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What makes a good bassist?

#61
socialleper said:
For me:
1. Does more than the minimum. They drive the song or provide a layer that would make the song less interesting if it wasn't there.
2. Has a tone I can actually hear. I suspect that bassist with boring, buried tones are hiding mediocre abilities or unimaginative playing.
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Exactly this. Now if I could only do this myself. Seems simple enough. While I mostly agree with folks that say "serve the song", I find myself usually at least trying to do number 1 above. I feel like if I can't make the song at least a little better or more interesting , why am I there? If I'm just gonna play root quarter notes , maybe just let the keyboard player handle it. Of course there's a fine line between making the part interesting and overplaying.
 
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#62
A good bass player is like a good bass line, musically and philosophically:

Shows up and acts at the right time
Provides a stable base for others
Is subdued or flamboyant in response to the current context
Is emotionally sincere
Strives to listen and respond well to the changes
Keeps the groove going in spite of inevitable flaws
Supports other voices, propels them forward, helps them shine

In music and life, this is my goal.
 
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#63
P-oddz said:
3 T's make a good bass player in my opinion.
Tone, Touch, and Taste.
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I always add a 4th "T": Timing. Tone, touch, taste, and timing. I read it on Talkbass a while ago so it must be true.

I will add some funk, groove, swing, bounce, or otherwise appropriate feel and attitude will always be welcomed. There's a Miles Davis quotation about his:
Anybody can play. The note is only 20 percent. The attitude of the motherf**ker who plays it is 80 percent.
 
#65
My $.02:
A good bassist is on time and in time.
A good bassist listens.
A good bassist makes the rest of the band sound better.
A good bassist knows the material.
A good bassist knows their limitations and lets their band mates know what those are.
A good bassist constantly communicates musically with his drummer when playing.
A good bassist changes his/her tone if the song demands it.
A good bassist knows when not to play.
A really good bassist knows counterpoint.
 
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#72
An underrated part of being a "good bassist" -- at least judging by the comments on TB and among bass players-- is being TECHNICALLY PROFICIENT ON YOUR INSTRUMENT. Sure, having "groove" and "not overplaying" etc. etc are important-- but very often, I think, these are things people say as an excuse for not really being that proficient with notes and scales and theory and meters. "I can play the hell out out root notes!" What makes a good bassist is, by and large, what makes a good musician in general (as some have mentioned)... and I don't think we'd often say of a keyboard player "sure he/she doesn't really know his modes and scales very well, but he/she can play a dominant seventh cord and can hold it unobtrusively in the background". Don't be satisfied with just not causing any train wrecks and playing in time.

Sorry-- I don't mean to go all Jeff Berlin on everyone, but a does of reality can be a good thing. Even after 35 years I have plenty to learn, but I am not content to say "I play in time". Of course I do-- you're hardly a musician if you can't. That makes you minimally acceptable, not "a good bassist".

[/rant]
 
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#73
..
Bass Players Know The Feeling - The Meta Picture.jpg
 
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#76
RedHatter said:
Title says it all. Was talking to some friends that I play with last night and this question came up from a guitar player. When he first asked I started to giggle a little bit, but then I actually thought about it and couldn't really come up with an answer - it's just something that I've never thought about. So.. what makes a "good" bass player?

Timing? Ability to lock with the drummer? Having a tort pick guard on their bass?
Click to expand...

Someone who absolutely loves playing bass, has a modicum of talent, or more, and is reasonably good about doing their homework.
 
#78
Kun2112 said:
My $.02:
A good bassist is on time and in time.
A good bassist listens.
A good bassist makes the rest of the band sound better.
A good bassist knows the material.
A good bassist knows their limitations and lets their band mates know what those are.
A good bassist constantly communicates musically with his drummer when playing.
A good bassist changes his/her tone if the song demands it.
A good bassist knows when not to play.
A really good bassist knows counterpoint.
Click to expand...

This. And don't forget, in tune and cooperative attitude.

Plus, a TB-required Fender Precision bass with flats and tort guard. (A Fender Jazz Bass *may* be an acceptable substitute at times.) JK, though that is indeed how I tend to roll. :D

Well said! :thumbsup:
 
#80
Mostly, it's not about how you play or the notes you choose----- you have to look the part.

I went to a 6th grade dance--- there was a live band--- that shows you how long ago it was. The bass player had wrap around, mirror sunglasses.
The band was playing--"We gotta get out of this place". When the bass line kicked in, it sounded great and got everyone's attention----- but the image the bass player created with the sunglasses still sticks in my mind. Less than a year later I took my 1st bass lesson.

45 years later, I'm still searching for the perfect sunglasses.
 
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