"What's a bass?"

[Toronto Bassist]

So I remember a few years back, reading an interview with Eddie Van Halen. He was talking about this one time that a fan had said to him that she saw four people on the album covers, but only heard three. He then said how he was trying to explain what the bass is and what it sounds like, but he didn't feel like he was getting the point across.

If it were me, I think that I would just play them the intro to "Another One Bites The Dust". It explains pretty good what the bass does...provides rhythm & harmony and you get to hear it in its fairly typical range.

So how about you? If you had to explain what "that guy" does in a band, what song do you think would do it? Or if not a song, how would you explain it?

[rarisgod]

I'd go somewhere along the lines of being the foundation. If possible, I'd show them a recording of something with bass and then without it, and see if they can tell the difference.
As you said, you could also show them something where the bass stands out by far.
I believe that the bass player kind've connects the guitar and drums (in a rock group, anyway) by providing the rhythmic support for the drums but also the chordal support for the guitar player.
That's just my way. There was a good explanation of it in Victor Wooten's "The Music Lesson" as well, but I don't exactly recall at the moment.

[Andy419]

I'd slap them in the face then bang their mother.

[quasiz_bassist]

Originally Posted by Andy419

I'd slap them in the face then bang their mother.

sounds reasonable....

I've actually had to use "another bites the dust" as an example to show what a bass sounds like. Lots of people know what it is, lots don't.

It's weird. I've always know what they are and they've always been my favorite instrument since I was a little kid.

[John Wentzien]

Whip out the bass and show 'em.

[30hrz]

Well most 80's Heavy Metal bands seem to emphasize the lead guitar. I mean the bassist was the last guy anyone talked about. I find that the bass is more pronounced in 80's New Wave. In fact you'd be surprised at how much New Wave has funky bass lines, making me believe that there was definitely a 70's Funk influence.

But you know Soul/R&B/Funk are all heavy on bass driven grooves so if anyone wants to know what a bass sounds like there you go. Then there is always Charles Mingus.

[w33nie]

I've only had to explain my brother and one of my friends, but the rest of my friends always give me the same thing

"You should play guitar instead"

[82Daion]

When asked, I've always described it as the glue that holds the rest of the band together.

Fortunately, most people I know can hear it just fine-I've never run into someone who couldn't discern what the bass was doing in a given song.

[mutedeity]

I would tell them to listen to as many different bass players as they could and then think about how many people actually approach bass with the same "role" in mind.

[EddieG]

Play them Jamerson's intro to "My Girl". Nuff said!