Is being a good bass player a dying art?

[Matt R.]

A 'dying art'? Hell no, not in my house.

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I take it some of you would like to see music become a museum piece where nobody ever changes anything or tries anything new. I think that's sad.

Well said. Agreed.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

I take it some of you would like to see music become a museum piece where nobody ever changes anything or tries anything new. I think that's sad.

I don't think that is what is being conveyed although it seems like it. Tasteful embellishing is always welcomed. Crazy playing is not. And there's a lot of crazy playing going on! In the context of being creative, I'm all for it. Just don't expect folks to dig it all the time. And don't get mad when they don't dig it.

[4dog]

[quote=lfmn16;13617562]+1

There is a group that trots out the same old cliches as if there is only one agreed on way to play the bass. That's why I want to puke every time someone says you have to "serve the song." Why do they think the way they want to serve the song is more correct than the way I want to? It's just another way to say, "I'm right and you are wrong." They just dress it up a little to try to make it sound more legitimate.[/QUOT

I actually think to myself ,,,serve the song,,, to be interpreted meaning ,,, play what i would play,, or,, i would have played a different line there,, but,, you werent at the session so,,, be quiet,,,my opinion,, but it makes me laugh when i see it written here ,, its as subjective as ,, i like smooth peanut butter,, like i said IMO.

[knumbskull]

my 2c on this is that being a good bass player is 90% taste, 10% technical skill. the latter can be learned... the former, not so much.

or at least it takes a LONG time. i'm not even close after 20 years.

[SquierJazz72]

"Serving the song" certainly doesn't have to mean boring or simplistic.
A tasteful bass player can serve the song in more ways than one.

That being said, I do have a certain take on it.

If I get a call to sub for a band, I'll largely play how they want me to play. They're paying, after all.

If I were to join an existing band whose style was pretty set, again, I would largely stay to what they wanted, although I would hope to have some input on my own parts, again, within reason and taste.

But if the band were my own creation, or I had equal control and input with the other founding members, then all bets are off. I'll write what I want to write, play how I want to play, and let everyone else do the same. As long as it fits together in the end, the songs are "served", maybe with a nice red wine.

I think that is a big part of Rush's staying power, love them or not. They really respect each other, and each others' abilities. I just can't imagine Alex saying to Geddy, "Now remember, I only want you to do a simple 1-4-5 line while I take the solo over the top."
And if he did, I could imagine Geddy saying "I got your solo right here,pal!"

[bigsnack]

Originally Posted by deepBassie

The world is thick with awesome bass players. Pop music, however, may not require their level of play. Out of sight, out of mind.

This +1000. I think the real weakness is that were aren't hearing tasteful playing in certain genres anymore. I go back and listen to an album such as Third Eye Blind's debut, and I hear terrific musicianship all over the place from every band member. However, the focus is still the song. There can be a balance of the two, but maybe that is what has been lost?

[SquierJazz72]

The world is thick with awesome bass players. Pop music, however, may not require their level of play. Out of sight, out of mind.

I have to agree there, too. I was just thinking earlier about mainstream pop music, and many of the shows that go along with it, X Factor, Idol, The Voice. All the emphasis on singers, not bands. And often modified vocals and very simplistic music.

There are still plenty of talented individuals and groups outside of that, it's just that that's not where the mainstream focus seems to be right now, and most people are easily led by whatever main stream media promotes.

[fdeck]

Folks have always believed that things are sliding downhill from a golden age in the past.

Don't forget who stole the show from Justin Bieber at the Grammys last year: A bassist.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Folks have always believed that things are sliding downhill from a golden age in the past.

Don't forget who stole the show from Justin Bieber at the Grammys last year: A bassist.

???

[NYCbassist]

Wah, I just played 74,000 notes in 8 seconds and nobody is clapping for me.

[Aussie Player]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Wah, I just played 74,000 notes in 8 seconds and nobody is clapping for me.

You simply need to learn to play the "Minute Waltz" in 58 seconds. I saw Bugs Bunny do it once, so I know it can be done.

[backup]

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

I have to agree there, too. I was just thinking earlier about mainstream pop music, and many of the shows that go along with it, X Factor, Idol, The Voice. All the emphasis on singers, not bands. And often modified vocals and very simplistic music.

There are still plenty of talented individuals and groups outside of that, it's just that that's not where the mainstream focus seems to be right now, and most people are easily led by whatever main stream media promotes.

wasnt it always like that?
ive never seen anyone care for bands on the charting records.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

???

How quickly we forget.

Clickee here.

[NYCbassist]

Originally Posted by Aussie Player

You simply need to learn to play the "Minute Waltz" in 58 seconds. I saw Bugs Bunny do it once, so I know it can be done.

I just wish Yosemite Sam hadn't blown up my Piano.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

How quickly we forget.

Clickee here.

Thanks! And awesome!!

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

"Serving the song" certainly doesn't have to mean boring or simplistic.
A tasteful bass player can serve the song in more ways than one.

The reason I hate the "serve the song," "what the song calls for," "tasteful," and other comments in that vein is that they are still based on opinion. I just don't get why some people feel they have the right to tell other people what they ought to play, or that they are too busy, or that they aren't playing what the song calls for. Comments like these offer the appearance of some objective criteria, but it's all just somebody's opinion. Every body is entitled to their opinion, they just aren't entitled to set the standards for everyone else.

Originally Posted by SquierJazz72

If I get a call to sub for a band, I'll largely play how they want me to play. They're paying, after all.

I agree. There are different rules for playing to create music and playing to make money.

[DWBass]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

The reason I hate the "serve the song," "what the song calls for," "tasteful," and other comments in that vein is that they are still based on opinion. I just don't get why some people feel they have the right to tell other people what they ought to play, or that they are too busy, or that they aren't playing what the song calls for. Comments like these offer the appearance of some objective criteria, but it's all just somebody's opinion. Every body is entitled to their opinion, they just aren't entitled to set the standards for everyone else.

I hear you. I say if it's your own band, do what you want. If it's my band, there will be no crazy playing....period! Definitely not saying embellishing and creativity is not welcomed. It's just gotta work or it's a no go! Also, IMHO, 'serve the song' or 'play what the song calls for' does not mean no creativity allowed!

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by lfmn16

I just don't get why some people feel they have the right to tell other people what they ought to play, or that they are too busy, or that they aren't playing what the song calls for.

Comments like these offer the appearance of some objective criteria, but it's all just somebody's opinion. Every body is entitled to their opinion, they just aren't entitled to set the standards for everyone else.

I agree. There are different rules for playing to create music and playing to make money.

I would never comment on anyone's playing or tell someone how to play.

However, if I'm checking out a band and the bass player is up there slapping, popping and thumping playing nonsensically with no respect for the rest of the band like he's trying to win a junior high school talent show, I'll simply leave the room.

Blue

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by DWBass

I hear you. I say if it's your own band, do what you want. If it's my band, there will be no crazy playing....period! Definitely not saying embellishing and creativity is not welcomed. It's just gotta work or it's a no go! Also, IMHO, 'serve the song' or 'play what the song calls for' does not mean no creativity allowed!

I'm with you on this. If you want to play whatever you want, find a band that is OK with it or start your own band. When I joined my current band I told them I wasn't a root/5th player and wanted to play interesting music - I provided specific examples.

Despite my bristling at small minded people telling others what to play, I actually play a fair amount of root 1/8th notes and simple lines in my current band because that is what i think is called for. They have told me on more than one occasion that I could play busier as we are just guitar, bass, drum, vocal.

[SquierJazz72]

Originally Posted by lfmn16 View Post
The reason I hate the "serve the song," "what the song calls for," "tasteful," and other comments in that vein is that they are still based on opinion. I just don't get why some people feel they have the right to tell other people what they ought to play, or that they are too busy, or that they aren't playing what the song calls for. Comments like these offer the appearance of some objective criteria, but it's all just somebody's opinion. Every body is entitled to their opinion, they just aren't entitled to set the standards for everyone else.

I totally agree, and I am not using the terms in that sense. To me, serve the song means do what fits, and tasteful is simply not going off into wankerville unjustifiably. But more than one thing usually does fit, so give two different bassists a progression, and you will very likely get two different, perhaps very different, lines. As long as each fits the song and goes with the rest of the music, the song is served. If one is simple and one is busy, who's to say which is right or wrong, if they both work?

If one bassist likes simple lines, or feels that's what's best, fine. But the bassist who can and/or wants to do more, certainly shouldn't be chastised for it, if his line works just as well.