I agree. Sometimes less is more. Open air is sometimes as important as filling it with needless notes.
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What makes a good bassist?
- Thread starter RedHatter
- Start date
Lets not forget the following :
1. Not only plays in time, but is on time! For gigs, rehearsals, etc.
2. Does not overplay for everyone, and does not play over everyone.
3. Prepared for success and failure.
4. Communication. Can't stress this enough, translates to all aspects of life.
5. Awareness.
6. Practice.
Personally, not being the best player in the world, I try to focus just as much on all these aspects as evenly as possible. Being a well rounded individual will make you a better bass player.
I'm willing to bet on the guy/gal that can show up to a gig every week, with a good attitude, a willingness to work with people, put in the homework, and LISTEN to everything and everyone, will ALWAYS get a call back.
Can't say that about the "Oh yea, I've heard that song, I can play it!". Continues to play the wrong notes, in both volume and frequency, with extravagant techniques.
Music is about listening. If you don't listen, neither will your audience.
1. Not only plays in time, but is on time! For gigs, rehearsals, etc.
2. Does not overplay for everyone, and does not play over everyone.
3. Prepared for success and failure.
4. Communication. Can't stress this enough, translates to all aspects of life.
5. Awareness.
6. Practice.
Personally, not being the best player in the world, I try to focus just as much on all these aspects as evenly as possible. Being a well rounded individual will make you a better bass player.
I'm willing to bet on the guy/gal that can show up to a gig every week, with a good attitude, a willingness to work with people, put in the homework, and LISTEN to everything and everyone, will ALWAYS get a call back.
Can't say that about the "Oh yea, I've heard that song, I can play it!". Continues to play the wrong notes, in both volume and frequency, with extravagant techniques.
Music is about listening. If you don't listen, neither will your audience.
In time, in tune, in the pocket. Outside of that its whatever the music/band calls for.
If it calls for straight pocket playing root notes only - that that, if you need over the top effects face melting runs - than that.
I used to say versatility which absolutely still factors in but at the end of the day whatever makes the band sound better is a good bass player in my mind.
If it calls for straight pocket playing root notes only - that that, if you need over the top effects face melting runs - than that.
I used to say versatility which absolutely still factors in but at the end of the day whatever makes the band sound better is a good bass player in my mind.
good sound
versatility
originality
and, none of that matters if you're not locked into a deep pocket.
versatility
originality
and, none of that matters if you're not locked into a deep pocket.
Tone and a good drummer!
Seriously, having a killer tone can be appreciated by all, that includes non-musicians. Having a talented drummer can have residual grooviness that makes you look and sound even better. Almost a quasi-illusion of talent!
Seriously, having a killer tone can be appreciated by all, that includes non-musicians. Having a talented drummer can have residual grooviness that makes you look and sound even better. Almost a quasi-illusion of talent!
Plays good music. If your guitarists doesn't know then it's his problem. I'm sorry but I'm real cagey about this stuff. Hate pecking orders.
Humility. Stay out of the way of the song.
- Jan 12, 2011
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- Artist, Trickfish Amplification Bartolini Emerging Artist, MTD Kingston Emerging Artist. Artist, Tsunami Cables
That's a pretty short and sweet way of putting it. Not bad.
Of course, a minimum is simply showing up and being ready to play. Apparently the guys I'm playing with went through several bass players before me and none of those bassists would reliably and regularly show up having done any homework and be ready to play, so I've been thanked profusely for doing that much. They've actually also commented multiple time on my vocals and that I've been taking on an increasing part of the vocal load, both backing and especially lead vocals. That wasn't something they were explicitly looking for and they see it as a bonus they didn't expect when I started plaything with them. But is hasn't hit me until now that, since my audition, they really haven't said much about my about my bass playing. I wonder if I need to be concerned about that....
3 T's make a good bass player in my opinion.
Tone, Touch, and Taste.
Tone, Touch, and Taste.
Timing is required for any musician. That's an absolute given. Past that, it's mostly the ratio of ability to ego that matters.
Ability comes through a combination of talent and practice. If you're not talented, you're gonna need lots of practice. If you're talented, you'll need less, but if you do practice a lot, then you can be wicked good.
Lowering your ego (which improves the ability to ego ratio) means you'll do what's necessary to make the song sound and feel great, even when it means your part doesn't stick out, or get you attention from the folks of whatever sex you're interested in.
Ability comes through a combination of talent and practice. If you're not talented, you're gonna need lots of practice. If you're talented, you'll need less, but if you do practice a lot, then you can be wicked good.
Lowering your ego (which improves the ability to ego ratio) means you'll do what's necessary to make the song sound and feel great, even when it means your part doesn't stick out, or get you attention from the folks of whatever sex you're interested in.
Hard to say exactly because different situations call for different attributes. But, I know a good one when I hear them play.
