Only bassist appreciate lead bassists?

ALiP BoB · #1 06-19-2007, 10:55 PM

Victor Wooten, Jaco Pastorious. Whoever.

Only bassist know how to appreciate lead bassists? Because the bass could be heard?

Discuss.

Matt Till · #2 06-19-2007, 11:21 PM

It's a context thing I think. I often play "lead bass" in a rock/metal context, and people seem to dig it... my guitarist even recommends I do it more.

I look at my influences who paved the way for rock lead bass: Jack Bruce, John Entwistle, Geezer Butler. All well respected lead bassists. I think people like lead bass... when it fits! And lead bass doesn't mean shredding double thump.

I just think a lot of people don't like watered down jazz (that was a stab at Wooten, not Jaco)

Actually, Jaco gets crazy respect in the jazz circuit from everyone, mainly because of his ability to compose. But that's the key: Lead bass isn't worth a damn unless the song is good. I won't sit through elevator jazz just to hear some bitchin' bass playing.

ALiP BoB · #3 06-20-2007, 01:25 AM

Interesting point. Any others?

Poop-Loops · #4 06-20-2007, 01:26 AM

No... that's pretty much what I would have said, only better.

shooter_mi · #5 06-20-2007, 06:34 AM

From a marketing perspective, studies have shown that consumers react negatively to bass and drum solos in songs played on store music systems. Not the same as lead bass, I suppose, but speaks to the theory that the general public doesn't have the same appreciation for electric bass that bassists do (surprise).

lefty007 · #6 06-20-2007, 07:50 AM

I'd say, only bassist can appreciate bassist, period!

LOL!

James Hart · #7 06-20-2007, 07:57 AM

I like lead bass and I'm a bassist... I play lead bass on my own personal stuff. The few 'fans' I have are all non musicians and were mostly unaware it was a bass they heard before contact with me.

(and no I don't think I'm all that... I'm just having fun)

Christopher · #8 06-20-2007, 09:01 AM

I'm a bassist, and I'm not sure I appreciate "lead" bassists.

Jaco and Victor definitely know how to solo, but they still spend or spent the majority of their time playing basslines rather than melodies.

richardjones89 · #9 06-20-2007, 09:25 AM

you see its weird with me... because i dont have a bassist who i aspire to be like! if anything id like to be a guitarist, but there are well loads of those out there, and bassists dont come around as often. im playing bass for my band, and my goal for bass is to be able to just play the damn thing

Alan Vorse · #10 06-20-2007, 10:08 AM

I worked at a record store in '94. A woman came up with two Stanley Clarke CD's. I asked if she was a bass player or at least a musician. She said "Nope, I like his music." Another time (in 2000) I had a woman who was in her 40s and worked in the office building my store was located near come in and special order some of Stu Hamm early discs. She was palnning on going to G3 to catch Stu.

Also, a lot of jazz fans aren't musicians. They just enjoy the music regardless of the instrument.

superbassman2000 · #11 06-20-2007, 10:24 AM

I think Matt said it perfectly...

I think that the only reason that bassists appear to dig lead bass players is because we know about them. A lot of people don't know bass players. really, only guitar players, piano players and singers are well-known. drummers have to sleep with hot baywatch stars and film it to be well known.

and just like a lot of people said already, people like what sounds good. A lot of solo bass players have a tendency to really focus on the techniques and not the songs imo--they will work hard on becoming a great tapper or slapper or double thumber, but if they can't write a good song, people don't want to hear it. Thats why Paul McCartney is a well-known bass player--he could write a good song and he can sing, not because he can play 1,000,000 notes in a minute.

the reason pianists and guitar players can get famous by playing fast during crappy songs is that there are a lot of aspiring piano players and guitar players who also focus on mindless wanking who want to hear more malmsteen...i mean mindless wanking so they buy cds, making it appear that people really like him. however, I don't think the general population of the world wanted to hear 101 arpeggios in a minute no matter what instrument is being played. its all about the song as a whole.

ALiP BoB · #12 06-21-2007, 10:27 AM

Sooo, these days you could go up to a person and say "So, how about that Jaco guy huh? That guy is really something."

Otso · #13 06-21-2007, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

Jaco and Victor definitely know how to solo, but they still spend or spent the majority of their time playing basslines rather than melodies.

A bassline can very well be a melody.

atrapp · #14 06-21-2007, 02:35 PM

I am not a fan of bass heroes or of guitard heroes...

bassist15 · #15 06-21-2007, 02:52 PM

Im a bassist and while I respect the bassists for playing lead style Im not a huge fan of it. I listen to Jaco every now and then but no Victor or others to much.

Mcrelly · #16 06-21-2007, 09:17 PM

"lead bassist" would imply to me that there was more than one "bass player" in the band, but if I were to rack my brain to understand what the poster meant I would say that I enjoy Chris Squire and Geddy Lee as "lead bassists"....

ALiP BoB · #17 06-22-2007, 06:46 AM

Geddy Lee can sure sit in the mix!