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08-25-2006, 11:35 PM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburn, Washington | | | What's a bass player?
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In response to this: Quote: |
Originally Posted by Spencer! This guy should take up guitar or something...it just sounds like shred to me. | Being posted in response to this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfUPgS-BkXM
I have to ask:
What makes a bass player vs a guitarist playing bass? I do have a direction I am going in, but I want to get your input here. |
08-26-2006, 12:32 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Metro Detroit, Michigan | | | You have to be able to hold down a groove and make each note count. Less is more, what you say with those notes is important. Step back and let the guitarist take the spotlight.
Does that mean you can't do stuff like in the video? of course not, but it won't sound great in your average band. |
08-26-2006, 12:58 AM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburn, Washington | | | What is "groove" and what is "your average band"?
I think we need to define these terms. |
08-26-2006, 01:15 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM | |
Personally for me I've always liked to take an "unconventional" approach to my bass playing. Yes, a lot of people over the years have told me, "Play like this, play like that," "The bassist keeps the groove," etc. And that is perfectly understandable. But, I believe there is more to playing bass than that. If you enjoy it, do it! |
08-26-2006, 01:17 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM | |
Quote: |
Originally Posted by Poop-Loops "your average band"? | What the heck does that mean?! There's nothing average out there. |
08-26-2006, 01:29 AM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Auburn, Washington | | | I don't know. That's why I'm asking. |
08-26-2006, 01:38 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fort Worth, TX | | | Average Band = Top 40 in Any Genre
Groove = Gettin the Booties wigglin' and the Titties Jigglin'
Playing at these speeds is not an issue that most bass players have to deal with. Being able to play at these speeds, while impressive and technically sound, does not fit in the mainstream. It is not a skill that 90% of the Bassists out there need. |
08-26-2006, 01:40 AM
| | | | If left alone, a bassist would rather play his bass. A guitarist wants to get back to his guitar. (This assumes the person is just like me and fancies himself a musician) But, then again, I use whatever I'm in the mood for. I call myself a bassist because I've been unable to put the thing down and my guitars get no attention.
If you can get sounds out of your bass that ordinarily you'd need a guitar for, well, there's one more way you can "groove" and one more tool in your box. I've thought the same thing about Jazz Guitarists that sound like pianos.
Last edited by shaun.meyer : 08-26-2006 at 01:43 AM.
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08-26-2006, 01:42 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wellington, New Zealand | | | A musician who plays a bass instrument, especially a double bass or bass guitar.
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08-26-2006, 01:43 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: May 2005 Location: Glendale, AZ | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Poop-Loops What makes a bass player vs a guitarist playing bass? | A bass player plays bass. A guitarist playing bass is just that, and he is probably playing yours right now!  |
08-26-2006, 01:50 AM
| | | | Well, Cliff Burton dont groove, Steve Digiorgio dont groove, Sheehan dont groove. They're not bass players I suppose? |
08-26-2006, 02:02 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fort Worth, TX | | | Steve Digiorgio, Never Heard of him
Cliff Burton Grooves on several songs, but some he plays more for speed than feel.
Sheehan isn't allowed to groove when playing with Steve Vai. Steve plays to fast for that. With David lee Roth and Mr. Big, he can hold a groove.
It's not about the bass player themselves, it's about whether or not playing that fast is a practical and useful way of playing bass. |
08-26-2006, 02:07 AM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: northern illinois | | | not sure but you reminded me that i need to work on my 3 finger right hand technique, mine is bit uneven at the moment. |
08-26-2006, 02:48 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO | | | My quick stab at it:
A bass player is someone who SUPPORTS the main melody (by playing backbeats, accents, counter-melodies, etc).
A guitarist playing bass is someone who PERFORMS the main melody.
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08-26-2006, 02:51 AM
| | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by Vandelay My quick stab at it:
A bass player is someone who SUPPORTS the main melody (by playing backbeats, accents, counter-melodies, etc).
A guitarist playing bass is someone who PERFORMS the main melody. | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1ReDEakDUI
can you tell if the bassist is a bassplayer or a guitarist playing bass in this video? |
08-26-2006, 03:05 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kansas City, MO | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by BrandonBass | That would be a "bassplayer". Not sure why it's even a question. 
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08-26-2006, 03:20 AM
|  | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: see profile | | Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: toms_river.nj.us | | | I think people should stop trying to stick a label on everyone and everything and just play what and how they want.
I'm a musician that plays bass |
08-26-2006, 03:31 AM
| | | Quote: |
Originally Posted by James Hart I think people should stop trying to stick a label on everyone and everything and just play what and how they want.
I'm a musician that plays bass | right on |
08-26-2006, 03:34 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belgium | | Man I get a claustrophobic feel from all those that always say: "A bass player has to play this and a guitarist has to play that".  |
08-26-2006, 06:03 AM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Atkinson, WI | | | Clearly that was a lead guitar part he was playing on his bass guitar, though.
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