Is a bass player really necessary?

[pappabass]

Heck yeah! Don't need drums, singers, keys, or a guitar!

 

[RyanOh]

Foolish mortal, guitars cannot bring the funk.

 

[40Hz]

I want the 20 seconds it took to skim this stupid thread back.

I am deeply suspicious of the motivation behind any TB member who drops a flame bait post; only has seven previous posts on the forum; and restricts who can view their profile.

Sure sounds like a trolling to me.

 

[dan1952]

The troll apparently doesn't enjoy watching girls (or boys, if you so desire) shake their butts.

 

[4001]

How many people at the bar with their back turned to the stage while texting with their friends would even notice if the bass was taken out of the mix?

 

[TNCreature]

How many people at the bar with their back turned to the stage while texting with their friends would even notice if the bass was taken out of the mix?

Practically everyone?

 

[Herrick]

I feel like you don't really need one. A guitar is only an octave higher and it can still cover a lot of the notes that a bass guitar does. Also, you could just use an eight-string guitar and tune the lowest string down to a low E. I know that some bands have eight string guitarists as well as bassists and the bassists play the same notes as the the eight string guitar players, but the bass will make the low end sound "fuller" because of how thick the strings are. But I don't think that really makes any much of a difference. I know this question might make me appear ignorant, but this is my own judgement.

It depends on the band/music/genre. Bass may not be "necessary" in an 8-string Metal type band but I think bass will always make the music sound better as long as the band decides to have audible bass in their music. I don't listen to many 8-string guitar bands but Meshuggah understands the benefit of The Bass.

 

[ERIC A]

Music can be made with or without any instrument....you don't "need" guitar, drums, bass, horns, keyboard or vocals....so is it irrelevant? As much as any other instrument. That said, I'm glad it's chosen over the other instruments in that list...at least most of the time when a band is being considered. Helps me feed my sons

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Yeah totally. Bass is pretty much irrelevant. I’m thinking of giving it up completely.

Without a bass player who in the band gets stuck with the job of telling the drummer he’s fired.
Better yet, take up the drums and fire yourself.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

I am totally unnecessary, I am the hood ornament on my band. They don't need me. I'm just there to class things up.

 

[obimark]

I feel like you don't really need one. A guitar is only an octave higher and it can still cover a lot of the notes that a bass guitar does. Also, you could just use an eight-string guitar and tune the lowest string down to a low E. I know that some bands have eight string guitarists as well as bassists and the bassists play the same notes as the the eight string guitar players, but the bass will make the low end sound "fuller" because of how thick the strings are. But I don't think that really makes any much of a difference. I know this question might make me appear ignorant, but this is my own judgement.

Are you a bassist? If you are then you know the answer.

 

[matty1039]

The Black Keys don’t have a bass player, except when in tour. Has to fill out the sound you know.

Royal Blood does not have a guitarist, so maybe guitars are becoming unnecessary. Same goes for those Death From Above dudes.

What is necessary in a band is up to the band.

 

[sissy kathy]

@et0518 was this for you?

 

[lz4005]

It depends on the band/music/genre. Bass may not be "necessary" in an 8-string Metal type band but I think bass will always make the music sound better as long as the band decides to have audible bass in their music. I don't listen to many 8-string guitar bands but Meshuggah understands the benefit of The Bass.

This is true. Bass guitar as an instrument is not necessary. Bass as a frequency range and a function in a band is pretty vital, whether it comes from a tuba, a keyboard, or one of these:

 

[SmokinJoe992]

It’s all about the bass.

 

[Thrillhouse]

I'd say a bass guitar or double bass are not necessary but bass lines/notes are. Who plays them on what instrument/computer is another discussion.

 

[Usidore T Blue]

I hope so! Unnecessary is just a synonym for free.

 

[MattZilla]

No, it's not.

Also not really necessary:
-fast cars
-Prime Rib endcuts
-television
-saxophone solos
-saxophones

 

[Lowendtech]

 

[juancaminos]

I saw a band a few months ago that had two guitar players and a drummer. One of the two guitar players would switch off between bass and acoustic guitar while the other guitar player played acoustic guitar all night. Both guitarists sang. They were one of the loudest bar bands I've ever seen. I would say that about half of their songs had no bass. I thought they were pretty darn good as did everyone in our party.