What makes a well rounded, good bass player?

[Jehos]

1. Rock-solid timing.
2. Fluency with your instrument.
3. A B-string.

 

[DrayMiles]

Funny...

Folks are focused on technique, and rightly so, but I don't think that matters if you don't have the other non tangibles in place. But that's just my opinion. After all, I meet jerks all the time. I just don't want to make music with them... unless your playing is so profoundly moving that it's worth the pain of your personality.

 

[DrayMiles]

Slap. Nothing else matters.

I agree! And let's do away with speakers. Let's just have tweeters and high pass filters in cabs to get the best slap tone.

 

[Morse_77]

...be proactive not reactive.

That goes for your health, but bass playing too.

...can listen to other musicians.

Listening can never be overstated.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Not playing above the 5th fret.

 

[Altitude]

Not playing above the 5th fret.

Except on Sir Duke.

 

[nilorius]

Listening is absolutely the main thing, listening the right partner, the right way and time. Listening to yourself.

 

[mambo4]

I meet jerks all the time. I just don't want to make music with them... unless your playing is so profoundly moving that it's worth the pain of your personality.

At my age, no amount of virtuosity excuses being hard to work with.
Once you have achieved a degree of competence, playing well with others becomes the litmus test.

 

[Ric5]

What makes a well rounded, good bass player?

Lots of large meals

 

[baileyboy]

... Save every piece of music in a 3 ring binder. After four years, I have a 3" binder stuffed with every song I have played and the key it was in. Put together a playlist on your computer of the songs you play. Listen to them during the week and play along with them...

This is pretty much what I do. Every song I've ever learned are in separate plastic sheets in 3-ringed binders. If I ever need to re-learn a particular song again, there it is all written out. Then all I have to do is add it to the current set list and start practicing it. The songs my band gigs are also each written out, and put alphabetically in plastic sheets in a 3 ringed binder. They are practiced in alphabetical order, 5-10 songs a day in rotation. I use youtube videos to play along to. Works for me.

 

[Slevage]

I know a lot of bassist that are quite round, I believe it's cheeseburgers, beer and lack of exercise that got them well rounded.

And since round is a shape, they are also in shape.

 

[tjh]

It would be much easier if you'd tell us what your position on the matter is. You're probably mostly right, you know.

… OP has not signed back on since making the inquiry … and yes, since he feels his understanding of the instruments role is different than what is expected, it would be nice to hear the expectations in his situation … a lot of folk have a very different view of the bass players role, and that may need to be clarified in his case to fill the need properly …

JMHO, as always ….

 

[QweziRider]

Play with as many people as you can in as many genres as you can and a whole lot of open ears. Listen.

 

[PauFerro]

1. Musically -- can play a variety of styles with good time and quality.
2. Learning -- learns songs quickly; has a vast repertoire on which to draw.
3. Interpersonal -- does what the job requires, no drama, fun to play with, or at least, a team player no matter the composition of the team.

 

[nilorius]

1. Musically -- can play a variety of styles with good time and quality.
2. Learning -- learns songs quickly; has a vast repertoire on which to draw.
3. Interpersonal -- does what the job requires, no drama, fun to play with, or at least, a team player no matter the composition of the team.

Sounds like a Terminator. Of course without all of these - you are 0, but do not forget about the emotion - the listening, hearing the partners, because you don't play alone - they are all around you with the same thing in their head!!!

 

[ProgressiveDoom]

A steady diet of fatty foods, beer and low metabolism. That should round out any bass player, Im currently over a quarter way there.

 

[cosmicevan]

Being a well rounded player is different than a being a good player.

To me, a well rounded player is open minded and can fit well in a variety of styles of music and is willing to play music that they may or may not love.

To me, a good player has the technical abilities to execute on their instrument what's in their head and do so consistently.

Being a good fit for your band or your musical situation is a totally different story that often has more to do with personalities and goals.

 

[chazolson]

I'm surprised no one has said this yet:

Become the best musician you can be. Listen to horn players, guitarists, pianists, drummers, everybody. Expand your horizons - if you're a jazzer, play with a bluegrass band for a couple months. Learn one of the Bach cello suites (not all of them, that would take years). And ignore Jeff Berlin and turn on your danged metronome when you practice. You do practice, right?

 

[Blaze Barlow]

Well since that last time that I posted I have been able to play in, one of our Churches Worship teams. A real blessing as well as an eye opener.
The main question I have at this time is, What does a bass player do?
My opinion on this seems to not be what others expect.

I would like to hear what others have to say on this, who have more experience playing bass than I do. My idea of a good bass player, seems to be out of the norm.
Thanks.


P.S I have been away for a long time taking care of Ailing Parents, thanks for not letting my membership go. One thing left to say; do not take your own health for granted, be proactive not reactive.

the answer can be a 100 different things..life is full of external events and situations..and is filled with opinionated people..it doesnt matter how other people describe life......for your life..your perception is the one that matters..musicians at different levels in the industry will approach things differently..and there will always be many forks in the road..........and as they say..if you havent walked in my shoes..you dont know where I've been..

 

[jamro217]

Hope your parents are well. You did not state what your idea of a well rounded bassist is, so there may be many people here who are confirming your opinion. I think a well rounded bassist is one who is as professional as possible in all areas. Punctual, never late with lame excuses. Neat, never looks like he just crawled out of a dumpster. Pleasant, no drama, issues, antagonism, leave it at home. Versatile, able to play a variety of styles convincingly with the proper tone and feeling. Some musicians have an impressive repertoire, but sound forced or mechanical. Better to be musically fluid and narrow the focus of the genres. Playing the notes cleanly and in time. Gear is important to the extent that it match what you're trying to do. A P+W bassist with a gothic skull and crossbones motif wouldn't go over so well. All of this matters, but the REAL crucial ingredient is TORT. And lots of it. That's why P basses are more plentiful than T-Birds or Rics. Lots of tort.