• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How To Not Be a Dumb Bassist

#6
I play and have played chords on bass all the time. I also believe it's important that everyone be the glue in a band regardless of genre. It's not just the drummer's job to keep the rhythm. It's everyone's job. That can only happen when everyone listens to the other members of the band.
Also, Playing on the downbeat isn't always my job either. It can be everyone, or just some people. Your article has some great points, but could lead a bass player to think that they aren't allowed to play interesting things.
 
#8
I'll just say that it's a good thing that Jamerson, McCartney, Entwistle, Pastoruis, Graham, Jones, Squire, Lee, Sheehan, Manring, Sting, Wooten, Clarke, Bruce, Miller, et al, were never given the advice in that "article".

:hiding:
 
#10
Thanks for posting. I liked to see all of that kind of synthesized in one article. I realize some will want to misinterpret your intent and claim you are anti-creativity in bass, but I appreciated the article.
 
#11
Thanks guys for the feedback. I did gear it more toward the beginning bassist.

Most of the "just play the downbeat" stuff comes from my interaction with students of mine or other gigging bassists that don't understand the bassist's role. The bass shouldn't be played like a guitar. Obviously there's times when stepping out and playing some tasty busy stuff works great, but it bugs me when a bass player can't seem to keep it simple.

And yes, there's exceptions to all of it. The bass players that esa372 mentioned are exceptions and legendary bass players. I'm a huge fan of all of them, and sometimes the music calls for a busy, complicated bass line. But more often than not, if you're being the "bass player" (rather than a soloist like Wooten), keeping it simple is the right thing to do.

Thanks again for the comments guys!
 
#12
If the band you’re in thinks you are a “dumb bass player” then you would probably be much happier in ANOTHER BAND.

I’m not trying to attack you or be rude, by in my humble opinion I think you should have titled your article, How to be an Unremarkable Formulaic Bass Player.

"...it bugs me when a bass player can't seem to keep it simple."

Well, I guess maybe I am just one of those Dumb Bass players you are talking about.
 
#16
Yeah, sorry, your article is garbage.

You've successfully discouraged me from reading the rest of the series of articles since I can only assume they similarly instruct every other musician to be a cookie cutter robot with no imagination who can easily be replaced by a loop in ProTools.

Thank you for perpetuating a limited worldview that ultimately drains the cultural expression of music of any lasting value it is capable of having.
 
#17
esa372 said:
I'll just say that it's a good thing that Jamerson, McCartney, Entwistle, Pastoruis, Graham, Jones, Squire, Lee, Sheehan, Manring, Sting, Wooten, Clarke, Bruce, Miller, et al, were never given the advice in that "article".
Click to expand...
Nah. You gotta know the rules before you can break 'em, and every single one of those guys you named spent their career learning to do the things in that article as the foundation to their playing.

That they can hold down the bottom and also kill you with groove and flash is what makes them world-class players.

Great article; I would show it to any bass student.
 
#18
Yeah, nice attempt. I'm sure your heart's in the right place. But it's a very insulting title.

You've got some basic information there, but all in all you sound like a teenager with little to no experience writing about the meaning of life.

I've been at this music thing for close to 30 years, and I wouldn't attempt to write out the 10 commandments of bass playing...

Keep at it. Eventually you'll get there.
 
#19
Yango said:
Yeah, nice attempt. I'm sure your heart's in the right place. But it's a very insulting title.

You've got some basic information there, but all in all you sound like a teenager with little to no experience writing about the meaning of life.

I've been at this music thing for close to 30 years, and I wouldn't attempt to write out the 10 commandments of bass playing...

Keep at it. Eventually you'll get there.
Click to expand...

the title is :
"how not to be a dumb bassist"

otherwise yeah you're right
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back