Should a good bass player...

[Waspinators]

Be able to play anything and everything? At 3 years or so of playing under my belt, I can manage to play something pretty groovy (though not very technical) to serve a jam or a song when I know the chord progressions. But I often have quite a bit of trouble learning a song note-for-note; right now my mountain is "I Want You Back". Getting back to my question, do you believe every good bass player should be able to play any song/line thrown their way? Regardless of genre, difficulty level, or playing style?

[billiam5billion]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

Be able to play anything and everything? At 3 years or so of playing under my belt, I can manage to play something pretty groovy (though not very technical) to serve a jam or a song when I know the chord progressions. But I often have quite a bit of trouble learning a song note-for-note; right now my mountain is "I Want You Back". Getting back to my question, do you believe every good bass player should be able to play any song/line thrown their way? Regardless of genre, difficulty level, or playing style?

I've been playing for 15 years and I still have problems. There are guys on here who've been playing for 30-40 years who probably have a genre or a style they struggle with. It's a journey, not a destination.

[Roy Vogt]

That's a good goal to have, but I think even the working pros on here are just improving their averages. I've been playing for 40 years and doing it professionally for 37 and the goal seems to be able to hear (and read) anything quickly. I'm just trying to get better every day.
The good news: The more time you put in the easier it gets. Trust me on this one!

[ggunn]

What is a "good" bass player? Where you are is not as important as where you are going.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

Be able to play anything and everything? At 3 years or so of playing under my belt, I can manage to play something pretty groovy (though not very technical) to serve a jam or a song when I know the chord progressions. But I often have quite a bit of trouble learning a song note-for-note; right now my mountain is "I Want You Back". Getting back to my question, do you believe every good bass player should be able to play any song/line thrown their way? Regardless of genre, difficulty level, or playing style?

I wouldn't expect anyone to be able to play anything and everything on the spot, but I don't think it's too much to assume that any good bassist can learn how to play almost anything if given a proper amount of time to learn the material.

[Phalex]

IME what seperates the good, or the great for that matter from the bad bass player is time. If you can put a note where it belongs (Not necessarily on the beat) you have the makings of a good bassplayer. All that left hand fretboard crap is for show........

[plangentmusic]

Try and play as many things as well as possible. You'll see what suits you best. Exploit your strengths -- work on your weaknesses. Nobody does everything great. But you'll get better trying.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

I often have quite a bit of trouble learning a song note-for-note;

Some "slow down" software or hardware(bass trainers) are great tools to analyze a tune. I say, "don't get stuck thinking you're not that good because you're having trouble with one tune".

Maybe you're not at that level yet or not using the right tools to analyze the song:

Here are some links to check out:
~Software: Slow Down, Change pitch/key, Loop, Record, Metronome,Utilities
1 Slow down
2
3
Change pitch/key
BestPractice-PC based, free, easy to use, slow downer/pitch shifter/looper/vocal remover/bass isolator/ backing track maker
Hi-end hard drive practice/recording units


Headphone amps/mixers/trainers
Tascam GT R1 Portable Stereo Recorder/Mixer/Trainer/Effects/Drum Machine

"Band-in-a Box" software for practicing
"BIAB vs. Tascam Bass Trainer
Bass learning software that uses midi
Playing along with your PC

And don't forget to work on your ear training a part of your practice.

Good luck.

[Blacksack]

i think a good bass player will certainly dabble with other genre's and techniques for example billy sheehan cant play slap like victor wooten but he still has a go with a bit of double thumb when he's messing about etc
you can never learn too much

[JimK]

Originally Posted by Waspinators

Getting back to my question, do you believe every good bass player should be able to play any song/line thrown their way? Regardless of genre, difficulty level, or playing style?

IMO, musicians should be familar with various genres, i.e. What's the difference between a Swing & a Shuffle? How's a Samba different than a Cha-Cha? How's Funk different than Rock? How's Reggae different than Ska? Etc.
This ties in a bit with Phalex's "...playing a note (or rest) where it belongs".
This means a lot of listening, reading, & studying away from the instrument. It will entail learning some drum/rhythm patterns, it will entail thinking outside "the (bass) box".
Who sez you cannot practice away from the bass?

For starters, you can use a basic 12-bar Blues cycle & attempt playing the bass in various idioms (Rock, Shuffle, Swing, Latin, Funk, Reggae, Ska, etc).

Like others said...it's a life-long journey.
Three(3) years is nothing!