Bass playing questions..

[BloodRose]

What makes a good bass player? As Ive gotten more into bass, Ive been paying more attention and it seems like some of the stuff I see guys playing is pretty simple... Of course, the bassists I really like are WAY over my head.. (Steve Harris etc)

Also, how do you separate being a guitarist from it?? Im trying to figure out how to lay back in the pocket, but I always wanna noodle...

Any other tips??

 

[ginormous]

Re: Bass playing questions..

For me, it's about some bass-ic (yeah, I had to do it... ) things:

Support the root note of the chord, or the foundation of the harmonies involved. These are not always the same thing.
Sometimes, an ambitious arrangement will involve bass notes that sound "wrong", but they resolve as the harmonies move toward a verse or chorus. There may be a tug-of-war between the bassist and the rest of the group, but standing your ground will give the song the dramatic impact it needs.

Keep the rhythm going.

Much of the time, bass parts are quite simple. The Larry Graham part for Sly & the Family Stone's "Everyday People" has only one note, but that note, pumping like a heart beat, moves everything else in the song.

Sometimes, give the band some "heads-up" passing notes to let them know what changes are coming up.

Unless the song calls for it, noodling = fail.

 

[Ninja Monkey]

Re: Bass playing questions..

Keep it simple, follow the kick drum when in doubt, leave space where it's needed, feel the music going on, groove with it, all that good stuff.
As Ginormous touched on, keep the beat going. You are the glue. You keep things together, and you're half of the feel of the music.
Most of the time, you just need to groove with it and hold the low-end. Root, 5th, octave, listen to the drummer, have fun. Keep fills and crazy stuff to a minimum, unless you know it's what the music calls for.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Bass playing questions..

noodling is key, you'll memorize patterns off scales from the root note, and find which patterns work best depending on on how much time the "fill" is. also you should be in lock step with the bass drum, like in heavy metalz.

 

[IanBallard]

Re: Bass playing questions..

The bass should fill the gap between the guitarist and drummer. I play drums, bass and guitar so I understand the intimate balance of all of them.

A GOOD bass player has solid time, knows the chord progressions and knows the tasty fills when it's needed.

As a drummer, I like a bassist who is solid but not afraid of filling in gaps and plays dynamically. I prefer guys who use their fingers. I like that smooth and warm tone.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Bass playing questions..

To my way of thinking, guitar and bass connect to different parts of the body. In band music, bass is the element to which one shakes one's booty - even if the music happens to be hard Rock.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Bass playing questions..

A prime example of what Ginormous was saying about bass and guitar going in two different directions is Rock You Like A Hurricane. The guitar progression starts with E5 (7th fret 5th string), while the bass note is low/open E. After that, they meet at the G and ascend, then the bass goes back to the low/open E for the next pass.

For a study in rock-solid bass, check out Ian Hill of Judas Priest. You've Got Another Thing Comin' has a bass line that will really help you focus on timing, because after playing the guitar parts for years, you realize you can't jump around on the bass because it's locked in a pocket.
It's just alternate-picking straight 8th notes but it makes the song, and will give you a real workout if you're not used to holding a steady, near-mechanical rhythm.

If you use a pick, be sure you strike the strings flat, not angled, or you'll hear an endless annoying barrage of "shicks". And complaints.



As for what "makes" a good bass player - the same thing that makes a good anything-player - knowing what and when to play, and knowing what not and when not to play.


And cool hair.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Bass playing questions..

Here's a great example.

In this clip, the bassist is keeping it simple. Just the root notes of the chords, on the first beat of each bar.


In this one, the bassist is playing a quick part, then ducking out of the way. Toward the end, he gets a chance to "walk around".


BION, these are played by the same guy, Tim Drummond. He knows what play, when to play it, and perhaps most importantly when to keep quiet.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Bass playing questions..

Thanks alot ya'll!! Dr Newenstien, Ill have to work on the cool hair.. At least I still I have some