The most important skill a bass player must posses.

[DrSmaggs]

The hang. If the hang isn't right, it just isn't going to work. Fortunately, I have the hang with Versed in Grey.

 

[Ric5]

I think there's a level that some musicians can reach where your mind is free and you tap into a source of infinite creativity. Is there a name for this? I've not heard too many teachings on this subject.

It is called farting on stage.

 

[sethlow3]

Rhythm and groove

 

[dave64o]

.
.
.
All the recreational drug use did was take that already amazing talent to the next level.

It boggles my mind that anyone could make such an utterly stupid statement. Drugs and alcohol didn't take Jimi Hendrix to the next level - they killed him. Nor are drugs and alcohol a hidden secret to creativity. To suggest that is ridiculous.

Working at your craft is the *only* way to take it to the next level. There are no shortcuts. It doesn't matter if your craft is playing bass, performing heart surgery, installing plumbing, writing software, bowling, or whatever.

 

[JacobE]

timing. that is playing in time, that is the one essential skill

 

[jbalou02]

DING DING DING

And the winner is:

timing. that is playing in time, that is the one essential skill

 

[MNAirHead]

I'm always puzzled how far Bassists don't get it.

Personality is what wins.. the abilty to sell.. look up .. smile.. be cool etc.

Then it comes singing.. this may be a tie with timing

Then chops.

====

It doesn't matter how good you are if folks aren't attracted to your skill base.

Tim

 

[BassFace55]

Lay off the pipe,listen to the band,feel your groove,and for gods sake KEEP TIME!!!!!!most important thing keep time. solo ,slap ,tap ,CRAP if you cant find the pocket and Keep Time!!!!!

 

[martinmichael]

listen, learn, repeat, repeat repeat, you get the pic, be yourself, accept you for who you are, humility goes faaaaaar, always does, believe in yourself and what your job is......then play the living daylights out of your guitar.

 

[Polfuste]

Habitual pot smoking over time will make you slow, lazy, dumb and scatter-brained. I've seen it happen.

The most important skill for a bass player is to listen to the rest of the band. Follow them when they go somewhere good, reel them in when they go somewhere bad, and take the lead when they give it to you.

this. Listen, and try to keep all the sheeps in the flock, like the cattle dog

 

[duderasta]

this. Listen, and try to keep all the sheeps in the flock, like the cattle dog

lol unless the drummer is a lousy timekeeper then it is more like herding cats

 

[rappa29]

The most important "skills" a bass player must posses are humility.....

I didn't make it past this post. I was going to say this as well. It pretty much applies to any musician that's involved in any aspect of the performance field.

I'm sure we've all worked with our share of egomaniacs and just plain PITA diva types.

 

[the_hook]

If you're going to tap into a source for creativity, you have to have a big enough source to draw from.

In my short experience it comes from hours of (proper) practice, hours of learning new songs, and hours of playing in jams and band settings and learning what to do (and not do) on the bass.

Plus you need time to learn your rig and bass, find the settings that allow you to play freely for hours on end. In a band setting you will understand where your bass 'sits' and how to be heard properly, and how to move the song along without clobbering the other instruments.

The more I do all the above things, the better I get at playing bass, and the easier it is for me to create my own songs.

 

[megadan]

take the smoke in deep, hold it in your lungs until you cant no more, and your golden. lol

Not to run this thread even more off-topic, but most active C* in the smoke are absorbed within about 5 seconds. Holding it any longer than that just gives tar and contaminants longer to get a grip on your lungs. Not so good.

 

[chump stain]

The zone = confidence, timing, and the talent to bring that together with your hard work and practice.

I don't even consider weed a drug. I guess if you consider caffine a drug? But to me they're both more like stimulants. And I think it's just a way to let go of any hang ups during a jam session, or gig. But that also comes with confidence, maybe it's a little bit of false confidence? I've played plenty of times without smoking, and plenty with. I seem to play better, more relaxed after smoking. But it's not nessesary by any means. It sure makes it more fun though.

 

[Mr. Mig]

I've never smoked weed in my life....not even a puff.

I've never found the lack of smoking weed to be "creatively stifling".

+10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

 

[SteveC]

Apparently the most important skill is get high so you can be creative. What a load. I think humility is a great answer for a skill that you need to be a bass player and a human being. All the other stuff is great but if no one likes you or wants to play with you, you'll be at home playing with yourself.

 

[Gord_oh]

a solid tempo.
because you cant always rely on the drummer, so sometimes he has to follow you.

ironically enough, the bass is the base of any band IMO.

 

[stratovani]

The ability to move your fingers.

Hey, you can't move your fingers, you ain't playing bass!

 

[Tim Skaggs]

Knowing how to lift really heavy stuff without destroying your back.