The Truth About Being a "Good" Bass Player

[okcrum]

this thread is ass. i see a lot of bass players out there who aren't hurting for appreciation. it ain't the glamour position but i really don't have much of a problem with being appreciated.

To an extent, yes. Playing in a trio gives the bass player miles of room to shine, no way around it. But in a larger group, the bass player can shine in support of the music, too.

Sufficiently good musicians actually appreciate a good solid bass part, even if it's not flashy. I've seen plenty of ***-clowns too. I think that's who the OP is referring to.

I'm considering doing a duo with a vibes player. Another guy in town does a duo with a cellist. Either of those situations is plenty enough room to make me be sure I'm rock solid and show off my chops.

You want room to fly, try a duo:

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[Altitude]

If you are a bass player and you're stuck in a band that is not Tribal Tech (which was a very cool band that several people liked), and you want more recognition, why not find other ways to contribute in that band? Sing vocals, if only backup. Write a few songs. Learn to play keyboard and double on that instrument here and there. There are lots of ways to get your name mentioned.

 

[Count Bassie]

Read some of this in the early pages (a lot of pages here!). When I first started playing, I was something of a drummer, at least by nature. Rhythm was where it was really at for me, but I got drawn to the bass eventually, when I was feeling a vacuum in myself at 17. Everyone has a story...

Anyhow, when I got started I discovered the sound. I heard something integral to life in that sound, and I wanted to make it! That was it! I wasn't the dude with "chops"- I never really got that angle, never was the guy who stood on a stage warming up by playing shredding guitar licks.

Your axe is bass. If you're playing bass, I'd venture that you've got something to say on it. Being "good" is nothing. Saying it- finding your voice, that's something. If you let go of the need for recognition you may find that that's enough, and it's noticed when it happens.

 

[Ian the bassist]

I've been playing bass now for 15 years. Though in my later years, I've been playing a lot more guitar. Recently, I've been picking it back up for this or that project. Maybe this isn't a new realization, but it is for me. After all my years practicing scales, watching videos on slapping, tapping, harmonics, developing speed etc, essentially trying to be like all my bass heroes.

In the end no one cares. Unless you're in a prog or funk band. Most people do not care about the bass. Keep time, with the root, toss in a fill here and there but most of the time, just stay out of the way. In fact, if you're paired with a prideful guitar player, they'll will actually resent your skill, taking the spotlight where it doesn't belong.

It kind of sucks because I feel like a wasted a lot of time. I can do a lot of cool stuff on the bass and it took me a long time to be able to do them. In the end, it doesn't really matter.

All though I agree with the fact the bass is mainly for rythm and isn't designed to be the lead it doesn't mean you can't have your moments. I do a bass during a guitar solo in one of our songs. Nobody ever expects it and it's only a 2 and a half second solo but it captures peoples attention and it sounds good so why not? It also depends on if your a bassist that likes to push boundries. I use a Morley wah, Boss overdrive and ebs Chorus. This gives me lots of different sounds on the bass and means that if I solo I can get over the sound of the guitar so you can still have a rythm supporting behind me so you don't lose the grove with the bass. If that makes sense. haha.

 

[soundgardenis]

I agree with this guy 100%. Its okay to be melodic sometimes. But if you want to just bust chops all the time you better find a new instrument to play or continue looking like a goofball.


Feel free to attack me. I take it with a grain of salt.

 

[Count Bassie]

I agree with this guy 100%. Its okay to be melodic sometimes. But if you want to just bust chops all the time you better find a new instrument to play or continue looking like a goofball.


Feel free to attack me. I take it with a grain of salt.

:scowl:

 

[BullHorn]

IMO, it's really not our role to be "noticed" but rather our role is to complete the song. A bassist, unless they're in a band where the bass stands out, will NEVER get the respect from the general public as a guitarist or singer. Our instrument isn't designed to stick out. It's designed to fill in gaps and support the structure of the music. However, take out our instrument from the mix and people will realize that music just isn't as good, or any good at all for that matter. To be a bassist you must love music and play music because you love it, not for notoriety or attention. The crowd may not understand our role at all but a true musician will definitely understand and respect our role. I hear all the time how hard it is to find a good bassist, especially by church musicians. Local bands here are constantly looking for bassists. Most of the time they'll find a guitarist willing to "humble themselves" but it's not the same. True bassists, for the most part, are true musicians first.

Be happy, be proud, but most of all be available because bands out there are looking for musicians like us.

+9000.

 

[RustyAxe]

My band can and will do a gig without keys, rhythm guitar, or even the lead guitar (the others fill in). But drums and bass are essentials, and they never take the stage without 'em!