What Makes an Excellent Bassist?

[Philip McAdam]

This has been on my mind and so I have decided to ask TalkBass members for their thoughts and or opinions on what makes an excellent Bassist. Knowledge of the instrument, technique and musical theory are three things that may play a part but, what do you think makes an excellent bass player?

 

[AgostoMortal]

the ability to make everybody else in the band sound great and that includes having a good sound and solid time & groove.

 

[SgtHulka]

Pocket, time, serve the song.

 

[RattleSnack]

Playing "in the pocket", musical runs, something flashy here and there. And other stuf that applies to other musicians too: ready for gig, team player, easy to work with, adequate equipment for the job.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Same as above, finding the rhythmic center/groove and working it. Sometimes your on the beat, sometimes ahead and sometimes behind. You find it and exercise it.

 

[Vinny_G]

1. Time
2. Choice of notes
   
3. Sound

 

[SteveCS]

I think a certain level of assertiveness needs to come through. I don't mean playing loud, up front or in your face. Or going all in with gimmicky stage antics or "bass-face'. I mean playing in a way that instils confidence in the other musicians. That is to say a reliability around which the band can coalesce. It means having solid time; making note and dynamics choices that 'show the way'; having a tone that clearly conveys pitch; consistently articulating notes and rests to sustain the groove or pulse. Playing that way doesn't constrain creativity or eliminate opportunities for improvisation or switching things up, provided those principles remain in mind.

Just to be clear, and for the avoidance of all doubt, I think knowing (understanding) the music forwards, backwards and inside out, and having the honed techniques necessary to play it are givens, and are pre-requisites for the other stuff.

YMMV

 

[bolophonic]

Good riffs. Gotta be in the pocket, or nothing else matters.

 

[Smith357]

Knowing when not to play.

 

[Auspuff]

This has been on my mind and so I have decided to ask TalkBass members for their thoughts and or opinions on what makes an excellent Bassist. Knowledge of the instrument, technique and musical theory are three things that may play a part but, what do you think makes an excellent bass player?

Being the rock-solid foundation of every song. Nothing fancy, just solid, tight playing.

 

[Bunk McNulty]

What makes an excellent player? Someday I hope to be one! In the meantime, I play dance music, so my thing is attention to the details of rhythm: Placement and duration. When I know in my bones where the kick drum is going to land on the note, so we land on it together and sound like one instrument (I suppose "playing in the pocket" is another way of saying this...YMMV.) Similarly, duration involves making sure you can hear the space between each note. I find that shortening up duration gets the attention of others who are playing with you--even in open-mic situations. (So you know it must be powerful medicine.)

 

[Dragan]

Tort

 

[Jefenator]

Time, taste, ears, repitoire, tone, chops and not being an @-hole, in roughly that order.

 

[MattZilla]

Cell division.

 

[AboutSweetSue]

What makes an excellent bassist is someone who plays for the song.

An excellent bassist is also someone who mean mugs the drummer at least once every show and then later has a hand in firing them. Worthless rock beaters, the lot of 'em.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Making the band SOUND better and FUNCTION better by you being there.

And a P Bass with a Tort PG.

 

[fdeck]

Same as any other instrument... a love of music, interest in learning, attention to detail, regard for the domain knowledge in the genre that you're interested in, ensemble skill, and lots of practice.

Every instrument, every genre, has "groove." Solo fiddle can groove. A band in which only the bassist and drummer are in the pocket, is going to be a dull sounding band.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

I don't want to name names but I can't resist telling about James Jamerson. I don't want to say much, but look him up and listen to some of his stuffs.

 

[mrcbass]

Timing, good ear, fretboard knowledge, ability to pick up new songs quickly, ability to lock down a supportive groove and patience - lots of patience.

 

[BarfanyShart]

Lukewarm Water.