What makes a good Bass Player????
I was reading Bass Player magazine today. I dont normally buy mags but this issue was on Rock bass legends. I just couldnt resist buying it. Its really interesting reading on all these great bass players and it was interesting to know the Metallica had more bass legends than any other band and they are Cliff Burton, Jason Newsted and Robert Trujillo. Having listened to Metallica's album during Cliff Burton and Jason Newsted's period, it is easy to see how different these two players were and how thier playing defined how Metallica sound. Havent really listened to Robert Trujillo because the St Anger album sucks. Anyway the most obvious difference in the way these 2 bassist plays, is the pick. Cliff Burton ( & Robert Trujillo)is a finger picker while Jason Newsted is a pick player. Both of them have their reasons for using either their fingers or pick and they were good reasons. The pick gave a brighter more defined sound while the fingers give a fatter, muddier sound. The issue about finger style playing and pick playing is a mojor issue in the world of bass players. There are many famous bassist who argues that thier method is better while putting down the other method. For example KISS bassist Gene Simmons uses a pick...and i quote him..."I want to hear the notes, which is why i use a pick.If you're going to play something that you'll only feel, f*** that. I want to feel it, and i want to hear it."
Some players play simple bass lines, some play melodic bass lines, and some play funky bass lines and all these players are legends in their own right. For example if u listen to Sting's playing, u will notice how simple his lines are and if u listen to John Paul Jones( Led Zeppelin), u will realise he improvises alot over the chords. Flea's ( Red Hot Chilli Peppers) playing is very funky, and u will realise his playing is literally driving the the whole band. RHCP is one of kind because thier music is pretty much oriented around the bass.Michael Anthony( Van Halen) doesnt play very outstanding stuff but his solid bass lines provides a solid foundation for Eddie Van Halen to solo. John Myung (Dream Theater) playing is very melodic, solid, innovative.
So what makes a good bassist?? To me the basic thing every bassist should be able to do is to provide a good solid foundation for the band and to do this is not hard...just play the root at the correct place and try to follow the rhythm. But what makes a good bassist? Well..this is a pretty subjective question...it depends on the each individual bassist. Every bassist has thier own thoughts and principles that they follow with regards to the role of the bass and how to play it. I guess thats what makes every bassist unique. Thats one of the reason why i do not encourage ppl to go to yamaha music schools. The way they teach the guitar/bass is so standard. They give u a song and teach u how to play the song. They do not teach them how to be innovative, to be creative, etc. So in the end the student only knows how to play the song and not how to play the instrument. So when playing bass....just play the bass...define the role of the bass as u please...define your own playing style...learn techniques...try to create your own tecniques...wutever it takes....ROCK ON
Some players play simple bass lines, some play melodic bass lines, and some play funky bass lines and all these players are legends in their own right. For example if u listen to Sting's playing, u will notice how simple his lines are and if u listen to John Paul Jones( Led Zeppelin), u will realise he improvises alot over the chords. Flea's ( Red Hot Chilli Peppers) playing is very funky, and u will realise his playing is literally driving the the whole band. RHCP is one of kind because thier music is pretty much oriented around the bass.Michael Anthony( Van Halen) doesnt play very outstanding stuff but his solid bass lines provides a solid foundation for Eddie Van Halen to solo. John Myung (Dream Theater) playing is very melodic, solid, innovative.
So what makes a good bassist?? To me the basic thing every bassist should be able to do is to provide a good solid foundation for the band and to do this is not hard...just play the root at the correct place and try to follow the rhythm. But what makes a good bassist? Well..this is a pretty subjective question...it depends on the each individual bassist. Every bassist has thier own thoughts and principles that they follow with regards to the role of the bass and how to play it. I guess thats what makes every bassist unique. Thats one of the reason why i do not encourage ppl to go to yamaha music schools. The way they teach the guitar/bass is so standard. They give u a song and teach u how to play the song. They do not teach them how to be innovative, to be creative, etc. So in the end the student only knows how to play the song and not how to play the instrument. So when playing bass....just play the bass...define the role of the bass as u please...define your own playing style...learn techniques...try to create your own tecniques...wutever it takes....ROCK ON
posted by James Chan at 8:22 PM
2 Comments:
I typed into google "what makes a good Bass Player?" and your blog post came up on the top three finds. I liked how your article was in reference to a magazine article on the topic. I also like how it was in reference to popular rock metal bands. Lastly, you opinion at the end of the blog in response to the original question stated is a good answer answer for me. I was hoping to find something more technical online, but the truth is its about keepin' the rhymth and flow while being interesting. ThANX BUMMER
i had the same story as stephanie. i play bass and was wondering how someone would answer this question. you hit it right on the dot. i couldn't agree more.
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