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What makes a good bassist ?
- Thread starter dideah
- Start date
It's all about the groove! So *I* would say it's a player's feel and sense of rythm (gotta be able to count ya know). All the notes and flash in the world means nothing IF ya ain't got that groove 
I'd say, at least in a band setting, one of the most important things is having the ability to really go crazy with a riff, but knowing when it's not appropriate to do so.
Unless you are a solo artist, then I'd it's all about creativity and pushing the envelope.
Unless you are a solo artist, then I'd it's all about creativity and pushing the envelope.
It's all about the groove! So *I* would say it's a player's feel and sense of rhythm (gotta be able to count ya know). All the notes and flash in the world means nothing IF ya ain't got that groove
Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner!!!
my parents!
sorry, couldn't resist. groove of course. also a belief that the sum can and should be greater than the parts
sorry, couldn't resist. groove of course. also a belief that the sum can and should be greater than the parts
To me, a really good bassist has the ability to "disappear" into a wide variety of styles and get the job done. It's not about "cutting through the mix" or drawing undo attention to what you're doing - it's about making music come to life...live or in the studio.
Of the names you mentioned, I'd say what makes them great is their ability to not only do the job properly, but also to inject enough of their own personality and style into the proceedings that becomes an identifiable voice.
Of the names you mentioned, I'd say what makes them great is their ability to not only do the job properly, but also to inject enough of their own personality and style into the proceedings that becomes an identifiable voice.
I agree with the others that say the most important thing to have is a good groove. Audiences will notice when you don't have a good groove, but most probably won't notice poor note choices.
As to the greats, I think what separates the good from the great is the refusal to be boxed into the traditional role of a bass player. There are generally two camps (with extremes in both) - the "root, fifth, support role" bass players and the "I won't be dictated to" bass players. There is a lot of middle ground but the great players expand the role of the bass player.
I don't think the better question is, what makes a good musician? I don't think the answer would be any different regardless of the instrument you play. You have to have a good groove and you have to know when to play and when to hold back.
As to the greats, I think what separates the good from the great is the refusal to be boxed into the traditional role of a bass player. There are generally two camps (with extremes in both) - the "root, fifth, support role" bass players and the "I won't be dictated to" bass players. There is a lot of middle ground but the great players expand the role of the bass player.
I don't think the better question is, what makes a good musician? I don't think the answer would be any different regardless of the instrument you play. You have to have a good groove and you have to know when to play and when to hold back.
nysbob said:
+1
Yesterday I was listening to a CD of a local artist (Italy) from the late '80s. The bassist was Alphonso Johnson!! And guess what? He took just one no-show-off solo and stayed in the background for the rest of the CD. But what a classy bass lines he laid down!
Good bassist:
1. Always Smile
2. Play for the song/music.
3. Groove as hard as possible.
What separates the greats from us mere mortals is mostly their extreme level of commitment, imho.
1. Always Smile
2. Play for the song/music.
3. Groove as hard as possible.
What separates the greats from us mere mortals is mostly their extreme level of commitment, imho.
It's all about the groove! So *I* would say it's a player's feel and sense of rythm (gotta be able to count ya know). All the notes and flash in the world means nothing IF ya ain't got that groove
As an extension on this thought I would add that many bassists try to overplay. Just this past weekend I heard a band play "Evil Ways" by Santana. The bass player was all over the fretboard, and to my ears it was a real distraction and ruined the song. IMHO, more times than not, less is more.
A bass player has a role. It is an inherent role- inherent in the NATURE of his instrument- the lowest notes in the band. He plays the lowest pitches. This naturally leads to playing the roots of the chords; the fifth, passing tones etc, are all subservient to playing roots of the chords.
A bass player gradually learns to master playing roots of chords in the most interesting, grooving, creative way. His role is subservient to the soloists. He is not a soloist like a guitar is.
Consider this. The roots of the chords are VERY VERY repetitious. The melodies played above ( above, in volume or certainly, at the very least, above in pitch ) the bass players roots, are FAR fAR FAR more varied. Is that clear?
There is a perverse tendency in todays society for EQUALITY. Equality in many applications of that word, is a lie, if there ever was one.
There is NOT equality between a solo instrument and the rhythm section.
So get equality and "fairness" OUT of your mind. Playing bass is for people who like to support others. Think of offensive quauterback and defensive safety, for a good analogy.
You have to LOVE to hit people if you are standing around all day waiting for the ball carrier to run near by you.
Running the ball, vs catching and stopping the ball carrier are NOT the same role... NOT equal... and in an idiots mind, not FAIR lol .
Ditto for soloists who carry the melody vs bass players who essentially play the same old roots night after night.. you really have to LOVE IT.
Remember roots are very very very very repetitious and melodies and variations on a melody are endlessly varied. Clear? If that makes you in any way uncomfortable, don't play bass, play guitar or clarinet lol.
EDIT re Santana and Latin flavor bass. Listen to Latin bass lines... talk about repetition. Listen to Oye O coma va ( wronmg spelling ) that is a great, but super simple bass line. You have to master that simple line. It takes years to get more and more into those four or so notes. THAT is bass playing!
A bass player gradually learns to master playing roots of chords in the most interesting, grooving, creative way. His role is subservient to the soloists. He is not a soloist like a guitar is.
Consider this. The roots of the chords are VERY VERY repetitious. The melodies played above ( above, in volume or certainly, at the very least, above in pitch ) the bass players roots, are FAR fAR FAR more varied. Is that clear?
There is a perverse tendency in todays society for EQUALITY. Equality in many applications of that word, is a lie, if there ever was one.
There is NOT equality between a solo instrument and the rhythm section.
So get equality and "fairness" OUT of your mind. Playing bass is for people who like to support others. Think of offensive quauterback and defensive safety, for a good analogy.
You have to LOVE to hit people if you are standing around all day waiting for the ball carrier to run near by you.
Running the ball, vs catching and stopping the ball carrier are NOT the same role... NOT equal... and in an idiots mind, not FAIR lol .
Ditto for soloists who carry the melody vs bass players who essentially play the same old roots night after night.. you really have to LOVE IT.
Remember roots are very very very very repetitious and melodies and variations on a melody are endlessly varied. Clear? If that makes you in any way uncomfortable, don't play bass, play guitar or clarinet lol.
EDIT re Santana and Latin flavor bass. Listen to Latin bass lines... talk about repetition. Listen to Oye O coma va ( wronmg spelling ) that is a great, but super simple bass line. You have to master that simple line. It takes years to get more and more into those four or so notes. THAT is bass playing!
I can't fully agree with you here. Although I am the supportive type of bass player that you describe here (I love playing repetitious-groove oriented songs), I can't say that is the only way to play bass. That is just too limiting.
However, in a band situation, you have to play what is right for the song. In most pop/rock/R&B songs, I find the majority of the bass lines are repetitive, and are there to support the vocals and/or soloist. Some are more complicated than others, but the best ones fit the song. Not like a previous poster's story of someone performing fretboard gymnastics over "Evil Ways".
