what defines a good bassist

yarg682 · #1 12-25-2008, 09:23 PM

me and my friend are in a constant debate over what a good bassist is he thinks it's mostly technique but I think it's just the ability to produce riffs that sound good

SpamBot · #2 12-25-2008, 09:27 PM

Taste, technique and tone. Its a combination.

Jactap · #3 12-25-2008, 09:39 PM

Consistency and versatility too

#4 12-25-2008, 09:45 PM

The ability to get the job at hand done right is important, which is tied to what's been said so far.

JKambing · #5 12-25-2008, 10:03 PM

I think there was a thread on this before. Anyways, I think a good bassist is one who helps drive the song forward, keeping in close sync with the drummer, while at the same time adding some melodic bass parts to the song here and there, all without being too overbearing. Sometimes, less notes are worth alot more.

chicago_mike · #6 12-25-2008, 10:30 PM

good feel, good tone.

Big heart.

Discipline

baalroo · #7 12-25-2008, 10:44 PM

To me a "good" bassist is the same as a "good" anything in music, someone who portrays honesty with their instrument, the specifics can vary greatly depending on what the person is trying to express. A "good" punk rock bassists will lay down an agressive, energetic, driving line that makes you feel like a punk. A "good" post rock bassist will make a beautiful sustained hum that pulls at your heart, a "good" funk bassist will make you wanna get up and dance, etc, etc. Each requires different skill sets, but all require heart and emotion.

Ace Of Bass · #8 12-25-2008, 10:46 PM

Groove..........

20db pad · #9 12-25-2008, 10:52 PM

The big thing is just being able to lay it down and play good, solid, dependable basslines. In more specific terms, time, taste, tone, and sensitivity in regard to note choice and duration are true requirements. Musical maturity, being okay with making everybody else sound better, the ability to hear the "big picture", and the necessary technique to make that all happen round out the definition of a good bassist, for me at least.

derelicte · #10 12-25-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ace Of Bass

Groove..........

+1, the worst thing imo is a sterile bassist, even if he just plays whole notes on the beat.

And i really hope no one says "playing in the pocket".

The Universe · #11 12-26-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

Big heart.

That's number one. All the technique and musical knowledge in the world is not going to help you if there's no feeling behind it.

SpamBot · #12 12-26-2008, 02:02 PM

Playing in the pocket.

Lol

derelicte · #13 12-26-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpamBot

Playing in the pocket.

Lol

WHY!!?!?!

SpamBot · #14 12-26-2008, 02:39 PM

Because then you could have a giant pair of pants as a stage prop.

martyman5000 · #15 12-26-2008, 03:01 PM

Enjoy playing your bass...Some guy might love Jaco and another guy might prefer Sting...I love jazz and hearing some guy fart a bass line with his super high end hand made bass makes me cringe, to each is own. You could be the Bassist for Creed and be a rich sad dude.

Jornan · #16 12-26-2008, 03:21 PM

Of course there are many things that makes a good bass player, but the thing that makes me think "wow, that's an amazing bass player", is when I hear that the bass player plays with feelings and not just exactly as the notes are written. That little "feeling" makes such a huge difference to me, and I see that as the most important thing (but of course, the ability to play fast and correct is also important, but I guess no-one disagrees about that). A bass player who plays with feelings also shows that he/she has been playing a lot, because you can't learn how to play with feelings from a book or bass teacher, it comes with experience!

JohnDavisNYC · #17 12-26-2008, 07:03 PM

baalroo NAILED it... the best bassists always play what is right for the music, and put themselves completely into it...

doesn't matter what genre, if i like it, if you like it, if it is difficult, etc... if it is played with meaning and is what the song needs, it is good bass playing...

john

WHughes · #18 12-27-2008, 02:31 PM

Control,
As said before in this thread, Less Is More. Thats the truth!
A good bass player makes the song, opens it up and lets the guitar and singer do their thing. The right notes are everything.
I have seen many guys who could 'pull off' some very cool stuff but, couldn't write music to save their lives and actually detracted from a song.

AKnezbula · #19 12-31-2008, 01:44 AM

It starts with a series of tubes, continually maturing till prime age, much like cheese, wines, my friend and mate Jack D. Let that little groove in the back of your mind manifest itself into your fingertips. Pour your heart and soul into those strings! No Remorse! NO Regrets!

LeftHandedFrog · #20 12-31-2008, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20db pad

The big thing is just being able to lay it down and play good, solid, dependable basslines. In more specific terms, time, taste, tone, and sensitivity in regard to note choice and duration are true requirements. Musical maturity, being okay with making everybody else sound better, the ability to hear the "big picture", and the necessary technique to make that all happen round out the definition of a good bassist, for me at least.

Thats exactly it!!
I d insist on the "making everybody else sound better and ability to hear the big picture". The tone , technique and notes u play are just a way to make that happen and everybody is different on that aspect.
Pastorius , jamerson , pino , marcus miller play different kind of music with very different approachs
with different sounds and approach but the main goal is obvious...Play for the band and the songs!!!