Is having a "nice roll" underrated as a bassist?

[Cadillac_Mike]

One night doing a live gig for my dad's band an audience member told me "you're a good bass player, you have a nice roll." That always stuck with me because I'm definitely not that flashy as a bass player. My dad who's a guitarist and I jam with a lot often picks up the bass and even though he's basically taught me everything I know about music theory and a way better guitarist than me; he can't even hold down a nice simple do do do blues bass roll like I can it sounds too choppy.

It just kinda baffles me how that works. Everyone thinks thumping on one note for the rhythm is like falling off a log and takes no skill but my dad who can play "Skuttle Buttin" note for note on guitar, can play a lot of surf and rockabilly stuff can't capture the organic roll I can get on one note.

 

[smeet]

Uh, what’s a roll?

 

[5StringBlues]

I always use glass.

 

[Bassic_desires]

+1 I do not know what you mean by a ‘nice roll’.

 

[smeet]

I use glass when I have beer. I also like rolls with lobster or as a butter-to-mouth delivery system. A salmon hand roll is quite delicious. Sometimes I get on a roll, but I don’t know if it’s a bass roll.

 

[5StringBlues]

Banjo,perhaps?

I use glass when I have beer. I also like rolls with lobster or as a butter-to-mouth delivery system. A salmon hand roll is quite delicious. Sometimes I get on a roll, but I don’t know if it’s a bass roll.

 

[LBS-bass]

I had a roll for lunch.

 

[5StringBlues]

Roll or bowl a ball, a penny a pitch.

 

[LBS-bass]

 

[jamro217]

Maybe he means you need to go on a diet.

 

[Guitalia]

Roll or bowl a ball, a penny a pitch.

That's "Roll up, bowl a ball, a penny a pitch."

See also: "Roll up! Roll up for the Mystery Tour!"

 

[db59]

I had a roll for lunch.

organic roll

 

[ShadowGroover]

@Cadillac_Mike : Roll = groove + presence. Many don't know what it is because they don't have it. Definitely underrated!

Always savor audience compliments, roll on, and enjoy playing!

 

[lark_z]

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Uh, what’s a roll?

You know, a “fat roll” from too many donuts!

 

[Frank77]

I also like rolls [...] as a butter-to-mouth delivery system.

That's it, that's what I'm calling them from now on.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

Anyway, I think what @Cadillac_Mike is saying is that it’s frustrating that laypeople believe bassists are the “understudy” to lead guitarists, yet in reality, guitarists for all their flash and technique on guitar, very often cannot get a good feel or groove (roll?) working when picking up a bass.

I’ve absolutely experienced this too - and it is what it is. When I hear these comments from audience members, I just think of Lee Sklar, Bob Babbitt, Pino Palladino, James Jamerson and just smile.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

This thread is on a roll!

 

[etoncrow]

Rollin', rollin', rollin'...

 

[Andy Marshman]

I’ve absolutely experienced this too - and it is what it is. When I hear these comments from audience members, I just think of Lee Sklar, Bob Babbitt, Pino Palladino, James Jamerson and just smile.[/QUOTE]

Exactly what I was thinking. I just act humble and smile, with a thank you to the person commenting.
And... this whole thread makes me smile. Nice start to my day! I wondered if I was the only person who didn't catch the meaning of 'nice roll'.