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A guitarists dream bass player

#21
In every musical situation I find myself, if there is a guitar player, I ask them "what are you looking for from the bass?" Many times they have no answer. I feel I should ask so I can hopefully provide a good foundation.
 
#22
REV said:
In every musical situation I find myself, if there is a guitar player, I ask them "what are you looking for from the bass?" Many times they have no answer. I feel I should ask so I can hopefully provide a good foundation.
Click to expand...

I've experienced the same accompanied by shrugs and perplexed facial expressions. Then, when I work in a bass line, I get, " yeah, that!" Go figure.
 
#24
The OP states: "From my perspective, a mediocre bass often works and can pass by more than any other instrument. "

Maybe in your opinion, but not in any band that's worth a damn. Ask any decent drummer and I'll bet they disagree as well.
 
#25
JasonTheRed said:
A different thread I posted today got me thinking about how the perspective of a guitarist and bassist is often different within a band. So, I thought it might be interesting to post mine and other guitar players I've known perspective on our dream bass player. I've sat through many band auditions for bassists and have had the pleasure of playing with some amazing bassist. I've seen a lot of good and bad trends among them.

First, any good guitarist knows how valuable a good bass player is. From my perspective, a mediocre bass often works and can pass by more than any other instrument. But, a truly great bass player really makes the band. Unfortunately, from a lot of guitarist perspectives there are very few great bassist out there. A lot time a mediocre bassist will get the job out of necessity.

Here's what IMO a great bass player and a bad one in a band:
e you
Click to expand...


Looks like someone is trolling.
 
#30
I am missing something. The original OP says:
Here's what IMO a great bass player and a bad one in a band:
e you
What are you guys even commenting on? I cannot even see his opinion. Can you?
Jasonthered, please repost your opinion.

Guys, stop attacking him. He plays several instruments. His different viewpoint is that, a viewpoint/ opinion.
He is asking for opinions. Why are so many of you so defensive and snapping at him?
You can agree or disagree with it, but don't beat him up just because he is a guitarist.
As for "mediocre bassist", he is new. His definition of mediocre is probably different then ours.
His definition of mediocre probably means someone who can keep a beat and do basic playing.
 
#33
Everyone on talkbass thinks they're doing everyone in the band a service by being boring root pluggers. It's not the case. EVERYONE I've played with was psyched to have a bassist with chops and can slap and fingershred. It opens up doors to a lot of tunes that would be off limits for a band with a bad bass player. (RUSH, Yes, RHCP, ect.)
 
#37
bertthebassist said:
I am missing something. The original OP says:
Here's what IMO a great bass player and a bad one in a band:
e you
What are you guys even commenting on? I cannot even see his opinion. Can you?
Click to expand...

I think he made a typo in his resolution. I believe what he meant to say was the following:

Here's what IMO a great bass player and a bad one in a band:
me you

He's the great bass player. You (the collective Talkbass) suck.
He's trolling.
 
#38
To me the word : "rythm section" is really an insult. Rythm is for everyone and I consider that I provide a second melody that combined with the guitar mix of melody and chord makes the harmony. I also like when the drum provide a more melodic beat than being a very huge metronome.
 
#40
It's hard to answer this question because doing so would have us assume there is one representative "guitarist" who thinks and acts uniformly, and given the pretense, is the alpha dog of the band. This is like asking what people with brown hair demand in a soul mate.

It also presumes that whatever the "guitarist" is looking for in a bassist is and will always be what is best for the band (including the guitarist).

In my experience auditions all too often become battle of he/she who has the most chops. In practice a bass player or ANY band member will succeed or fail based on (in order of importance, and IMHO):

1. Personality - how well they get along with the other members
2. Instinct - knowing how to make the band sound good (according to the people who buy the drinks or make the bookings)
3. General musical ability
4. Technical ability
1,232. Gear

I've been to auditions where I've lost out to guys who could play like Victor Wooten (unlike me) and been to auditions where I've beat out guys who can play like Victor Wooten (unlike me). In one situation the guitarist was the guy making the call. In the other situation it was a group decision between a guitarist, a keyboardist, and a drummer. I'm not going to tell you which was which.
 

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