What makes a well rounded, good bass player?

[MrLenny1]

For many years I listened to the studio guys.
What makes them sound so good is they play the song.
Just as stated here, play to the tune.

 

[cchorney]

Know the standards of your genre (or have good cheat sheets).
Be able to lock in with the drummer, thus providing the rhythm that the melody will ride on.
Be able to groove.
Know enough theory so that if all you get is the key of the song, you can figure out the rest on the fly.
Train your ear well enough so you can figure out the chords by ear.
Train your eyes well enough so you can read the keyboard players AND guitar players hands.
Train yourself well enough so that your hands/back/neck will have the endurance to play a standard gig plus a little extra.
Train yourself well enough that you can avoid playing any sour notes, or at least hide them well.
Learn to listen and follow.
Learn to play with dynamics.

 

[fingerbun]

Slap. Nothing else matters.

I find that when I slap the bass, the rest of the band often slaps me. It brings us together.

 

[DrayMiles]

I agree with you, but I had to ignore that thought to play one gig with Chuck Berry. I swallowed my reservations for him and to play with Bo Diddley. I.e. no pay...

 

[CaribooBass]

Wow! Too all you folks that replied to my question......thanks.
I will do my best to answer what was asked of me.
My goal in playing bass is to be the best bass player I can be, within my favorite genres of music, Praise and Motown.
My influences are, and is Motown. Jamie Jamerson, Bob Babbitt (God bless both of them) and Carole Kaye. They all played the "Song", and supported it by being percussive or melodic, tossed in a little harmony and framed the song with the dynamics of genius to make it all go together.
This is what a bass player is to me.

Playing in big bands before on other instruments, has provided a strong theory background, enough to know what I have to work on for being a well rounded bass player. I still read bass clef, like a treble clef some times. Drives me nuts when I do that. LOL

Praise music is very simple for a bass player, " Play it simple and just fill the bottom in". To me that is why Church music really is 20 years behind as mentioned here in this forum. Do not get me wrong! I very much enjoy playing in Church and will do it as long as I am able. I just am going to play it to the best of my abilities as I improve with the guide lines of the ones God previously gifted us with.
Got to Go..............Cheeseburger awaits!

Thanks

 

[allexcosta]

The closest the bass player is to AJ.

 

[elgranluis]

Same thing that takes to be a good lover, or a good friend. Listen to the other person.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Know the cliché line of different style of music.

Pick stuff quickly

this is if you want to be an hiregun

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

For me, the basic function of the bass is to make the music flow logically, regardless of what music you are playing. As for what a bassist does, simply put, it's about musical reconciliation. Let your ensemble, as well as the music guide your part, plenty of space in those constraints to find "your art".

 

[Flamingo21]

Bass drives the bus but it needs to stay on the road.

This gave me the biggest smile.

 

[toprekoms]

You are born to play.

 

[Flamingo21]

CaribooBass, you still seem not to have made your point.

"Play it simple and just fill the bottom in". To me that is why Church music really is 20 years behind as mentioned here in this forum.

What do you mean by this? In what way is church music behind?

My opinion on this seems to not be what others expect.

What do others expect, then?

 

[Flamingo21]

I'm guessing you want to support the P&W songs by "being percussive or melodic, toss in a little harmony and frame the song with the dynamics of genius". (Your words.)

And I'm guessing your bandmates don't agree with all that, because they want you to keep it simple.

Am I right?

 

[fingerbun]

A lot of it sounds like what was on the radio twenty years earlier. I'm guessing that it reflects the age of those making the musical decisions, and their teenage years.

 

[Badwater]

Ability to adapt and play music. And, have a wide range of music styles and has played a variety of songs, covers, and originals.

 

[Russell L]

First and foremost, one who abides by the axiom that on time is late, early is on time.

 

[Groove Master]

Versatility

 

[BaileyMan]

Beer? It keeps me well rounded...