Poll: [update] If you're only playing high notes, are you still playing bass?

[zubrycky]

A piano is still a piano if you play only its highest notes.

 

[GreyBeard]

Of course they are still playing. The question should be, is it appropriate. Depends on whether or not the music calls for it. Take for instance SADE's "Smooth Operator". Paul Dinman's solo in the high register wouldn't sound near as good on guitar.

 

[LBS-bass]

If playing high notes doesn't qualify as playing bass, then half the bass line in this song is not really a bass line.

 

[tbz]

Yeah I mean anything played on a bass is a bass part.

I think your confusion lies with the fact that the role of the instrument isn’t a wholly supportive one in these cases. But that’s not abnormal. Go listen to Roundabout, most of the Tool catalog, any Primus song, etc and you’ll realize this isn’t new.

Bass hasn’t been wholly relegated to being a supporting instrument for quite some time. This is just evidence that the instruments role is evolving.

 

[JimmyM]

Too many people worry too much about what others do and don't keep an eye on their own paper. If you don't want to play like that, don't. If you do, more power to you.

 

[Grinderman]

If the high notes aren't bass, when you design that hypothetical pure bass does it have only three strings with a 12 fret neck or does it also have a G string with only 6 frets specifically for that fourth string?

Maybe you could save a bit of money on your next re-fret job.

 

[Ric5]

(5847) 12 String Bass Guitar - Andy Irvine - YouTube

 

[tb-player]

(5847) 12 String Bass Guitar - Andy Irvine - YouTube

Haha. That’s just somebody who’s bored.

 

[socialleper]

That's what the instrument is called. So, yeah.

 

[FSGrind]

Depends entirely on context.
It’s entirety about playing the proper thing that fits the piece of music.

 

[dave hope]

Bass is 99% about moving butts not Bach.

If you are really serious about being a bassist. Turn off the bling and pay attention to who is actually earning a living by being a musician. Especially regionally.
In another context.
Quit looking at the guys driving Ferraris, and start learning from the guys who drive Fords.
There is your bread, butter and longevity.

 

[BazzaBass]

I'm not sure if it's an algorithm thing or an increasing popularity thing, but it sure seems like I'm seeing a lot more 6-string players on Instagram and Youtube. A sixer is a cool instrument. In fact, I've been toying with getting one myself. But as a prospective 6-string owner, I have an honest question.

Most of these musicians don't really play bass-lines. The ones I'm seeing are mostly playing chords and melodies, all centered around the high C string, well above the 12th fret. It's beautiful, freaking impressive and I wish I was better at it myself. But in the end, when I want to do something chordal and melodic, I grab my electric guitar or maybe my nylon string.

Granted, It's cool and vibe and all to hear it on bass. But in my mind (in MY mind), that's not really bass.

Here's my thinking... If I told everyone I sang the bass part, they would scratch their heads if I opened my mouth and sounded like Sting. They'd say, "You're not a bass singer. You're a tenor." Isn't the same true for guitars?

So what are your thoughts? Keep in mind, I'm not talking about players who can do the bass and the melody together. That's a serious flex!! I'm genuinely curious what other bassists think about guys who play bass guitars but rarely play bass notes.

[I updated the title. It was not in line with the question... sorry!]

Why don’t bands have 2 Bass players. One to hold down the bottom end and one to do the other stuff?

 

[JimmyM]

Bass is 99% about moving butts not Bach.

If you are really serious about being a bassist. Turn off the bling and pay attention to who is actually earning a living by being a musician. Especially regionally.
In another context.
Quit looking at the guys driving Ferraris, and start learning from the guys who drive Fords.
There is your bread, butter and longevity.

Weren’t you the bassist for Kansas at one time?

Ha, just joshing. You did a lot of stuff up high but you kept the band fat on the bottom too.

 

[juggahnaught]

There's a difference between the instrument and its register.

You can play in the bass register on a bass guitar, but you can also play in the tenor register and above. Instruments have range.

If the part is written for the bass guitar, then it's a bass part, regardless of its register. If I wrote music for the tenor sax that turned out to fit completely into the alto register, it would still be a part for tenor sax.

However, instruments can also play other parts. If I play a part written for harp on a piano, I am playing piano, not harp. If I play a part written for cello on a bass guitar, I am playing a bass guitar, not a cello.

So yes - still playing bass.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Bass is 99% about moving butts not Bach.

Be that as it may,I'll focus on the 1%

 

[MDBass]

That's not what I said. I never said high notes aren't bass. That's silly. I play high notes all the time.

I'm talking about extended range instruments where the player plays the entire song in the same range as a guitarist. That is not really bass... ie: not the function of a bass guitar. Yes, they are playing an electric bass, but they're not playing bass.

You said nothing about playing an entire song in the guitarists register in your original post: what you said was playing chords and melodies above the 12th fret is “not really bass”.

Since you’re now moving the goalposts, it seems like you’re just looking for a pointless semantical argument.

Buy the six string and have fun with it, or don’t, and enjoy your weekend

 

[DaveParker39]

I loved Wayman Tisdale's "lead bass" playing.

 

[Mr.Sharkfist]

Whatever brings you the most pleasure and enjoyment when you play is alright in my book. It's definitely pretty impressive, just not my cup of tea. Different strokes and all that.

 

[Blazer]

Guitar is my first instrument, although people have told me I'm a better bass player.

I used to be one of those guys who said "What's the use of using a piccolo bass, get yourself a guitar!" until I strung up one of my basses with a set of Piccolo strings and gave it a go myself. It's not even near the experience I have when playing guitar. I can't use my guitarist techniques, because it's NOT a guitar.

So yeah, even when tuned up a full octave, it's still a bass.





This must be the coolest clip on Youtube of all time! Listen to Foley just going at it.

 

[bigjames]

I have noticed the same on insta. To me, this is a question of semantics. The person playing 17th fret moving chords with a melody is playing it ON BASS. Are they playing the bass line? Perhaps not (though technically the root is probably in there).

To use your analogy of singing "bass". I would liken playing a bass guitar to using one's voice. A gifted vocalist can sing bass, baritone, and some tenor...they might sing different parts at different times, but they are always using their voice. A gifted bassist can do the same on their instrument.

Are they playing a bass line? No. Totally agree on that aspect.

I think the high chordal stuff sounds incredible on bass and I absolutely love playing a melodic line on my fretless in the higher register. I think it sounds incredible when used tastefully. That said, most of the time when I play my fretless 6 in any real situation, I am playing traditional bass lines on the first 7 frets.