Working in a Band with 2 Bassists

[TC2112]

It has been done with some pretty stellar results right here

 

[Ross Kratter]

I was just looking at some of my pieces, and was looking at some our school Jazz Band music, and was thinking about our unorthodox setup. We have 3 saxes, 3 trumpets, and 5 low brass (Trombones and euphoniums). But here's the kicker.

It's the second year in a row we've been functioning with 2 bassists. Last year, myself and an old friend of mine played bass (1 upright + 1 electric), and we typically played the same part. This year, my friend plays guitar, and another girl from our school plays bass. I've taking a more permanent position on upright, and realized that this year I've been thinking very differently when it comes to my parts. I'l often play a much simpler form of it, usually in a different octave.

Now, I've found it to be a fun experience, but was wondering who else has been in a band with 2 bassists? Usually the only time I have trouble with it is playing a swing chart with a written walking line, in which case I'll probably just play the root. I know it's very unusual, but just wanted to see how unusual.

Don't ever play on the same tune-alternate every other tune. Two different bass players in a big band playing different lines can only lead to chaos...

 

[Beginner Bass]

Well it's actually been working pretty well. Everybody sticks to a written chart (It's a middle school group), except the rhythym section, who might add an odd fill. The other bassist plays the written part essentially note-for-note (When she can), the guitarist will play the chords in barre voicings, and I'll work between the two. You can get denser chords. If it's a part that I feel would just get muddy, then I'll sit it out.

 

[Buxtehude]

I haven't been in band with two bassists but I have a good friend who also plays bass and sometimes when we hang out we'll jam a bit together. We also toss around the idea of starting a band with two basses taking turns on grooving and leading. Not really a serious thought as of now.

We were noodleing around for about 20 min one day and I liked where things were heading so threw on the voice recorder on my phone...I uploaded the clip if you were interested in what dual basses could potentially sound like:



It is by no means anything near a decent recording and it was done on a whim, and mostly to serve my memory in case I wanted to add to it later. So please excuse the chit chat

Overall I'd say two basses is definitely doable. I don't really know any mainstream examples offhand. Like others have been saying, it will just take a bit of arrangement to make sure its understood which bassist is providing which portion of the tune.

Stanley Marcus and Victor on the SMV album is a mainstream example that comes to mind albeit with 3 basses at once.

 

[JimmyM]

i'm a jealous girlfriend. there is only room for one bass player in my bands.

 

[eyeballkid]

"My baby fits me like a flesh tuxedo"!!!! LMAO!!!

It has been done with some pretty stellar results right here

 

[Elavro]

In the jazz ensemble i'm playing we also have 2 bassist

when we're playing the theme we either both play the bass part if there is a written bassline, or 1 of us plays the melody and the other one a bassline

when it's time for the solo's, only 1 of us is playing and we switch whenever a solo ends