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what defines a good bassist
- Thread starter yarg682
- Start date
Someone who maintains the groove, puts a piece of himself into the art of creating music, and goes the extra mile to put both of those into a stellar performance.
If you can score more chicks than the vocalist or guitarist, that is undeniable proof you are a great bassist.
I enjoyed the comments about Heart and feeling. I used to play very hard rock that I really put high energy emotion in to and now I'm moving into slow blues/rock that has a complete different feel. There is one song that is so slow it freaked me out at first but I decided to embrace it and put my heart into each slow long note. Once I put heart and feeling into it, the song became much more enjoyable to play. I think I might just be growing and learning.
Knowledge of the instrument and it's role in an ensemble setting. Great timing and groove and knowing when NOT to play! Terrific ear and the ability to play the RIGHT notes. Knowledge of different styles and genres helps immensely.
mho: in any good group, drummer is the pilot, bassist is the co-pilot. if the drummer and bassist are smart, they let the lead guitarist and lead singer each think that they are the pilot. 
seriously, 20db said it perfectly:
and thanks, pringlw, for clarifying your answer!!
seriously, 20db said it perfectly:
and thanks, pringlw, for clarifying your answer!!
WHY!!?!?!
how do you explain this to a non-musician who asks why you are laughing hysterically?
There is no single definition for "good bassist." What makes a bassist good depends on context; i.e., genre, specific role and expectations, etc.
What would make a good bassist for an early-Bill Haley-style live rockabilly combo would be very different than what would make a good bassist for a Weather Channel-local forecast background music-style "jazz" studio band... What would make a good bassist for a raw Yardbirds-Pretty Things style maximum-R&B band would be quite different from what would make a good bassist for a cover band that wants to play weddings and corporate events. and those are only a couple of examples... If you are looking for a bassist to join your high-energy symphonic progressive metal band, you wouldn't necessarily be seeking someone who is considered an awesome Motown slow jams bassist.
having said all that, all the technique in the world doesn't make you a good bassist. It just makes you a good technician. You can be the most dexterous bassist in the world in all sorts of techniques, have the finest gear, and it isn't worth &#$!@ if the music you create sounds like &#$!@. Sure you can amaze people with gimmickry and technical wankery, but that's about it. It's like the music=food comparison I always like to point out. Even the flashiest chef with the best knives and cookware and the freshest ingredients and most complete knowledge isn't worth anything if the food he makes tastes like total poo. I'd rather eat a delicious and satisfying homestyle meal cooked in lard in an old cast iron skillet by someone who may not have the most sophisticated knowledge or technique, but who has heart and an innate sense of what tastes good...
What would make a good bassist for an early-Bill Haley-style live rockabilly combo would be very different than what would make a good bassist for a Weather Channel-local forecast background music-style "jazz" studio band... What would make a good bassist for a raw Yardbirds-Pretty Things style maximum-R&B band would be quite different from what would make a good bassist for a cover band that wants to play weddings and corporate events. and those are only a couple of examples... If you are looking for a bassist to join your high-energy symphonic progressive metal band, you wouldn't necessarily be seeking someone who is considered an awesome Motown slow jams bassist.
having said all that, all the technique in the world doesn't make you a good bassist. It just makes you a good technician. You can be the most dexterous bassist in the world in all sorts of techniques, have the finest gear, and it isn't worth &#$!@ if the music you create sounds like &#$!@. Sure you can amaze people with gimmickry and technical wankery, but that's about it. It's like the music=food comparison I always like to point out. Even the flashiest chef with the best knives and cookware and the freshest ingredients and most complete knowledge isn't worth anything if the food he makes tastes like total poo. I'd rather eat a delicious and satisfying homestyle meal cooked in lard in an old cast iron skillet by someone who may not have the most sophisticated knowledge or technique, but who has heart and an innate sense of what tastes good...
......takes everybodies hand in the whole room (band and crowd)and leads them where they are going all night.
Period.
Period.
Myself I think the bass player provides the pulse, weak pulse, everyone notices that the band is dying. Strong pulse and even weak elements are hidden.
lol, i know, i know. my question was somewhat rhetorical. i was trying to pay a compliment....
