Would you rather be complimented on your Rhythm or Your Chops?

[Flatwoundround]

I know this question is oversimplified as I know alot of you will say you have to have good rhythm to have good chops. But accepting this oversimplification which compliment would you like to get more?

I used to spend a lot of time practicing fills and even solos (and tapping) but lately I have not had any desire to work on those things at all. All I play now are basslines without fills and all my focus is on the drive of the rhythm. So 6 months ago I would have rather have gotten the "great chops" compliment but now I would much rather get the "man that bass player has a good solid groove" compliment. In addition the blues band I am in the drummer is not very strong, and the guitar player and harmonica play great melodic lines so what serves the band best is not me doing fancy fills (which temporarily leaves the drummer to hold down the fort, not the best scenario) but rather driving a strong forceful rhythm.

 

[Tom Jackson]

If I had to choose, it'd be rhythm. I'd rather be known as the guy who can hold it down expertly no matter how complex the rhythm, than the guy who can speed up and down the neck but can't keep a straight beat. I'm not a guitarist after all. Granted however I do enjoy the flashy stuff!

 

[two fingers]

Yes

 

[FretNoMore]

I'll take any compliment.

Kidding aside, speed is nothing without control, as is chops without rhythm. Groove before chops.

 

[Edcs2]

Rhythm is essential to developing good chops.

 

[MalcolmAmos]

Rhythm.

 

[BAG]

If you don'y have rhythm you have no place playing bass in a band setting. A good rhythmic bass player (or guitarist for that matter) will make for a much better band than someone who can do the musical masturbation shredding up and down the neck without feel.

 

[MrLenny1]

Chops.
I have decent rhythm but no chops.

 

[BassChuck]

How can you have good chops without good rhythm? I mean, who would know?

 

[One Drop]

What they said.

I'd rather hear a bassist play roots on time with groove all night over 5 minutes of a chopfest that kills the groove or doesn't serve the rhythm of the song.

 

[RustyAxe]

I know this question is oversimplified as I know alot of you will say you have to have good rhythm to have good chops.

It's not oversimplified, just invalid. You CAN'T separate the two. One must have chops and rhythm to be a good bassist.

 

[twinjet]

If I had to choose, it'd be rhythm. I'd rather be known as the guy who can hold it down expertly no matter how complex the rhythm, than the guy who can speed up and down the neck but can't keep a straight beat. I'm not a guitarist after all. Granted however I do enjoy the flashy stuff!

Amen!

 

[Sixgunn]

Without rhythm, chops are worthless.

 

[jchrisk1]

It's been said that a dozen hot chicks can walk by and I won't miss a beat. I stay right in the groove. I think that's a compliment since I'm hetero.

 

[heynorm]

Recently one of the best compliments I've gotten is: "You're quite the meat & potatoes player!" So, yeah, I learned many years ago to lock in with the drummer and keep the groove.

 

[ole Jason]

There is no such thing as having chops but not having rhythm. So many people on here seem to assume if you have chops you can't play a "groove" or a simple root note line. Nothing could be further from the truth and I think a lot of guys adopt that mentality to cover up insecurities about their playing ability.

 

[petrus61]

Rhythm all day long. Assuming I'm playing the right notes and not hovering over the root the entire time, chops are always secondary to me. I like to think of my role with the bass as a melodic extension of the drums. Of course context is everything, so that's only what applies to my current situation. It doesn't mean there isn't room for flashy playing in music, but it's not the role I fill right now as a bass player.

 

[derg]

To me good chops aren't possible without good rhythm.

 

[petrus61]

It's not oversimplified, just invalid. You CAN'T separate the two. One must have chops and rhythm to be a good bassist.

Depends on ones definition of "good". Ever hear the one about the amazing guitarist that could two-hand tap a million notes per second but couldn't play a 12 bar blues? He probably thought be was pretty good up until open mic night. Same applies for bassists...maybe more so. Is there a general consensus that a well rounded player will have chops to back up his timing, or vice versa? To me, chops means flashy techniques that are supplemental, not fundamental, to playing the instrument.

 

[michael_t]

As a bassist, I don't really care about how I might be complimented for my bass playing. (I didn't choose to be a bassist to be the center of attention.)

I would rather that people talk about how good the whole band sounded because that's when I know I've done my job.