I have always wondered what makes a "virtuoso" Bassist

[Mr. Lovejoy]

Is a virtuoso Bassist someone who lives and breathes technical playing?

Someone who could hold it down in their sleep with just a few choice notes?

Someone who could teach graduate level music theory drunk without skipping a beat?

Someone who can get even white girls to dance with rhythm?


Seeing how Bassists actually have a purpose in a musical environment (unlike most other instrumentalists), you would think our definition of "virtuoso" would be based on different criteria, no?

[ProfGumby]

It's the shoes...gotta wear the right shoes.....

[groooooove]

IMO virtuoso just means a really talented player. someone who can play different styles without trouble. not necessarily a technical player, but definitely one with chops..

[eggfan]

Originally Posted by groooooove

IMO virtuoso just means a really talented player. someone who can play different styles without trouble. not necessarily a technical player, but definitely one with chops..

Sorry, but "virtuoso" commonly means someone with an exceptional technique (which is basically synonymous with "chops" - what's the difference between "technical" and "chops"?). A "virtuoso" is someone with a complete mastery of their instrument.

[A.K.]

To me, a "solid" bassist is someone who lays it down in the groove and holds the band together, no matter the style of music.

A virtuoso is someone who can technically execute almost anything on his or her instrument.

AK

[DougD]

A virtuso bassist is no different from a virtuoso violinist. the criteria is the same.
Main Entry: vir·tu·o·so
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural vir·tu·o·sos or vir·tu·o·si \-(ˌ)sē, -(ˌ)zē\
Etymology: Italian, from virtuoso, adjective, virtuous, skilled, from Late Latin virtuosus virtuous, from Latin virtus
Date: 1651
1 : an experimenter or investigator especially in the arts and sciences : savant
2 : one skilled in or having a taste for the fine arts
3 : one who excels in the technique of an art; especially : a highly skilled musical performer (as on the violin)
4 : a person who has great skill at some endeavor <a computer virtuoso> <a virtuoso at public relations>
— vir·tu·o·sic \-ˈō-sik, -zik\ adjective

— virtuoso adjective

[JTE]

Originally Posted by DougD

A virtuso bassist is no different from a virtuoso violinist. the criteria is the same.
Main Entry: vir·tu·o·so
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural vir·tu·o·sos or vir·tu·o·si \-(ˌ)sē, -(ˌ)zē\
Etymology: Italian, from virtuoso, adjective, virtuous, skilled, from Late Latin virtuosus virtuous, from Latin virtus
Date: 1651
1 : an experimenter or investigator especially in the arts and sciences : savant
2 : one skilled in or having a taste for the fine arts
3 : one who excels in the technique of an art; especially : a highly skilled musical performer (as on the violin)
4 : a person who has great skill at some endeavor <a computer virtuoso> <a virtuoso at public relations>
— vir·tu·o·sic \-ˈō-sik, -zik\ adjective

— virtuoso adjective

Yep, that's why dictionaries exist. To help people use words consistently in order to communicate. "Virtuoso" means that.

John

[Mr. Lovejoy]

Well it is easy to post a lexical definition say a virtuoso plays well, but what is the criteria for playing well?

Groove or technique? Substance or flash?

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

To me, the word "virtuoso" or "virtuosism" is strictly related to high-level technical skills. There are lots of great bassists that "groove", but that doesn't make them "virtuosos" of the instrument. Billy Sheehan is a virtuoso. "Duck" Dunn isn't (but a terrific player nonetheless).

[michael_atw]

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

To me, the word "virtuoso" or "virtuosism" is strictly related to high-level technical skills. There are lots of great bassists that "groove", but that doesn't make them "virtuosos" of the instrument. Billy Sheehan is a virtuoso. "Duck" Dunn isn't (but a terrific player nonetheless).

+1

There's no "experimentation" or "investigation" in playing a groove.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by Mr. Lovejoy

Well it is easy to post a lexical definition say a virtuoso plays well, but what is the criteria for playing well?

Groove or technique? Substance or flash?

IMHO the answer you seek is already there... In the deffinition of the word virtuoso;-)

[aikakone]

Originally Posted by DougD

IMHO the answer you seek is already there... In the deffinition of the word virtuoso;-)

Wow. That's just like reading a Jedi mind trick.

[tobie]

Victor Wooten. What more need I say...

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

+1

There's no "experimentation" or "investigation" in playing a groove.

That's just wrong. The best grooves have a level of spontaneous with players who listen to each other, and react thier improvisation.

I think about Paul Jackson's work with the Headhunters, or the telepathic interplay between Bernard Edwards and the rest of Chic. In rock, think about John Paul Jones, and John Bonham or Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

Dead grooves are the product of bad players, and yes, there vituoso groovers. The most obvious one being Jamie Jamerson.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by aikakone

Wow. That's just like reading a Jedi mind trick.

[stratovani]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

That's just wrong. The best grooves have a level of spontaneous with players who listen to each other, and react thier improvisation.

I think about Paul Jackson's work with the Headhunters, or the telepathic interplay between Bernard Edwards and the rest of Chic. In rock, think about John Paul Jones, and John Bonham or Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

Dead grooves are the product of bad players, and yes, there vituoso groovers. The most obvious one being Jamie Jamerson.

+1,000,000!

I'd certainly include Sir Paul, John Entwistle and Geddy Lee in that mix!

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by eggfan

Sorry, but "virtuoso" commonly means someone with an exceptional technique (which is basically synonymous with "chops" - what's the difference between "technical" and "chops"?). A "virtuoso" is someone with a complete mastery of their instrument.

Precisely.

[Dbassmon]

Generally this term refers to mastery of technique. Being able to play or execute anything no matter how challenging.

This term is often over used.
Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce??? To each his own.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by michael_atw

+1

There's no "experimentation" or "investigation" in playing a groove.

There's plenty you just have to know where to look