a hobby.

Just like a hobby painter, happy to put something nice and that looks like the model on the canvas, knowing he's never going to be a Van Gogh.

[Dr. Cheese]

Being in the pocket and being a virtuoso are not mutually exclusive. Many of the greatest pocket players have knowledge and techinque to provide truly creative support.

[palmann]

Satisfied with what I got and what I do. But trying to get a little better all the time. Be more focussed, more concentrated, put less notes in better places…

Gruesse, Pablo

[bassbully]

Gee... isnt playing the pocket supporting the band driving the engine room etc the whole role of a Bass player? It was last time i looked or heard most of the greats some of us look up to. It was when others wanted to take the bass out of its support role and step it up in to the spotlight more that the role started changed. To me its still all about the pocket first and and flash last. I will argue that till the day i die.

I like a band that says dont show us what you can do (Flash) let us hear what you can do (pocket).

[fourteenstrings]

I'm not innovative enough to create great bass lines on my own for original tunes. Even after 33 years of playing bass, working up cover tunes continues to be satisfying and keep me learning. I'm more than happy to be the guy down in the engine room shoveling coal all night.

[DWBass]

+1 I thrive on being a solid pocket player. Never had a complaint from any band I've ever been in and I'm proud of that!

[bass_snake]

Pocket players are great. I need to play more like them.

Fred

[xtorrak]

I'm in the returning bassist club too!

I'm also in the pocket players are the shiznit!

I'm not going to play like a Wooten but I sure as hell can groove like a Jamerson.

[nightcityburn]

I am 100% a pocket player and proud. It is a beautiful thing.

[derekd]

My favorite way of playing bass. Nothing like a solid groove. I play jazz guitar regularly, and since it is a pretty cerebral activity (for me anyway), I really like to just feel the groove and play in the pocket.

Less is more.

[LAG]

I'm a pocket player with a dash of sugar here and there.