How To Not Be a Dumb Bassist

[Bassdude15]

When I read the OP's article, I was immediately reminded of JimmyM's thread where he basically said that his greatest regret in his career as a bassist was listening to advice like this. I do think the OP's article is well-intentioned and based on solid experience. I think it's especially valid when talking about a studio situation, or many cover band situations, where there's a pre-existing piece of music and the bass' role has already been defined. Going off and doing your own thing and ignoring the role you're needed for will be a train wreck in those situations.

But I thoroughly disagree with the assumption in the article that there is a fixed "role" that bass "has" to play, that only a maestro is allowed to play chords or high on the neck (and you, sir, will never be that maestro!), etc. That's far too rigid and narrow-minded and often just plain wrong. First of all, if you're writing originals, you can assign whatever role you want to the bass. There's no rule graven in the foundations of the universe that in all music for all time bass must always play a root note on the one.

Secondly, even in a cover band situation, there will often be call for more flexibility. Supposing a power trio covers a tune that was originally recorded with synths and horns and you don't have any of that. If the bassist plays only what the bassist on that recording did, you're likely to have a very empty, lifeless song. There's a lot of space to fill, and imo any bassist worth his salt should be figuring out what his role will be to fill it.

The underlying point in the OP that IS valid is that you need to listen to the music, and find where your place in the music is. It's about making the song work, not about showing off your chops or stroking your ego. There are times the music needs you to lay back and play in the pocket. There are times the music needs you to stretch out and give the piece some energy and some flair, and it's no good saying "not my job, I'm just the bassist." A good musician will know which is which and be ready to do either.

And I don't have links to recordings in my sig, so I guess my opinion isn't valid, but I'll just throw that out for people to consider.

+100000000!
Nailed it .

 

[markjsmithbass]

One thing we can all agree on - we're giving this dude a bunch of hits on his blog, and he apparently created his TalkBass account the day he posted this thread. You're welcome, Brandon.

I thought exactly the same thing

 

[Dumptruck]

I recently got told, by a guitarist, that bass is just a rip-off of a guitar.

 

[markjsmithbass]

Only just noticed this thread and whoooooah, this reminds me of some of the Jeff Berlin arguments. I suspect a lot of people have got wound up (as I almost did) not by the op or the article but by some past argument/debate/conversation you've had with some condescending non bass player or some dude with an attitude that loves the guys in the bands that they like while everyone else sucks. I certainly thought of about 3 non-bass players that have spouted garbage in front of me (not necessarily at me thank God. That WOULD have been the final straw).

I think that 90% of you guys won't need any 'advice' on how to not be a dumb bass player so some of the arguments between good players that have erupted here are a bit pointless when you're probably all striving for the same goals.

One thing that wasn't made clear in the article was how the advice is geared towards being a 'functional' bass player. I've made a basic living from bass playing for the last 20 or so years and in all that time the requirements have generally been very specific: Read this part, read this chord chart, busk this song, learn this song. At no point have I been asked to be experimental or super creative. In fact there are about 3 or 4 songs that have required slapping in all that time, I've never been asked to tap, play chords or even improvise a solo. If you're being paid to play bass for something then you're generally being asked because you can fulfill certain criteria that in turn will generate revenue for that person in another way. It just so happens that most gigs require you to play a certain way. But we all know this. So if you want to play in any common format band or, OMG hush hush, earn MONEY from playing as a pro sideman then it's good to develop an all round skill set. It just so happens a lot of stuff is not actually mentioned in the article. But then again, as many on here have said, it's aimed more at beginners.

On the other hand, who's to say that being non-functional makes a 'dumb bassist'. You can wipe your ass up and down the strings if you feel it's your art and you might even get called a genius by some Parisian arthouse militia.

Mark

 

[bkbirge]

What Not To Say: “Is it cool if I take a slap solo there? I’m going to take a slap solo there.”

---------------------

I chortled.

 

[jorno]

I've played bass since the mid 70's. Certainly not a newbie but likewise, certainly not the best either by any stretch. Nonetheless, the advice is well founded. Knowing what to do and when is the mark of a skilled bassist.

 

[markjsmithbass]

What Not To Say: “Is it cool if I take a slap solo there? I’m going to take a slap solo there.”

---------------------

I chortled.

I giggled

 

[lfmn16]

P.S. For those, the "root-haters".

Actually there are no root haters. No one is telling anyone to stop playing all roots. What they are saying is don't tell THEM how to play.

It's the point that's usually missed - people that want to push the envelope don't care what everyone else is doing. It's the people that want to hold everyone else back that get upset.

What's really dumb is thinking that this question will ever be resolved. There will always be some people who think they have the right to tell everybody else how to play.

 

[drummer5359]

The header at the top of the page says "STARTUP MUSICIAN". It seems clear to me that this article is not aimed at experienced musicians. It does offer some good tips for beginning bassists, it's not the last word on the subject. I don't think that it was meant to be.

 

[esa372]

The header at the top of the page says "STARTUP MUSICIAN". It seems clear to me that this article is not aimed at experienced musicians.

Yet, the text on the "free guide" says: "STARTUP MUSICIAN - 5 Essential Services For The Professional Musician".

I don't know of any "beginner professionals"...

And here's a quote from the "About" page":

You love music. You’ve been playing music for a while and can’t imagine doing anything else for a career. Maybe you went to music school. While you were there you practiced more than you ever will the rest of your life, took theory classes, musicianship classes, played in about 9 different ensembles, and just generally geeked out with your music major friends.

You know what they didn’t teach you? Anything about business.

The term "startup", as it is used in the context of the page, has to do with starting up your own music business, not starting to learn an instrument.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

We only see what we want to see, we only hear what we want to hear.

P.S. For those, the "root-haters".
I've watched two very informative Mark's lessons about
the fretting hand mute slap -
http://www.talkingbass.net/funky-slap-bass-fills-how-to-practice-them/
and hammerons -
http://www.talkingbass.net/play-slap-bass-3-hammer-ons-slides/,
and decided to apply what I had learned in my playing.

(Disclosure: I'm probably the least "root-hating" amateur bass player in the .... wherever.)

I would call the attached, "Bass Intro".
It's Gm7, later could move to Am7, etc... I don't care right now.
(For simplicity, you can use open E string)
Tempo - 120BPM.
All notes played either with the pick (right) hand thumb or fretting (left) hand mute palm slap.
(see Mark's videos for explanations.)
It means:
Any note = right hand thumb/Mark King's thumb (no double thumb)
Any muted note = FH fretting hand mute palm slap.

I've added just a few other then the root notes, played with the picking hand thumb and as hammerons.

I have nothing against the root. Please be advised.

and your point is ???

 

[lfmn16]

I don't know of any "beginner professionals"...

Wolfgang Van Halen?

 

[esa372]

Wolfgang Van Halen?

lol - Now, that's funny!

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I'm perfectly OK with playing mostly the roots if the music calls for it.
Even with one finger.
What's more, I play just the roots with one finger, and somebody is calling it Soloing.
Is that something?

P.S. As Mark said, the OP does deserve so many, even heated responses.
Just "Something To Talk About".
I'm in.

and who called that soloing ?

 

[lfmn16]

and who called that soloing ?

Nobody, ever.

 

[Lownote38]

So ur saying when walking a bass line in jazz the bass player's role isn't to hit the root on the downbeat of 1? Of course it is- what else r u gonna play?
www.basslessonslosangeles.com

The 3rd? It sounds pretty square to play the root on the 1 for every chord.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I think that was "bkbirge" that put that "Soloing" spell on me.
What a powerful magician.


(P.S. Which version do you like best:
I Put A Spell On You - Creedence Clearwater Revival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvUU44SmjnA
or
"You Put The Spell On Me" - Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvUU44SmjnA)






WE ARE WASTING OUR TIME TALKING ABOUT THE OP.
It's not worth it!
(or to be continued...?)

P.S. My smilies don't work properly. It's a problem.

bkbirge talk about slap bass solo ... not what you posted which is more of a backing slap line ... focus dude.

if you are half as good as your confusing post you are a terrific player.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/smilies/bawling.gif
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/smilies/bawling.gif
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/images/icons/icon12.gif

 

[hanales]

I think it's a great article. I'd love to hear more bassists play like billy bass than les claypool.

Most of those cats have neither the chops nor the taste to pull either off well.

I'll take a solid, grooving root pounder over some frustrated wannabe guitarist any day, and my all time favorite bassist is Jean Baudin.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Nobody, ever.

bkbirge did talk about slap bass solo ... but Whousedtoplay confusingly posted about a backing track calling it a solo ... whatever

 

[davidhilton]

The 3rd? It sounds pretty square to play the root on the 1 for every chord.

OK.
www.basslessonslosangeles.com