More notes or fewer notes?

[MultiScaleMale]

What’s your preference? Listening to a band now and the bassist isn’t bad, but he’s playing a ton of notes. Pentatonic up and down the neck. So, there’s no groove or feel. Now, the opposite is that you play what the kick plays - you’re just a pitched kick drum. Personally, I go towards simpler is better (and there are always exceptions). Reinforce the kick, but add some leading notes to get into the next phrase. Sometimes some counterpoint. Good rule of thumb - how do you know you should play simpler? If the vocalist is singing. Don’t try to steal all the fills, because the guitarist will be filling too and the drummer as well. If you all do it at the same time, you get mud.

EDIT: In fairness to the guy that was playing, he toned it down later. Maybe he saw this post? Heh.

 

[Basshappi]

I only prefer that whatever approach is taken that it is musical and executed well.

 

[two fingers]

It depends on the rest of the band, honestly.

If the band is a power trio, I have a little wiggle room to get a run in here and there, maybe even a chord or two.

But my current project has a driving drummer, and skilled keys and guitar players, as well as three to five part vocal harmonies. If anything I will occasionally simplify a bass line (even simpler than the recorded version) if there is a lot going on.

My goal is to keep the groove glued together however I need to. There's no "one-size-fits-all" approach for me.

Hone your skills. Be ABLE to play more. Know WHEN to play LESS.

But to stick to the spirit of your question, when in doubt, play less.... but do it very.... very..... groovy.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Definitely agree that a trio gives you far more room to be creative.

 

[Bassbubble11]

Definitely agree that a trio gives you far more room to be creative.

Depends on the trio. I play in a 3 piece and the guitar player plays a lot of arpeggios and such and I am forced to keep it simple. Some stuff I can play a counter melody on but rarely have an opportunity to go nuts. I like to think I play for the song but probably wouldn’t mind letting loose now and then.

 

[Groove Doctor]

It's not about the number of notes... it's about good taste and making every note belong in the song.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

Fewer. I'm getting better at hearing the space between notes as music.

 

[juggahnaught]

Quantity doesn't matter. Quality does. More or fewer - whatever you pick, make them count.

 

[Kro]

I never play too many notes, nor do I play too few. I play precisely the amount required at any given time!

 

[Quinn Roberts]

Depends on the trio. I play in a 3 piece and the guitar player plays a lot of arpeggios and such and I am forced to keep it simple. Some stuff I can play a counter melody on but rarely have an opportunity to go nuts. I like to think I play for the song but probably wouldn’t mind letting loose now and then.

Slap some tri-tone subs in there and wait for the look.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Yes.

 

[Frampton]

Year 1 - more notes.
Every year after - fewer notes.

 

[RedJag]

Flea can play a ton of notes but he still has a groove, or at least the band as a whole does. I wouldn’t sacrifice that groove though. I’d rather have less notes if it meant a better rhythm.

 

[bassbully]

I play country so less is always more.

 

[Tim Skaggs]

What’s your preference? Listening to a band now and the bassist isn’t bad, but he’s playing a ton of notes. Pentatonic up and down the neck. So, there’s no groove or feel. Now, the opposite is that you play what the kick plays - you’re just a pitched kick drum. Personally, I go towards simpler is better (and there are always exceptions). Reinforce the kick, but add some leading notes to get into the next phrase. Sometimes some counterpoint. Good rule of thumb - how do you know you should play simpler? If the vocalist is singing. Don’t try to steal all the fills, because the guitarist will be filling too and the drummer as well. If you all do it at the same time, you get mud.

What style of music was the band playing when the bassist was playing tons of notes? Jazz? Polka? Reggae? That makes a significant difference. If they were a Weather Report tribute band, the bassist was doing what he should. If they were a delta blues band, he may have been overplaying. The question is too open ended without significantly more info about the band and the music style. Simpler is not better if you are playing Donna Lee.

 

[Burwabit]

Longer notes can be groovy too. When you cut it can be as important as when you start and how busy you are.

 

[juancaminos]

Less is more

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

It really depends on the song. Groove is not related to the number of notes in the song. The only reason these things get conflated is because people playing more notes might have a stronger tendency to push or pull the tempo. Rocco Prestia is an excellent example of playing a ton of notes while grooving super hard.

That being said, there are times where it's more appropriate to chill out a bit.

 

[Tnavis]

The question is always "Should the space remain open, or should the space be filled?"

This is completely dependent on the genre of music and the particular song. The most recent argument I have heard for "more is more" is... well, right here.

 

[somebrains]

Flea can play a ton of notes but he still has a groove, or at least the band as a whole does. I wouldn’t sacrifice that groove though. I’d rather have less notes if it meant a better rhythm.

That’s bc he’s a trumpet player.
College bass players all seem to double tuba, bass horn, etc.
That’s where you get the less is more player.