What is a Bassist's Role?

[Steel String Bender]

Uh, so I guess my point is................Music is self expressive and as a player, you should be free to do whatever you want to - as long as you understand and stay within the "confines" of the "music" you are playing.

I'm a big advocate of playing appropriately for the song. However, I believe it's still acceptable (and even a good idea) to "color outside the lines" once or twice over the course of a performance.

[bassjones]

Uh, so I guess my point is................Music is self expressive and as a player, you should be free to do whatever you want to - as long as you understand and stay within the "confines" of the "music" you are playing.

I'm a big advocate of playing appropriately for the song. However, I believe it's still acceptable (and even a good idea) to "color outside the lines" once or twice over the course of a performance.

Me too, and I also believe there's a difference between live and studio work. In the studio, I am as simple as I can possibly be, while live I like to cut loose a little more. A 4 hour night playing root-v is just not interesting to me at all. I'll stay down low most of the night, but give me a little room to express myself, especially in an original band. If I'm working as a hired hand, I'll play whatever the band leader wants me to play - most that I've dealt with are pretty open to the musician's interpretations of songs though. But an equal parts band, I'm certainly open to suggestions, but that doesn't mean I'm always going to go with them.

[Silencio]

I'm a big advocate of playing appropriately for the song.

Me, too.

Now if we could only get five guys in a band to agree on what is "appropriate."

As Walter Becker wrote in his "Expressions To Avoid During A Recording Session:"

"I just wish I could get a whole band that sounds as good as me."

[bassjones]

I'm a big advocate of playing appropriately for the song.

Me, too.

Now if we could only get five guys in a band to agree on what is "appropriate."

As Walter Becker wrote in his "Expressions To Avoid During A Recording Session:"

"I just wish I could get a whole band that sounds as good as me."

ha! Sometimes you just have to trust each other and let each player interpret the song. Even if it's not exactly the part you're hearing in your head the song will have more energy if each person is playing what they hear as appropriate.

[QuiNSANiTy]

I love the guitar, but music doesn't revolve around what the guitarist wants to do in every music style. Guitar doesn't always lead a band. Maybe if your a rocker or blues guy. But even then RHCP all there songs were funk influenced and Flea played busy lines. Rarely played root and he did solo fills.

You know guys, not many people on this post have talked about different music forms or styles how the bass's role changes. Seems like it's all about rock, but not all rock is the same and not all music is rock.
I totally disagree that the bass's purpose is soley to BACK UP a guitarist. Why can't they back up each other? The Rhcp made it work, everyone got spot light. John F. would drop out and then Flea would do a solo and vice versa.

Some of the groovist music is bass centered with little guitar parts and different instruments performing the bass role. Look at Soulive, they have no bassist, but they have bass keys, look at Charlie hunter, no keyboard, not bass, but a 8 string guitar played finger style. Hell,Stevie Wonder didn't need a guitarist or a bass player. But he really didn't need a guitarist playing nothing but bar chords. None of these groups needed a guitarist doing all the work, or all the solos. Some groups perfer keyboard over guitar. These groups I listed above didn't even need bass if they could cover it on their own.

I'm sure most guitarist that read that last couple of lines tore their face up if they didn't like that idea.

If I was a bassist and knew I could express myself differently from the next bassist, I'm going to do so. Look at Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorious. I know that they were jazz trained guys, but Marcus Miller Especially backed up many musicians but also could do wonderful bass fills and harmonize the singer. Dude can play rock, blues, soul, jazz, funk, and have different roles in each style. That's not exactly root playing. But it works in the right context.

Keep in mind in most music, the bassist is the Only person besides the drummer who has to keep playing start to finish. The big difference is he has to play in pitch with the guitar or keyboardist. So what's wrong with letting a bassist play an extra note or two as long as it makes sense?
I'd get bored playing 1 note every chord change. F--k that!

If your telling a bass player to play nothing but root root and he doesn't have to, that's like telling a guitarist to play nothing but power chords or to play on your first two frets and that's it. Who wants to have one or two choices of notes to use every gig all the time? No one..

It is possible to share the stage and everyone gets the "solo". You just gotta game plan it as a ensemble thing, switch things up or around togther and it will work. Some people don't want to do that cause they might feel it's too much effort or their selfish. But it sure beats having a fellow musician in your band, back stab you and leave you hanging cause you didn't compromise and he or she wants to be more expressive.

When everyone on stage starts playing for themselves and not for the group or an idea, it becomes masterbation. Samething is one guy hogs the stage and the band ISN'T named after him or her. Music is about SHARING. And unless you have a band named after you , every member plays for each other. And it's the musican taht makes the music , not the instruments!

But as for Bassjones or any musician. Do what you do, be happy i'm sure things happen for a reason. In the end your happy your happy. And If it wasn't for the public post about the North River Agents. I would have never known you weren't with them anymore. I was looking forward to hearing you but thanks for the public notice. And I think it's more then fair that bassjones can share his story or at least state publicly his status.

[subgenius88]

The real question is this: what is any instrumentalist's role in a band? The answer: any and none.

[Bjart Sod]

Quinsanity, I knew there was a reason I told you about this thread. Some one needs to come up with a snappy saying about guitarists playing five- and six-string barre chords non-stop.

(Worse than busy bassists: two-guitar bands where they play in unison except for the solo.)

[bassjones]

Quincy - you should still go check them out. They're really good at what they do. I wanted to incorporate more funk and gospel feel and they didn't feel like it was working is all. It's all good now.

You should also come check out White Hot Noise (my new band). Bring your axe and join us on stage too for that matter. I think you've jammed with our guitarist before - Tim German. We're doing stuff that's more up my alley - the funky side of jam

[QuiNSANiTy]

Bassjones, I enjoyed the North River Agents, They Moved on in the battle of the bands last night. And their bassist was very fitting to what they do too. But I understand finding your fit. I'm glad that it worked out for both you guys cause in many cases it breaks bands apart. They had a strong performance.

BartSod i totally agree. nuff said.

Subgenius . good point. a M.c. doesn't need a band. But could use one. ect... or a singer might just use tracks or a keyboard.

[Marshall_EL34_Halen]

DOES IT WORK?? sometimes, but it depends on the song. I don't think it is upstaging anyone however, there is a proper way to spotlight yourself.

Think about this, if you went and seen a local band and the guitar player just played through each song (covers for the 70's, 80's, 90's etc.) hammering away and slipping in notes all over the place, after a while I would get bored with watching them.

Same with a bass player. I like a bass line to move around.. but too much becomes boring to me. Sometimes playing straight and loud (cracking the plaster on the walls) will get a lot more attention than doing a low-level gymnastics show on a fretboard.

anyway, for what it's worth, if you like soloing on the bass all the time, maybe it's time to grab a guitar or keyboard as well.