What makes a good bassist?

[colantalas]

I call it the four T's: tone, taste, timing and technique. Tone means having a generally pleasant sound on the simplest level, and on a more advanced level means having the right sound for the right situation. Taste as in knowing when to hang back and keep it simple, and when to do something that stands out. Timing is obvious-be able to hit a mark, but also be able to push and pull and generally lock in with the drummer. And technique doesn't necessarily mean crazy shredding, but be comfortable in your playing and know how to get the best possible sounds out of your instrument. Other than that, it's a matter of knowing your role in the band-understanding that you're part of the rhythm section, but you're also the bridge between the melodic and rhythmic aspects of the music. It's about your musical knowledge and skill, but also about your mindset. That to me is a great bassist.

 

[pappabass]

1. Play the correct note
2. Correct timing, beat/pattern
3. Not over play, pop/slap etc. Remember, bass players are not lead guitar players

 

[matante]

I would expand the question back with 'what makes a good musician?' Because goodness with any instrument depends on the music and it's context, but there are common factors that transcend the instrument. Ability to communicate with and involve the audience being one. As bassists we use pulse, time and pitches that are as much felt as heard to connect the music with fundamentals of human emotion. In any genre, these things do not change (IMHO).

I just read all of this thread but this post, which is the third one, said all that was needed.

 

[Jloch86]

Ask a drummer.

 

[DrayMiles]

Maturity, selflessness, strong personality, skill, and a sense of humor regarding the absurd...

 

[Plutonium244]

Also, "smells nice."

 

[fdeck]

If you have to ask, you don't deserve one.

 

[Blueinred]

A great bassist is one that makes all the bass players, guitarists, and drummers in the audience do this:

A good bassist gets the guitarist's girlfriend feeling frisky with his playing.

 

[tattooSAM]

Having a tort pick guard on their bass?

Winner, winner - chicken dinner.

 

[fourstringgirl]

A useful bass player has timing. A good bass player brings the funk.

Well, I'm screwed. I can't play funk....

 

[Peter Fezza]

Love this discussion. The way the bass player makes me feel. Thats why i love it.

 

[Neon Blues]

There's a lot of factors for different styles and genres. For me, being a good bassist is adaptability. Being able to quickly adapt to changes to the song, changing a cover to a different key with ease and keeping the bass line exciting without losing the rhythm and groove of the song.

So basically, being a good bassist is being Tommy Shannon.

 

[R&B]

It finally came to me: A good bass player makes the booties shake. /thread

 

[rtslinger]

You should put some strings on your bass

I know isn't that the craziest thing the mirror pick guard causes the strings to vanish.

 

[A.K.]

Am I the only one who noticed that 90% of the responses here basically describe Michael Anthony?