What makes a good bass player??

[xanderdavis]

A working sense of music theory never hurt anyone. Knowing your instrument very well is key. You should be able to be told what key the song is in and AT LEAST play the roots. Keeping in meter is also VERY essentail to being a "good bass player"

 

[Frankjohnson]

I could be off....but I agree with a lot of what I read, mostly the knowing what and when to play, and having the sold beat/groove thing........

I would add heart and soul. If you aint got it, it aint got it.

Just my opinion, which is subject to change without notice.......

 

[Craithius]

Timing is everything. If you hit the right root notes out of time, what good does it do?

Being able to cover up mistakes helps too.

I can't read music, but I know enough general theory to have an idea where to go with it. I learned to play by ear and never took a lesson. I just apply what I like in certain player's styles, and disregard things I don't like...

 

[ryco]

Someone who can lay down something solid and interesting.


I like this post:

I've always thought about the 3 P's

PITCH - hitting the right note
POCKET - at the right time with ...
PASSION

But those are also what makes a good musician, no matter what their instrument.

 

[tjbsilv]

Don't suck!!

Seriously, I think what makes a good bassist is the ability to walk into a situation (stage, studio, whatever), and make everyone present (other musicians, audience, producers/engineers, etc.) comfortable and happy that you are there.

While I don't consider myself a "great" bassist, I feel like the above describes me. I am experienced enough to read charts and fill a groove, keep the tempo, know my job, don't complain about the sound, and just keep everybody smiling. I don't think that requires a great deal of technical proficiency, just know your chops and keep a good attitude!

TJ

 

[deathofbalance]

I'd say it's simple. A good bassist is one who adds something to the song beyond a simple lower octave. Good bass should add texture and feeling, emphasizing the necessary accents.

Now if only I could get my guitarist to understand that

 

[Lon86]

The ability to read, (sheet music, that is) whether your rusty or not.

Working knowledge of music theory.

The ability to not have a huge-ass ego.

Know not just what to play, but also know when not to play (Not styles or genres, think tastefulness for this one).

Don't be an A-hole to other musicians, or others as well, people. (well this may be related outside of just bass players).

Knowing that the volume knob also turns to the left, not just the right.(Though someone needs to tell this to many guitarists I know).

But you get the idea, but If you don't, you have alot to learn

/Jason

Don't agree...

I believe good timing, a decent sense of rhythm and a good ear.

There are a lot of great bass players who can't read a note and know nothing about theory.

 

[stflbn]

Don't agree...

I believe good timing, a decent sense of rhythm and a good ear.

There are a lot of great bass players who can't read a note and know nothing about theory.

+100




.

 

[BigNoise]

Being able to listen and take constructive criticism

 

[Liko]

It's all about the groove. A good bass player has rock-solid timing and the technical skill required to play the notes, but beyond that there's a certain intangible that makes a series of notes musical. We've discussed "playing note for note" vs "grooving" in other threads, so in short I'll just say that the best technical player in the world can breeze through the most note-riddled line ever written, hitting every note at just the right instant with every written dynamic perfectly represented, and it's not music, while the slightly tipsy guy who's only been at it a couple of weeks can slam out a line that's right at the limits of his technical ability, and it's music.

The difference between technical ability and musical talent is what differentiates an "instrumentalist" from a "musician". If all you want is a "good bass player", then all you're looking for is technical skill on the instrument. If you want a good musician, a certain level of skill allowing him to get the notes out os a requisite, but you also want someone who intuitively understands the feeling you're trying to convey or the message your trying to send with the song, beyond any written word, and makes that subtle adjustment from playing the notes to making music. There may be a point of pure technical skill at which it would be impossible for the listener to tell the difference between someone putting his soul into it and someone simply putting his skill into it, but I maintain that most instrumentalists mature into musicians long before that point of technical ability is reached. It's far easier to not have to fake it.

 

[Funk 'N' Stein]

1) A complete knowledge of music theory and the ability to sight read. It doesn't matter if you can play complex songs with changing time signatures if you can't recognize said changes when written or even know what a fugue is.

2) Achieve non-"A-hole" self concept, while maintaining that those who can't read music can't possibly be a good bassist.

(Yeah I can read music, just can't stand pretension.)

Besides the fact that your statements totally contradict one another....you are wrong wrong WRONG!!!!!!!!!

 

[Just Thumpin']

What do you think or what qualities do you think make a good bass player?

I think being able to make up good and catchy bass lines and runs is one thing that makes a good bass player.

First and foremost, you gotta be able to lock in a solid groove that keeps impeccable time and sets the foundation for the melodic instruments in the band no matter what style you are playing.

Flashy runs are fun (largely for the bass player playing them), but IMHO they alone do NOT make a great bassist. They might make a great lead guitarist, but the bass is so much more than that. We give the music its drive, its foundation and we get people not only hearing the music, but feeling it.

In a lot of ways, a bass is more like a drum set that can also play tone...at least that is my approach.

However, my ideas are certainly NOT the only approach and that is what is so awesome about music and art. What I dig, you may not and vice versa. And based on the original question, we should see a lot of cool answers here -- all of which will be right in their own way!

 

[GreggBummer]

the ability to form a bond with a drummer, and the whole band.
knowing your place, when to step out and when to step back and hold it down.
the ability to find the kick drum and ride it out when someone train wrecks a song.
understanding and applying the statement "less is more"

in my opinion it's rare to see a great bass player, you feel and hear them.
you'll know in the first 5 seconds you hear them whether they can play or not.

DUDE... you nailed this one! Amen.

 

[Gegatso]

Having an ear for everything else that is going on in the music.

Knowing when to play and when not to play; fitting in with the band just right.

Everything MadMark5 said.

 

[capnsandwich]

I'd say what makes a good bassist to me would be:

1. an understanding of the bassist's role

2. understanding of basic theory

3. practice, practice, and more practice

4. an ear to know when to play

5. an ear to know when NOT to play

6. open mind for learning different techniques and styles

7. passion for music, both listening to and the making of music

 

[BillyRay]

1 a)Making others sound good. That's the dividing line between good musicians and people who own gear.

That doesn't necessarily mean having tons of musical knowledge, being able to sight-read through fusion pieces four hours on end or knowing every turnaround man has ever imagined to play on a I-IV-V.

 

[Bubba Love]

"What makes a good bass player?" Easy, a good bass players parents.

 

[motleystew]

I believe the hallmarks of a good bassist is having solid timing, good taste (by this I mean less is more) the ability to listen to what is going on around you and adjusting, and the ability to sing either lead or backup. I went to Nashville and was told that the number of gigs you get can increase dramatically by being able to sing. Playing keyboards can't hurt either.

 

[JansenW]

Here's my list...
1. Playing in the groove (good timing)
2. Knowing what to play and what not to play (good sense of music)
3. Knowing how to play and how not to play (mastering techniques)
4. Having a good bass (having a reliable instrument and good maintenance skills)
5. Knowing the songs (having a good repertoire and being a quick learner)
6. Being prepared and prompt (having backup items ready and never being late)
7. One who makes the band better (a team-player)

 

[remigioremigio]

the ability to be the glue of the band.