Solid Foundation Bass Player "No Soloist Please"

[AlCaldwell11]

This is my 40th year as a "Bass Player". I've played on most of the major television shows and I've played all over the world including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.I wanted to say that 95% percent of "The Real Money Gigs", require "Solid Foundation Bass Players". I want all bassist to know that when you spend all your time on chops but you can't play a "TIGHT BASSLINE" for 90 minutes, that your future employer will not be impressed by you unless it's a Jazz Fusion type gig.Even then ,they will be fearful of you stealing the limelight from them.I just played a Concert in St.Louis for a Gospel Artist named Shadrack Robinson. It was a fun gig but it made me wonder if other bassist knew of the "True" requirement to be a "World Class" bassist.IMHO a "World Class Bassist" is a player who "KNOWS" the music. They must understand the role they play in every kind of musical situation that they accept as an employee. They are hired to compliment but not overplay the music that they are lucky to be a part of.Will Lee,Tom Barney,Freddy Washington,James Genus,ect are a few of the bassist that I think of when I think of a World Class Bassist. All of these guys can solo their brains out but they make other people sound great. What is your definition of a Solid World Class Bassist?

[phillipkregg]

Originally Posted by AlCaldwell11

This is my 40th year as a "Bass Player". I've played on most of the major television shows and I've played all over the world including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.I wanted to say that 95% percent of "The Real Money Gigs", require "Solid Foundation Bass Players". I want all bassist to know that when you spend all your time on chops but you can't play a "TIGHT BASSLINE" for 90 minutes, that your future employer will not be impressed by you unless it's a Jazz Fusion type gig.Even then ,they will be fearful of you stealing the limelight from them.I just played a Concert in St.Louis for a Gospel Artist named Shadrack Robinson. It was a fun gig but it made me wonder if other bassist knew of the "True" requirement to be a "World Class" bassist.IMHO a "World Class Bassist" is a player who "KNOWS" the music. They must understand the role they play in every kind of musical situation that they accept as an employee. They are hired to compliment but not overplay the music that they are lucky to be a part of.Will Lee,Tom Barney,Freddy Washington,James Genus,ect are a few of the bassist that I think of when I think of a World Class Bassist. All of these guys can solo their brains out but they make other people sound great. What is your definition of a Solid World Class Bassist?

I agree.

However, I have a friend who preaches this stuff all the time, but that guy constantly overplays. His keyboard player told me that he thinks every song is a bass solo.

[JAUQO III-X]

Originally Posted by AlCaldwell11

This is my 40th year as a "Bass Player". I've played on most of the major television shows and I've played all over the world including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.I wanted to say that 95% percent of "The Real Money Gigs", require "Solid Foundation Bass Players". I want all bassist to know that when you spend all your time on chops but you can't play a "TIGHT BASSLINE" for 90 minutes, that your future employer will not be impressed by you unless it's a Jazz Fusion type gig.Even then ,they will be fearful of you stealing the limelight from them.I just played a Concert in St.Louis for a Gospel Artist named Shadrack Robinson. It was a fun gig but it made me wonder if other bassist knew of the "True" requirement to be a "World Class" bassist.IMHO a "World Class Bassist" is a player who "KNOWS" the music. They must understand the role they play in every kind of musical situation that they accept as an employee. They are hired to compliment but not overplay the music that they are lucky to be a part of.Will Lee,Tom Barney,Freddy Washington,James Genus,ect are a few of the bassist that I think of when I think of a World Class Bassist. All of these guys can solo their brains out but they make other people sound great. What is your definition of a Solid World Class Bassist?

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by AlCaldwell11

This is my 40th year as a "Bass Player". I've played on most of the major television shows and I've played all over the world including Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden.I wanted to say that 95% percent of "The Real Money Gigs", require "Solid Foundation Bass Players". I want all bassist to know that when you spend all your time on chops but you can't play a "TIGHT BASSLINE" for 90 minutes, that your future employer will not be impressed by you unless it's a Jazz Fusion type gig.Even then ,they will be fearful of you stealing the limelight from them.I just played a Concert in St.Louis for a Gospel Artist named Shadrack Robinson. It was a fun gig but it made me wonder if other bassist knew of the "True" requirement to be a "World Class" bassist.IMHO a "World Class Bassist" is a player who "KNOWS" the music. They must understand the role they play in every kind of musical situation that they accept as an employee. They are hired to compliment but not overplay the music that they are lucky to be a part of.Will Lee,Tom Barney,Freddy Washington,James Genus,ect are a few of the bassist that I think of when I think of a World Class Bassist. All of these guys can solo their brains out but they make other people sound great. What is your definition of a Solid World Class Bassist?

I agree with you, too, but be aware that here in TB this might be what many consider a "troll post".

[AlCaldwell11]

what is a troll post?

[capnsandwich]

Everyone's right so far. I constantly tell myself that. No one wants to see a big fat lineman run the football for 95 yards and get a touchdown. They want the running back or receiver to do that. However, a running back can't get there if it weren't for the no glory guys in front of him leading the way. That's how I think of my role as a bassist. We're role players. We're like the front line on a football team. We make the quarterbacks and running backs look good and let them get the glory, just as long as they keep buying us steaks after the game. I do, from time to time, like to let loose and noodle above the 12th fret. Only when the time is right though.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by AlCaldwell11

what is a troll post?

A post to get people all riled up and stir up the pot if you will. I didn't get that from your post, however.

[giacomini]

If somebody considers himself a "soloist", he/she/it won't like this thread...

And it happens that usually people will post a reply on topics that they don't like!

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Everyone's right so far. I constantly tell myself that. No one wants to see a big fat lineman run the football for 95 yards and get a touchdown. They want the running back or receiver to do that. However, a running back can't get there if it weren't for the no glory guys in front of him leading the way. That's how I think of my role as a bassist. We're role players. We're like the front line on a football team. We make the quarterbacks and running backs look good and let them get the glory, just as long as they keep buying us steaks after the game. I do, from time to time, like to let loose and noodle above the 12th fret. Only when the time is right though.

+1. Noodling is the first sign of an unprofessional player! JK

[AlCaldwell11]

I hope that they know that I consider myself to be a soloist too,but I LOVE the role of foundation bassist more.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by giacomini

+1. Noodling is the first sign of an unprofessional player!

Depends though. I agree if it's done all the time and without any purpose or without adding to the song. However, there are times when I can add a bit to the dynamics if I venture out of the "comfort zone" and VERY CAREFULLY and TASTEFULLY embellish the song with a 9th or 10th chord. You may not consider that noodling though. The WL at my church actually likes it when I do it. I don't do it all the time though.


Ah, saw you added the smiley. Nice save.

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by AlCaldwell11

I hope that they know that I consider myself to be a soloist too,but I LOVE the role of foundation bassist more.

I'm nowhere near your 40 years of bass playing, but I do enjoy too to stand back there, side by side with the drummer and lay down the foundation to hold up the band! Makes us feel like WE are in control, doesn't it?

[giacomini]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Depends though. I agree if it's done all the time and without any purpose or without adding to the song. However, there are times when I can add a bit to the dynamics if I venture out of the "comfort zone" and VERY CAREFULLY and TASTEFULLY embellish the song with a 9th or 10th chord. You may not consider that noodling though. The WL at my church actually likes it when I do it. I don't do it all the time though.


Ah, saw you added the smiley. Nice save.

Don't get me wrong!! Yes I added the smiley because I felt I got a bit rude in that post! But I didn't mean that, I'm just in a silly mood my friend!

I do not consider that noodling, I do think embellishments add to the song when done in the right place, in the right time!

[thomashawk]

Yea man, you've pretty much nailed it. Decades ago I loved the solo-y players, and once I hit the real world I discovered that this approach (among many other things) really didn't apply. A notable guitar player once told me that the last thing that should be on your mind when you board an airplane is whether or not the pilot can pull off loopty-loops most of the time.

[Fretless5verfan]

To me, "world class (insert type of musician)" is someone who can translate their musical ideas into reality without their hands or their instruments impeding them.

[bassbrad]

I am a soloist but completely agree with Al, being the bass player is my main gig, the soloist is on the fun side. There are certainly gigs where I don't get to solo much, but those gigs are for pay, the less i make the more I get to solo, go figure.
FWIW the better I am able to express myself as a soloist the better a bass player I also become.

[bass12]

The bass playing I love the most is solid, tasteful, grooving "foundation" playing. For me it's all about feel (and that includes general sensitivity where the music is concerned and having a good sense of time) and playing the song. I love a good solo in the right place but, honestly, I'm getting tired of virtuoso bass players. At first it was cool to hear the instrument being taken to new levels but now I just find that so much bass playing sounds self-indulgent. The last thing I want to hear at this point is a "bass" album with multi-tracked bass parts. Anyway, I should get back to practicing my chops cause my solos haven't been too great lately...

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by bassbrad

FWIW the better I am able to express myself as a soloist the better a bass player I also become.

I can agree with that.

[chef_tater]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Everyone's right so far. I constantly tell myself that. No one wants to see a big fat lineman run the football for 95 yards and get a touchdown. They want the running back or receiver to do that. However, a running back can't get there if it weren't for the no glory guys in front of him leading the way. That's how I think of my role as a bassist. We're role players. We're like the front line on a football team. We make the quarterbacks and running backs look good and let them get the glory, just as long as they keep buying us steaks after the game. I do, from time to time, like to let loose and noodle above the 12th fret. Only when the time is right though.

Isn't it fun, sometimes, to watch a 300lbs lineman run it in for a touchdown. I used to be that lineman, fighting in the trenches to help our running backs and QB make the play. But once and only once was I lucky enough to recover a fumble and run it in for a TD. The same goes for music and bass. Hold down the groove and let the guitars and other melody players make it exciting. And when the opportunity presents itself for a solo embrace it. The game is won or loss in the trenches, the song/band is made or broken in the foundation.

[I<34080]

Seems you're confusing "world class bassist" with "bassist who will compromise his own sound for the sake of the check".