What do YOU think?

[Indianerdaniel]

So.... These days I've seen A LOT of video clips on the internet of bassplayers showin' their stuff. Now I've seen good and bad, and here's my question:

What do you think is the most important thing (of course I don't expect you to pick JUST one) for a bassplayer?

Personally I'm a groove guy... Rythm is the KEY to my playing. I tend to do a lot of dead notes, and percussive stuff. Just groovin' 8)

Well how do you guys play? and if you have vids post it. Always fun to "steal" from other bassplayers.

 

[Kris]

Being able to lock in with the drummer and the harmony. But I'd say it depends on the band/group you're with. If it's jazz I play very freely, when it's with the orchestra I play it like it's written.

 

[ThirdthumB]

Being groovy is most important to me. In that sense, I don't care that much for technique, skill, or whether you play all the notes. Good bass playing to me starts when you can just play the root note porperly with feel; you have to be "one" with the music.
I posted a link yesterday:

[video=youtube;yQa3nfhwusc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQa3nfhwusc[/video]

This guy doesn't do complicated stuff, but he is really getting the soul of the song in my opinion.............Of course, his bass playing can be a lot better, but at least he masters the foundation of good bass playing in my opinion.

 

[Thumbfreak]

Playing only one note in time is much better than playing 200 notes when only half of them are in time.
Listen to the first track of Jef Lee Johnsons' News from the Jungle (Sonny Thompson on bass), a huge groove with only one note !
The most important and the first thing to learn is the rythm, especially for a bass player. Rythm is the groove.
The sound comes just after.

 

[uaudio]

i watched a Victor Wooten instructional video where he says that Larry Graham (Sly & the Family Stone/Graham Central Station) was a big influence because he would lay out on just one note and was 'the master of making that one note say everything he needed to say.'

its just getting that groove going in my opinion. i'd love to be known as a master of simplicity.

 

[Grgzilla]

I knew someone would mention Larry Graham,I've been rippin him off for years.

 

[Charmand G]

As said earlier; to lock onto the drummer where it counts, BUT also make a little twist and turns when the song gives you headroom for it.

It`s okay with meatballs and potatoes, but a little spice doesn`t hurt. :wink:

 

[LX]

i think it's all about the groove...let the groove decide what to do 8)

i'm poetic

got to get a webcam

 

[saxonbass]

As said earlier; to lock onto the drummer where it counts, BUT also make a little twist and turns when the song gives you headroom for it.

It`s okay with meatballs and potatoes, but a little spice doesn`t hurt. :wink:

... I have to agree with Charmand here... stay rock-solid, but put the fancy bits in where there's space... and you can have too much of a good thing... leave 'em wanting more!

 

[Gerry]

Even simple basslines need to be articulated properly. That's what I'm working on.

 

[Patrik]

I think it's the best is when the groove kicks in .... when those simple spontaneously made up lines are played over and over again without any particular goal... Makes me perform stuff I never thought I could do...

Unfortunatley it rarely kicks in when I gig ...

 

[Jarman]

I think we all have a different perspective on the word groove, so im gunna use the word feeling, the most important thing to me, is feeling, if the player has his heart in his instrument then it will souund and feel good, even with out rhythm, or tune.

 

[Grgzilla]

What you dont play is just as important as what you do play. :wink:

 

[FMJ]

Exactly, theres a beauty in space. It allows the music breathe.. It can also create a nice tension and release situation where you can build something up on one note and hold it and just have that anticipation from the crowd to see where you'll go next.

But like everyone here, if something doesnt groove or feel right then it wont sound right. If you cant put something of yourself into your playing then it will always sound like nothing. Plus if the crowds not engaged with you by either shaking their booty's or tapping there feet or even just plain paying attention, then somethings not right.. Thats always my yardstick.
I personally like to hold something down and fill where I think it'll have most impact.. Whether the groove is more advanced or just sits on 1/4 note Roots or Roots/5ths... its like you can say as much by playing less but giving the same foundation. I try and do the Paul Denman thing of playing for the song and trying to find what works best for the song, not just wants best for me and make it feel as good as possible for people to do their thing over... thats half the fun for me now.

The locking in with the drummer thing is important in some situations but working off them is just as good too. Just depends on what genre of music you're playing. Its just what feels right to what you play in those situations. Having a good sense of rhythm helps here but you also have to hear the style of music in your head too.. Having big ears is a huge thing too, you have to hear whats going on and try to get within it all.. its all ingredients to put in a big mixing pot to making a nice tasty groove.

I dunno, my take on it all :?

 

[Callum]

Groove and ability to keep in time are probably generalized as whats needed but technique is very important (I don't mean technical stuff like double thumping or the like) being able to play smoothly, evenly and fluidly is something that is very important.

The fluidity lets you develop the groove imo they go hand in hand. If you play something simple, but play it well it can really impress people, even a really simple slap groove which is even, not choppy can really impress people.

Humility is also something that is important, know your level and know what you need to work on and know when to shut up. Playing in school and with events with many musicians, and sound checks lets you see many types of players. Hysteria is a classic song many bass players i've come across use to sound check in 'a look what i can do kinda way'. It gets progressively worse with each player trying to show off more after a few of them had butchered multiple muse or chili songs I saw one guy sound-check with hammering each string in turn or something, it left an impression on me said a lot about the guy, who i know could play those songs spot on from past experience with him.

 

[Kris]

Playing with dynamics is very important; don't always be loud or low, change in accordance with the song and the soloists that need support.

 

[Stroud]

for me personally its gelling with the drummer (especially good if you've got yourself a great drummer)

What you dont play is just as important as what you do play. :wink:

lol i thought you might say that greg :wink:

 

[Callum]

for me personally its gelling with the drummer (especially good if you've got yourself a great drummer)

Its great when you get a drummer that you work well with, that way you normally gel without even thinking about it. A good drummer and bass combo makes a band tight as guitarist, pianist etc can play whatever.

 

[Grgzilla]

for me personally its gelling with the drummer (especially good if you've got yourself a great drummer)

What you dont play is just as important as what you do play. :wink:

lol i thought you might say that greg :wink:

Uhoh,I think I'm turning into my dad with the predictability thing. :lol:

 

[ThirdthumB]

for me personally its gelling with the drummer (especially good if you've got yourself a great drummer)

What you dont play is just as important as what you do play. :wink:

lol i thought you might say that greg :wink:

Uhoh,I think I'm turning into my dad with the predictability thing. :lol:

......................It probably already happened............. :lol: But don't worry, I remember from previous posts that your dad is a really fabulous guy. :wink: